It's not too late to find the right course for you
Clearing is open from Wednesday 5 July 2023.
You can apply for a course using Clearing if you’re not already holding an offer from a university or college, and the course still has places. Sign up for updates and guidance on Clearing, or request a call back from a member of our friendly, knowledgeable Admissions team – who will give you more information on the Clearing process.
An introduction to Clearing and university
This page will help you understand everything you need to know about navigating Clearing - and provide you with an introduction to University College Birmingham. Get to know our courses, our campus, our students and the world-class city that is Birmingham.
Still asking yourself - what exactly is Clearing?
Clearing is a service provided by UCAS that enables universities to fill any places they still have left on their courses in the final few months before the new academic year starts.
- Worried about your results and need a back-up plan?
- Missed out on the entry requirements for a conditional offer?
- Changed your mind about what or where you’d like to study?
- Applying late?
If the answer to any of the above is yes, then Clearing is your additional opportunity to secure a place on a university course for September 2023.
When does Clearing start and end?
Clearing is open from Wednesday 5 July 2023 and closes on Tuesday 17 October 2023.
Am I eligible to apply through Clearing?
You can apply for Clearing courses if:
- You are applying for university late (after 30 June)
- You have not met the conditions of your offers
- You have not received any offers (or chose not to receive any that you did)
- You have changed your mind about where or what you want to study (and declined your firm offer using the ‘Decline my place’ button on UCAS Hub.
- You have paid the multiple-choice UCAS application fee of £27 (If you originally only applied for one course for the reduced fee of £22.50, you'll have to pay an additional £4.50 to apply through Clearing)
Clearing is not just for A-level students. BTEC, IB, Access, Mature, International Students and others can apply through Clearing too.
We suggest that you begin your search as early as possible. To find out more about our 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 lower down this page. This includes if 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’s undergraduate courses have places left by clicking 'Find a course’ buttons on this page. You can also find vacancies on our courses using the UCAS search tool from July.
How do I apply?
You can sign up now for updates and guidance from University College Birmingham's friendly, knowledgeable Admissions team – who will give you more information on the Clearing process.
Just fill in our quick form so we know the best way to get in touch!
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.
Make sure you have got all the correct documentation together, including your UCAS personal ID, academic results etc when results day comes. This should all help to make it as stress free as possible.
To help you decide if University College Birmingham is the right choice for you, why not attend our Clearing open day on Saturday 19 August (bookings open soon). Fill in our clearing form and you will receive more information on how to book your place. In the meantime, you can take a look around on our virtual tour.
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 from Tuesday 5 July when Clearing opens. Give our friendly Admissions team a call on 0121 604 1040, or fill out our form to register your interest.
Got more questions?
Clearing can be a fast-moving process. View our additional FAQs, or sign up for Clearing updates and get in touch with our team!
Our student community
Why choose us?
From world-class facilities following a £160m investment into new campuses, equipment and resources; and courses accredited by the University of Warwick, ranked 8th in the UK in The Guardian 2023 league table.
To vibrant nightlife, booming businesses, and gorgeous green spaces. A magnificent mix of cultures right on your doorstep; and fantastic connections to the rest of the UK and the world. There really is something for everyone here at University College Birmingham.
Find your ideal course and begin your future at the highest-ranking university in Birmingham and the West Midlands, according to student choice.
Campus tours
Come and get a real feel for life at University College Birmingham! Fill in our Clearing form and you’ll receive more info on our Clearing Open Day on Saturdy 19 August. In the meantime take a look around with our virtual tour.
Virtual tour Visit campus
Clearing success stories
We have many students join us through Clearing, every year. Read some of their experiences - and see how Clearing is just the first step to so much more!
- Meet Said
- Meet Annabelle
"I applied for Marketing at a university in Scotland as my firm choice and now I'm in my first year studying for a BA (Hons) degree in Digital Marketing at University College Birmingham.
I had received an offer from my firm choice, my second choice being University College Birmingham. Because I was holding an offer from my firm choice, I had to decline them and apply for my second choice through Clearing.
I did this because I had a change of heart ..."
"I was actually really undecided on what course I wanted to do. Originally, I was going to apply for health and social care, but decided to apply for paramedic science instead. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful with both of the Midlands universities I had applied to.
After losing hope, my dad told me that I could go through Clearing and not to lose faith in going to university.
After some thought, I decided to apply for health and social care, which is what I really wanted to do...
Speak to current students
Who better to give you an insight into what it’s like to study here than our current students? If you have a question for them - ask it. They are happy to answer!
Prepare for student life
We’ve put together links to all of the additional information you will need to get you prepared for applying to University College Birmingham through Clearing. Scroll through the below and take a look!
Guaranteed accommodation
We guarantee accommodation for all students joining us through Clearing.
Discover The Maltings
Student Finance
Everything you need to know about undergraduate tuition fees and Student Finance options.
Read more
Living in Birmingham
Culture, food, sport, nightlife and connections. Come and discover all that this world-class city has to offer.
Explore our city
Meet our students
Hear more student experiences and read about what life is really like at University College Birmingham.
Read their stories
Clearing Open Day - Saturday 19 August
Fill in our Clearing form to be sent more information on how to book a guided campus tour. Get a feel for our campus with our virtual tours.
See for yourself
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
Accredited by the University of Warwick
This means that our courses are developed by us and delivered in our world-class facilities, but graduates will receive their final awards from UOW.
Read more
Award-winning
We recently won Silver in the University of the Year category at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023, and also the top award for International - as voted by students.
Whatuni award winners 2023
Facilities
Supported by a £140 million investment in new campuses, equipment and resources, University College Birmingham's facilities are nothing short of world-class.
Find out moreTake a read through the above, find your perfect course, and then request a call back, to apply through clearing!
Find your course Sign up for clearing updates
Rather call us directly? You can reach our friendly Admissions team on 0121 604 1040.
More clearing FAQs
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.
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 to a 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?
Where can I find my clearing number?
How do I reply to a clearing offer on UCAS?
Why hasn't Track 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!