Clearing Success Stories: Real Students Who Found Their University Place

Clearing can feel frightening when it was not part of your original plan.

You may be imagining:

• Rejection

• Frantic telephone calls

• Courses you do not want

• Universities you have never researched

• No accommodation

• A decision you will regret

Real Clearing experiences are usually much more varied.

Students use Clearing because they:

• Miss an offer

• Change their mind

• Apply after the main deadline

• Return after a gap year

• Decide on a new career

• Want to remain closer to home

• Discover a related course that suits them better

• Already have a place but choose another route

More than 77,000 applicants secured a university or college place through Clearing in 2025, including students who made their first application after 30 June. Clearing is therefore not an unusual side route used by a tiny handful of applicants.

These real Clearing success stories show that an unexpected Results Day outcome can lead to:

• A more suitable course

• A better location

• A new career direction

• A foundation-year route

• A place after applying late

• A course that had not appeared in the original plan

They also show something important:

A successful Clearing story does not always begin happily.

It may begin with missed grades, anxiety, uncertainty or a change of plans.

Success comes from what the student does next.

What Counts as a Clearing Success Story?

A Clearing success story does not have to involve:

• A famous university

• Higher entry requirements

• A dramatic Results Day turnaround

• A course that looks more impressive than the original choice

Success might mean:

• Finding a subject you enjoy more

• Starting university in the year you wanted

• Staying within commuting distance

• Returning to education after work

• Finding a suitable foundation year

• Securing accessible support

• Obtaining accommodation

• Becoming confident in a new career direction

The best outcome is not necessarily the university with the highest ranking or toughest entry grades.

It is the course and situation that work for the individual student.

Clearing Success Story 1: Missing Grades Led Momna to a Better-Fitting Course

Momna originally wanted to study Neuroscience.

After missing the grades she had hoped for, she initially believed university was no longer possible. She planned to take a gap year and resit her examinations, but the pandemic disrupted those plans and made another year away from education feel increasingly likely.

She then explored Clearing.

Through the process, she found several universities willing to consider her achieved results. One of the options was Psychology with French at the University of Buckingham. The admissions team contacted her, and she was offered a route that allowed her to complete an accredited degree over two years.

Psychology was not the subject in her original plan.

However, it covered areas connected with her interest in Neuroscience and could support her intention to study the subject at postgraduate level. The addition of French also gave her something she had not originally expected from her degree.

What Can You Learn from Momna’s Story?

Your original subject is not always your only route

Related courses may contain:

• Similar modules

• Relevant research methods

• Shared career pathways

• Routes into the same postgraduate field

When your exact course is unavailable, ask:

• Which related courses are open?

• Do they include the topics I care about?

• Could they still lead to my intended career?

• Would postgraduate study remain possible?

A changed plan is not automatically a worse plan

Momna’s final course was different from her initial choice, but it offered:

• Relevant subject content

• An additional language

• A shorter degree structure

• A route towards her longer-term interests

Her advice was to avoid becoming fixed on one plan, research properly and remember that the final decision belongs to the student.

Clearing Success Story 2: Rachel Found a Course She Preferred to Her Original Choice

Rachel was an international applicant from China.

She originally applied for Accounting and Finance but increasingly questioned whether she wanted to spend three years studying it. She felt more interested in Sociology and decided to use Clearing to pursue a subject closer to that interest.

Because she was applying internationally, Rachel had extra practical issues to manage, including:

• Calling UK universities from another country

• Calculating the time difference

• Preparing her university and personal information

• Allowing for telephone queues

She contacted the University of York to ask about Sociology.

The course was full.

However, the adviser suggested Social Policy as a related alternative. Rachel reviewed its modules and course aims and concluded that it was actually more closely aligned with what she wanted to study. She received a provisional offer, researched the university further, accepted the place and arranged accommodation and her student visa.

By the time she wrote about the experience, Rachel was in her final year, still enjoying Social Policy and considering further postgraduate study.

What Can You Learn from Rachel’s Story?

A rejection can lead to a useful recommendation

When a course is full, ask:

• Is a related course available?

