UCAS, Exam Result, and Clearing: What to Know
- ivyoptionswebsite
- Jul 1
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 1
Every year, students from around the world who aspire to attend UK universities apply to up to five programs through UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. Most applications to UK universities are made through this system, which provides a fair and straightforward process for prospective students. UCAS opens in mid-May and Grade 12/Year 13 students must submit their applications by mid-January in the year they will complete secondary school; however, Oxbridge, Medicine, Veterinary, and Dentistry courses have an earlier deadline. Students may apply after January, but before submitting, they should check whether their desired courses are still accepting applications.
Universities inform students whether they have an offer of a place to study through the online UCAS Hub; these offers are made anywhere from a few days to several months after applying. Once all five universities have replied, students choose a first-choice university known as their “Firm” and a back-up option called “Insurance.” Most UK university offers are conditional upon specified performance in year-end exams. Therefore, students must receive their external exam results – whether IB, A-level, French Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, or other – before the universities will confirm their place with an unconditional offer.
Students should select their Firm and Insurance universities based on a realistic expectation of meeting both or at least one of the offers. If students miss their Firm offer and meet the conditions of their Insurance university, then they will go there instead. If they miss both, they will enter Clearing to find courses at universities that still have available places. The Clearing process runs from early July through mid-October, giving students who miss their offers (or those who have yet to apply) the opportunity to secure places.
What to Expect on Results Day
Universities need evidence of exam results to turn conditional offers into unconditional places. The scores for most International Baccalaureate and A-level students will be sent straight to UCAS by the IB and the examination boards; however, other exam takers may be responsible for sharing their exam certificates with their prospective universities. AP students should be ready to send their latest results through the College Board. Always check each university’s instructions on their website or in your offer–or by calling them.
Once your exam results are confirmed, UCAS will update your application status. You won’t see your exact grades in your UCAS Hub, just whether you:
Have an unconditional place at your Firm choice
Have an unconditional place at your Insurance choice
Have a changed course offer (a similar course, e.g., with a foundation year)
Have been unsuccessful (no offers met)
If you meet your Firm offer, congratulations – you’re in at your top choice! Your university will send you a confirmation email and contact you about enrollment and accommodation. If you missed the Firm but met your Insurance offer, then this second-choice university will contact you, confirming your place.
If you missed both offers, you can call your Firm and Insurance universities to see if they still might still consider accepting you, especially if you narrowly missed your offer and performed well in the most relevant subjects. If they say no, you can enter Clearing to apply for courses that still have vacancies. Your Clearing number and button called “My Matches” will appear in your UCAS Hub; the matches button will show you available courses that might be a good fit for you, although you are welcome to search for others as well. You’ll need to call universities directly to discuss available places.
Students who change their mind about their course or receive better-than-expected exam results can turn down their Firm and Insurance universities and use Clearing to find alternative courses, but should remember that their options will be limited; look for available courses ahead of time to determine if doing this might be right for you.
Key Tips for Exam Results Day
Stay calm. You will likely meet one of your offers and can begin planning your university life after you celebrate your results. However, even if things don’t go as planned, there are many options.
Be ready. Have your UCAS login details and exam results at hand so you can call universities quickly if you need to enter Clearing, which is a first-come, first-served process.
Prepare early. Make a shortlist of courses and universities you’d consider if you don’t meet your offers’ requirements. You will find these on UCAS and university websites before Results Day. Many publish Clearing vacancies in advance and may offer Clearing enquiry forms through which their representatives can contact you. It is best for you to call universities directly if you are able to do so.
Have this information ready as you call universities about Clearing places:
Your UCAS ID number
Your most recent exam results, including any previous GCSE, IB Middle Years Program, or AP results
Your English language proficiency qualification (if required)
The course title and code that interests you
If you have disabilities, health needs, or extenuating circumstances, you can mention them to help universities consider your application more holistically.
Remember, you don’t have to accept the first Clearing place you are offered. If you need time to call other universities and review your options, politely thank the university representative and say you will consider the offer. If you do decide to accept a Clearing place, you will add the course and university in your UCAS Hub, which will lead to a written confirmation of the verbal offer.
We wish all of our students the best of luck in securing their places. If you have further questions or would like a script to help you make polished, professional Clearing calls, please contact your Ivy Options counselor.
Online Resources for Clearing:
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