Want a step-by-step guide on how to apply through Clearing? We’ve got you covered! Our admissions team offer up their best advice too.
Who can apply through Clearing?
If any of the following apply to you, you’re eligible to apply through Clearing:
- You don't meet the conditions of your offer for your firm (first) or insurance (second) choice courses
- Your exam results are better than you expected and you want to change your course or university
- You don't hold any offers
- You've accepted an offer but changed your mind about the course you want to do
- You're applying for the first time after 30 June
- you’ve declined your firm place using the ‘decline my place’ button in your application on the UCAS Hub
Remember, before Results Day you can only apply through Clearing if you already have your final results.
How to apply through Clearing
Applying through Clearing might seem complicated or overwhelming at first, but it's a simple process when you break it down into these small steps:
1. Before Clearing opens
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We recommend making sure you’re prepared.
It's best to do this in the days or weeks before Clearing starts, even if you're confident about your exam results. We recommend you make a note of all the numbers and information you'll need on results day.
Our advice on how to make a phone call during Clearing tells you everything you'll need to know before you pick up the phone and give us a call.
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Check Clearing course vacancies regularly
Explore other courses you might be interested in as this will help you to act quickly on Results Day.
Remember that the availability of courses changes rapidly in Clearing, so you need to keep an eye on the latest vacancies.
You can see all our Clearing vacancies on the UCAS website, or you can explore our courses on our site.
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Attend open days
We’ll be hosting an Open Day on the 6 July, so if you haven't yet had a chance to visit us in person yet, this is your chance. You'll have a better idea of what life is like as a student at the University of Portsmouth.
Attend our Open Day
2. During Clearing (once you have your results)
Once Clearing has opened and you already have your results and know the course you'd like to study, you can apply.
Many of our most popular courses are available in Clearing so you're sure to find your ideal degree.
You can also use UCAS Clearing Plus by going to the 'My matches' option in UCAS Hub and selecting the 'I'm interested button' for the courses you're interested in.
How many universities can you apply to through Clearing?
You can approach as many universities as you wish during Clearing. You can only apply for one university and one course at a time, but there’s no limit to how many times you can apply throughout Clearing.
We advise you to do one application at a time, as this will prevent you from being overwhelmed.
Doing one application at a time will keep you organised with your applications.
Getting an offer
If we make you an offer we'll confirm it by email and give you 24 hours to accept it.
We'll ask you to read through our Clearing terms and conditions before you accept an offer.
Starting in 2025 instead of 2024
If you want to take a year out before you start your course, we consider ‘deferred entry’ for some courses during Clearing.
We'll let you know if this option is available for your chosen course when you contact us.
Accepting an offer through UCAS
If you previously applied to university through UCAS, you can accept a Clearing offer in your UCAS Hub. Go to the ‘Your choices’ section of your application and click the 'Add Clearing' choice. Then enter the details of the course. Remember:
- Only add a Clearing choice if you've been given an offer by a university
- You can only accept one offer in the UCAS Hub, so don't be too hasty in making your decision.
If you have any difficulty adding your Clearing choice in UCAS, or you've missed the deadline, let us know as soon as possible.
Can you apply through Clearing without UCAS
If we offer you a place and you didn't apply through UCAS, follow the link in your email confirmation and complete our online Record of Prior Acceptance form to accept it.
Please be aware that if you already have a UCAS account for this year (even if you just set one up but didn’t apply in the main cycle), we will not be able to process your acceptance this way and you need to add us as a Clearing choice via your UCAS Hub.
3. After getting your place through Clearing
Sort out your accommodation
Your next step after accepting an offer is to sort out where you're going to live. After all, it's only a matter of weeks until you start your course.
Once you've applied to us you'll be offered a guaranteed room in halls if you accept your offer within 48 hours of receiving it. Our friendly student housing team will get in touch with you to help you sort out the right accommodation.
Whether you decide to live in halls or in private rented accommodation we offer the same 24/7 welfare advice and support to all new students.
Get a guaranteed room in halls
Received an offer and accepted us as your firm choice? Find out how to get a guaranteed place in our halls.
Coming to uni
Read our expert advice on everything from how to make friends at uni, to the best ways of living more sustainably as a student
Apply for your visa
If you're an EU or international student and you need a visa to study here you need to start the process quickly as visas can take some time to come through. Get in touch with our visa support team if you have a question or problem. Or, read our guidance on getting visas.
Update your student finance application
If you've already applied for your student loan, you'll need to log into your account and update details about your new course/university. If you haven't applied for your student loan yet, don't panic. Apply today – it only takes 30 minutes.
Get ready for your arrival at uni
Once you've formally accepted your offer, sorted your accommodation and checked your student finance application, it's time to get ready for your arrival.
Our guide to joining the university lists everything you need to do before you get here.