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Applying for the first time in Clearing
You do not need to have applied earlier in the year to go to university this autumn. An application sent after 18:00 on 30 June 2027 goes straight into Clearing. The fee is the normal £34.50, and in 2025 more than 77,000 students got their place through Clearing.
Checked against official sources on 25 September 2026.
Free Clearing tools: Am I in Clearing? · Call planner · Call tracker · Countdown to results day
Who applies direct to Clearing
Students who decided late, people coming back after a gap year or time in work, and anyone whose plans have changed. UCAS calls Clearing “a popular route for students returning after a gap year, time in work, or a change in plans”.
How to do it
- Search and speak to universities first. Find courses with vacancies and ask whether they need a personal statement and reference.
- Register on the UCAS website and fill in your application: personal details, education, employment and so on.
- Personal statement and reference: you will usually need both, unless a university has told you that you can apply without them. Once you submit, you cannot go back and add them, so ask the universities you are interested in first.
- Pay the fee: £34.50 for 2027 entry. There is no separate charge for Clearing. Fee waivers exist for students who had free school meals and for care leavers.
- Submit with no choices. You cannot add choices at this stage. Wait for UCAS to process the application.
- Keep contacting universities. You also get Clearing matches in your Hub, even with no choices.
- Add a Clearing choice once a university gives you permission. This is possible from 2 July 2027.
Deadlines
- 30 June 2027, 18:00: after this, new applications go straight into Clearing. Before it, you can apply with up to five choices in the normal way.
- 23 September 2027, 18:00: final date for 2027 entry applications.
- 18 October 2027: last date to add a Clearing choice.
Most places go in August, so apply early. If you already know your results, you can apply before results day and be ready to call on 2 July.
Your personal statement
For 2026 entry onwards, the UCAS personal statement is three questions with 4,000 characters in total. See our personal statement guide. Write it about your subject, not a particular university, so it works for any Clearing course.
Your reference
If you are at school or college, it usually adds the reference. If you left some time ago, ask a former teacher, an employer or a course tutor. UCAS notes that some mature applicants already have one.
Money
You can apply for student finance before you have a confirmed place. For courses starting on or after 1 January 2027, students from England apply through the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement account. See after Clearing: money and housing.
Sources
- UCAS: applying directly to Clearing
- UCAS: application fee for the 2027 cycle
- UCAS: dates and deadlines for 2027 entry
- UCAS: your Clearing matches
- GOV.UK: student finance through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement
Quick answers
Can I apply to university in Clearing if I did not apply before?
Yes. An application after 18:00 on 30 June 2027 goes straight into Clearing. The fee for 2027 entry is £34.50.
Do I need a personal statement for Clearing?
Usually yes, and a reference, unless a university tells you it does not need them. You cannot add them after you submit your application.
What is the last date to apply for 2027 entry?
23 September 2027 at 18:00. The last date to add a Clearing choice is 18 October 2027.