Clearing is an increasingly popular way of applying to university and it’s never too early to consider Clearing as an option in case your young person or student needs to rethink things – whether they already have their results or are waiting for results day.
Planning ahead
Even if they are confident they’ll achieve the results they need, it’s always a good idea to have a backup plan. Encourage them to revisit other course options and different universities so that they know what’s out there if they change their mind.
There are many useful websites available to help inform their decision, including UCAS, WhatUni and The Student Room.
Doing this research beforehand will help them stay calm, focused and make sure they can hit the ground running on results day.
Join our mailing list for parents and carers
Register your details with us and we'll send you useful and timely information that will help you to support your young person through the Clearing process.
Join our mailing listClearing support for teachers and advisers
Our Results Day and Clearing workshops are delivered to students in Schools and Colleges from May to July - covering how the Clearing process works and the transition from sixth form/college into university.
View our workshopsWho can apply through Clearing?
Students can apply to university through Clearing if:
- they haven’t got a place at their firm and insurance choices
- they've changed their mind about what or where they want to study
- they didn't apply to university before receiving their results and are now assessing their options
- they've done even better than expected and want to explore new opportunities.
Find more information on our Clearing FAQs page.
Results day
On results day, your young person or student will either be:
- accepted by their firm choice
- accepted by their insurance choice if they don’t get the grades for their firm choice
- automatically entered into Clearing if their results don't meet the conditions of any of their choices.
When is results day?
- BTEC: on or before Thursday 14 August 2025.
- A-level: Thursday 14 August 2025.
Find more information on how to support your young person on our results day page.
What happens if they change their mind?
If they've already been accepted on a course but want to find a different course or university better suited to their interests, they can do so through Clearing. Just make sure that they don’t decline their original place before they have another offer lined up.
Things to consider:
- if they hold an unconditional firm (status UF) place and request to be released, this offer – and their insurance choice – will be withdrawn and they will then enter Clearing.
What they need to provide through Clearing
If your student wants to explore their options through Clearing, they should be ready with:
- their UCAS ID number (and log-in details)
- their UCAS Clearing number – this will be available on UCAS Hub
- contact details for the universities they’ve researched and are interested in
- working pens and some paper
- a phone charger
- their personal statement
- GCSE results – they may be required as part of the entry requirements on their chosen course
- details of any work experience they have completed that is relevant to the course they wish to apply for.
Please note - it’s important that your young person or student makes their Clearing application themselves. Universities are unable to discuss their application with you or anyone else, as this would breach the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
How to apply through Clearing
Register your details with us and we'll send you useful and timely information that will help you to support your young person through the Clearing process.
Find out about the Clearing application processFees and funding
Everything you need to know about fees and funding for your young person whilst they're at university, including tuition fees and living costs, how they pay for their studies, and bursaries and scholarships information.
View fees and funding informationAdditional information
Parent and carer guide
How to be there for your son, daughter or young person as they're preparing to go to uni, from A-level results day, right through to the day they arrive at NTU.
Information for teachers and careers advisers
Our Schools and Colleges Liaison team works closely with schools, sixth forms and colleges across the UK. We deliver interactive workshops to support students with their journey to higher education.
Student support
We offer personal and discreet support to our students and alumni, including health and mental wellbeing, financial and academic support, and more.
Accommodation
We've put together a step-by-step guide to help your young person book their accommodation at NTU.