• Which modules overlap?

• What are the main differences?

• Would the alternative support similar careers?

• Can I speak to the department?

Rachel did not accept Social Policy simply because it was available.

She examined the curriculum and decided that it suited her.

Research should continue after the telephone call

After receiving the provisional offer, Rachel looked into:

• University support

• Course content

• The collegiate system

• The wider student experience

• Accommodation

• Visa arrangements

An offer is not the end of your research.

It is the point at which you decide whether the offer is worth accepting.

International students can use Clearing successfully

The core process is available to international applicants, although additional checks may include qualifications, English-language evidence, immigration documents and visa arrangements. UCAS confirms that international applicants use the same central Clearing route, with extra documentation required where relevant.

Clearing Success Story 3: Isabel Used Clearing to Stay Closer to Home

Isabel already held a place at another university.

However, after spending a gap year travelling in Southeast Asia, she reconsidered whether moving away from home was still right for her. She had also established work and personal connections locally and decided she wanted a university within commuting distance.

She did not want to delay university for another year.

Clearing gave her the opportunity to change direction and apply to St Mary’s University, where she could remain close to home. Although she felt anxious beforehand, she found the admissions staff calm and supportive during the process.

The final attraction was not merely the location.

Isabel was interested in the interdisciplinary course structure, which included areas such as History, Politics, Film and English Literature. She researched the modules and had previously visited the campus, helping her make an informed decision rather than selecting the closest available university.

What Can You Learn from Isabel’s Story?

You can use Clearing because your circumstances change

Clearing is not limited to students who miss their grades.

It can also help when:

• You no longer want to move away

• Family circumstances change

• You decide to commute

• Your financial position changes

• Your preferred subject changes

• Your existing place no longer feels right

UCAS allows students who hold a confirmed place to research other options. They must normally give up that place before formally adding a different Clearing choice, so the alternative should be investigated first.

Read Can You Go Through Clearing If You Have an Offer? before declining an existing place.

Location can be a legitimate priority

Wanting to remain close to home is not a lack of ambition.

It may help you:

• Reduce accommodation costs

• Continue part-time work

• Remain near a support network

• Manage family responsibilities

• Feel more comfortable during the transition

The right university experience does not require moving as far away as geographically possible.

Clearing Success Story 4: Tom Changed Direction After Working in Construction

Tom had spent several years working in construction before deciding that he wanted to study a subject he genuinely loved.

The decision to leave employment and begin university felt nerve-racking, but Clearing allowed him to make a later career change rather than following a route selected while he was still at school.

Before applying, Tom contacted admissions to check whether he met the entry requirements, despite not having studied History at A-Level. The university explained how his qualifications fitted its UCAS Tariff requirements. Admissions also directed him towards accessibility, wellbeing and finance information.

He was able to continue using his construction skills alongside university, helping support himself financially while studying a subject he enjoyed.

Looking back, he said that Clearing did not significantly distinguish his experience from that of other students. He had effectively stopped thinking of himself as a Clearing applicant once university life began.

What Can You Learn from Tom’s Story?

Your previous experience can strengthen your application

Time spent working can develop:

• Communication

• Responsibility

• Time management

• Problem-solving

• Financial awareness

• Motivation

A later decision to attend university is not automatically a delayed version of somebody else’s route.

It may be a more informed choice.

Ask about requirements rather than rejecting yourself

Tom did not assume that lacking a particular A-Level made admission impossible.

He contacted the university and asked.

During Clearing, provide your exact qualifications and let admissions decide whether:

• You meet the requirements

• Equivalent qualifications are acceptable

• Another route is available

• A foundation year would be more suitable

Ask about practical support

A useful Clearing conversation may connect you with:

• Disability support

• Finance advisers

• Accommodation

• Wellbeing services

• Academic departments

Your questions do not need to stop at:

Will you let me in?

Clearing Success Story 5: Derryn Applied Late and Began a Teaching Career

Derryn had progressed to assistant manager while working in retail.

