Clearing Hotline: +44 (0)23 9284 8090
Who can apply through Clearing?
You can use Clearing if any of the following apply to you:
- You don't meet the conditions of your offer for your firm (first) or insurance (second) choice courses
- Your exam results are better than you expected and you want to change your course or university
- You don't hold any offers
- You've accepted an offer but changed your mind about the course you want to do
- You're applying for the first time after 30 June
Waiting for your results? Sign up to Priority Clearing.
Sign up for exclusive invites, information and events including:
- A priority call back on results day (Thursday 17 August)
- Exclusive Clearing updates
- Guaranteed accommodation information straight to your inbox
- Access to our VIP Clearing Days (Saturday 19 August or Monday 21 August)
- An invite to our dedicated Clearing webinar (Tuesday 1 August)
- One-to-one application support
How to apply through Clearing
Applying through Clearing might seem complicated or overwhelming at first, but it's a simple process when you break it down into these steps:
1. Before Clearing opens
Check Clearing course vacancies regularly
2. During Clearing (once you have your results)
Contact universities and get offers
3. After getting a place through Clearing
1. Before Clearing opens
Prepare yourself
It's best to do this in the days or weeks before Clearing starts, even if you're confident about your exam results. Spend some time looking at universities and courses you might consider and have all the numbers and information you'll need on results day if your exam results aren't what you expected.
Our guide on preparing for Clearing tells you everything you'll need to know before you contact universities, including how to make a shortlist of courses and universities, what information you'll need to have to hand and what questions to ask when you get in touch.
Clearing can be stressful, but even spending a few minutes preparing yourself before you contact unis puts you in a great position. If you're feeling overwhelmed, see our guide on how to beat stress and anxiety during Clearing. You might also find our guide on how to help a friend if they don't get their grades helpful.
Check Clearing course vacancies regularly
Have a think about what other courses you might be interested in if you don't get the results you need for your first choice university, or if you think you might do better than expected. This will help you to act quickly on results day, because the most popular courses do fill up quickly.
Remember that the availability of courses changes rapidly in Clearing, 所以你需要留意最新的职位空缺.
You can see all Clearing vacancies on the UCAS website and on university websites.
Attend some open days
Most universities will be holding in-person undergraduate open days this summer. If you haven't yet had a chance to visit universities you're interested in person this is your chance. Pay some visits over the summer and you'll have a better idea of where you want to be in September.
We're holding two open days this summer.
2. During Clearing (once you have your results)
Contact universities and get offers
Clearing is open and if you already have your results and know the course you'd like to study you can apply now.
Many of our most popular courses are available in Clearing so you're sure to find a your perfect degree.
The majority of people apply through Clearing once they receive their exam results on A level / T level results day (17 August 2023).
On this day the university phone lines and online application forms will open early and they will be busy. In many cases you'll also be able to talk to universities through their social media accounts, through chatbots and live chat and through WhatsApp.
It pays to do some research and to be prepared. For everything you'll need to be ready for your results day read our guide to preparing for Clearing.
You'll need to contact all the universities you're interested in directly to discuss your options. Once you have your offer you can then make your final decision using UCAS Hub (if you previously applied through UCAS).
You can also use UCAS Clearing Plus by going to the 'My matches' option in UCAS Hub and selecting the 'I'm interested button' for the courses you're interested in. This allows universities to contact you. But it might mean you miss out on popular courses if universities have already filled places via their phone lines or websites.
Transferring from another university
If you wish to transfer universities and you want to join us in the second or third year of a degree, you cannot apply through Clearing. The process is slightly different for this type of application. Please contact us at admissions@payclickltd.com if you wish to complete a transfer application and we would be happy to advise on the next steps.
Getting an offer
If we make you an offer we'll confirm it by email and give you 24 hours to accept it.
We'll ask you to read through our Clearing terms and conditions before you accept an offer.
Starting in 2024 instead of 2023
If you want to take a year out before you start your course, we consider ‘deferred entry’ for some courses during Clearing.
We'll let you know if this option is available for your chosen course when you contact us.
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Accepting an offer through UCAS
If you previously applied to university through UCAS, you can accept a Clearing offer in your UCAS Hub. Go to the ‘Your choices’ section of your application and click 'Add Clearing choice. Then enter the details of the course. Remember:
- Only add a Clearing choice if you've been given an offer by a university
- You can only accept one offer in UCAS Hub, so don't be too hasty in making your decision.
If you have any difficulty adding your Clearing choice in UCAS, or you've missed the deadline, let the university know as soon as possible.
