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Clearing tips: 29 ways to get the right place

Clearing rewards preparation. The best tips come down to three things: have a back-up list before results day, make the calls yourself, and check a course properly before you accept it.

Checked against official sources on 25 September 2026.

Free Clearing tools: Am I in Clearing? · Call planner · Call tracker · Countdown to results day

Before results day

1. Make a real back-up list. Five to ten courses you would genuinely take, not just any course with a space. Include phone numbers and course codes.
2. Work out your UCAS points now, for your expected grades and one grade lower. Many Clearing lists quote points. Use the calculator.
3. Check your back-up courses on official data. Student satisfaction, continuation, graduate prospects and earnings are in our subject tables.
4. Practise your 30-second answer to “Why do you want to study this?” Say it out loud.
5. Prepare a call sheet. Our call planner writes one for you.
6. Know your dates: Scottish results 10 August 2027, A level results 12 August 2027. Keep that day free.
7. International students: have your money in the bank for 28 days and your documents ready before results day.

On results day

8. Check your UCAS Hub before you panic. Universities sometimes accept near-misses.
9. Start early, but do not rush your decision. In 2026 you could not add a Clearing choice until 13:00 on A level day, which leaves time to call around.
10. Make the calls yourself. UCAS says universities need to speak to you, not a parent.
11. Use every channel. If the phones are busy, try live chat, online Clearing forms and social media.
12. Use your Clearing matches. Press “I’m interested” on up to five courses, then keep calling others.
13. Keep a log. Write down who you spoke to, what they offered and the deadline. Use the call tracker.
14. Look at related courses. Joint honours, a related subject or a foundation year can lead to the same place.
15. If a mark looks wrong, act the same day. Ask your school about a priority review or appeal.

Before you accept

16. Get every offer in writing, with the course code and how long it stays open.
17. You do not have to accept on the phone. It is fine to ask for time to think.
18. Check professional accreditation if your career needs it, for example psychology, engineering or social work.
19. Ask about accommodation before you commit, and check local rents.
20. Ask about the first year: contact hours, assessment and placements.
21. Look at where it is. You will live there for three or four years.
22. Add one Clearing choice at a time, and only with the university’s permission. Adding it counts as accepting.
23. If you are thinking of declining a place, get your new offer confirmed first. Decline my place cannot be undone.

After you are placed

24. Update your student finance straight away. It is not linked to UCAS.
25. Apply for accommodation as soon as your place is confirmed.
26. Tell the university about any support needs early, and apply for DSA if it applies to you.
27. Read every email and meet the deadlines, especially for enrolment and documents.
28. Join the university’s offer-holder or Clearing events to meet people and see the campus.
29. Be proud of your place. Your degree certificate does not say how you got in.

Sources

• UCAS: top tips for contacting universities in Clearing
• UCAS: What is Clearing?
• UCAS: get results day ready
• UCAS: your Clearing matches
• UCAS: Clearing guide for international students
• UCAS: supporting disabled students (advisers)