Clearing Essentials
What you need to know about going through Clearing
Do you qualify to go through clearing?
You can go through Clearing if any of the following apply to you:
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You applied in the current year but don't have an offer. For instance, if you didn't get the right grades or you turned down alternative offers.
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You applied after June 30. The admissions service Ucas won't have sent your application to anyone if you missed the deadline.
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You didn't apply but now want to. You have until September 20 to fill in a Ucas application form. If you do this, or if either of the above apply, you will automatically be sent through Clearing.
If you haven't applied yet
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Move fast: you still have time to apply, but you do need to act quickly.
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Get your paperwork straight: you'll need to complete an application form for Ucas in order to go through the Clearing process. You can order this through the Ucas website - or from your local careers office. Ucas will take about two weeks to process your application. After this you will receive a Clearing passport, which will allow you to proceed through Clearing and apply for courses (see below).
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Do your research: it's vital that you find the right course and institution for you. The Ucas website, this website and national newspapers will all have information listed on available courses. While you are waiting for your form to be processed, spend time ensuring that you make the right choice. More vocational foundation degrees are increasingly a popular option for people looking to boost their employment prospects.
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Make contact: it's worth contacting the institutions you might be interested in to check availability and entry requirements for your course of choice. Many institutions take prior work experience into consideration, so remember to mention any relevant background experience.
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Don't be deterred: if you don't have the right qualifications for entry this year, you can apply for an access course - see the Ucas website for more information.
If you didn't get what you applied for
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There's no harm in contacting the admissions office at your first or second choice university or college to discuss your chances of getting on to a course, even if you've missed the required grades.
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Don't panic! More than 35,000 people found places at university through Clearing last year.
How to use the Clearing system:
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Take action fast: course vacancies will be listed on Ucas, in newspapers and on EducationGuardian.co.uk. But they go quickly, so a fast response will help increase your chances of being accepted on to the course of choice.
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Be realistic: remember to check that you have the requested grades for any of the courses that you apply for.
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If you don't have the grades you need for your chosen course, you may wish to consider alternative courses, not just alternative universities.
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Get your Clearing number: this will be on the Ucas website as soon as you are eligible for Clearing (and before you get your Clearing passport). You can get it from the Track facility on the site.
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Do your homework: contact as many institutions as you like to find the right course for you. Make sure that you have all of your details to hand and ask all of the questions you need to help you make an informed choice.
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Make sure you have all the necessary paperwork to hand. You will need a Clearing passport. This will be sent to you a few days after the results come out, along with your Clearing number and information on how the Clearing system works. You can approach universities and colleges initially without the passport - but you must give them your Clearing number. · Watch your account on the Ucas website to make sure you haven't already been offered a place.
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Be certain. Don't accept the first offer you get - you can accept only one offer. A university/college will request your Clearing passport when they offer you a place. Think carefully before you accept so you make the right choice for you and your future.
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Be open to all options. Consider all the options available that will help to set you up for a promising future. Vocational qualifications, such as foundation degrees, are an increasingly popular choice for students who have a particular career in mind.
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Don't miss out on financial support. Whatever your financial background, you are eligible for financial help. The student loan system is designed so that you won't have to start repaying your loans until you're working and earning more than £15,000. New students from lower income households can also apply for a non-repayable grant of up to £2,765 and many can also gain further financial support from universities and colleges in the form of non-repayable bursaries. Log on to the DirectGov Student Finance website to see what is available.
Additional help:
Aim higher| provides ideas and some great links to help you find the right course. It answers questions on where to go, how to get there and how to pay for it.
Connexions| provides expert and confidential advice, guidance and personal development services to all 13- to 19-year-olds in England. You can contact Connexions on 080 800 13 2 19.
www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance| provides detailed information on the financial support available to students.
Ucas| gives a listing of all the courses available and the qualifications you need to get there. Also includes information on applying to universities and Clearing, as well as bursaries which form part of the new student finance package.
Free independent and confidential help and advice on Clearing and your options is available from August 13 on 0870 1122211. Advisers will also be able to provide you with current status on course availability and the clearing process. Ucas' exam results helpline is 0808 100 8000.
This section has been extracted from the Education Guardian Clearing advice|