On Thursday, September 22, UCAS released new figures that show the dynamic effect Clearing has had on university places this year.
This year, 33,280 UK 18-year-olds have secured a place in Clearing, which is up by almost 10,000 from 2021, when the number was just 24,100 students. It is also up from 2019, when 33,000 students secured their university place through Clearing.
Clearing is how universities and colleges fill any places they still have on their courses. Students can apply through Clearing if they are either applying after June 30, didn’t receive any offers or ones they wanted to accept, didn’t meet the conditions of their offer, or have declined their firm place.
How many students went through Clearing this year?
Data published on results day in August showed that 21,000 students did not have a place at university after getting their grades. However, new UCAS data shows that 58% have since gone on to secure a place. This, again, is up from 2021.
‘We predicted Clearing would be dynamic this year and I am pleased to see record numbers of UK 18-year-old students secure a place in Clearing,’ UCAS chief executive Clare Marchant said. ‘This includes significant numbers of students making more ambitious choices by using the digital tools we make available to them.’
Clearing is not just used by students to secure university places after results day. It is also used as a route to switch courses. 14,760 UK 18-year-olds used Clearing to change courses this year. Out of those students, 80% secured a new place at an equivalent or higher tariff university.
‘With high demand for university places, it also shows that students are now confidently using a more digital and personalised Clearing to explore other options available to them,’ Marchant said.
Clearing remains open until October 18. Marchant has urged any students still considering their option to be aware that UCAS is on hand to help them ‘make an informed decision that best suits their aspirations.’
UCAS, which stands for the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, is an independent charity which acts as the UK’s shared admissions service for higher education.