During that time, she saved money and developed skills in communication and time management. She later decided that teaching was the career she wanted to pursue.

The main UCAS application deadline had already passed, but she still wanted to start university that September.

She applied through Clearing and received an offer within the same week. Because she was applying for a teaching course, the process included an online interview, which she found organised and friendly.

Derryn had expected a difficult last-minute process.

Instead, she found it smoother than anticipated.

She also secured an en-suite room in halls despite applying later than many other students. By the end of her degree, she was completing a placement and interviewing for teaching roles.

What Can You Learn from Derryn’s Story?

Applying late does not always mean waiting another year

Students applying for the first time after 30 June can use the direct-to-Clearing route.

They must:

1. Contact universities.

2. Register with UCAS.

3. Complete and submit an application.

4. Receive their Personal ID and Clearing number.

5. Add an agreed Clearing course.

In 2025, more than 77,000 students secured places through Clearing, including direct applicants who had not applied earlier in the cycle.

Some Clearing courses still require an interview

Courses may require:

• Interview

• Portfolio

• Audition

• Occupational health check

• Disclosure check

• English-language evidence

A Clearing application is not always an instant decision based solely on grades.

Accommodation may still be available

Derryn was able to secure a room in halls after applying through Clearing. That does not mean accommodation is guaranteed for every student, but it shows that applying later does not automatically make halls impossible.

Always ask the university:

• Are rooms available?

• Are Clearing applicants guaranteed accommodation?

• Which halls have vacancies?

• What is the total cost?

• When must I apply?

Clearing Success Story 6: Andy Recovered from Missing His Reply Deadline

Andy had received several university offers but missed the deadline for confirming his place.

Clearing had not been part of his original plan, but it gave him another opportunity to start university in the year he intended.

He researched his options and prioritised location.

The University of Chichester’s Bognor Regis campus was close to his home, allowing him to commute and save money on travel and accommodation. He was also attracted by the specialist facilities at the university’s Tech Park for his engineering course.

Andy contacted the university on Results Day.

The admissions team answered his questions and arranged for him to visit the following day and meet his course lecturers. He secured a place on Electronic and Electrical Engineering with an integrated foundation year.

His first-year experiences included practical engineering activities such as constructing battle robots and metal structures with other students. Looking back, he described Clearing as the best route for his circumstances.

What Can You Learn from Andy’s Story?

An administrative mistake does not necessarily end your plans

Missing a reply deadline is serious, and students should contact UCAS and the university immediately.

However, Clearing may still provide another route when the original offer cannot be restored.

A foundation year can lead to the right degree

Andy’s route included an integrated foundation year.

Foundation years can support students who:

• Miss direct-entry grades

• Lack a required subject

• Return to education

• Need additional preparation

• Change academic direction

Before accepting, check:

• Total course length

• Tuition fees

• Progression requirements

• Campus

• Accommodation

• Accreditation

Read Foundation Years Explained.

Visiting after a Clearing offer can help

Ask whether the university provides:

• Clearing open days

• Campus tours

• Department visits

• Virtual events

• Conversations with lecturers

• Student chats

A short deadline may limit what is possible, but asking costs nothing.

Clearing Success Story 7: Erin Found a Course She Loved After Missing Her First Choice

Erin entered Clearing after receiving grades that did not secure her original first-choice place.

The situation felt particularly urgent because she was due to travel the following morning and did not want to leave without resolving her university plans.

She found the process emotionally difficult, especially when she had to decline her insurance choice while waiting for the new university to process the Clearing offer.

However, the admissions team answered her questions throughout the day and provided personalised support. She ultimately secured a university place, arranged accommodation and began a course she loved.

Her experience illustrates both sides of Clearing:

• The process can feel risky and stressful.

• Helpful admissions staff and clear information can make it manageable.

What Can You Learn from Erin’s Story?

It is normal to feel upset first

You may need a few minutes to process:

• Missing an offer

• Losing your expected university

• Entering Clearing

• Rethinking accommodation

• Making telephone calls

Feeling disappointed does not prevent you from taking effective action.

