What is Clearing?
Clearing helps students who don't have any offers to find undergraduate courses where places are still available. It also applies to those who apply late.
Seventy three per cent of students said they are unsure what to expect when contacting universities about available courses during Clearing.
Our step-by-step guide below explains what happens if you find yourself looking for a course to start this September.
What should I do if I changed my mind about my university course whilst doing my exams? Get help and advice.
Worried? Don't be.
Get your free guide to Clearing with helpful hints and tips on how you can prepare.
Clearing is how we fill any places we still have on our courses. It's also an ideal way for you to find another course.
What is Clearing?
Clearing runs from early July and helps prospective students without confirmation of their firm or insurance choices, and those who apply late, to find courses where places are still available.
Upcoming UCAS deadlines
25 February
UCAS extra opens
4 May
Deadline to accept one firm and one insurance offer.
July
Start of Clearing for those who haven't secured a place yet.
If you have applied through UCAS this year but have not gained a place or have declined your offers, you may be eligible for Clearing. Specifically you may wish to use Clearing if any of the following applies:
- You may not have achieved the exam results you needed to take up a conditional offer of a place on a course and have been rejected by your firm and insurance institutions
- You may have changed your mind about the subject or career path you wish to pursue and have asked your firm institution to release you into Clearing.
- You may have made a late application to start your studies this year, after the UCAS application deadline of 30 June, or not applied through UCAS at all - as such you are immediately entered into Clearing.
- You have met or exceeded the conditions of your original offer and now wish to be considered for a course at Birmingham City University - this is known as Adjustment. Get further information on how to register for Adjustment.
It’s never too early to start planning for Clearing
You may not want to think about Clearing yet but now's the perfect time to start understanding the options.
Last year, more than 65,000 students found their university place through Clearing so you’re not alone in exploring your choices. Remember, Clearing is not a negative thing – it could be your chance to ‘trade up’.
You can download our free guide to Clearing 2017, which gives hints and tips on how you can prepare at this early stage – including advice from current students who have been through Clearing themselves – so you’ll be ready for results day later in the Summer.
Not applying through UCAS?
The UCAS Clearing process is a specific process for finding places on full-time undergraduate courses. However, you may also wish to consider Birmingham City University's range of other courses - part-time, postgraduate and professional.
Further information about Clearing and Adjustment is available on the UCAS website.
Other courses available
We also have places on part-time and postgraduate courses starting this autumn which are open to students who aren't applying through Clearing.