UCAS Clearing 2027: How It Works and What to Do

UCAS Clearing 2027 opens on 2 July 2027 and runs until 18 October 2027, the last date to add a Clearing choice. It lets you apply for courses that still have places if you have no offer, miss your conditions or apply after 30 June. Many people use it after A-level results on 12 August 2027.

If you end up in Clearing, you're in good company. It's a normal part of the UCAS system, not a last-chance scramble, and plenty of students find a course they're genuinely happy with this way. This guide walks you through who can use it, the dates to put in your calendar and exactly what to do, step by step.

What is Clearing and who can use it?

Clearing is how universities and colleges fill the places they still have on their courses. UCAS's own guidance says you can use it if any of these apply to you:

• you're applying after 30 June
• you didn't receive any offers, or none you wanted to accept
• you didn't meet the conditions of your offers
• you've declined your firm place using the "Decline my place" button

The course you want also needs to have places left. UCAS says the vacancies in its search tool are "the only official vacancy list", so that's where to look rather than a list on social media.

When does Clearing 2027 open and close?

Here are the dates that matter for Clearing in the 2027-entry cycle. The Clearing dates come from UCAS; the results days come from the exam boards (JCQ and Qualifications Scotland), because UCAS hasn't added them to its 2027 timeline yet.

Clearing is open from July, but for most students it matters after results come out, once you know your grades and whether your offers are confirmed. For every other date in the cycle, see our guide to UCAS deadlines.

What time can you add a Clearing choice on results day?

UCAS hasn't published the 2027 times yet. For 2026 entry, UCAS's adviser guidance said eligible applicants could add Clearing choices from 10:00 UK time on Qualifications Scotland results day and from 13:00 UK time on JCQ (A-level) results day.

Treat those as a guide to how the day usually runs, not a promise for 2027. Before results day, check UCAS's pages for the 2027 times. In the morning, you can still see your results, check your status and ring universities to talk about places.

How does Clearing work, step by step?

Here's the process UCAS describes, in the order you'll actually do it.

1. Check your status

Sign in to your UCAS application. If you're eligible for Clearing, you'll see a Clearing number under your application status. Your firm or insurance choice may still have accepted you, even with slightly lower grades, so check this first. Our guide on what to do if you missed your grades covers that moment in more detail.

2. Find courses with vacancies

Search the UCAS Clearing vacancies from 2 July. Keep a shortlist of three or four courses you'd genuinely be happy to study, and read each course page properly rather than choosing on the name alone.

3. Work out your UCAS points

Many Clearing vacancies list their entry requirements in UCAS Tariff points. Put your actual results into the UCAS points calculator so you know your exact total before you ring anyone. Our page on UCAS points for Clearing explains how to use that number when you're comparing courses.

4. Ring the university

Call the university's Clearing line. Have your Clearing number and your Personal ID ready, because UCAS says you need to give them both "so they can look it up". They may ask about your grades, why you want the course and when you can start. If they make you a verbal offer, ask how long it stays open and write it down.

5. Add your Clearing choice

Once the university has agreed to take you, add it as your Clearing choice in your UCAS application. You can only add one choice at a time. If that university doesn't confirm your place, you'll be able to add another.

6. Wait for confirmation

The university confirms your place in your UCAS application. Once it shows, you're in. Then sort out the practical side: student finance, accommodation and anything the university asks you to send.

What are Clearing Plus matches?

Clearing Plus is UCAS's matching service, which UCAS's student pages also call "Your Clearing matches". When you're in Clearing, a button appears in your application that takes you to your top 50 course matches, based on your details and results.

If a match looks good, you can say you're interested. UCAS's adviser guidance says you can make up to five expressions of interest at any one time. You're matched even if you're a new applicant who hasn't submitted any choices yet.

Matches are a handy starting point, but they don't replace your own search. A course that isn't in your top 50 may still have places, so keep checking the vacancy list too.

Can you use Clearing if you meet your offer?

Yes, but think carefully first. From 2 July, if you're holding an unconditional firm place, you can use the "Decline my place" button to release yourself into Clearing. UCAS warns that if you complete the steps, "your place will be declined and your contract with the university or college will be cancelled". You also lose your insurance place.

So line up a new offer before you press it. If you only want to change course at the same university, UCAS says to speak to that university first. You may also hear about UCAS Adjustment, which let students trade up without losing their place. It was removed for 2022 entry and hasn't come back. Our page on UCAS Adjustment and Decline my place explains what replaced it.

Can you change your firm and insurance choices in Clearing?

No. UCAS's Clearing guidance says you can't swap your firm and insurance choices after you get your results. The last day to swap them for 2027 entry is 22 July 2027, before results day. If you're unsure about the order, our guide to firm and insurance choices can help you decide early.

How many UCAS points do you need for Clearing?

There's no single number. Each course sets its own requirements for its Clearing places, which is why your exact total matters.

A useful habit is to note two numbers for every course on your shortlist: what it asks for and what you have. If you're a few points short, it can still be worth ringing to ask. If you're a long way off, look at courses with lower requirements or a foundation year. Our list of universities with lower UCAS points in Clearing is a good place to start.

How do you get ready for Clearing 2027 before results day?

A little preparation makes the day much calmer. Before results day:

• Save your Personal ID and make sure you can sign in to your UCAS application.
• Have your phone charged and a pen and paper ready for notes.
• Shortlist a few courses you'd consider, including one or two backups.
• Know your predicted grades and what they're worth in points, using the predicted grades calculator.
• Talk to your family or a teacher about what you'd be happy to do if plans change.

Nobody expects you to have everything worked out. Having your details ready simply means you can act quickly while places are still open.

Looking for Clearing 2026 instead?

If you're starting university in autumn 2026, our UCAS Clearing 2026 guide covers that year's dates. The process is very similar, but the dates are different, so make sure you're reading the right year.

Work out your UCAS points before results day