Ask every question you need

Erin found that the Clearing team responded to questions about:

• The course

• Campus

• Support

• The admissions process

You are allowed to assess the university.

Clearing is a two-way decision.

Confirm everything before declining another place

Erin’s story also highlights why giving up an insurance or confirmed place can feel risky.

Before declining, confirm:

• The new university has made a clear offer.

• You know the exact course.

• The offer remains valid.

• You have permission to add it.

• You understand the UCAS steps.

• Accommodation is realistic.

Clearing Success Story 8: Dora Received a Verbal Offer After an Unexpected Results Day

Dora had not seriously expected to use Clearing before Results Day.

After explaining her achieved grades to the University of Kent, she received a verbal offer. She then completed the university’s online form so that the application could be processed and her place confirmed.

Her experience shows how a process that feels large and complicated may involve a manageable sequence:

1. Explain your grades.

2. Discuss the course.

3. Receive an informal offer.

4. Complete the university’s required form.

5. Follow the formal UCAS process.

6. Receive confirmation.

What Can You Learn from Dora’s Story?

Follow the university’s exact instructions

Different universities may use:

• Telephone assessments

• Online forms

• Email offers

• Callback systems

• Document uploads

A verbal offer is not usually the final confirmation.

For direct Clearing applications, UCAS says the applicant must have the university’s permission, add the agreed choice and then wait for the provider to confirm it. Only one Clearing choice can be active at a time.

Read How Clearing Works for the complete process.

What These Clearing Success Stories Have in Common

The students entered Clearing for different reasons:

Student	Why they used Clearing	What they found
Momna	Missed grades and disrupted resit plans	Psychology with French
Rachel	Changed subject as an international applicant	Social Policy
Isabel	Wanted to stay closer to home	A suitable interdisciplinary course
Tom	Changed career after working	A degree connected with his interests
Derryn	Applied after the deadline	A teaching route
Andy	Missed an offer-reply deadline	Engineering with a foundation year
Erin	Missed her first choice	A course and university she loved
Dora	Unexpected Results Day outcome	A confirmed course through Clearing

The outcomes were different, but several shared habits helped.

They Asked for Help

They spoke to:

• Admissions teams

• Course departments

• Finance advisers

• Family

• University support services

Clearing is not a test of whether you can solve everything alone.

They Considered Alternative Courses

Several students found courses that were:

• Related to the original subject

• Better aligned with their interests

• More practical

• Better for their circumstances

• Connected with a longer-term career

A different course is not automatically a consolation prize.

They Researched Before Accepting

They looked at:

• Modules

• Course aims

• Campus

• Facilities

• Accommodation

• Support

• Career direction

UCAS’s 2025 Clearing research found that 92% of surveyed Clearing students looked for information before Results Day. Quality of teaching, facilities and course content were among the factors students considered important, showing that Clearing decisions involve more than simply finding any vacancy.

They Accepted That the Plan Had Changed

The successful outcome did not require pretending that the original disappointment felt good.

It required moving from:

This was not the plan.

to:

What are my best options now?

Does Everybody Have a Positive Clearing Experience?

No admissions process guarantees a perfect result.

Some students may:

• Struggle to find a suitable course

• Receive unsuccessful decisions

• Find limited accommodation

• Feel pressured by short deadlines

• Accept a course and later reconsider

• Decide not to attend university that year

Success stories should encourage you, not pressure you into accepting something unsuitable.

A good Clearing outcome may sometimes be deciding:

• To take a gap year

• To resit

• To reapply

• To pursue an apprenticeship

• To work

• To explore another qualification

Not accepting a poor-fit course can be a successful decision too.

How to Create Your Own Clearing Success Story

There is no guarantee that every call will produce an offer.

You can improve the quality of your decision by following a clear process.

Step 1: Check Your Actual UCAS Status

Do not assume missed grades mean rejection.

Your university may:

• Accept you

• Continue considering you

• Confirm your insurance place

• Offer another course

• Make you eligible for Clearing

Step 2: Collect Your Full Results

Have ready:

• Level 3 grades

• GCSE English

• GCSE maths

• Other relevant qualifications

• Admissions-test results

Step 3: Search for Realistic Courses

Use current vacancy information.

