What is
Clearing?

Clearing is a service you can use to find degree-level courses with available spaces for courses starting in Autumn 2025.

Clearing is available from 5 July to 20 October. You can use it from 5 July if you already have your exams results but no offers, or if you are awaiting your results, from A - Level results day, Thursday 14 August, if you had conditional offers but your exam results didn’t go to plan.

You can use Clearing if you fall into any of these categories: 

• You're applying after 30 June 2025
• You didn't receive any offers (or none you wanted to accept)
• You didn't meet the conditions of your firm or insurance choices
• You've changed your mind about your university or course
• You've paid the multiple choice application fee of £27.50
• You've declined your firm place using the 'decline my place' button in your application

BTEC, international or mature students can also apply via Clearing. Clearing is open to any student who wants to apply to a university, regardless of what qualifications they're currently studying.

During the Clearing process you can speak to as many course providers as you like to find out about their offerings and to receive verbal offers of a place before making your final decision via UCAS.

You are permitted one Clearing place at a time. Once a choice has been selected, you cannot add another, unless you’ve been unsuccessful with the first one. It is very important to do your research and take some time when making your decision.

Click here to discover our degree-level courses at West Herts College.

If you haven’t already applied, do not worry, you can do so on the UCAS website. You will need to complete the application as normal, but won’t be able to add course choices. Once you’ve submitted your application you’ll go straight into Clearing and will receive a welcome email with your Clearing Number.

You’ll know you’re in Clearing if your Track status says ‘You are in Clearing’ or ‘Clearing has started’. You can use the UCAS website to search for courses, or you can get in touch with us directly on our Clearing Hotline 01923 812345 to find out your best options and what courses we have available that match your ambitions.

Once you have decided on a course, simply log in to UCAS.com, go to the ‘Your choices’ section of your application and click 'Add Clearing choice’, then enter the details of the course.

You can only add West Herts College as a Clearing choice once we have given you permission. It is important that you discuss your application with our Clearing team first.

You don’t need to reply to a Clearing offer. Once you add the choice, it’s then up to us to confirm your place in your application. This counts as you definitely accepting the offer, so once we confirm we are happy to offer you a place it’ll show up as an acceptance on the choices page of Track and UCAS will also send you a confirmation letter.

If you do not have any offers you will be entered into Clearing automatically. This will also apply to you if you rejected or were unsuccessful in all your offers.

If you have any questions about the Clearing process or the courses we offer, you can contact us directly on our Clearing hotline 01923 812345 or by completing our Clearing Express Form here.

From 5 July, if you are holding a firm unconditional place, you can release yourself into Clearing, by using the ‘Decline your place’ button in your application. 

You do not need to contact your university or college in order to be released into Clearing. Instead, you have the power to do this yourselves. The process of online self-release is simple, although it does include a number of warnings to ensure applicants understand the decision they are making, which are as follows:

• • Sign into Track, click the ‘Decline my place’ button
  • You are then taken to a page which will explain the decision you are making, before confirming this decision
  • Finally, you will receive an email confirming you have entered Clearing

For more information regarding online self-release, you can visit the UCAS website here.

You can find further information on Clearing by visiting the UCAS Website