UCAS Clearing: All you need to know
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What is UCAS Clearing?
UCAS or Universities and Colleges Admission Services is an interface between students who want to pursue a course of their choice in the UK and various colleges and universities offering such courses. Clearing matches applicants to university places that are not filled yet. It is available to anyone who has made a UCAS Undergraduate application and currently does not hold any offers. For 2023, it will run from 5 July to 17 October 2023. A candidate is eligible for Clearing if:
- A candidate applies after 30th June
- A candidate is not holding any offers from universities or colleges he has applied to
- A candidate’s place is not confirmed after exam results are published
- A candidate doesn't meet the conditions of the offers
- A candidate has paid the multiple-choice application fee of £27
- A candidate has declined his place using the 'decline my place' button on Track
Clearing is also a way in which universities and colleges fill seats they still have on their courses. Candidates can check the vacancies here
There are various reasons why courses are available. Courses in Clearing are not the ones where nobody wants to get in to. It is an opportunity for candidates who have a last-minute change of heart about the course or university they want to get into or for those who have missed their conditions. Even last year, thousands of places were available for candidates through Clearing. Places were available in English and Law and more than 73,000 applicants obtained those places.
How to Use UCAS Clearing?
- Students can take help of an adviser or they can search for vacancies on the official website of UCAS
- With the UCAS search tool, students can find courses. This will be an up-to-date list
- As the students are using UCAS search tool, they should keep an eye on various universities and courses that are available
- Once they have found the course they want to get into, they need to contact the university to make sure they meet the entry criteria and still vacancies are left. This work needs to be done before adding a Clearing choice
- In case the university offers you a place and you want to accept that offer, add the Clearing choice in Track. Once you sign in, if you are eligible for Clearing, then you can move to the 'Next steps' section you will be given an option to ‘Add a Clearing choice’
- Through Clearing, candidates can apply for one choice at a time. Once you have added a choice, you cannot add another, unless you have been unsuccessful with the first choice. If you wish to apply elsewhere if you have added a choice, then you need to contact the university and ask them to cancel your place so you can apply again through Clearing.
- If you only applied for one choice in your original application for £22.5, you will need to pay an additional £4.5 to go through Clearing.
How does UCAS Clearing Work?
- On the day of the result, when you login to UCAS track, you will get to know whether you have got into your Firm Choice university, your Insurance Choice university, or you have found yourself in Clearing
- If you find yourself in UCAS Clearing, you will be given a Clearing number. Your UCAS ID is different from your UCAS Clearing number
- The universities receive your grades before you do. Hence, they are aware of the selections and vacant spaces
- In case if you receive better grades than what you had expected, you might want to go through those universities that have higher grade requirements and are more competitive
- You must go through the universities and the courses that they are offering. You cannot pick a university and put it in your UCAS track, until you have contacted them and received an offer from them
- On phone, you will receive an informal acceptance, followed up by a letter that states the time in which you need to accept that offer
- Before you accept that offer, make sure to know and understand everything about that university and that course. Do not forget to address your queries related to accommodation
- Once you get a go-ahead from the university/college then only add a Clearing choice
- Submit course details by the date the university/college gave you by clicking on 'Add Clearing choice'
- As you are accepting the offer and the university has confirmed it, it will show as an acceptance on your 'Choices' page in Track
- Candidates can only add one choice at a time, however, if the university/college does not confirm their place, they can add another
UCAS Clearing Tips
- Always have a backup. You must do your research on various universities, courses they offer, and facilities they provide. Keep their contact details with you beforehand. Get to know whether you will be contacting them on phone or online
- Do not feel shy of applying in universities that are more selective and have higher entry requirements
- Be open to different courses rather than rigidly sticking to the one you had chosen for yourself. You never know what course might suit your academic and professional goals
- Make sure to look for accommodation
- Keep on checking: Universities update information related to their course on a regular basis. You may not get the exact university/college/course that you want to get into. It may happen that some of them are full but some of them might get vacancies later.
- Go for advice:Contact your school, or college, or take any professional guidance on whether you can take any alternate course/subjects.
UCAS Clearing Plus
UCAS Clearing allowed the students to explore the options that are available in the clearing. Taking this step further, UCAS Clearing Plus has been set up that uses an algorithm to match the interests you have expressed, and your actual profile and qualification. UCAS Clearing Plus algorithm then matches your profile with the available courses. With the help of UCAS Clearing Plus, you will be able to view your matches.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
- Once the algorithm matches your profile with the available courses, you can select ‘View matches’ option
- You can review your matches and if you find any of them suitable, you can click on the ‘interested’ option
- The university can then get in touch with you to discuss your admission
- Even though Clearing Plus does the job of matching your profile against the university courses, students need to be proactive and prompt in their approach in searching for suitable courses and universities
- Even if you say that you are interested in a course through Clearing Plus, it still doesn’t guarantee you an admission offer unless you have been accepted by the university
Also Read:
Q: How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?
The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses:
The Undergraduate Application Process:
Step 1: You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.
Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.
Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
Step 5: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.
Q: Does the University of Essex require IELTS?
International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test | Score |
|---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section |
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test | Score |
TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 72 to 114 |
PTE | Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section |
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities
Q: Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?
The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.
Q: What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?
The University of Wolverhampton is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities nationally and globally. For nearly 200 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been consistently providing a quality of education to students and producing highly skilled graduates. The national rankings of the University of Wolverhampton are given below:
| Ranking Body | Ranking |
|---|---|
| The Guardian University Guide 2024 | #101 |
| The Complete University Guide 2024 | #117 |
Q: How good is the University of Chester (UK)?
University of Chester is surely a good option for international students mainly beacuse of a diverse range of excellent academic programs.Below are some reasons why University of Chester is good:
Academics: The University of Chester offers over 200 undergraduate, postgraduate, and research degree programs to international students. The University of Chester University offers undergraduate major and minor courses. Students can also pursue master’s or doctoral programs at the University of Chester University.
Location of the university - The University of is in a location where arts & culture, technology industry and entertainment industry providing endless internship. International Students have access to beaches, outdoor activities, live music/performances and attractions which makes their make campus life more enjoyable. The location gives University of Chester students an additional mark to study at University of Chester.
Ranking: Many global ranking sources like THE (Times Higher Education), etc., have ranked University of Chester among the top universities in the world since 2021. These bodies consistently rank it among the top universities in UK.
Fees: : The cost of attending University of Chester for Indian students can vary depending on several factors. Tuition fees for international students at University of Chester are typically higher than for Uk citizens. However, it is important that the tuition fee can change over time, and it is recommended to visit the official website to recheck the fees and accommodation. Indian students should also consider other costs such as housing, health insurance, meals and transportation attending University of Chester.
Q: Is IELTS requirement for Bedfordshire University?
International students whose first language is not English must meet the English language requirements. Students can submit their IELTS/TOEFL/PTE test score to meet the English language proficiency. Bedfordshire accepts overall IELTS score of 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each element.
Q: How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?
Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.
- Know the exam pattern
- Make a proper time table as per the syllabus
- Solve previous year question papers
- Make short notes of important formulas and theorems
- Revise regularly
- Figure out weaker areas and learn them well
With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.
Q: What are the English language requirements of Essex University?
Applicants whose native language is not English must meet the English language requirements of Essex University. The university accepts the test score of IELTS/TOEFL/PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs. Mentioned below are the English language tests and their score for UG and PG admission:
- Universities in UK175 Universities
- Universities in USA1038 Universities
- Universities in Canada174 Universities
- Universities in Australia633 Universities
- Universities in Ireland32 Universities
- Universities in New Zealand70 Universities
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