Consider:

• Related subjects

• Joint honours

• Foundation years

• Placement routes

• Different campuses

• Universities in other locations

UCAS advises students to keep checking because universities update their course availability and vacancies can appear later.

Step 4: Research Before Calling

Check:

• Modules

• Assessment

• Accreditation

• Course length

• Campus

• Costs

Step 5: Prepare Your Call

Have:

• UCAS Personal ID

• Clearing number

• Grades

• Course code

• Reasons for applying

• Questions

Read How to Call Universities During Clearing.

Step 6: Ask Whether You Have an Offer

Use direct wording:

Are you formally offering me a place?

Then confirm:

• Course

• Code

• Campus

• Conditions

• Deadline

• Evidence required

Step 7: Check Accommodation

Ask:

• Are rooms available?

• Are they guaranteed?

• What is the total rent?

• Which campus are they near?

• When is the deadline?

Step 8: Compare More Than One Option

You can contact several universities, but only one formal Clearing choice can be added at a time. Add the choice only when the university has given permission and you are ready to accept it.

Step 9: Wait for Formal Confirmation

A telephone or email offer is not always the final step.

The university must process and confirm your Clearing choice.

Step 10: Complete the Practical Jobs

Once confirmed:

• Arrange accommodation.

• Update student finance.

• Complete enrolment.

• Check your course start date.

• Contact disability support.

• Review your budget.

What Not to Learn from Clearing Success Stories

Success stories can be reassuring, but avoid drawing the wrong conclusions.

“Everything Always Works Out Immediately”

Some students need:

• Several calls

• More research

• Further documents

• An interview

• Time to compare offers

“Any Available Course Will Become Perfect”

A course still needs to fit your interests and goals.

“Accommodation Is Always Easy”

Some students secure halls, while others may face limited or expensive options.

“A Related Course Is Always Good Enough”

Check the actual modules, accreditation and career routes.

“A Verbal Offer Cannot Go Wrong”

You must follow the university’s instructions, meet the deadline and complete the formal UCAS process.

“You Should Ignore Disappointment”

You can be upset and still take practical action.

“Changing the Plan Means the New Plan Is Better”

Sometimes it is better.

Sometimes it is simply different.

Research decides which.

Clearing Success Story Checklist

Before Results Day

☐ Check your UCAS login☐ Record your Personal ID☐ Review your firm and insurance offers☐ Research alternative courses☐ Save university contact details☐ Check accommodation☐ Prepare your grades☐ Write down questions

When You Enter Clearing

☐ Find your Clearing number☐ Collect your full results☐ Speak to an adviser☐ Search current vacancies☐ Research related subjects☐ Check foundation-year routes☐ Check course accreditation☐ Check campuses

During University Calls

☐ Give accurate grades☐ Explain your interest☐ Ask about related courses☐ Ask whether you have an offer☐ Confirm conditions☐ Confirm the course code☐ Confirm the campus☐ Record the deadline☐ Ask about accommodation☐ Request written information

Before Accepting

☐ Read the modules☐ Check assessment methods☐ Check accreditation☐ Check course length☐ Check accommodation cost☐ Check travel☐ Compare other offers☐ Confirm you genuinely want the course

After Confirmation

☐ Save the confirmation☐ Apply for accommodation☐ Update student finance☐ Complete enrolment☐ Contact support services☐ Check course dates☐ Prepare for university

Frequently Asked Questions About Clearing Success Stories

Do many students find places through Clearing?

Yes. More than 77,000 applicants secured university or college places through Clearing in 2025.

Is Clearing only for students who miss their grades?

No. Students also use it when they apply late, change their minds, decline an existing place or decide on university after the main deadline.

Can Clearing lead to a better course?

It can.

Several real students found that a related course suited their interests better than their original choice, including Rachel, who moved from considering Sociology to studying Social Policy.

Can you change subject through Clearing?

