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CLEARING 2026

Parent and carer guide to Clearing

Help them explore their Clearing options

If your child or young person is applying now, changing their plans or looking for a different university, Clearing can help them find the right course for September 2026.

At University College Birmingham, they can explore career-focused degrees, practical learning, real industry experience and dedicated student support. Eligible UK full-time undergraduate students starting in September 2026 could also receive £6,000 financial support to help with living costs, which does not need to be paid back.

This parent and carer guide explains how Clearing works, how you can support your child and the different ways to contact our Clearing team.

Explore courses

Preparing them for Clearing

1. Make a shortlist of what they want

Research their options

Results Day is on 13 August, but you can help your child or young person research their options before and after they receive their results.

Our Clearing courses are already on our website, and you can also use sites such as Whatuni to read student reviews of the universities they are considering. Think about where they might live, what support is available and whether they can see themselves studying there.

2. Look at entry requirements

Do the maths

Our Clearing entry requirements are available now to help you do your research. You can also use the UCAS tariff calculator to understand how their grades translate into UCAS points.

If your child is not ready to make a decision yet, they can still find out whether their predicted grades could be enough for an early offer. They do not have to apply straight away, but it can help them understand their options before Results Day.

3. Help keep their options open

Other course types

If your child is worried they may not get the grades for a bachelor’s degree, they could consider a Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND) or a two-year foundation degree.

These alternate routes often require fewer UCAS points and can provide a pathway to progress onto a relevant degree, where you child ends up with a full bachelor's degree, but in a different way.

4. Prepare them for Clearing calls

Ease on-the-day stress

If your child feels nervous about contacting universities on Results Day, you can help them prepare their key details in advance. They may need their email address, contact number, UCAS personal ID, Clearing number, course choices and qualifications.

You can also contact us before Results Day if you or your child have any questions. Our Clearing team is here to speak to you today.

Contact our Clearing team

If you are supporting someone through Clearing, our team can help you understand their options, ask questions and find the best next step.

Clearing hotline

Call our Clearing hotline on 0121 604 1040 to speak to our team about courses, entry requirements, applications and next steps.

Give us a call

Early offer

They can submit their details to find out whether they may meet the entry requirements before making a final decision.

Get an early offer

Ask us a question

Ask us a question, request a callback at a preferred time or start a Clearing conversation with us on WhatsApp.

Get in touch

Apply online

If they are ready to apply, they can complete an online Clearing application and our Admissions team will review their details.

Apply through Clearing

£6,000 financial support to help with living costs

We know the cost of university can be a concern for parents, carers and students. That is why eligible UK full-time undergraduate students starting at University College Birmingham in September 2026 could receive £6,000 financial support to help with living costs.

This support does not need to be paid back and can help with everyday costs such as food, travel, bills and study essentials, giving your child or young person extra support while they focus on their degree.

Find out more about our £6,000 financial support

Why UCB?

If your child or young person is considering University College Birmingham through Clearing, here are a few reasons why UCB could be the right choice.

Group of students walking up to our McIntyre campus the business school.

Degrees that get them hired

Our courses are designed with careers in mind, combining practical learning, specialist facilities, employer links and real industry experience. Many of our courses include a placement, and most are paid, so they can earn while they learn and gain the experience, confidence and industry connections that will help them stand out to employers.

Explore courses

2 Day Degree options

On selected courses, students can study on campus for just 2 days a week, helping them balance university with work, family, commuting or other commitments while still working towards a full degree.

Explore 2 Day Degrees

Support every step of the way

From academic guidance and wellbeing support to careers advice and financial support, our teams are here to help students feel confident, supported and ready for their next step. Our financial support includes £6,000 for UK full-time undergraduates and up to £800 through our Kick-Start scheme, all of which never has to be paid back.

Student support

No.1 for career prospects in Birmingham

We came top in Birmingham for career prospects in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2026, as voted for by students themselves. Our HIRED team works hard to ensure students are set up to find rewarding and lucrative job opportunities when they graduate, one of the top factors when choosing a university. 

Find out more

"We didn't want Annabelle to accept a course that meant changing her future and settling for any course, so using UCAS and looking into universities' own websites, we found UCB to be an option for Annabelle to continue her hopes in the areas she wanted. Annabelle did the rest."

Parent of Annabelle Marquis Health and Social Care BSc (Hons) through Clearing

Frequently asked questions

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. There are many reasons why your child might go through Clearing:

  • They are worried about their results and need a back-up plan
  • They missed out on the entry requirements for conditional offers
  • They changed their mind about what or where they'd like to study
  • They are applying late

If this applies to your child, then UCAS Clearing is their additional opportunity to secure a place on a university course for September 2026.

When does Clearing start and end?

UCAS Clearing is open from Thursday 2 July 2026 and closes on Monday 19 October 2026.

Is my child eligible to apply through Clearing?

Your child or young person may be able to apply through Clearing if:

  • they are applying to university after 30 June
  • they have not met the conditions of their offers
  • they are not holding any offers, or have chosen not to accept the offers they received
  • they have changed their mind about where or what they want to study
  • they already have their results and are looking for a place for September 2026

Clearing is not just for A-level students. BTEC, T Level, IB, Access, mature, international students and others can apply through Clearing too.

For 2026 entry, the UCAS application fee is £28.95. There is no additional cost to use Clearing.

If your child already has a confirmed place at another university but is interested in studying at University College Birmingham, they should contact our Clearing team before making any changes to their existing offer.

What courses can my child apply to through Clearing?

