A Levels Clearing - Frequently Asked Questions

Who can use clearing?

Most people who use clearing have already applied through UCAS but have not secured a place on a course. The service also helps late applicants who have applied after June 30th (or after June 12th for Art and Design Route B).

You are eligible for clearing if:

• You're not holding any offers from universities or colleges
• Your offers weren't confirmed when your exam results were announced
• You've declined, or not responded to, a changed course/date of entry/point of entry offer
• You've declined the offer of a confirmed place on an HND/HNC course
• You've applied too late for your application to be considered before clearing. If UCAS received your application after the dates mentioned above, it will not have sent it on to your chosen universities or colleges.

What do I need to do?

Check that the details on your Clearing Entry Form (CEF), which you'll receive from UCAS, are correct (if they aren't, click here for information on filling in your CEF). Make a note of your clearing entry number and your original UCAS application number, as you'll need to quote these during clearing.

Talk to a careers adviser at your school, college or local careers office. They can help you decide which courses and subjects would be most suitable for you, particularly if your original UCAS application was unsuccessful. Remember that you'll need to meet the minimum entry requirements for a course (as given in the university or college prospectus) or be able to claim exemption from them.

Next, find out which courses have vacancies and make a note of the ones you're interested in. Official lists are published on the UCAS website at www.ucas.com and in the national media.

The lists are updated daily but not all universities, colleges and courses have vacancies in clearing, and some vacancies may be filled quickly. There's no guarantee that places will be available on any particular course. At the same time, a course that's full may have vacancies later. Contact the university or college concerned to check availability as soon as you can. Remember, if you declined an offer from a university or college earlier in the year you can still contact them again to see if they will accept you in clearing.

Find out if the content of the course meets your needs, and check the entry requirements, which may be expressed as a minimum points score based on A level and/or AS results. Grades are given a points value, as follows:

I've made a list of courses. Now what?

Start contacting the universities and colleges about the courses that interest you. We recommend that you telephone, email or call in person, but you can write if you prefer. Keep your CEF handy, because a university or college that's interested in you will ask for your CEF number and your UCAS applicant number. You'll probably also be asked questions about your exam results.

What if I'm away or on holiday?

Don't be! It's best to make sure you're not away, so you can make the telephone calls yourself. Don't leave it to parents, teachers or neighbours to do the job for you. Admissions tutors will want to see or speak to you in person.

What do I do when a university or college wants to offer me a place?

If an institution is happy that you meet its requirements, it will probably ask you to send it your CEF. Don't be hasty though. When someone asks for your CEF, they are, effectively, making you an offer. If you're sure the course is for you, fill in your CEF and send it off - or better still, take it there yourself. The best way to find out more about a university or college, its accommodation and social life, is to visit. If you're applying for Art and Design courses, be ready to take a portfolio of work with you as well as your CEF.

Your CEF can only be considered by one institution at a time because the university or college will insist that you send the original form, not a photocopy or fax. So if you're not convinced the course is for you, politely explain this and carry on telephoning.

Note that any offer made, either orally or in writing, is unofficial until the university or college has received your original CEF and told UCAS about your place.

Where do I send the CEF?

Take your CEF, or send it, to the university or college at the address shown in the university and college clearing contact details. If you post it, use first-class mail and enclose a first-class stamped self-addressed envelope (or international reply coupon if you're applying from outside the UK) so the university or college can return it to you if you're unsuccessful. It's often an advantage to take the form to a university or college yourself, though this may not always be possible.

A university or college may circulate your CEF to other departments if it can't offer you a place on your chosen course. This could delay the return of your CEF to you so, if you don't want to be considered for vacancies in other departments, say so clearly in a covering letter when you send your form.

Don't send your CEF anywhere unless a member of the admissions staff at a university or college asks you to.

What does the university or college do with my CEF?

When a university or college receives your CEF it will decide whether to offer you a place.

If you receive an offer you should contact the university or college (not UCAS), stating whether you accept or decline the place.

If you accept the offer, the university or college will tell UCAS, and UCAS will write to you confirming your place. You are now committed to taking up that place and you can't look elsewhere. The CEF will not be returned to you. By accepting the offer, you agree to the terms and conditions set out by the university or college (or its partner institution, where applicable) in its prospectus or other published material, so you must read these before you accept an offer.

If you decline the offer, the university or college will return your CEF to you immediately so you can apply to others. If it doesn't, contact UCAS.

A leaflet providing further instructions on the clearing process is available from UCAS. Contact the organisation on 01242 222444 or visit the website