If you decide to apply to UCAS after the closing date or you have still been unsuccessful after UCAS Extra, your application will be processed through Clearing.

This service runs between July and September and can help people find a course from any places which are still available.

The idea is you identify courses (with vacancies) that interest you and contact the course providers directly to see if they will offer you a place.

• In Clearing you need to complete the application as normal, including your personal statement but you are unable to add course choices. When you submit your application you receive a welcome email to access the Track service where you’ll find your Clearing Number.
• You then follow the steps – search for vacancies in our search tool, and contact universities to try to find a place. Once you have a verbal offer from a university you want to go to, you can add the course in Track.

(You’ll know you are in Clearing if your Track status says ‘You are in Clearing’ or ‘Clearing has started’).