The best way to choose a university course through Clearing is to do your preparation before results day, compare courses on entry requirements and graduate outcomes, and hold out for a course that fits your interests and career plans rather than taking the first available place.
A-level results day 2026 was Thursday 13 August, and Clearing runs from 2 July to 19 October. Tens of thousands of students find their university place this way every year. Some are there because they missed their predicted grades. Others changed their mind about their original choices, or came across courses and universities they hadn't previously considered.
Clearing isn't a sign that something has gone wrong. It's a normal part of UK university admissions.
What makes it hard is the compression. A decision that would normally take weeks gets squeezed into a few hours, at exactly the point when most students feel under the most pressure. The ones who find it easiest are almost always the ones who did some preparation beforehand.
What should I do to prepare for Clearing before results day?
Results day moves quickly. UCAS Hub updates in the morning, university phone lines open, and admissions teams work through a very large number of enquiries.
Calls are often short, so it helps to already know:
- Which courses interest you
- Which universities you'd consider
- Your predicted grades and your realistic alternatives
- What you want to ask admissions teams
The advice from UCAS and from most universities is consistent on this: research your options before results day, so Clearing becomes a matter of confirming choices rather than starting from zero.
For most students the hard part is building that shortlist in the first place. There are thousands of courses available, and before results day you don't know exactly what grades you'll have.
How do I choose the right course through Clearing?
A Clearing course shouldn't just be a university with places left. The best choice is one that matches your academic profile, your interests, your career plans and your expectations of student life.
When you're comparing options, look at:
- Entry requirements. How your grades compare to the profile of students who typically get in.
- Course content. The modules and specialisms on offer, not just the subject title.
- Graduate outcomes. Employment rates, further study, and typical salaries a few years after graduating.
- Student satisfaction. How current and recent students rate teaching quality and the course experience.
- Continuation rates. How many students stay on past first year.
- Accreditation. Relevant for engineering, law and some healthcare courses.
- Placement or study abroad opportunities. Worth weighting heavily if practical experience matters for your career plans.
- Location and cost of living. A course you can realistically afford to finish.
The right Clearing choice isn't necessarily the highest-ranked university with space. It's the course that gives you the best combination of academic fit, career opportunity and genuine interest.
How do my grades affect what courses I can apply for?
The biggest challenge in Clearing is cutting thousands of possible courses down to a realistic few.
This is where a tool like StudyDecidr helps. Rather than reading through long lists, you enter the grades you've achieved (or the grades you realistically expect), along with your subject interests and study preferences. StudyDecidr then returns a curated shortlist of courses that are realistic for your profile, typically around 25 options or fewer.
Each match comes with outcome information such as student satisfaction, continuation rates and graduate salary data, so you can compare course quality rather than just availability.
It works alongside your own research and UCAS's course search, speeding up the hardest part: working out which options are worth considering at all.
How to use grade matching during Clearing
Before results day, from July onwards. Run your matches using your predicted grades, then test a range slightly above and below them. That way you already understand your likely options. When your results arrive you're adjusting a shortlist rather than starting from scratch.
When you receive your results. Update your matches using your actual grades. A realistic shortlist should account for more than advertised entry requirements: courses can have flexibility during Clearing depending on demand and available places, so knowing where your profile sits helps you spot genuine opportunities.
When you're contacting universities. A focused shortlist makes every conversation more productive. Instead of asking:
"Do you have any courses available?"
you can ask about specific courses you already understand, and explain why they interest you. That shows admissions teams you're making a considered decision, and it gets you better answers.
What are the best Clearing tips for results day?
Have your information ready
Before you start calling, have your UCAS Personal ID, your Clearing number, your full grades or UCAS points, the courses you're interested in and your questions to hand. It makes every call quicker.
Call universities as well as applying online
Online applications are useful, but speaking to admissions teams directly often gets you a clearer picture faster, especially on results day when availability shifts through the day.
Keep notes
Write down which universities you contacted, who you spoke to, what they told you and any next steps. It's easy to lose track once you've spoken to several.
Don't rush into the first offer
Results day feels urgent, but Clearing doesn't end after the first few hours. Take the time to compare properly. A course you find later in the day may suit you far better than the first place you're offered.
Stay open-minded
Good courses appear in Clearing every year, purely because of shifts in student numbers and demand. Availability doesn't mean a course is second-rate.
The bottom line
Clearing is a normal and widely used part of UK university admissions. Tens of thousands of students find their place through it each year, plenty of them at universities and on courses they'd never originally considered.
The students who have the calmest results day are the ones who researched their options in advance and built a realistic shortlist.
StudyDecidr helps you build that shortlist quickly, matching your grades, interests and preferences against suitable courses and giving you the outcome data to compare them confidently. Try it here.
Frequently asked questions about Clearing
What happens if I miss my firm or insurance offer?
If you don't meet the conditions of your firm or insurance choice, you may be able to use Clearing to apply for courses with places available, including courses you hadn't originally applied for.
Can I still get into a good university through Clearing?
Yes. Many well-regarded universities and strong courses have places through Clearing every year. Availability depends on student numbers and demand that year, not on course quality.
How long does Clearing last?
Clearing runs from 2 July to 19 October for 2026 entry. Results day is the busiest period by far, but you don't have to decide within the first few hours.
Do I need my final grades before looking at Clearing courses?
No. You can research and shortlist courses using predicted grades before results day, then update your options once your results arrive.
Can I use Clearing if I already have a university offer?
Yes. Some students use Clearing because they've changed their mind about their original choices, or want to explore alternatives.