Though they haven’t happened yet, exam stress is starting to settle in for those doing their A Levels. If things haven’t gone to plan this year or you’re worried about results then having a backup plan can help ease your anxiety. That’s why it’s important to know when university clearing opens for 2023.
Nobody’s first choice is to go through clearing. However, knowing it’s there is reassuring if your plans are completely ruined. There are a whole load of reasons why you might not go to your first choice of university. If you’re worried that might happen to you, then rest assured knowing university clearing is an option.
What Is University Clearing?
When universities have spaces remaining on their courses, they use clearing for students still looking for a course.
This typically happens after A Level results day or if students have left it too late and missed the regular UCAS application deadline.
Students might use university clearing if they didn’t get any offers, didn’t meet the conditions of your course, or you changed their mind about the offers they did receive. You can also use clearing if you don’t apply to the university until after June 30 or it you’ve used all your UCAS university applications.
Clearing means that even if applying for university didn’t go as planned, you can still study and further your career.
When Does UCAS Clearing Open For 2023?
Clearing opens on July 5 2023 and will stay open until 17 October 23. That means that students have over 3 months to find a course that’s perfect for them without compromising their wants.
UCAS are super helpful if you find yourself in need of the service. If none of your applications have worked out they’ll match you to similar courses available through UCAS Clearing Plus. This isn’t one or two, but 50 courses they think you’ll be matched to. From there, you tell universities whether you are interested. They will then contact you if they have spaces and you meet their requirements.
Being open until mid-October means that you can accept an offer, attend, and then transfer universities whilst still using clearing. It also means you’ve got plenty of time to sit with your choices and make a decision that’s best for you.
There’s also a stigma that clearing students are somehow less worthy than those who went through the regular application process. This is simply not true. If the university didn’t think you were right for the course or if you didn’t meet their requirements, they wouldn’t offer you a place.
Even if you don’t think you’ll need UCAS clearing, it’s better to fully understand the process just in case something unexpected happens.
Having to use the process doesn’t mean you failed in another area. Perhaps you just missed the deadline or need more applications. If you didn’t get into your top choices for university, clearly it just wasn’t meant to be. That doesn’t mean you won’t succeed wherever you end up.
