A-level results day is fast approaching – but don’t fret if you think you’ve missed your grades.
Experts say Clearing will be a buyer’s market this year, meaning admissions tutors across the country are eagerly waiting to snap up students.
It means you’re likely to find a good alternative course even if you lose out on your first choice, due to not making the grades in your offer.
As our guide shows, a number of elite Russell Group universities are entering Clearing, the process which matches unplaced students with unfilled places.
Many institutions are prepared to lower their normal entry requirements by up to four grades – especially for those who faced challenges during their studies.
Some are even offering generous recruitment enticements such as £5,000 in cash, free gym membership and a chance of free accommodation.
The scramble to hoover up students has been partly caused by an overall drop in the number of lucrative international students applying, following a change in visa rules.
Course tutors want to fill as many places as possible – meaning students even have the option of ‘shopping around’ if they no longer want to study their chosen course.
Experts say Clearing will be a buyer’s market this year, meaning admissions tutors across the country are eagerly waiting to snap up students
‘The stigma that used to be present for institutions and individuals in Clearing is ancient history,’ says Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI).
‘Many older universities – traditionally harder to gain access to – will have places available.
‘In general, universities prefer to fill their places than to contemplate other options, like closing courses and making staff redundant.’
‘Clearing is much more of a buyer’s market than it was some years ago,’ adds Claire Pryke, associate director for admissions at the University of Bradford.
‘The whole process is more geared towards students having the ability to change their minds, and there will be more universities competing for unplaced students on results day.’
On August 14, hundreds of thousands of 18-year-olds will collect their results, with those who miss their grades entering Clearing through Ucas, the official admissions body.
Last year 35,000 sixth formers found places in Clearing – one in ten of the total going to university.
So, if this is you on the day, what should be your strategy? Read our Clearing Guide below or skip to the end to see our pick of the top universities entering this year.
Alternatively, for the Mail’s full University Guide click here
Last year 35,000 sixth formers found places in Clearing, which accounted for one in ten of the total going to university
Do your homework
Before results day, make list of alternative courses in case your grades are lower than expected. Decide what your priorities are, for example, proximity to home or campus accommodation. ‘Decide a hierarchy of preferences,’ says Mr Hillman. ‘If you want to study History but are offered Ancient History at a university you love and History at a university you are a little less keen on, what will you do?’
‘It can be a frenetic atmosphere on results day,’ says Ms Pryke. ‘You may be very upset and you may not have a straight mind to think about what you want to do rationally. So it can be a really good plan to have a shortlist prepared of all the things you might consider.’
You can check which courses have space on the Ucas Clearing website, which is already live, and then save university admissions hotlines into your phone. You can also sign up to individual universities’ Clearing mail lists, to receive emails on the day showing what they have available.
Courteney Sheppard, head of operations at Ucas advises: ‘As part of your research, you might want to look back at one of your other original five choices on your application, and revisit them as potential options.’
You can check which courses have space on the Ucas Clearing website, which is already live
On the day
Results will be available to pick up from schools after 8am. Remember to bring the basics including a charged phone, snacks and your Ucas number.
From 8am you’ll also be able to see if you’ve been accepted onto your first choice course via the Ucas hub. This is because universities receive results slightly in advance of students. If you have missed out on your first choice, you may have been accepted onto your insurance choice. Universities may accept you even if you have dropped a couple of grades, especially if they are keen to secure numbers.
David Howells, head of undergraduate admissions at the University of Bath, says: ‘Universities showing flexibility for students who miss their grades is common, and we expect this will be the case this year.’
However, Adrian Dutch, pro-vice chancellor at the University of Bedfordshire, says some students may want to shop around if they only get their second choice and realise it isn’t for them. ‘When students are faced with the reality of their insurance choice, they may want to release themselves from that,’ he says. ‘They may realise they hadn’t thought it through.’
Students can release themselves from an acceptance using the ‘decline my offer’ function, and enter Clearing. Likewise, students with better-than-predicted results can release themselves and ‘trade up’ to a course with higher entry requirements.
