Clearing is a process that matches applicants with university places. Clearing is open to anyone who has made a UCAS application for an undergraduate course but doesn’t hold any offers.
There are a number of reasons why you may choose to go through clearing:
You haven’t quite achieved the grades you were expecting
You have achieved better grades than expected
You've changed your mind about the university at which you wish to study
You want to change to another course.
Whatever the reason, Clearing can be an opportunity to secure a university place that is just right for you!
How does Clearing work?
You can check UCAS Track to see if you're eligible for Clearing.
UCAS will not send anything in the post to tell you if you are eligible, so it is important that you check online.
If you are eligible for Clearing an 'Add Clearing choice' button will appear on your Track 'choices' screen, which you can use to accept a place on a course you have been offered through Clearing.
What are the Clearing 2022 dates?
Clearing is open from July to September. Here are the key dates:
18th August – A-level results day: call us on 0800 094 9071
Am I eligible for Clearing?
You’ll be eligible for Clearing if:
You apply after 30 June
You are not holding any offers from universities or colleges you’ve applied to
Your place is not confirmed after exam results are published.
How do I apply for Clearing?
Follow these steps and be prepared for Clearing 2022.
On results day check UCAS Track. Your application status will tell you if you are eligible for Clearing.
Check the university website to see what courses are available in Clearing.
Contact your shortlisted universities and speak to an advisor about your options. You will need:
Your Grades
Choice of course
UCAS number
Clearing number
Get an offer! You usually have 24hrs to accept an offer before it will be released back into the Clearing pool.
If you want to accept head to UCAS Track, you will see 'Add a Clearing option', input your university here.
Your experience
Before calling the Clearing Hotline make sure you are prepared as you may be asked about your schoolwork or experience. Some advisors will make a decision based on your grades whilst others will ask questions to assess your interest in your chosen course.
Prepare notes
It may be helpful to prepare some notes on why you want to join the university and what interests you in the course you are applying for.
When does Clearing close?
This can depend on each institution but Clearing at Swansea unusually ends in October.
If you didn't receive or accept any offers still contact your university of choice as some take late applicants.
How do I secure Student Finance if I go through Clearing?
Take a look at our Clearing Finance Guide for information on how to secure Student Finance.
What is UCAS Extra?
UCAS Extra is a free service that allows you to keep applying for higher education courses even if you’ve already used up your original five choices, as long as you applied through UCAS and are not holding any offers or waiting for a decision on any of your initial five applications.
You can apply through UCAS Extra from 25 February until 4 July this year. If you still don’t have any offers after this point you will still be able to apply for a place at university through clearing.
Our stunning waterfront campuses and friendly welcome make Swansea University the perfect destination for students from all over the world, enabling those who join us to develop skills and knowledge that will set them on successful and enriching careers.
Our figures speak for themselves. We’re a UK top 5 University for career prospects in the Guardian University League Tables 2020. We achieved the highest award (Gold) for teaching excellence at UK universities, in the Teaching Excellence Framework. And based on thousands of student reviews we were voted the WhatUni student Choice Awards 2019 University of the Year.
But don’t take our word for it, take a look at why Rinal, a final year Osteopathy student thinks ‘Swansea is a brilliant place to study’, in her Guide to Swansea.