If you miss the June UCAS deadline, don't panic, there's always Clearing
You can apply for one of our courses through UCAS right up until 30 June 2026. However, if you miss this deadline, but have your heart set on one of our undergraduate degree courses, don't panic!
You get another bite of the cherry through Clearing, which opens on 2 July 2026 and stays open until 20 October 2026. If you go through Clearing, you can apply through UCAS or direct (if you are only applying to us).
If you'd like to understand more about Clearing and the courses we are likely to be offering, as well as more about our free £5,000 for all UK full-time undergraduates, register for updates and we'll keep you posted.
What is Clearing?
Clearing gives universities the chance to fill any places they still have left on their courses in the final few months before the new academic year starts. Read our FAQs to learn more.
£5k to support your studies
If you become a student at University College Birmingham, you shouldn't feel like the cost of living will stop you reaching your goals. We don't want you to worry, which is why we are giving our undergraduates £5,000 cash each to help with everything from food and bills to transport - which doesn't have to be paid back.
To receive the £5k, you need to be a full-time UK undergraduate starting in September 2025 and paying your tuition fees with a student loan. No catch, just some extra support. We hope it makes life a little easier.
Clearing open days
We hold our Clearing open day in August, giving you the chance to have a campus tour and explore our cutting-edge facilities. You can also chat with our students and learn all about student life at University College Birmingham. Register for updates and you'll be the first to know when we open bookings for our Clearing open day.
Clearing success stories
Many students join us through Clearing every year. Read our Clearing student stories to see how Clearing is the first step to so much more...
- Meet Taylor
- Meet Finley
Taylor's Clearing story
"I always wanted to be a paramedic, and wanted to study my degree close to home at a university that offered lots of support, and would help me fulfil my goal of working for the air ambulance one day.
"When I went through Clearing, I was a little worried as I was clueless to what it was. But with support from the University, my experience in Clearing was amazing. Everything went so smoothly and I received my offer quickly. I had support to calm my nerves and it was a lot easier than I thought."
Finley's Clearing Story
"I entered Clearing because all the other universities I applied to either responded very late, told me that I didn’t meet their requirements or didn’t get back to me at all.
"I chose University College Birmingham because I already studied engineering here for two years as part of college, so I was already very familiar with the environment, and it was closest to my home. I was very happy with my Clearing experience."
Clearing FAQs
What is Clearing?
Clearing is not just about missing your grades on results day. Far from it! You can apply through UCAS Clearing today if you:
- Are worried about your results and need a back-up plan
- Have changed your mind about what or where you’d like to study
- Have not accepted or received any other offers
- Are applying late (past the June 30 UCAS deadline)
- Have missed out on the entry requirements for conditional offers
If any of the answers above sound like you, UCAS Clearing is your extra opportunity to secure a place for September 2026.
When does Clearing start and end?
UCAS Clearing is open from Thursday 2 July 2026 and closes on Tuesday 20 October 2026.
Where can I find my Clearing number?
Am I eligible to apply through Clearing?
You can apply for university Clearing courses if:
- You are applying for university late (after 30 June)
- You have not met the entry requirements for another course
- You are not holding any offers (or chose not to accept any that you did)
- You have changed your mind about where or what you want to study (and have chosen to decline your firm offer using the ‘Decline my place’ button on UCAS Hub (formerly UCAS Track).
Clearing is not just for A-level students. BTEC, IB, access, mature, international students and others can apply through Clearing too. The application fee for 2026 entry is £28.50
We suggest that you begin your search as early as possible. To find out more about our university's Clearing courses, start your search today.
Read further FAQs about if you have accepted a place at another university, but want to come to University College Birmingham instead, further down this page. This includes whether you want to apply for an adjustment to University College Birmingham if you have met and exceeded your original conditional firm offer conditions.
What courses can I apply to through Clearing?
You can check which University College Birmingham undergraduate courses have places left by clicking 'Find a course’ buttons on this page, from which you can search and view each undergraduate course page. You can also find vacancies on our courses using the UCAS search tool from July.
How do I apply?
You can get the latest updates and personalised guidance from University College Birmingham's friendly and knowledgeable Admissions team – here to assist with all your questions about the Clearing process.
Simply fill in our quick Request a callback form so we can reach you in the best way possible!
Or, if you’d rather call us directly, our Admissions team are ready and waiting to speak to you on 0121 604 1040. (Calls to our Admission team number are free of charge)
Be sure to have all the necessary documentation ready, including your UCAS personal ID and academic results, when results day arrives. This will help keep everything as smooth and stress-free as possible.
If you're still deciding whether University College Birmingham is the right fit for you, why not join one of our open days?Can I apply through Clearing before results day?
If you’re waiting to receive your exam results and are worried you might not get the results you need to get into your first or second choice universities, you might be wondering if you can apply through Clearing before results day.
Although you’ll need to wait until you receive your exam results before you can officially apply through Clearing, you can still prepare now and find the course that is right for you, as well as do the necessary research into things such as your accommodation, Student Finance and your new uni city, ensuring you are fully prepared to avoid the rush of results day and take your application forwards quickly and stress-free.
