Clearing 2025
Opens in July 2025 and closes in October 2025
If you miss the January UCAS deadline, don't panic, there's always Clearing
The deadline to apply through UCAS for a university course starting next September is 29 January 2024 (18:00 UK time) and if you have your heart set on one of our degree courses, get applying to ensure you secure your place.
But don't panic if you miss the deadline! It isn't your last chance to apply; you get another bite of the cherry through Clearing, which opens on 5 July 2025 and stays open all the way into October.
If you'd like to understand more about Clearing and the courses we are likely to be offering, call our friendly Admissions team on 0121 604 1040. In the meantime, we have put together a 'What is Clearing?' guide below so you can see a few of the reasons you might choose this route. It's not just about grades.
What is Clearing?
Clearing is a service provided by UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) 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. You can also apply direct to us through Clearing.
- Worried about your results and need a back-up plan?
- Missed out on the entry requirements for conditional offers?
- 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 UCAS Clearing is your additional opportunity to secure a place on a university course for September 2025.
Did you know...
You can contact us in the following ways:
- Call us on 0121 604 1040 (or request a callback)
- Live chat
- Submit an enquiry
Clearing open days
When Clearing opens, we hold Clearing open days where you have the chance to have a campus tour guided by our student ambassadors and explore our cutting-edge facilities. You can also chat with our students and learn all about the vibrant student life at University College Birmingham. Call us on 0121 604 1040 and we can tell you more.
Call now
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 Morgan
"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 originally rejected for a degree in nursing from many universities. However, I found that it wasn’t really my passion and soon pulled my UCAS profile. I had been interested in aviation and planes from a young age as my grandad was an aircraft engineer and I lived on army sites as a child.
“I didn’t realise this was a university course opportunity, so when I found out about it, I knew I had to apply and was offered an unconditional offer through Clearing…"
Why choose us?
From world-class facilities following a £200m investment into new campuses, equipment and resources to courses accredited by the University of Warwick, ranked 9th in the UK in The Guardian 2024 league table.
Vibrant nightlife, booming businesses, 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.
University of Warwick accreditation
Many of our degree courses are accredited by the University of Warwick- a leading Russell Group university. This means that these courses are developed by us and delivered in our facilities at University College Birmingham, but graduates will receive their final awards from the University of Warwick.
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!
Clearing FAQs
When does Clearing start and end?
UCAS Clearing is open from Friday 5 July 2025 and closes on Monday 21 October 2025.
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 conditions of your offers
- You are not holding 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 have chosen to decline your firm offer using the ‘Decline my place’ button on UCAS Hub (formerly UCAS Track).
- The application fee for 2025 entry is £28.50
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 university 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 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 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. 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 Friday 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.
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 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.
Where can I find my Clearing number?
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!
Discover 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.
Read 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.
Read 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.
Read 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.
Read more
Undergraduate courses
Our extensive range of specialist BA, BSc and foundation degree courses are highly valued by industry, with the majority accredited by the University of Warwick.
Read more
Fees and funding
Whether you need advice on childcare, bursaries, scholarships or free meals, we have people who can help.
Read more