5 top tips to get a university place through Clearing

Clearing actually opens several weeks before results day so there is plenty of time to prepare. Research which universities are accepting Clearing applications and which of their courses have spaces.

Find a course that really interests you. Check its career prospects and student satisfaction levels. Research the campus, the location and facilities and find out if the university has accommodation available for those who are applying through Clearing. Finally, go on the university’s Twitter and Facebook pages to build a clearer picture of the culture and its students. Then, draw up a shortlist.

If you’re not holding any offers already, or you’re a BTec, IB or Access student, then don’t wait to start calling universities and securing an offer.

With your research and shortlist complete, you can be confident that you will be calling the most suitable universities. But before you make the call, ensure you’re in a quiet place where you’ll not be interrupted and that your phone is charged. Have a pen and paper ready along with your Ucas ID number, exam results (with a breakdown of grades), GCSE results and the course title and code you’re enquiring about.

Keep your personal statement handy. It highlights your skills and strengths, and you may want to refer to it when speaking to the university. Prepare a list of questions that will ensure you get all the information you need to make the best decision. If you will require accommodation, find out what the university has available. Ask if there are any Clearing open days you can attend before the start of the term.

When it comes to making the call, you may find yourself getting nervous, but don’t let that stop you. Remember that the person on the other end of the line is there to guide you through the process and the choices available to you. They may ask some questions to learn more about you. Typically, they’ll want to know your reasons for picking a particular subject and that you can demonstrate some knowledge of the course. Some universities and particular courses may require you to go in for an interview so be prepared to attend at short notice. You may need to be flexible as interview dates can be limited.

Finally, remember that universities can’t discuss your application with your parents or teachers, so you’ll have to make the call yourself.

If you receive an offer, make sure you ask for the details to be emailed to you as confirmation, including how to accept the offer and how long it stands for.

Clearing is competitive, but don’t feel pressured to accept a place straight away. Take time to assess your options. You can contact as many universities as you want during Clearing, and get more than one offer, so if your first offer doesn’t tick all the boxes, don’t hesitate to contact another university from your shortlist.

If you do have an offer you want to accept, make sure you do before the deadline lapses. Once you’ve made the decision to accept your Clearing offer, go to Ucas Track to confirm your choice.

Don’t panic and pick a course just because there are spaces. You’ll be studying for three or more years, so a subject must excite you if you’re to achieve the best results.

Find a list of courses accepting applications through Clearing at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) on its website.