Confirmation and clearing: a comprehensive guide for counsellors

The final stage of the application cycle for UK universities comes when applicants receive their examination results. Then they either have their university place confirmed or they become eligible for the clearing process.

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. 

Briefing parents and leaders on the advantages of clearing for student agency might put minds at rest and clarify shifts in the application landscape. 

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. 

Students using clearing will be able to search for available vacancies via Ucas from 5 July. University websites will also have updates. Students eligible to use clearing will also be able to access their clearing number from 5 July. 

Between 6pm BST on 28 July and 9am on 5 August, and between 8am on 8 August and 8am on 14 August, Ucas has embargoes in place while universities assess the results of Scottish and JCQ qualifications against offers made. During these periods, no updates to offer status will be made that are visible to students or advisers, and universities will not discuss offer status. If a student thinks an offer will not be met or is having second thoughts, researching options and revisiting their achievements on – and following – their application may be helpful. 

On JCQ results day

On 14 August, JCQ results day, the adviser portal will open at 7am. This is to allow counsellors time to check which students have been accepted by their first and insurance choices and which are involuntarily in clearing – thus ascertaining which students will be a priority for support. 

Students do not see updates until 8am, allowing counsellors one hour for planning and prioritising. Counsellors must not discuss results with students during that time, nor with anyone else who does not have access to the portal. It’s important therefore that any colleagues needed on that day are added to the centre’s Ucas portal with access to the correct groups in advance. 

To check if a university course will accept them, students need to call the university and explain which course they are interested in and their grades. Encourage them to list any achievements that post-date their application and any questions in advance, and to have a notepad or device to make notes on when they call. They should keep chargers nearby – waiting time on results day can be long.

Students can call as many universities as they like to see what their options are. Encourage them to ask the university to confirm whether an offer is likely to be made via email. This is particularly strongly recommended for students who plan to decline a place to voluntarily use clearing, as is making prospective calls in advance of declining the place. On 14 August, students can call from 8am. 

At 1pm BST on 14 August, students can add a clearing choice via their Ucas account. They can add just one choice, so should consider the verbal offers from their earlier calls carefully. The university will then accept them. 

Students should act quickly, especially if looking to move to a more competitive course – these places will be taken quickly. 

Resources

A detailed timeline for confirmation and clearing 2025 

These Ucas resources are also helpful.

Ucas also has clearing-specific advice for international students.