UCAS Clearing 2026: How It Works, Key Dates & How to Apply

You open your results just to see that one university said no. Another says you haven’t met the conditions of your offer. Maybe you applied late. Or perhaps you’ve simply had a change of heart, and the course you once wanted doesn’t feel right anymore.

For a moment, it can feel like everyone else’s university plans are falling into place while yours has suddenly stopped. This is where UCAS Clearing comes in. Clearing gives you another way to find a university or college course that still has places available. And you’re far from the only student using it; more than 50,000 students find places through Clearing every year.

So, if Clearing is where you find yourself this year, this blog highlights what you need to know about the UCAS Clearing process in 2026, from finding available courses to adding your final choice.

What Is UCAS Clearing?

UCAS Clearing is a process that helps students find university and college courses with available places. Universities and colleges use Clearing to fill places that remain available on their courses.

For the 2026 cycle, Clearing runs from 2 July to 19 October 2026.

You may be able to use Clearing if:

• You’re applying after 30 June.
• You didn’t receive any offers, or none of your offers are ones you want to accept.
• You didn’t meet the conditions of your offers.
• You’ve decided you no longer want your firm choice and have used the ‘decline my place’ option in your UCAS application.

There isn’t one particular kind of student who ends up in Clearing. Take someone who applied for Psychology at five universities but missed their grades by a few points. They might find another Psychology course through Clearing. Someone else may discover that their original university isn’t quite right for them anymore and decide to look elsewhere.

The circumstances are different. The next step is the same: look at what’s available and decide what works for you now.

UCAS Clearing 2026 Key Dates

When Does UCAS Clearing Open and Close in 2026?

For 2026, UCAS Clearing is open from:

2 July to 19 October 2026.

Clearing vacancies are listed in the UCAS search tool from 2 July 2026, and universities and colleges update their availability regularly. That means the course you can’t find today might appear later. Equally, a course you’re interested in might disappear once its available places have been filled.

Who Is Eligible for UCAS Clearing?

You may be eligible for Clearing in several situations.

• You’re applying after 30 June

Applications received after 30 June 2026 at 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing. So if you didn’t submit your application by 30 June and are applying later, you can still apply through Clearing. If you haven’t applied to UCAS at all, you’ll first need to register and submit an application before you can add a Clearing choice.

• You didn’t receive an offer

Perhaps none of your five choices made you an offer. Clearing gives you the opportunity to look at other universities and courses that still have vacancies.

• You didn’t meet your offer conditions

This is one of the situations students often associate with Clearing. Before assuming your university journey is over, check your UCAS application and speak to your university. They may still be considering your application. If your original place doesn’t work out, you can then explore Clearing vacancies.

• You changed your mind

Sometimes the problem isn’t your grades. It’s the decision itself. You might have accepted a firm unconditional offer months ago and then realised you’d rather study somewhere else. If you decide you no longer want your firm choice, you can use the ‘decline my place’ option in your application to enter Clearing.

Also Read: All You Need To Know About UCAS Application

UCAS Clearing vs Clearing Plus

The names sound similar, but Clearing and Clearing Plus aren’t the same thing. Think of Clearing as the overall process giving you a way to find university and college courses that still have places available and, where eligible, add a Clearing choice to your UCAS application.

Clearing Plus is a matching service within that process. It uses information from your UCAS application to suggest courses that could be a good fit for you.

If you’re eligible for Clearing, you may see ‘My matches’ in your UCAS application. These are courses that UCAS has identified as potential matches based on the information in your application and what universities and colleges are looking for.

You can express your interest in a matched course. If the university or college has vacancies and thinks you’re suitable, they may contact you.

Say you want to study Marketing in Manchester, but none of your suggested matches is quite right. That doesn’t mean there aren’t other options. You can still use the UCAS search tool to look through the wider list of Clearing vacancies yourself.

In short: Clearing gives you the search; Clearing Plus gives you suggestions. You can, and should, use both.

UCAS Clearing for International Students

Clearing works in much the same way for international students. You can use it if you’re applying after 30 June, don’t have an offer you want to accept, haven’t met your offer conditions, or decide you want to change your current choice.

But there’s an extra layer to think about. Securing a seat at the university is only one part of moving to the UK. Once your place is confirmed, you’ll also need to think about your outstanding admissions documents, visa arrangements, finances, travel, and accommodation.

That’s why it helps to prepare before you start contacting universities. Keep your academic documents and other relevant information close at hand. If a university asks for something, you don’t want to spend the next few hours trying to find it.

Can International Students Apply Directly Through Clearing?

Yes. If you haven’t already applied through UCAS, you’ll need to register and submit an application first.

For the 2026 cycle, students applying directly to Clearing after 30 June can also upload supporting information through UCAS’s document upload service.

Once your application has been submitted, you can add a Clearing choice.

How to Apply Through UCAS Clearing?

The process is fairly straightforward. The difficult part is often deciding which option is actually right for you. Here’s how to approach it.

1. Ask for Advice

Before you start calling universities, talk to someone who can help you make sense of your options. That could be a school or college adviser, careers adviser, teacher, or another trusted person. They may help you spot possibilities you hadn’t considered. Perhaps a joint honours course makes sense. Perhaps there’s a related subject that fits your interests just as well.

