Clearing question - will a uni speak to DS without a Clearing number?

[LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance]

DS2 has applied for the same 4 yr International course at 4 unis. He liked all 4 very much but after a great deal of thought, chose the 2 that were 1. not his local uni and 2. not the uni his brother attends.

It's likely that his firm and insurance unis will make him offers for the 3 year course if he just misses the grades for the 4 year course.

However, we can see today that the uni his brother attends has the 4 yr international course on its Clearing list for 3 Bs, instead of the AAA or AAB DS2 is being asked for at his firm anf insurance unis.

Firm choice uni isn't releasing its Clearing list until tomorrow morning and the 4 yr international isn't on the Clearing list of the insurance uni.

So ... if he is only offered altenative 3 yr courses at his firm/insurance choice, can the other uni which only wants 3 Bs speak to DS without DS having declined his firm/insurance offers to get a Clearing number?

He'd hate to lose out on 3 yr courses by declining, then chasing the 4 yr course unsuccessfully.

[purplepenguin86]

I don't think it will be a problem. I considered going through clearing last year, despite having not actually applied for uni last year, and was offered a place by Warwick without having a number, or even a UCAS form. I think you can call and discuss whether you'd be offered a place without needing to refuse other offers. Obviously he won't be able to go through clearing if he meets his firm or insurance offer though.

[Yangsun]

Actually he can go through clearing even if he meets his offers (although I assume he won't want to). He just has to ask those unis to "release" him. He can talk to other unis without a clearing number and they can offer him the place but it won't be signed and sealed until he has the number.

[Yangsun]

Forgot to say, he should talk to staff in school tomorrow should the issue arise. They will be able to give him clear guidance on the system.

[LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance]

Thanks so much for your replies. Unfortunately, his school doesn't open till 8.30, half an hour after the clearing hotline for that uni opens. It has a masssive 6th form too so there'll be a queue for help. I think he'll just have to turn up early and crack on with it if the news on track is bad. I'm just hoping he'll get the 4 yr international course at his firm or insurance but it's good to know there's a back up so thanks again for your help.

[purplepenguin86]

Hope all went well for your DS and clearing wasn't needed, or if it was I hope he got somewhere he is happy with.

[LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance]

Thanks purple he got the grades he needed