Apply through Clearing

We have courses available in clearing!

Clearing can be confusing, but we are here to help you to understand how to navigate the process. Every year, we help those applying through clearing to secure their place on a range of our courses. If you are looking for an inclusive environment where you can learn and develop on both a personal and academic level, then University Studies at West Suffolk College might have the place for you. find out more below:

or

Contact our Admissions Team on

01284 412026

Register for our Clearing and Higher Education Open Event:

Registration for our Clearing and Higher Education Open Event on Saturday 20 August opens soon. Please check back to register for this event.

 What is Clearing?

Clearing is managed by UCAS and it refers to a period between 05 July and 18 October that applicants can apply for courses at universities or colleges that still have vacancies. It is open to applicants who fit one of the following criteria and have paid the UCAS application fee:

  • Are not holding any offers

  • Declined all offers using ‘decline my place’ button in UCAS hub

  • Were unsuccessful in meeting the conditions of your offer

  • Applied after 30 June

  • Did not receive any offers

If you have not applied to university before 30 June or your circumstances have changed then clearing is the perfect opportunity to secure your place.

 

How do I use Clearing?

UCAS hold the official list of course vacancies which they will publish from 05 July, you can use their search tool to find courses that you’re interested in. Please note that if you are looking for one of our courses, you will need to search for ‘West Suffolk College’.

Once you have your results and have selected a course, you will need to contact the university to get their permission to add them as a clearing choice and provide them with your Clearing and personal ID number. Please note, you can only have one Clearing choice at any time.

Find out more on how to apply based on the circumstance that best matches you below:

  • If you already have your results, have already applied but have no offers (or none that you wanted to accept), you can use ‘add a Clearing choice’ from July.

    You will need to contact us directly to check if there are spaces available and that your qualifications meet the entry requirements. If we can offer you a space, we will email you an informal offer and provide you with the institute and course code. To accept this offer, you will need to go to the ‘Your Choices’ section in your UCAS hub and click ‘Add Clearing Choice’ then enter the details that we have provided you with. Once you have done this, and provided evidence of your qualification, we will be able to confirm your place via the UCAS hub.

  • If you are not awaiting your exam results and have not yet applied, you will need to contact us directly to check if there are spaces available and that your qualifications meet the entry requirements. You will need to provide evidence of your qualifications and fill out a Record of Prior Acceptance (RPA) form (click here to apply through RPA) .

  • If you have not yet applied, you will need to register with UCAS to make an application. Once you have registered with UCAS, you will receive a welcome email, with details of how to access your application, and your Clearing number. You will only be able to add a choice after you’ve submitted your application.

    You will also need to contact us directly to check if there are spaces available and discuss the entry requirements.

  • There is still time to change your choice. The first step is to contact UCAS and explain that you wish to change your choices. They will be able to support you through the process. If you have already accepted a conditional place, you will need to contact the university directly and ask them to release you into clearing. We recommend that you contact us to confirm we have spaces before asking your current choice to release you.

    Once you have been released, you will be able to apply via Clearing. You will need to contact us directly to check if there are spaces available and that your qualifications meet the entry requirements. If we can offer you a space, we will email you an informal offer and provide you with the institute and course code. To accept this offer, you will need to go to the ‘Your Choices’ section in your UCAS hub and click ‘Add Clearing Choice’ then enter the details that we have provided you with. Once you have done this, we will be able to confirm your place via the UCAS hub.

    If you are holding a firm unconditional place but have changed your mind, you can self-release by declining your place in your UCAS Hub.

  • If results didn't go to plan, you can add a Clearing choice on results day. The UCAS Hub will be open from 3pm on A level results day. Before adding your Clearing choice, you will need to contact us directly to check if there are spaces available and that your qualifications meet the entry requirements. If so, we may make an informal offer and provide you with the institute and course code. Once you have these, you can update your Clearing choice in your UCAS hub. You will need to go to the ‘Your Choices’ section in your UCAS hub and click ‘Add Clearing Choice’ then enter the details that we have provided you with.

Please complete this application form if you are not awaiting results and have not applied through UCAS.

Clearing Plus

If you are unplaced or start a new application after 30 June, Clearing Plus automatically matches you to 50 courses that might be suitable based on the information that you provided in your application. You can confirm whether you are interested and if you meet the entry requirements, and there are still spaces available, the university may contact you.

 

If you would like some further information regarding Clearing, please visit the UCAS website below: