Make a plan
It’s a good idea to try and plan for different scenarios. Make a list of your top three courses, but also have some backup options available. You could also put together a list of alternative universities, pin their web pages to your browser and have their Clearing phone lines to hand in case you don’t get the results you expected.
Remember: stay calm and focused and you’ll be able to find a course that suits you
Find out when hotlines open
Every university will have different hotline hours during Clearing. Most will stay open for extended periods on results day but make it part of your research to check their opening hours.
Visit our contact page for more information on our hotline opening hours.
Check your UCAS details
Save yourself extra stress on results day by making sure your UCAS contact details are updated in advance. It’s important to keep these details up to date so that any applications you make go smoothly. If you need to change any of your details, try to do this as soon as possible.
Get organised
Before you start making calls, get yourself ready by having all your important information and documents in one place. These include:
- UCAS personal ID number
- Clearing number (available on UCAS Hub if you haven't met the offers for your first and insurance choices, or have changed your mind and want to use Clearing)
- your results
- your personal statement – you may be asked questions about this
- details of any other qualifications – they can sometimes be useful.
Check course vacancies regularly
Course availability will change quickly during Clearing, especially on results day. Universities update their course vacancies in real time on their websites, so make sure you check them regularly. Bear in mind that popular courses fill up quickly, which is why it’s a good idea to have a list of other options.
Try new things
If you approach Clearing with an open mind, it can be an opportunity to challenge yourself and try new things. Even if you don’t get the results you were expecting, there may be other courses out there that suit you perfectly. If you stay flexible and you’re willing to experiment, Clearing could open all kinds of new doors for you.
Stay calm
You might feel anxious in the run-up to results day, so whether it's a teacher, friend or family member, make sure you have people around you that you can turn to for support. We also have some tried and tested tips for keeping calm during Clearing that involve plenty of sleep and food.
And finally, make time to congratulate yourself on your achievements. Whichever university you go to, you'll have new experiences, meet new people and work towards an exciting future!
