Top Tips to Secure your University Place Through Clearing

If you are looking for a university place, Helen Mercado, Head of Admissions at the University of Derby, shares her top tips on how to prepare for Clearing and find the right course and university for you.

What is Clearing and when does it open?

Students opt to go through Clearing for a number of reasons: you may be considering your next steps, have changed your mind about your course or where you want to study, are waiting to see how your exams go, or you might not have a place at university yet. 

Whether you are a new applicant for this September, have changed your mind since applying, or think your results will be different to those you were predicted, Clearing could be for you. 

UCAS Clearing opened on Saturday 5 July, 2025 and will remain open until 20 October. A top tip ahead of Results Day on Thursday 14 August is to get hold of the UCAS Clearing list by visiting UCAS Search and select the Clearing 2025 option. This facility will give you an opportunity to see what is currently available (more choices will appear on Results Day). 

Before Results Day

Get yourself prepared the night before and ring as soon as lines open to give yourself the best chance. Take note of the opening hours of university hotlines in advance as most will open earlier than normal office hours. At the University of Derby, our hotline will open at 7am on Results Day (14 August 2025). 

On Results Day

On the day of your results, you will notice the Clearing list being constantly updated. Remember to also log onto university websites to see which courses are available in Clearing. 

Make sure you have important details close by before you begin contacting universities. You’ll need to have your UCAS number, exam results and your log-in details for UCAS Hub. You may also want to compile a list of questions to ask and have your personal statement to hand to answer any questions. 

Once you have a list of universities you wish to contact, find a quiet place, take a deep breath and start calling. Try to remain calm and composed so you can get across everything you want to. Ensure you take the details of anyone you speak to in case you need to contact them later. At Derby, you can also contact us via social media or our website, if making a phone call is not convenient for you. 

If you receive a Clearing offer over the phone, make sure you get written confirmation of your conversation as well as the expiry date of the offer. At Derby, our friendly, helpful staff members will guide you through the process of what you need to do, so there’s no need to worry. 

In addition, if you’re able to, try and visit the university you have chosen as you will be committing to spending the next three or so years studying there. Most universities have visit options available throughout this period, so it is worth having a look.

At Derby, we host a series of events which offer people the opportunity to get a feel for the place and what it would be like to study here. These include Open Days, Open House events, Campus Tours and the opportunity to meet with our student services.

We wish you the very best of luck.