Everything You Need to Know About Clearing (Part 2)

Have your students released themselves into Clearing and want to explore their options? Discover everything about this process in Part 2 of our series on UK Clearing by Adam D’Arcy, an ex school counsellor…

What Happens if they Exceed their Offer Requirements?

Most students in the UCAS system will be aiming to achieve the grades set out in the offers received from their Firm and Insurance choices. In our last article, we discussed some of the steps they can take if they fall short of these conditions. However, in some cases, students achieve grades in their exams that are higher than expected (and which possibly even surpass their original predicted grades).  

Obviously, exceeding their offer grades is a significant achievement and cause for celebration. But what does this mean for their university offers?  

What Are their Options If they Exceed their Offer? 

Option 1: Confirm Their Original Choice

Exceeding their conditional grades can offer your students an exciting opportunity to consider other options but remember: their original Firm choice still stands. They have already spent months, maybe years, researching their best fit university. They’ll likely have applied for student accommodation, and may have scholarship opportunities already organised at their Firm choice institution. It makes a lot of sense for most students in this situation to stick with their original choice and get ready for university life to begin in September.  

Option 2: Explore Alternatives

In previous years, UCAS ran a system called “Adjustment” for students who had exceeded their Firm choice conditions. This was discontinued in 2021 due to changes to the Clearing system outlined in our previous article. However, this doesn’t mean that the possibility of so-called “Trading Up” has been eliminated.  

In the first instance, students who are eager to explore alternative options should review the Clearing listings to find degree programmes that pique their interest. If the programme is listed in Clearing, spaces should be available.

If they find a course that interests them, the next step is to call the university on the hotline number that will be published on the Clearing Hub. They’ll want to make sure that they’re eligible to apply, that their grades meet the requirements and that their chosen course still has spaces available (things can change quickly on Results Day). Some universities may consider them for courses not listed in Clearing, depending on their grades. They’ll need to ask!  

If they have found an option that interests them, and are keen to apply, the only way to do this is to release themselves into Clearing. This means they lose their Firm and Insurance choices, so there is some risk involved. This is why we implore students to take the time to get outside opinions from their school counsellors and, if possible, others who have gone through the process before them.  

So, how does this work in practice? 

If students choose to release themselves into Clearing, they need to add their new choice as their UCAS Clearing application. Bear in mind that they only have one UCAS Clearing option – not five applications like the main application process.  

Pros and Cons of ‘Trading Up’ 

Pros:

Access to more selective programmes or universities, potential for better career opportunities and a chance to reconsider options after receiving their results.

Cons:

Uncertainty of securing a spot elsewhere, limited time frame to make a decision and the risk of losing their original offer without securing a better one.

Next Steps & Resources 

The obvious next step for your students is to focus on their IB and A-Level exams. Being well-rested and well-prepared gives them the best opportunity to achieve their university admission goals.  

On Results Day, if they do achieve grades higher than their conditions and are keen to explore alternatives, they should review available courses through our Clearing Hub.

Final Thoughts 

Exceeding their offer conditions is a tremendous achievement for you and your students and one that opens the door to exciting possibilities they might not have initially considered. Whether they choose to stay with their original Firm choice or explore new opportunities through Clearing, the most important thing for your students is to make a decision that feels right for them personally.

Whichever route they choose, this is a moment for them to celebrate their hard work and look ahead to the next chapter with confidence.