However, Mr Howells advises calling round first to get multiple ‘verbal’ offers before formally giving up your existing confirmed place.
He cautions: ‘If you have secured an option you are happy with but looking at new ones, never give up your existing place until you are confident you’ve secured a the better one!’
Architecture students engage in a lesson at the University of Bath
Finding an alternative
If you got rejected from both choices, call the universities as they may have an alternative course – or a ‘catch-up’ foundation year course – that they are willing to enrol you on.
Let them know if you are from a disadvantaged background, as they may be able to give you a ‘contextual offer’ – one with lower grades to recognise challenges you faced in your studies. Ucas publishes the lowest grades anyone has ever entered each course with.
Mr Hillman advises: ‘Students who have faced particular challenges need to tell their preferred universities of the obstacles they have overcome. Universities are interested in potential and people who have overcome challenges tend to have oodles of potential.’
If that fails, start calling alternative courses as soon as possible. They can make you an offer over the phone, followed up by an email.
Sarah Hannaford, head of marketing operations at Loughborough University, says: ‘It will be fast paced with places filling quickly. There’s no need to panic – but students will need to act promptly when they get their results.’
Exeter University students enjoy an afternoon kayaking at the city’s quay
Before you accept your place
Once an alternative course has made you an offer, you’ll usually have at least a few days to decide whether to accept. ‘It’s important to remember that you do not have to accept your offer straight away,’ says Mr Sheppard of Ucas. ‘Many universities and colleges host specific Clearing open days, which can help you make your decision.’
Most of the open days are planned for the weekend directly following results day. You should also research accommodation options and request to speak to lecturers or current students.
However, if you are still deeply unsure, consider taking a gap year, says Mr Hillman of HEPI. It means you can apply afresh next year with more options, and gain life experience in the meantime. However, he warns: ‘Don’t waste the months ahead if you decide to take a gap year – use them to earn money, to learn more and to raise your horizons through travel or reading and other cultural pursuits.’
Once an alternative course has made you an offer, you’ll usually have at least a few days to decide whether to accept
Navigate the freebies
Some universities have found innovative ways to attract students in Clearing this year. For the first time, University College Birmingham is offering £5,000 in cash to every enrolled UK student to ‘help with living costs’. The money is available to anyone with a student loan, starting in September, and is paid in instalments across a degree course. It is not means-tested and does not need to be paid back.
The university says it is part of a drive to ‘widen participation’ among disadvantaged students. ‘One of the biggest barriers to going to university is the cost,’ a spokesman says. ‘We recognise some people have been impacted by the cost of living crisis. We want to make sure that entry is not prohibited by socio-economic status.’
Other universities are advertising lifestyle perks. Winchester is offering a ‘free gym membership for the first year’ to everyone recruited. Meanwhile, St Mary’s Twickenham is offering guaranteed on-campus accommodation if applicants firmly accept a Clearing offer.
Gloucestershire University is incentivising students to sign up to its Clearing mailing list with a prize draw to win a year’s free accommodation or an annual Stagecoach bus pass. And Surrey University is offering entry to a prize draw for a Hydroponics Growing System Kit worth £130 to those signing up to its mailing list.
However, the Office for Students has previously warned students against being too swayed by ‘sales pitches’. Any incentives should be weighed against the overall benefit of the course itself.
And Ms Pryke cautions: ‘Students should be very wary of choosing a university based on incentives that might look sparkly and glistening. You should be choosing your university on the basis of the course, the facilities, the employability.’