If you already have your results, but aren't holding an offer from a university, you can apply anytime. Give our friendly Admissions team a call on 0121 604 1040, or fill out our form to request a callback. You can also complete the following application form, and we will be in touch.
I have accepted a place at another university, but would like to come to University College Birmingham. What do I need to do now?
If your place is confirmed with another university, we can only offer you a place if you are released from your original course choice into Clearing or you are eligible for adjustment.
To be released, you will need to contact your firm choice university and ask them to release you into Clearing. This will be at their discretion.
What is adjustment and how do I make an adjustment to University College Birmingham?
Adjustment is for students who have met and exceeded their original conditional firm offer conditions and want to look for a place at a different university based on these higher results. Adjustment is available from A-level results day until 31 August. To apply for adjustment to University College Birmingham, call our Clearing hotline on 0121 604 1040.
Do universities accept lower grades through Clearing?
Clearing is about matching you up with a course that is available and suited to your aspirations, as much as it is your grades. So do not panic if you do not get the grades you had hoped for.
We will take other things into consideration such as your reasons for wanting to join the course, your passion for doing so, the UCAS points you have accumulated, your personal statement, and the way that you approach speaking with our Admissions team.
How do I cope with the potential stress of Clearing?
Make a plan. Just in case you do not get the grades you need for your firm or insurance choices. And prepare yourself for that possibility of things not going the way you’d like them to.
Start researching Clearing courses early so that you can create a shortlist and approach universities early too. They will no doubt have teams in place to answer any of your questions and help you along your Clearing journey.
If you are feeling stressed at any point, talk to your family members, teachers and tutors. They are there to help and support you through your Clearing journey too.
Being prepared and getting everything in order ahead of results day will make the day much less stressful – and mean that you are already sure of what you want to do should you not get the grades you were hoping for.
On the day you make the call, it's a good idea to have your UCAS Clearing number ready and know your tariff points for the course you're asking about. We might ask you a few questions about why you're applying and what appeals to you about studying with us, and you're welcome to ask us questions too, so have some ready.
There are also lots of mental health resources that you can access for free from organisations such as Student Minds – the UK’s student mental health charity. They specialise in student wellbeing and have created Student Space to help young people manage stress and anxiety, and find support.
How do I secure student finance after Clearing?
If you do accept an offer through Clearing, you will need to make sure you get your student loan.
The process for this will be different depending on if you are using Clearing for your first application, or if you previously applied for university, and for funding, in the initial application phase.
If you have already applied for funding, but have changed your university or course choice, you will need to let Student Finance know as soon as possible so that you receive your full entitlement. It is fairly simple to update your details:
- Log into your Student Finance account
- Go to ‘Your Account’, and select ‘Change your Application’
- Select ‘University / College and Course’ to make the change.
If this is your first application to university this year, and you haven’t applied for finance previously, you will need to apply as soon as possible to give yourself the best chance of receiving your loan in time for the start of your course.
You can register and apply at the Gov website also.
If you do face a delay in getting your funding, contact the university to let us know.
Students from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will need to apply or update their Student Finance details at their respective websites.
The GOV website is the best place to go for the most up-to-date information and guidance.
How do I reply to a Clearing offer on UCAS?
Why hasn't UCAS Hub updated?
Can I swap my firm and insurance choices?
I am holding a place at University College Birmingham, but wish to be released into Clearing. What do I do?
What happens after I have been given an unconditional offer at University College Birmingham?
At the end of July, you will receive your online welcome information for your chosen course. This includes the following:
- Welcome information, including lots of information on University College Birmingham
- Enrolment and induction information specifically for your course
- Uniform and equipment information you need for your course
- Specific course information
- Any pre-reading your year manager would like you to read before starting the course
- Information for courses that require a DBS check
- Information for courses that require Fitness to Practice
We can't wait to welcome you to the University!
Prepare for student life
We’ve put together links to all of the additional information you will need to prepare for applying to University College Birmingham through Clearing. Scroll through the below and take a look.
Undergraduate courses
Discover our full range of undergraduate courses at University College Birmingham.
Find out more
Facilities
Supported by a £200 million investment in new campuses, equipment and resources, University College Birmingham's facilities are nothing short of world class.
Find out more
University student support
Whatever help you need, our support teams are committed to giving you the advice, skills and practical tools to discover your full potential.
Find out more
Disability and neurodiversity support
We are committed to providing an inclusive learning environment, and our DNS team is here to advise you and provide assistance throughout your studies.
Find out more
Fees and funding
Whether you need advice on childcare, bursaries, scholarships or free meals, we have people who can help.
Find out more
Student life
Discover more about our University and living in Birmingham – all you need to know about our accommodation, Guild of Students and what life is like in our vibrant city.
Find out more
Request a prospectus
If you are looking to learn more about our college, undergraduate, or postgraduate courses, please request a prospectus by completing our form.
Find out more