What are confirmation and clearing?
The confirmation and clearing process is the finalisation of a student’s UK university intentions following the release of examination results. It is mainly associated with JCQ results day, in mid-August, when the bulk of UK grades from qualifications such as A levels and BTecs are released.
In fact, it actually covers a wider period than this, from early July to mid-October, encompassing release of International Baccalaureate grades in July, release of Scottish Higher grades at the start of August, JCQ results day and the start of the next academic year.
“Confirmation” means that a place is now assured rather than conditional. Meanwhile, the clearing process is a further opportunity for students who do not meet the criteria for their offers, who change their mind or who apply late. A clearing number is issued by Ucas to students in those categories.
Clearing and perceptions of it have undergone changes in recent years. In the past, it was perhaps stigmatised as the last chance – a scramble for less-than-desirable places. It is now more associated with flexibility and student choices – a large proportion of students use it to change their minds rather than because they have no other option.
In 2024, more than 42,000 students used clearing. Of those, 66 per cent took up a place at a university in the same tariff band as their original first choice, 22 per cent moved from a lower-tariff university to a medium-tariff one and 6 per cent were able to move from a lower-tariff university to a high-tariff university.
Stakeholders, such as parents and senior leaders, might not be aware of this shift in student behaviour. Additionally, the “Adjustment” option, allowing students who exceed offer requirements to hold their offer for five days while seeking high-tariff alternatives, was removed in 2022. This means that students hoping to trade up need to do so through clearing. This makes for a more streamlined system overall.
What happens during clearing?
1. The student meets admissions criteria
If, when results are released, a student has met the criteria for their first-choice university, the offer will change from conditional to unconditional – it is confirmed. There is usually nothing left for the student to do – or for the counsellor, other than to congratulate them.
The university should contact the student about next steps for enrolment. In a few cases, universities might request further documents, such as: proof of results; certificates from earlier qualifications, such as: IGCSEs; English language test results; and proof of ID (passport) for international students. The university will let the student know the deadline for these, and students should ensure that they meet it. Those documents will go to the university directly, rather than to Ucas.
2. The student does not meet their offer criteria
If a student does not meet the offer criteria, the university might still be able to accept them – this will depend on how far the final grades are from those in the offer and the popularity of the course. Very popular courses may have less flexibility.
If the first-choice university is not flexible but the criteria for the insurance choice have been met, that offer will become unconditional. If the student is happy to attend their insurance university, nothing more needs to be done centrally and the university should contact the student. The student and their family might need to check accommodation availability at the new university.
3. The university offers a place on a different course
Sometimes a student who has missed the criteria for their first-choice university will be offered a place there on a different course. The student does not have to accept this. They will need to consider what matters most to them: the university or the course. If they have met the criteria for their insurance choice, they might prefer to accept that.
On an already emotional day, this new option might seem overwhelming, and students could benefit from talking it through with a counsellor who can encourage them to weigh up the offer as calmly as possible. They can call the university for more details, too. If they decide against it, they can decline it.
4. The student does not meet the criteria for their insurance choice
If the student doesn’t meet the criteria for their insurance choice, or didn’t make an insurance choice, they will be eligible to use clearing. These cases are likely to be emotionally fraught because the student and their family will be disappointed. Counsellors will be aware of the need for a calm and empathetic approach in this scenario.
5. The student has changed their mind
A student who has met offer criteria but who has changed their mind can use the “Decline my place” function to self-release into clearing. These students could benefit from a conversation about what has changed for them, their reasons and what they are looking for.
This is a very popular use of the clearing system but it is not without risk, because the original place has to be rejected. It might be possible to identify likely students for this category before the release of results, if they are still communicating with counsellors, so these matters can be explored in advance.
6. The student is making a late application
Students who make late applications through Ucas from 30 June onwards do so by going immediately into clearing.
Supporting students through confirmation and clearing
Before results day
If students have been rejected by their first choice outright, or are offered an alternative course that they are not keen on but would consider others, they can phone the university and see what is available and what they could be considered for, before taking any further steps.