If you’re applying independently, UCAS has the information you need to work through Clearing yourself. You don’t need to have everything figured out before you start. You just need a sensible place to begin.

2. Search for Available Courses

Start by searching for your preferred course on the UCAS search tool. Browse through related courses too if your first choice isn’t available. If you originally searched for a single subject, a joint honours course might also be worth considering.

When you find something promising, look beyond the university name.

Check:

• What modules will you study?
• How is the course structured?
• What are the entry requirements?
• What does each year of study look like?
• Is there a placement or practical component?
• Where is the university based?

And keep checking. Universities update their Clearing vacancies regularly, so today’s list isn’t necessarily tomorrow’s list.

3. Contact the University or College

Found a course you like? Don’t immediately add it to your UCAS application. First, contact the university or college. You’ll need your Clearing number and Personal ID so they can find your application.

This conversation is your chance to ask whether they can consider you and to understand what happens next. The university may even reconsider your application if you applied to them earlier in the year. You can also ask about accommodation, particularly if you’re going to be moving to a new city.

If you have the opportunity to visit the campus, do it. If that’s not possible, see whether the university offers a virtual tour or virtual open day.

4. Add Your Clearing Choice

Once a university or college has given you permission, you can add the course to your UCAS application.

Go to ‘Your choices’, select ‘Add Clearing choice’, and enter the course details you’ve been given. However, remember to only add a Clearing choice after the university or college has given you permission. Adding the choice counts as accepting the offer.

You can add only one Clearing choice at a time. If the university doesn’t confirm your place, you can then add another. Once your place is confirmed, it’s time to move on to everything that comes after admission — including accommodation.

Do You Need to Reply to a Clearing Offer?

No. You don’t need to send a separate reply. Once the university or college gives you permission, add the agreed Clearing choice to your UCAS application. The university or college will then confirm the decision through UCAS.

So, if a university tells you they want to offer you a place, don’t forget the crucial next step: add the Clearing choice to your application.

Also Read: How to Apply to Universities in the UK through UCAS

What Is ‘Decline My Place’ in UCAS Clearing?

If you’re eligible and no longer want your firm place, UCAS may give you the option to use ‘Decline my place’ to enter Clearing. The decision is not reversible, so UCAS recommends securing another offer before using it. It gives you the chance to explore other universities and courses.

Once you’ve given up your place, you shouldn’t assume you’ll automatically be able to get it back. If you’re thinking about changing universities, speak to the relevant universities first and understand your options before making the change.

Can You Swap Your Firm and Insurance Choices?

No. You can’t simply swap your firm and insurance choices after the results. If you want to attend your insurance university, contact it to discuss your options. If you want to explore another university, you may need to use Clearing.

Tips for Contacting Universities During UCAS Clearing

Calling a university when you’re worried about your results can be intimidating. You might not know what to say, or you might be tempted to call every university you can find. A little preparation helps. 

Before calling, check the university’s Clearing page for its opening hours, contact number, and any specific requirements.

• Keep Your Details in Front of You

Have your:

• Clearing number
• UCAS Personal ID
• Exam results
• Course details
• Relevant qualifications

ready before you call.

You don’t want to put the admissions team on hold while you search through your emails for your UCAS number.

• Know Why You’re Calling

You don’t need to deliver a perfect speech. But you should know which course you’re interested in and why.

If you’ve researched the modules and there’s a particular part of the course that caught your attention, say so. It makes the conversation much easier than simply saying, “Do you have any places?”

• Keep Looking if the First Call Doesn’t Work Out

A university saying no doesn’t mean Clearing has ended for you. Another course may have vacancies. A university may update its availability later. A related course may turn out to be a better fit than the one you originally had in mind.

Keep checking the UCAS search tool and contacting universities you’re genuinely interested in.

• Don’t Choose in a Panic

Results day can make everything feel urgent. Well, it is urgent in some ways; places can fill quickly, but that doesn’t mean you should accept the first course that says yes. Look at the course. Check the university. Think about where you’ll live. Ask questions. 

A Clearing place is still a university choice. It deserves the same thought you’d have given it if you’d found the course months earlier.

What Happens After You Secure a Clearing Place?

Once your place is confirmed, the focus shifts from finding a university to getting ready for it.

Check your university’s emails carefully. You may still need to complete registration, submit documents, or meet other conditions before you start. As an international student, you may also need to work through your visa and travel arrangements.

And then there’s accommodation. If you’re moving to a new city for university, finding somewhere to live should be near the top of your list. Start looking as soon as you know where you’re going rather than waiting until the last few days before term begins.

Wrapping Up!

There is a particular kind of panic that comes with results day. You spend months imagining your first day at university, then one result can make that picture look completely different.

But a changed plan isn’t necessarily a bad plan. Clearing gives you a way to look again at different universities, different courses, and sometimes even a different subject. Take the time to understand what’s available. Speak to universities before adding a choice. Ask the questions you need answered. And don’t choose a course simply because you’re afraid there won’t be another option.

Once your Clearing place is confirmed, accommodation becomes one of the next things to sort out — especially if you’re moving to a new city. Start comparing locations, prices and room types early so you’re not making a rushed decision.

Got your university place through UCAS Clearing? Explore student accommodation options across the UK with UniAcco.

Frequently Asked Questions