Your child can explore undergraduate courses available through Clearing on our main Clearing page or by using our course A-Z, where they can search and view each undergraduate course page.

Course availability can change during Clearing, so they should check the course page or contact our Clearing team for the latest information. They can also find vacancies using the UCAS search tool from July.

How does my child apply?

If your child is ready to apply, they can complete our online Clearing application form. Our Admissions team will review their details and explain the next steps.

If they want to speak to someone first, they can call our Clearing hotline on 0121 604 1040, request an early offer, ask us a question, request a callback or start a conversation with us on WhatsApp.

Before applying or contacting us, it is useful to have their qualifications, results and UCAS personal ID ready if they have one. This will help our team advise them as quickly as possible.

You can also attend one of our open days together to explore the campus, meet our team and find out whether University College Birmingham feels like the right choice.

Can my child apply through Clearing before results day?

If your child is waiting for their exam results, they will usually need to wait until they receive them before they can be officially accepted through Clearing. However, they can still prepare in advance by researching courses, checking entry requirements and speaking to universities about their options.

If they already have their results and are not holding an offer, they can apply through Clearing once it opens on Thursday 2 July 2026.

They can also contact our Clearing team before applying if they have questions, want to check whether they may meet the entry requirements or need advice on their next step.

My child has accepted a place at another university, but would like to come to University College Birmingham. What do they need to do now?

If your child is holding a confirmed place at another university but wants to explore studying at University College Birmingham instead, they should contact our Clearing team before making any changes.

Our team can talk through their options, check course availability and advise whether we may be able to offer them a place.

They should not decline an existing offer until they have spoken to us and are clear on their next steps.

What if my child does better than expected or changes their mind?

If your child does better than expected, changes their mind about their course or wants to explore a different university, they may still be able to use Clearing.

They should speak to the university they are interested in before declining any confirmed place. Our Clearing team can talk through their options, check course availability and explain what they need to do next.

Do universities accept lower grades through Clearing?

Clearing is about matching your child up with a course that is available and suited to their aspirations, as much as it is their grades. So they should not panic if they do not get the grades they had hoped for.

We will take other things into consideration such as their reasons for wanting to join the course, their passion for doing so, the UCAS points they have accumulated, their personal statement, and the way that they approach speaking with our Admissions team.

How can I help my child cope with the potential stress of Clearing?

Encourage them to make a plan early. They can research courses, create a shortlist, check entry requirements and keep important details ready, such as their results and UCAS personal ID if they have one.

It can also help to talk through their options calmly and remind them that Clearing is a normal part of the university application process. Many students use Clearing because they are applying later, changing their plans or looking for a different course or university.

Our Clearing team can answer questions, explain the process and help your child understand their next steps. There are also free mental health resources available from organisations such as Student Minds, the UK’s student mental health charity.

How does my child secure student finance after Clearing?

If your child does accept an offer through Clearing, they will need to make sure they get their student loan.

The process for this will be different depending on if they are using Clearing for their first application, or if they previously applied for university, and for funding, in the initial application phase.

If they have already applied for funding, but have changed their university or course choice, they will need to let Student Finance know as soon as possible so they receive their full entitlement. It is fairly simple to update their details. They need to:

  1. Log into their Student Finance account
  2. Go to ‘Your Account’, and select ‘Change your Application’
  3. Select ‘University / College and Course’ to make the change

If this is their first application to university this year, and they haven’t applied for finance previously, they will need to apply as soon as possible to give themselves the best chance of receiving their loan in time for the start of their course.

They can also register and apply at the Gov website.

If they do face a delay in getting their 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 my child find their Clearing number?

If your child is eligible for Clearing, their Clearing number will be on the welcome page and on the 'Your choices' section of UCAS Hub.

How does my child reply to a Clearing offer on UCAS?

They don't need to reply to a Clearing offer. Once they add a Clearing choice, it is then up to the university to confirm their place in UCAS Hub.

Why hasn't UCAS Hub updated?

UCAS Hub will update once the university makes a decision. If your child has met the conditions of their offer, their place will be confirmed shortly.

Can my child swap their firm and insurance choices?

Unfortunately, your child cannot swap their firm and insurance choices. If they have decided that they now want to attend their insurance choice instead, they will need to go through Clearing. They need to check with their insurance choice university that they are able to accept them through Clearing.

My child is holding a place at University College Birmingham, but wants to be released into Clearing. What do they do?

If your child is currently holding a place at University College Birmingham and no longer wishes to take this place, they should call our Clearing hotline on 0121 604 1040 and ask to be released into Clearing. If they wish to be completely withdrawn from UCAS, or if they would still like to hold a place at University College Birmingham, but defer for one year, we can also do this for them if they call our hotline. Alternatively, please complete our enquiry form here.

What happens after my child has been given an unconditional offer at University College Birmingham?

At the end of July, your child will receive their online welcome information for their chosen course. This includes the following:

  • Welcome information, including lots of information on University College Birmingham
  • Enrolment and induction information specifically for their course
  • Uniform and equipment information they need for their course
  • Specific course information
  • Any pre-reading their year manager would like them 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 your child to our university!

Support during their studies

Starting university is a big step, and we know parents and carers want to feel confident that support is available. At UCB, students can access academic, wellbeing, careers and financial support throughout their studies, helping them feel informed, supported and ready for their next step.

Explore student support at UCB

When your child comes to the end of their Level 3 course or A-levels, they may start wondering what direction to take. Designed for parents and carers, this Guide to University will help to clarify what is coming next.

View guide
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