Clearing is your last opportunity to find a full-time undergraduate course that starts in September 2026. It’s designed for students who don’t hold any offers, have changed their minds, or didn’t meet the conditions of their original choices. It becomes especially important after exam results are released - when students may need to explore new options quickly.
Through Clearing, universities list courses with places still available, allowing you to explore different options that suits your goals and circumstances.
Clearing is your chance to pause, rethink, and make a confident choice that works for you. Whether your plans have changed or you're starting fresh, here are just a few situations where Clearing would be a great option for you.
Are you a parent?
Clearing can feel overwhelming, so having the right information as a parent means you're ready to offer the support that makes a real difference. Visit our parents and guardians guide to get started.
Clearing officially opens on Thursday 2 July 2026 and closes Monday 19 October 2026. However, Early Access Clearing opens on 8 June 2026, which allows you to secure your offer early.
If you’re still waiting for your results, your Clearing offer will be conditional upon you achieving the required grade. Securing it early means that you can avoid the rush on the Results Day, when most of the Clearing activity takes place, phone lines get very busy, and places disappear quickly.
If you’re applying before 1 July 2026, you’ll be able to apply through the main UCAS application process and submit up to five choices. From 1 July, UCAS Extra is the final chance to apply for one more course if you've used all five of your choices and are not holding any offers.
After 2 July, UCAS you Clearing officially opens, which means that you can submit your Clearing application.
You can receive as many verbal Clearing offers as you want, but you can submit only one choice via UCAS Clearing. Bear in mind that if you're still waiting for your results, your Clearing offers will have a condition that you meet the entry requirements. How to register for Clearing depends on your situation:
What's the difference between Clearing and UCAS Extra?
UCAS Clearing and UCAS Extra (link to UCAS Extra page) are different routes to a university place, each available at different times. Extra lets you add one more choice if you've used all five and currently hold no offers; Clearing opens from 2nd July for anyone without a confirmed place.
- UCAS Extra (26 Feb – 1 July 2026): Available if you've used all five choices and aren't holding any offers. Apply to one additional course at a time.
- Clearing (2 July – 19 October 2026): Open to anyone without a confirmed place, exploring options or if you’ve changed your mind. Contact universities directly for verbal offers.
Can I get into a good university through Clearing?
Yes. Many well-regarded universities, including De Montfort University, offer places through Clearing. Securing a place through Clearing does not affect the quality of your course or your student experience, it's simply a different route to the same degree.
Do I need my results before applying through Clearing?
No, you don't need your results to start applying through Clearing. You can contact universities and receive verbal offers before Results Day - your offer may simply be conditional on meeting the entry requirements once your grades are confirmed.
What if my preferred course is full?
If your preferred course is full, it's still worth contacting the university; places can open up as other students change their decisions. You can also explore related courses that may still have availability.