Today, Clearing is considered a flexible, alternative route into higher education. While it was once seen as a last chance saloon for students who didn’t get their predicted grades on results day, more applicants than ever before are using it to access better university places.
If you’re thinking about applying to Cumbria through Clearing, take a look at the different routes you can explore.
You applied to university before 30 June but didn’t receive any offers
If you didn’t receive any offers on your original UCAS application, you will automatically be placed into Clearing. While you can do your own research into Clearing courses, you’ll also have access to Clearing Plus, which pairs unplaced undergraduate applicants with relevant courses.
How does Clearing Plus work?
If you're eligible for Clearing Plus, a button called 'See matches' will appear in your UCAS Hub application, which you can use to browse a list of your top 50 matches – it’s important to note that you may not see this option until you have your results.
These matches will be based on your original university choices, your results/qualifications and what different universities have told UCAS they're looking for. If you express an interest in a course, that university can contact you.
You haven’t applied to university via UCAS (or you applied after 30 June)
If you're a late applicant or even a mature student looking to re-enter education, you can use Clearing to apply to university. The good news too is that you can apply before results day if you already have your grades, allowing you to take advantage of available vacancies.
If you don’t have your grades yet, you’ll need to wait until results day before you can apply, although you can start doing research into Clearing courses now.
You’re rejected by your firm and insurance options on results day
If you don’t get your predicted grades on results day and both your firm and insurance choices reject you, you’ll automatically be entered into Clearing. In this case, the status on your UCAS Hub will say ‘You are in Clearing’ or ‘Clearing has started’.
When it comes to Clearing, knowledge is power, so if you don't feel confident that you'll get the grades you need on results day, it can't hurt to start making a back-up plan just in case. Vacancies can fill up quickly from results day, so knowing which universities or courses you’d like to apply to beforehand can be beneficial.
You do better than you expected in your exams... and have changed your mind about your firm place
It’s normal to change your mind about what or where to study, especially if you do better in your exams than you were expecting, so if you have an unconditional firm place and no longer wish to accept it, you can choose to self-release into Clearing and apply to a different university.
It’s worth bearing in mind that you won't be able to reverse this decision, so we’d advise having an alternative place lined up before declining your unconditional offer. Don’t self-release if you’re switching courses at the same university either, as this will also cancel any scholarship or accommodation arrangements you’ve already made.
How do I self-release into Clearing?
To self-release into Clearing, you’ll need to sign into your UCAS Hub account. Once you’re on the homepage, click the ‘decline my place’ button next to the course you want to be released from and answer the drop-down question before you confirm your decision - it’s designed this way to stop you from accidentally entering Clearing.
Afterwards, you'll get an email confirming you're in Clearing.
Apply through Clearing today
No matter how or why you enter Clearing, we have a wide range of courses available at the University of Cumbria. To learn more, visit our Clearing page or call our hotline on 0808 178 7373.
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