Education | A guide for London students looking at Clearing Plus

We have collated more information for students looking at their next steps in education

For students who have not secured a place at their preferred university after receiving results, UCAS Clearing Plus could be the answer.

Author | Sophie T

This enhanced matching service from UCAS helps applicants find courses that suit their qualifications and interests, increasing their chances of securing a place at a university they wish to attend.

Last year, more than 70% of students who used Clearing Plus and registered with enhanced providers went on to secure a place at one of them. Here is everything they need to know about how it works and when it can be used.

What is UCAS Clearing Plus?

UCAS Clearing Plus is an upgraded version of the traditional UCAS Clearing process. Instead of manually searching through available course lists, Clearing Plus uses an applicant’s details to match them with relevant universities and courses that have vacancies.

This personalised approach means they receive a tailored list of suggestions based on their qualifications, course preferences and the choices they made earlier in their application.

How UCAS Clearing Plus works

If a student does not have a firm offer, they can log in to their UCAS Track account to see a list of recommended courses from universities that match their profile. From there, they can send an expression of interest directly to the course provider.

READ MORE | Thinking about Clearing?

This is different from the standard Clearing process, where students must search for available courses manually and contact universities themselves.

What are the key differences between UCAS Clearing and Clearing Plus

Clearing is when students search, choose and apply for courses with vacancies independently. Clearing Plus is when UCAS provides a curated list of recommended courses based on an applicant’s profile. You can visit the Clearing Plus page on the UCAS website fore lots more information on all of this.

Who Can Use UCAS Clearing Plus?

Students may be eligible to use Clearing Plus if they:

• Are unplaced after receiving their results.
• Did not receive any offers.
• Declined all offers or did not meet the entry conditions of their firm or insurance choice.
• Have registered with UCAS and have an active application in the system.
  

University College London

When to use UCAS Clearing Plus

Clearing Plus is particularly useful for students who want to save time and increase their chances of finding a place that matches their profile. For those who meet the eligibility criteria, it can be a more direct and less stressful way to connect with universities looking for applicants like them.

Final thoughts

For students without an offer after results day, UCAS Clearing Plus can make the difference between urgently trawling through course lists and having a well-matched set of options ready to consider. By taking advantage of the service, they can focus on making the right choice for their future rather than worrying about where to start.

There are universities and higher education institutions across London where you can find courses on Clearing Plus. 

Good luck to everyone trying to plan their next steps.