Guidance for Parents and Carers

To help support your child through Clearing, we’ve put together a guide that includes our top Clearing tips for parents and carers.

What is clearing?

Clearing is the way to find a university place if a student has:

Changed their mind about what they want to study and where
Not got the grades for their firm or insurance offer or has not received any offers
Chosen to apply after 30 June

As a parent, you can play an important role in supporting your child through the process. From coming up with a Plan B through to preparing for that milestone moment when they start at university, we’ve got some key tips.

When does clearing open?

Clearing opens on 5 July 2025. You can see what courses are available via UCAS or you can browse courses in Clearing at University of Staffordshire London.

If you have any questions about clearing, complete our form or get in touch with the enquiries team and we’ll be happy to help.

Results day

While this can be a nerve-wracking day, remind your child that there are still plenty of options available to them.

Once they receive their results, have them log in to their UCAS hub to check the status of their offers. It's important that they don't jump to conclusions and assume they've lost their place if they haven't met all the conditions of their offers.

Encourage your child to reach out to the universities they're interested in as soon as possible. Before they make contact, remind them to gather the following information:

Results
UCAS personal ID number
UCAS Clearing ID (found on the UCAS hub if they've had an offer rejected)
UCAS Personal Statement
CV, if they have one

Also, ask them to prepare a list of questions they might want to ask about the university, their preferred courses, or any aspect of student life like accommodation and support services.

Step-by-step Clearing guide

Be prepared

Have a back-up plan in case your child’s results aren’t what they expected. What about a slightly different course or taking a foundation year first? Doing research in advance means you can act more quickly on results day. A growing number of students are also waiting until they get their results before considering university – it’s a route for anyone interested in a degree place.
Be ready for results day

If they already have a UCAS account, you can check if their university application has been accepted. UCAS Track is updated at around 8am on results day (14 August). If they’ve done better than expected or have had second thoughts about where to study, they can also use the "decline my place" button through UCAS to search for a new place in Clearing.
Be supportive and positive

Remember, it’s their decision and their future. Once they spot a course they are interested in, encourage them to contact the university themselves to discuss it. Before they call, they’ll need their: UCAS ID number, Details of their qualifications (including GCSEs). Your child will get through to our Admissions Team, who can help them explore their options. If they prefer, they can choose to chat with us online or try the offer calculator on our website – and get an instant offer. We make it as straightforward and stress-free as possible.
Ask questions

Our team is here to help, so ask us as many questions as you want. We can also arrange a chat with an academic or current student. It’s your chance to find out more about a course, other opportunities like placements, and student life.

Call us 01782 294400
Accepting an offer

Once they’ve got an initial offer, they can formally accept it through the UCAS hub. Bear in mind, places tend to fill up quickly.

Visit UCAS hub

What happens next?

Now your child has accepted a place on a course through Clearing, it's time to arrange student finance and accommodation (if applicable), and get ready for welcome week.

How to arrange student finance

It’s natural to worry about your child getting into debt. But the student finance system means they can apply for upfront support. If they have already applied for a loan and are changing where they study through Clearing, they should update their details using the student finance log-in.

If they haven’t already been through the student finance process, we recommend they apply now. This will give them the best chance of getting their loan in time for the start of term. Payments are made directly into their bank account in termly instalments.

Accommodation

There's a range of accommodation options close to campus to suit individual needs.

View accommodation

Settling in

Our Students’ Union also offers lots of opportunities to meet new people, make friends and get involved in student life. We offer a range of student support services including academic support, careers advice, financial support and a dedicated health and wellbeing team based at our London campus.

Explore student life in London

How to find us

The closest car park is located at Westfield Stratford City, this car park has around 4,500 parking spaces and has easy access to the campus via the free shuttle bus. The campus is within easy walking distance of three stations Hackney Wick, Stratford City and Stratford International.

How to find University of Staffordshire London

FAQs

What is Clearing?

Clearing is just another name for the final admissions process of the academic year

What is the reason for using Clearing?

Clearing provides a second chance to find the right course if a student hasn’t received the grades they were hoping for, haven’t met conditions of previous offers, or if they have changed their mind from what they originally chose.

Is Clearing common?

Yes. Over 10% of students come through Clearing every year.

Are Clearing students treated differently?

No, Clearing offers are processed in a different way, but once an offer is made and accepted, students are treated the same as someone who has accepted prior to the Clearing process.

How do I know that University of Staffordshire London is right for my child?

We are committed to student satisfaction and employability, and our accolades speak for themselves. If you’re still apprehensive, call us on 0800 590 830 where you can speak to our Clearing advisors.

How can I help?

As well as providing moral support, make sure your child has their Clearing number to hand when they’re ready to make a decision. This can be found in the ‘Your choices’ section of Track.

And finally...

It's important to reassure your child. Clearing can sometimes carry misconceptions, but there's absolutely no stigma attached to it. When students begin their university studies, no one will know whether they entered through the main cycle or clearing.

Contact us

If you have any questions about Clearing or need further support for your child, fill in the form or call our friendly enquiries team on 01782 294400 and we'll be happy to assist.