Why apply to university through Clearing in 2025?

If you’re still making up your mind about applying to university, you aren’t confined by the 30 June deadline. That may be the cut-off point for direct applications, but Clearing opens shortly after, on 5 July. And if you decide that you’d like to study a degree after all, Clearing will be a viable option.

There are several positives to entering university via Clearing. For one thing, you’ll be able to explore a range of courses and universities.

Following the original application stages at the start of the year, you’ll have had more time to consider your future aspirations – to decide what you want to study and where – giving you a clearer idea than you may have had when you first looked at UCAS.

There may also be interests and passions that you’ve discovered more recently that you now wish to explore at degree level.

You'll also be applying, most likely, with your final grades to hand, and at a time when you can expect a quick answer on your application.

A row of square cut trees in a courtyard outside the Refectory at Arts University Bournemouth campus.

Large crowd gathered in the courtyard between the North Building and Library on Arts University Bournemouth campus, under blue sky with clouds.

Advice from our Admissions team

Firstly, please don’t panic if you’re not holding a place. While Clearing can be daunting, over the past decade, more and more applicants find their place at University through Clearing. It’s become an opportunity for many applicants to reconsider their choices and make changes to attend a university they were initially interested in, but chose to decline in the first instance.

If you apply after 30 June, you’ll automatically be entered into Clearing, which means you’ll only be able to make one choice at a time, and only after you’ve submitted your application through UCAS. You’ll find that many popular courses are closed at universities, so do your research and keep an eye on university websites and UCAS for application opportunities. You can register your interest for a course on the AUB website, and the Admissions team will be in touch with you regarding your application.

UCAS gives you the chance to register with Clearing Plus – an enhanced search tool that allows you to register interest in up to five different courses at the same time, just as you can during the main application cycle. It gives you personalised course matches and a one-click interest that tells us, AUB, that you’re interested in one of our degree courses.

Later, on Results Day (14 August 2025), the lists of courses that are available on university websites will be updated as institutions update their availability. You should check with the university you’re interested in if you meet their entry requirements before you do anything else. Check to see what additional requirements the university has, if any.

If you’re not holding a place at this time, don’t panic. While it can be a daunting process, thousands of applicants get university places through Clearing every year. Make sure you have evidence of your results to hand and can provide everything you need to quickly and easily. Contact the universities that you’re interested in directly, as it could be the conversation that opens the door to your future career!