Accepting an offer if you didn't apply through UCAS
If we offer you a place and you didn't apply through UCAS, follow the link in your email confirmation and complete our online Record of Prior Acceptance form to accept it.
Sending proof of qualifications
UCAS sends us results for most types of qualifications as soon as they're available, so you won't normally need to send us any proof if you previously applied through UCAS. We will eventually need to see your exam certificates.
We'll tell you if you do need to send us your results because you applied to us directly or UCAS can't send them to us.
10 Top Tips for contacting universities during Clearing
- Find a quiet, comfortable space with good phone and web access, away from distractions
- Have your address, phone number and email address ready to share.
- You'll need to know your qualifications and grades (ideally have your certificates/results to hand). This includes your GCSE grades. Make sure you have the full title of the qualification and the subject studied as this is vital information.
- Have your UCAS Personal ID with you, if you applied through UCAS (but don't worry if you don't have this on you)
- Keep a list of questions to ask so you get the information you need to make the right choice
- Have an idea of what to say to stand out, such as highlighting your qualities and experience
- If you're thinking of studying a different course to your original application, let the advisor know what area you're interested in and why – they can talk about courses they offer
- Keep a notepad nearby to jot down information about your conversations – write down the person's name and a summary of what you discussed including any deadlines for accepting an offer or getting back to them
- Contact universities yourself – don't ask a parent, teacher or friend to call, unless you absolutely must
- Be prepared for a telephone interview with a lecturer as some courses might require this
3. After getting your place through Clearing
Sort out your accommodation
Your next step after accepting an offer is to sort out where you're going to live. After all, it's only a matter of weeks until you start your course.
If you apply through Clearing, you'll be offered a guaranteed room in halls if you accept your offer within 48 hours of receiving it and apply for accommodation as a new full-time undergraduate student by 23 August 2023.
Once you accept a place at Portsmouth our friendly student housing team will get in touch with you to help you sort out the right accommodation for you.
Whether you decide to live in halls or in private rented accommodation we offer the same 24/7 welfare advice and support to all new students.
Apply for your visa
If you're an EU or international student and you need a visa to study here you need to start the process quickly as visas can take some time to come through. Get in touch with our visa support team if you have a question or problem.
Update your student finance application
If you've already applied for your student loan, you'll need to log into your account and update details about your new course/university. If you haven't applied for your student loan yet, don't panic. Apply today – it only takes 30 minutes.
Your guide to student finance for clearing
Get ready for your arrival at uni
Once you've formally accepted your offer, sorted your accommodation and checked your student finance application, it's time to get ready for your arrival.
Our guide to joining the university lists everything you need to do before you get here.
What is Clearing?
Our students share their Clearing experience.
Nana: I'm really glad that I applied for clearing. It definitely paid off.
Cristina: Clearing is a process of applying to university after the deadline for applying for your uni. So if you decide to change your course or to change your university, clearing is how you can get into those universities.
Jess: I had originally applied to Portsmouth to do Sociology with Criminology, and then decided the course probably wasn't for me. So very, very last minute I decided in the summer that I wanted to switch courses and I found International Development and then it was too late to change through the normal application process, so I decided, well, the only option was to go through clearing.
Nana: It was very nerve-wracking. I was afraid that I'd end up with nothing. However, that definitely wasn't the case and there was so much support and information online that was given to me. So it was quite straightforward. It wasn't difficult or scary at all.
Jess: It was surprisingly super, super easy. I was put in touch with my course leader and it was all sorted within the hour, basically, after results.
Senura: The first thing I would say to somebody applying for clearing is, don't panic.
Fatima: Keep positive and less worried when applying to the clearing process.
Jess: It's actually very quick and very easy.
Cristina: Literally, the whole process of clearing took me less than 24 hours.
Max: Whether it's enrolling you to a course that you wanted or even just providing information for you, the clearing team will always have your back.
Nana: I definitely recommend anyone that's worried to just go with their instinct and do it.
Max: I'm really happy with the choice I've made. Things don't go according to plan on purpose and it happens for the best.
Fatima: I felt relieved knowing I’d gotten what I wanted and my dream was about to come true.
Clearing: International students
We welcome applications from international students. If you already have your exam results you can apply from 5 July 2023. Find out more about international clearing and how to apply.
Clearing: Being prepared
There's plenty of things you can do to prepare yourself for Clearing.
Courses
Find an undergraduate or postgraduate degree course that suits you at Portsmouth.
Clearing: Frequently asked questions
Find answers quickly to your questions about Clearing. Our admissions team has answered all your frequently asked questions about Clearing.