The impressive Brotherton Library at the University of Leeds, which was modelled on the British Museum’s reading room
CLEARING DOS AND DON’TS
- DO research alternative courses before the day
- DO act quickly before the best places are snapped up
- DO ask questions on the phone to make sure the course is right
- DO find accommodation fast once you have a course secured – and go for the don’t go for the most expensive, look for the ones with the best social spaces
- DON’T become paralysed with fear on the day
- DON’T panic and snap up a course without doing any research
- DON’T be tempted by freebees if the course is not a good fit
Top 12 universities for students entering Clearing
University of Sheffield
Mail Ranking: 10 I QS UK Ranking: 15
Russell Group? Yes I TEF Rating: Silver
Clearing courses: 139 I Examples:
- Architecture – Standard offer AAA, Lowest grades accepted ABB
- History – Standard offer AAB, Lowest grades accepted BBB
- Chemistry – Standard offer AAB, Lowest grades accepted BBB
Sheffield counts six Nobel prize winners among its former students and staff, and was behind the first medical use of penicillin. It continues to produce world-class research and is highly-rated by students in terms of teaching quality and study experience. Rents and entertainment are on the more affordable side in this city, which is also on the doorstep of the Peak District National Park.
Click here for a full profile
Durham University
Mail Ranking: 16 I QS Ranking: 16
Russell Group? Yes I TEF Rating: Silver
Clearing courses: 67 I Examples:
- Criminology – Standard offer AAB, Lowest grades accepted BBC
- Theology – Standard offer AAB, Lowest grades accepted BBB
- Mechanical Engineering – Standard offer A*AA, Lowest grades accepted AAB
Durham is the third-oldest university after Oxford and Cambridge and mirrors their unique college system. University College, its most popular, is housed in Durham Castle, which dates back to Norman times. Entry is highly competitive and selective schools are over-represented in its intake – but once you’re in it offers a rigorously academic environment with a cosy small town charm.
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University of Exeter
Mail Ranking: 35 I QS Ranking: 23
Russell Group? Yes I TEF Rating: Gold
Clearing courses: 78 I Examples:
- Classics – Standard offer AAB, Lowest grades accepted BCC
- Computer Science – Standard offer AAA-AAB, Lowest grades accepted BBC
- Business – Standard offer AAB-BBB, Lowest grades accepted BCC
Exeter has always been popular due to its beautiful hillside campus, a short walk from the historic town centre and a train ride to the beach. Every year it mops up bright students, but it has also been keen to shed its elitist ‘green welly’ image. A quarter of last year’s entrants held a contextual offer in recognition of disadvantage.
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University of Leeds
Mail Ranking: 25 I QS UK Ranking: 13
Russell Group? Yes I TEF Rating: Silver
Clearing courses: 183 I Examples:
- Ancient History – Standard offer ABB, Lowest grades accepted BCC
- Chinese – Standard offer ABB, Lowest grades accepted BCC
- Geology – Standard offer ABB, Lowest grades accepted BCC
Leeds offers a city student experience with great nightlife, while still sitting comfortably among the academic elite. The research-led institution is divided between charming Victorian buildings and some fine examples of sixties Brutalism. Most first-years get university accommodation, although some halls are not on campus.
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University of Glasgow
Mail ranking: 21 I QS UK Ranking: 12
Russell Group? Yes I TEF rating: N/A
Clearing courses: 72 I Examples:
- Aeronautical Engineering – Standard offer AAB – BBB, Lowest grades accepted BBC
- Civil Engineering – Standard offer AAB – BBB, Lowest grades accepted BBC
- Geography – Standard offer ABB – BBB, Lowest grades accepted BCC
Unlike other top Scottish Universities, Glasgow takes the majority of its students from north of the border – alongside a large international intake. Its historic buildings sit in a dynamic city bustling with culture, making it a draw for highly academic students looking for the metropolitan university experience.
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University of Birmingham
Mail ranking: 15 I QS UK Ranking: 11
Russell Group? Yes I TEF Rating: Silver
Clearing courses: 66 I Examples:
- Chemical Engineering – Standard offer AAA; Lowest grades accepted BBB
- English Literature – Standard offer AAB; Lowest grades accepted BBC
- Politics – Standard offer AAB, Lowest grades accepted BCC
One of the original ‘Red Brick Universities’, Birmingham is one of the largest and most popular student destinations. It sits in the pleasant and affluent suburb of Edgbaston, a short train ride from the city centre. A respectable choice for high-achievers who seek the diversions of a major city.
