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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Have I understood Clearing correctly?

7 replies

TulipsinaJar · 05/03/2026 11:58

DD has applied with A levels in hand to five universities for the same subject. She has some offers and is waiting for others.

She is now having a wobble about whether she has picked the right course and is thinking about making a different choice through Clearing.

Have I understood the following correctly-

-She can accept one of her current offers.
-Clearing opens early July. She could then speak to unis with places on the course she would like to switch to and get an informal agreement that they would accept her.
-She can then decline the uni she accepted through UCAS and make a Clearing application to the other uni.
-She would not have to wait until A level results come out to do this. She could get it done before the results moratorium (ie early July).

Does that all sound right or have I misunderstood?

OP posts:
poetryandwine · 05/03/2026 12:23

Because DD has grades in hand you are correct, OP. Best wishes to her.

(I am a former admissions tutor)

TulipsinaJar · 05/03/2026 12:29

Thank you!

OP posts:
Ceramiq · 06/03/2026 08:04

Yes, sounds good. Every year students who have received their final secondary school exam results before A-level results day get their pick of Clearing. IB students are in this sense at an advantage.

clarrylove · 06/03/2026 08:12

If she wanted to. I think she could also reject her current offers and apply for a new course through Extra now.

pinkdelight · 06/03/2026 08:59

I was going to say same as @clarrylove - depends how clear her wobble is, but she can go via Extra and not wait for clearing esp as she has grades in hand.

AelinAG · 06/03/2026 17:51

But not all unis will their full clearing offer available in July so her choices might be limited

wite · 12/03/2026 12:56

Some unis won’t release all of their vacancies until results day so bear that in mind

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