Clearing myths and misconceptions

This is by far the biggest and most outdated myth! ANYONE can go through Clearing and there are many reasons why people do – and it might not even have anything to do with grades at all. If you didn’t get the results you expected, and you’re not able to get onto your preferred course, it doesn’t mean you’re a failure or that you’re any less intelligent. We know that students who join us through Clearing are just as successful in their education and future careers as those who came to us through the traditional application route.

Clearing can be an empowering opportunity for anyone who’s only just decided to apply to university for the first time, as well as those who’ve changed their mind about what they want to study and those who took a year out, to find their perfect degree course. Clearing can also be a time when those who’ve done better than expected on results day can see what other options are open to them that weren’t previously (called Adjustment). For many, Clearing’s an active, deliberate choice rather than a forced, last resort and last year more than 70,000 people gained a university place through Clearing. 

Everybody studying here at Staffs is treated in the exactly same way - no matter how they got a place. No one will know that you’ve got onto a course through Clearing... and no one will really care! There’s nothing to stop you from fitting in on your new course and being a Clearing student won’t make you stand out from the rest of your course mates. You will all be in the same position – starting a new course at a new university – together.

It doesn’t have to be, as long as you do your research in advance and think through your options in case things don’t go as expected on results days. Clearing isn’t any more difficult than the normal application process. You can contact as many universities as you want and you can also apply for any course that’s available – whether that’s something like what you originally applied for, or something completely different. You can’t accept any offers until 3pm on results day when UCAS Track reopens, so there’s plenty of time to think about your decision. Don’t forget though, Clearing opens on Tuesday 5 July 2022 so if you already know your results, if you have no offers, or if haven’t already applied through UCAS, you don’t have to wait until results day and can apply start your application now to avoid the rush. Our online Offer Generator checks your eligibility and gives you an instant decision on whether you could be offered a place. You can even start your application online.

Any course could appear in Clearing; it’s simply a way of universities offering last minute available spaces on their courses, while helping to match up applicants who don’t already have a university place. There are lots of reasons why courses are not full; it doesn’t make them any less credible, legitimate or worthwhile. In fact, Clearing can often open-up options you might never have considered or known were out there. Be aware though that Clearing vacancies can change quickly, as and when places are filled or become available.

Even if you haven’t got your first or insurance choice, it doesn’t mean you can’t get a degree in the subject you want. Clearing is an opportunity to explore your options – it’s likely there will be plenty of other similar courses available. Plus, in Clearing, you can apply for a course in any subject, not just the one you applied for originally, if your future career ambitions have changed. 

Here at Staffs, we guarantee we’ll find you a place to live if you apply to us through Clearing. You just need to make us your firm choice through UCAS. If there are no rooms at our on-campus halls of residence, don’t worry. We still promise to help you secure alternative local accommodation with our trusted providers, including GreenPad - a free private lettings service run by our Students’ Union who help our students secure good quality, affordable accommodation. Our ResLife team are also on hand to make sure you settle in and feel part of the student community, wherever you live.