Yes, provided a university is willing to accept you and you meet its requirements.

Research how the new subject connects with your interests and career plans.

Can you apply through Clearing after a gap year?

Yes. UCAS identifies Clearing as a possible route for students returning after a gap year, employment or another change of plans.

Can mature students use Clearing?

Yes. Students of different ages and backgrounds use the process, including people changing career after employment.

Can international students have a successful Clearing experience?

Yes. Rachel’s experience shows how an international applicant used Clearing to find Social Policy at York, then arranged accommodation and her visa.

Can you get accommodation through Clearing?

Possibly. Derryn secured an en-suite room in halls after applying through Clearing, but availability is university-specific and should never be assumed.

Do Clearing students feel different once university starts?

Many quickly stop thinking about how they entered.

Tom reported that Clearing did not significantly change his university experience and that he had largely forgotten he was a Clearing applicant.

Do Clearing students study a different degree?

No. Once enrolled, Clearing students normally study the same course and work towards the same qualification as other students.

Can a foundation year be a successful Clearing route?

Yes. Andy used Clearing to begin an engineering degree with an integrated foundation year and described positive practical experiences during his first year.

What if the course I want is full?

Ask about:

• Related courses

• Joint honours

• Foundation years

• Another campus

• Placement-year versions

Rachel found Social Policy after being told Sociology was full.

Should I accept a related course immediately?

No. Read the modules, course structure, accreditation and career information first.

Can you use Clearing to stay closer to home?

Yes. Isabel changed university plans through Clearing because she wanted to remain within commuting distance.

Can you use Clearing if you already have an offer?

You can research and contact universities while holding a place, but you must normally become unplaced before adding another formal Clearing choice.

Is a verbal offer enough?

Not usually. You must follow the university’s instructions, add the course through UCAS Hub and wait for formal confirmation.

Can you speak to several universities?

Yes. UCAS allows you to contact as many as you wish, although you can add only one Clearing choice at a time.

Should I research before Results Day?

Yes. UCAS’s 2025 Clearing research found that 92% of surveyed Clearing students sought information before Results Day.

What matters most when choosing a Clearing course?

Check:

• Course content

• Teaching

• Facilities

• Accreditation

• Campus

• Accommodation

• Cost

• Student support

• Career fit

UCAS’s 2025 research found that surveyed students placed high importance on teaching quality, facilities and course content when evaluating their options.

What if Clearing does not produce a suitable offer?

You do not have to accept one.

You can consider:

• Gap year

• Resits

• Reapplication

• Apprenticeship

• Employment

• Further education

Does entering Clearing mean my original application failed?

It means the original route did not produce the final place you are taking.

That is not the same as saying your wider university journey has failed.

Final Thoughts on Clearing Success Stories

Clearing success stories do not all follow the same pattern.

For one student, success meant finding Psychology after missing a Neuroscience route.

For another, it meant discovering Social Policy when Sociology was full.

For others, it meant:

• Staying close to home

• Returning after employment

• Applying late

• Starting a teaching career

• Joining engineering through a foundation year

• Recovering from an unexpected Results Day

• Finding accommodation and beginning university that September

The shared lesson is not:

Everything happens for a reason.

Sometimes things happen because grades are lower than expected, deadlines are missed or plans genuinely change.

The more useful lesson is:

One unexpected result does not remove your ability to make a good next decision.

To give yourself the best chance:

1. Pause long enough to understand your position.

2. Collect accurate information.

3. Research more than one option.

4. Ask universities direct questions.

5. Consider related courses.

6. Check accommodation and costs.

7. Confirm every offer clearly.

8. Add only a course you genuinely want.

9. Remember that another route may also be valid.

Your Clearing story does not need to match anybody else’s.

It might involve one quick telephone call or several days of research.

It might lead to your original subject, a related course or a completely new direction.

What matters is not whether Clearing appeared in the plan you made months ago.

It is whether the decision you make now takes you somewhere you want to go.

Continue with Clearing Explained, How Clearing Works, How to Call Universities During Clearing and Clearing Myths.