Why I applied through Clearing
23 June 2025
This article was written by English & Creative Writing student, Deryn.
Let’s be honest, sometimes things don’t go to plan. Maybe your results weren’t what you hoped for, or maybe they were better than expected. Perhaps you just had a change of heart. Whatever the reason, Clearing is your chance to take control and find the right path for you.
That’s exactly what happened to me.
What is Clearing?
Clearing is part of the UCAS application cycle. It helps students who don’t hold any offers or who want to switch direction find a place on a university course with available spaces. Clearing usually runs from early July through to September.
There are several reasons why you might apply through Clearing:
- You've not got the grades set by your firm or insurance choice universities - if this happens, you don’t have to panic!
- You’ve declined all your offers, maybe because you changed your mind or decided another course or university would be a better fit for you.
- You've got better grades than expected and want to explore universities or courses with higher entry requirements.
- You've applied but don't hold any offers from universities.
- You’ve applied after 4 July which means you automatically get entered into Clearing.
Why Clearing was right for me
For me, I applied through Clearing because I had changed my mind. When I chose my firm and insurance choices from the offers I had received, I had originally chosen to apply to a different course than the one I now study at Falmouth. I had always been interested in Falmouth University but I wasn’t sure about moving so far from home. However, when I heard about Clearing, I began to really regret my original choices, and knew I had to apply to Falmouth University through Clearing.
The process
Applying through Clearing was a very easy process. I simply went onto the UCAS Hub (I was on holiday in Spain at the time in a very rural area, so the hardest part of the process was sorting out my Wi-Fi!). From here, I searched using the UCAS Clearing search tool on the UCAS website, to find courses that still had spaces at Falmouth University. I’d always been interested in English, so I knew exactly what I was looking for, and thankfully, they had space!
I contacted Falmouth by phone and provided my UCAS ID and exam results. We had a brief conversation about my interest in the course, during which they offered me a place over the phone. Shortly after, I received an email confirming the offer along with clear instructions on how to accept it. I then logged into UCAS Hub, added Falmouth as my Clearing choice and contacted the University to confirm that I'd accepted my place - that was it!
Tips for preparing for Clearing
If you're applying through Clearing, here’s my advice:
- Stay calm: There is time and support
- Be prepared: Have your grades, UCAS ID, and course preferences ready
- Call quickly: Places can go fast, especially for popular courses
- Keep an open mind: You might discover a course or a university that’s even better than your original plan
Clearing is designed for the times where things don’t necessarily go to plan. University is not a one-size-fits-all process, and we understand that! Try to remember not to panic when things happen, there are always ways around it, and Clearing makes sure that applicants still have the option to go to university, even when things don’t go quite right.
Applying through Clearing was not part of my original plan, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Clearing gave me a second chance to find the right course and the right university, on my own terms. It can feel overwhelming, but it’s such a good reminder that there’s more than one pathway to something if you really want it. Keep an open mind, trust that everything will be okay, and it truly will.
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