How Clearing works
Confused about how Clearing works? Our guide to Clearing will help you prepare, so you can apply with confidence.

How to apply through Clearing 2025
This step by step guide tells you how to apply for a course through Clearing and what steps to take once you receive your offer.
The guidance below is for Clearing 2025 and tells you what to do once you have received your results. For most people, this will be on Thursday 14 August.
On results day, make sure you check your UCAS Hub as early as possible to confirm the status of your applications. If you are eligible for Clearing, you will automatically be entered into the Clearing process.
UCAS say you can use Clearing in 2025 if:
- You’re applying after 30 June 2025 for September 2025
- You haven't received any offers (or none you wanted to accept)
- You haven't met the conditions of your offers
- You've paid the multiple choice application fee
- You’ve declined your firm place using the ‘decline my place’ button in your application
Looking for your UCAS ID number? You can find it in emails you receive from UCAS, especially the first one your receive after creating an account. You can also check your UCAS Hub dashboard.
If you haven't yet applied to any universities through UCAS, you can apply directly to us through Clearing. We can make you an offer if you already have your results. Or you can apply once you receive your results on results day.
Many courses will still have available places during Clearing but it is important to check this before you apply.
Use our Clearing course list to search for your course.
Have your grades, personal details and UCAS ID (if you have one) ready as well as a pen and paper for any notes. We may ask you why you're interested in a particular course so be prepared.
You may need to have an interview for some courses, to check your suitability. If this is the case, you will be guided through the process and told when to attend your interview (if it's not right away).
Now that Clearing is officially open, you can apply online, by telephone or via live chat.
Online
Apply for Clearing through our online Clearing application form. If you are successful, you will receive an automatic offer via email within a few minutes.
By telephone
Phone lines open at 8am on results day so don't wait around. Call us on +44 (0)1772 830777. Make sure you contact us yourself as we will want to talk to you directly.
We will have a chat with you about the course you want to apply for and your qualifications. We can make you a preliminary offer right there on the spot. Calls don't usually last longer than a few minutes.
Through live chat
Live chat will be available from 8am on Thursday 14 August to 2pm on Sunday 17 August. You'll be able to chat live with a member of our team.
We'll speak to you about your results and if you meet the entry requirements, we should be able to make you an offer for most courses.
Click the blue icon in the bottom right hand corner of the screen to chat with us.
We will tell you if you have been accepted onto your course of choice there and then, unless your course requires interview or portfolio. If you applied through UCAS, remember to accept your Clearing offer.
The steps you can take to accept your offer are:
- Go to UCAS Hub;
- Go to the 'your choices' section;
- Click 'add Clearing choice';
- Add the course details listed in your Clearing offer email.
The Admissions Team will then review the referral and confirm your place for you.
You may need to send in evidence of qualifications or results to confirm your offer.
Clearing next steps
Applied through Clearing and wondering what happens next? We'll take you through the process on our Clearing next steps webpage. From student finance and accommodation, to preparing for uni life, we've got you covered.
Got your results?
Apply through Clearing today. We have places available on a range of undergraduate courses starting this September. Let us know your qualifications and we may be able to make you an offer in minutes.
Clearing at the University of Central Lancashire
Key dates for Clearing 2025
We've put together a timeline of key dates for your diary. Please visit the UCAS website for detailed information on times and dates for Clearing.
UCAS Clearing is open
Clearing officially opened on UCAS on 5 July 2025. You will automatically be entered into Clearing if you apply through UCAS from 5 July 2025.
A Level, access courses and BTEC results
A Level results day is Thursday 14 August 2025.
BTEC and access course results will vary but all results are expected to be released by Thursday 15 August 2025.
If you have outstanding GCSE results, please note these are released on the 21 August 2025 – you will need to send those to us directly by email to the Admissions Team.
Open Day
Attend our Preston Campus Open Day on Sunday 17 August before you start in September. You can explore your subject, chat with tutors and students, and tour the campus and accommodation.
Campus tours
If you can't make our Open Day or you're interested in our Burnley Campus, we have regular student-led campus tours taking place throughout August. Explore our fantastic campuses and discover what life is like here.
If you're not able to attend campus in person, you can still check out the facilities. View 360 guided tours and other exclusive content.
Enrolment
Enrolment is the formal step which confirms your status as a student with us and allows you to access to all University services. Find out more about enrolment on our webpage.
Clearing application deadline
The deadline for submitting applications through Clearing is usually the week before teaching starts in September.
Welcome Week
Welcome Week is your opportunity to learn more about university life before your course begins. You'll find all of the information you need on our welcome pages.