Clearing is straightforward - and here to help
By Richard Wallis
Published: 16 August 2006
So that expected A grade turns out to be a B, your B becomes C - and let's not even mention your other grade! But try not to panic. The Clearing process need not be difficult and, just because you are going through Clearing, it does not mean you have failed. Most people end up in Clearing unintentionally. They have offers from universities and colleges which they do not meet. Others never received offers, or have turned them all down. Those who apply very late also immediately become eligible.
Clearing is simply the last part of the UCAS system. With the start of courses only four to six weeks away, the temptation is to panic but remember that Clearing is a simple process which is exactly what you make of it.
How it works
Annually over 35,000 applicants gain places in Clearing. It is totally applicant-driven. If you do nothing then that is precisely what happens.
Vacancies are listed and updated on ucas.com and appear in The Independent newspaper, from17 August. Your job is to decide which courses now interest you and contact the universities and colleges direct. It is important to do this yourself as admissions tutors want to talk to you and ask questions about your exams, motivations and interests. No-one can answer these questions for you.
Then, when an institution wants to accept you, it will ask for your Clearing Passport, which comes from UCAS. Only send it if that is the place you want.
Applicants who are holding no offers automatically receive a Clearing Passport in July. Those who are holding offers but miss their grades receive their Passport when universities and colleges make that decision.
You can see when decisions are made on Track at www.ucas.com.
But if you've missed your conditional offer, before you even consider Clearing, contact the institution in question. Missing your grades does not automatically mean you will be turned down. You may be able to convince your university or college to accept you either on your chosen course, or an alternative one you are interested in.
If you do go through Clearing, have your Clearing Passport with you when you ring universities and colleges. They will want your Clearing Number and application number to ensure you are eligible and to access your original application.
Be ready to talk about yourself and the course. Having prompt notes beside you helps. Remember: not only do students need courses, but also courses need students. You are free to ring as many universities and colleges as you like, but you must send your Passport to the one you want once you are certain it is the place for you!
Other options
The first step in Clearing is to stop and think. Clearing is not compulsory. You could live your whole life without Higher Education, or decide to do it later. You are deciding about your future. But retirement is 50 years away with a lifetime of chances to change direction. If you aren't sure about using Clearing, consider:
* improving your grades and reapplying next time round
* starting your career immediately or pursuing a different type of training, such as an Apprenticeship
* taking a gap year, working either in the UK or abroad, and reapplying during that year
* re-thinking either the subject or the level of your Higher Education studies
* trying out Clearing and seeing whether using it provides some direction
'I did it all online'
Benjamin Balla, 22, has A-levels in maths (B), English (C), politics (D) and general studies (E). Benjamin is in his first year at Bradford studying politics and peace studies
"I went through the application process, but I decided to do missionary work and was in the South Pacific for two years. I had to be 19 to do that so I took three years out of education. I was planning on going to Cardiff University but they wouldn't hold my place for three years.
When I returned, still wanted to go to uni, but I didn't want to go far away from home - and Wales is quite far from Yorkshire! It was difficult. I tried Leeds and York, but they didn't have any places.
I decided to go through Clearing, which was very straightforward. At school we were well informed about UCAS so I knew how to go about the process. I used the league tables to assess the universities; I did it all online. It didn't take me very long at all and I found the place really quickly. I was really pleased to get into Bradford. And I'm glad I didn't wait a year because the tuition fees went up after that!
It's been really interesting first year and it's great to focus on one subject." By Christine Henry
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