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University of Manchester
Mail ranking: 28 I QS UK Ranking: 7
Russell Group? Yes I TEF Rating: Silver
Clearing courses: 298 I Examples:
- Architecture – Standard offer AAA, Lowest grades accepted BBB
- Biology – Standard offer AAA-AAB, Lowest grades accepted ABB
- Economics – Standard offer AAA, Lowest grades accepted AAB
Founded in the Georgian era, Manchester is one of the UK’s biggest universities and last year had the most number of applicants. It is one of the largest beneficiaries of Government research funding and its output has international renown. Although ranking low on student satisfaction, it remains ever popular – due to both its academic prowess and the city’s vibrant nightlife and culture.
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University of Southampton
Mail ranking: 20 I QS UK Ranking: 14
Russell Group? Yes I TEF Rating: Silver
Clearing courses: 218 I Examples:
- Physics – Standard offer AAB, Lowest grades accepted: BBB
- Marine Biology – Standard offer ABB, Lowest grades accepted: BBC
- Maths – Standard offer AAA, Lowest grades accepted: BBB
Nestled by the sea, and with its own ‘waterfront campus’, Southampton is high on the list for aspiring marine biologists and sailing enthusiasts alike. But as a founding member of the Russell Group, it is also research-intensive institution at the forefront of innovation, favoured by graduate employers.
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University of Leicester
Mail ranking: 29 I QS UK ranking: 37
Russell Group? No I TEF Rating: Gold
Clearing courses: 122 I Examples:
- Computer Science – Standard offer ABB, Lowest grades accepted: CCC
- Law – Standard offer ABB, Lowest grades accepted CCC
- Maths – Standard offer ABB, Lowest grades accepted: CCC
Leicester was named the Daily Mail’s University of the Year 2025. Despite being mid-ranking, it is strong on student experience and teaching, as well as being respected by employers. It also prides itself on social inclusion, recruiting a diverse student population and often making ‘contextual offers’ to those who have faced barriers in their lives.
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University of Bath
Mail ranking: 9 I QS UK ranking: 20
Russell Group? No I TEF Rating: Gold
Clearing courses: 16 I Examples:
- Sociology – Standard offer ABB, lowest grades accepted BBC
- Criminology – Standard offer ABB, lowest grades accepted BBC
- International Development with Economics – Standard offer AAB, lowest grades accepted: BBB
Bath is becoming extremely popular and competition for places is rife. Despite this, it has a handful of courses available in Clearing. Founded in the 1960s, its modern hillside campus sits above the Georgian city. The university is also well-known for its outstanding sports facilities and high-level teams.
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King’s College London
Mail ranking: 13 I QS UK Ranking: 5
Russell Group? Yes I TEF Rating: Silver
Clearing courses: 60 I Examples:
- Biochemistry – Standard offer AAA, Lowest offer BBB
- English – Standard offer AAA, Lowest offer BBB
- Music – Standard offer AAB, Lowest offer BBC
Known as one of the UK’s academic powerhouses, King’s College is strong in both the sciences and liberal arts. Its historic Strand campus in central London is home to a vibrant student community and has recently been transformed with a pedestrianised chill-out zone. However, while an accommodation spot is guaranteed, King’s College’s halls are scattered across the city meaning many students have to commute.
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University of Bristol
Mail ranking: 18 I QS UK Ranking: 8
Russell Group? Yes I TEF Rating: Silver
Clearing courses: 66 I Examples:
- Classics – Standard offer AAB-BBB, Lowest grades accepted BBB
- Philosophy – Standard offer AAB-BBB, Lowest grades accepted BBB
- Physics – Standard offer A*AA-AAB, Lowest grades accepted ABB
This historic university is now at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) research, hosting the UK’s most powerful AI supercomputer. Known for its high academic standards, Bristol graduates are sought after by employers. Meanwhile students praise the city’s hilly landscape with beautiful views, a harbour and ancient buildings.
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To view a wider selection of universities, Mail+ subscribers can access The Mail University Guide here.
Or you can use our exclusive interactive University Finder tool below. You can personalise the rankings to find the university best suited to you. Plus, search the best universities by subject. Not all of the universities featured in the tool are in Clearing.
