5 clearing tips to help students find the right programme

Posted on: 26 August, 2024

If you’re yet to secure a place at university, didn’t get the grades you needed for the course you applied for or have yet to make an application, it’s not too late to begin your experience in higher education. 

Clearing runs from 5 July to 18 October, and gives applicants the opportunity to find university places that are yet to be filled.

However, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the clearing process – especially if you’d already made plans to study on a particular programme, or if you’re undecided on what course to study.

To make things easier, we’ve compiled 5 top tips to help you get the most out of clearing.

1. Do your research

While feeling under pressure is natural, it’s important to conduct as much research you can – both into the courses and the universities that provide them. Look at each programme in detail; does it interest you? How does the assessment process work? What employment opportunities will be available to you once you graduate? What skills and knowledge are employers looking for?

Student life is also an important aspect to consider. If you’re living on campus, what are the facilities and accommodation like? Is there an active social scene/nightlife? Alternatively, would studying online provide a more flexible way of studying that you can balance with your life and work?

Learn more: Debunking 8 of the biggest online learning myths

2. Stay calm and positive

Clearing may not have been part of what you envisaged for your journey to higher education, but it should be recognised for what it is – an exciting chance to explore opportunities you might not have already considered.

If you changed your mind or had doubts about the original course you’d selected, what other options are available? Are there different career paths that are of interest to you? Regardless, it’s worth staying calm and positive; clearing can give you another opportunity to begin higher education or study a programme that you enjoy.

Learn more: Careers in the Built Environment

3. Keep an open mind

Just as it’s important to stay positive, it’s also crucial to keep an open mind. Even if you had a specific course in mind, programmes that seem different at first may well have similar actual content. Consider your career plans, too – would a similar course still put you in good stead for employment? Perhaps it may even give you more opportunities once you graduate?

Along with your plans for your career, the most important thing to consider is ultimately if the course interests you. Don’t be put off by different programme titles – focus instead on the content of the programme itself.

4. Make use of the support and resources available

There are plenty of resources available to help applicants through the clearing process. UCAS offer lots of useful resources, such as information on university or colleges. There’s also Clearing Plus – a UCAS service that will match students to courses similar to what they’ve previously applied for. What’s more, the National Careers Service is an extremely useful resource that can give you access to advisors who will support you throughout the process.

Many specific institutions also have their own teams and advisors who can provide you with support. UCEM’s friendly Admissions Team are on hand to answer any queries you may have during the process. There’s also the Careers Team, who can discuss built environment careers with you in more detail and give you a better idea of what you may want to consider studying.

5. Be ready to act

Once you’ve decided on the course you’d like to study, you should be prepared to act as spaces won’t be free on the programme forever. Ahead of your call with the university/college you’re applying for, make sure you have the following details to hand:

• UCAS number/UCAS ID
• Clearing reference number
• Email
• Telephone number
• Exam results

Be prepared to answer a few questions, such as why you’re interested in the course and what you’d like to do after your graduate. Don’t be afraid to ask questions you have on the call either, as this is a chance for you to get useful information that may impact your final decision.

Final thoughts

Thousands of students go through clearing every year, so students participating in it shouldn’t feel alone. It can be a stressful process, but by implementing the tips above, there’s no reason it shouldn’t be a successful one too.

To find out more about the courses available at UCEM, visit the Undergraduate Programmes page.

If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with the following teams:

• Admissions: admissions@ucem.ac.uk
• Enquiries: enquiries@ucem.ac.uk
• Careers: careers@ucem.ac.uk