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Clearing 2011 Frequently Asked Questions

What is Clearing?
Who is eligible for Clearing?
How do I make sure that I am in the Clearing system?
Where can I find out which of your degree programmes have vacancies?
How do I apply for a place at Cardiff University through Clearing?
What information will I need to give an admissions tutor?
What happens once I have spoken to the admissions tutor?
How do I know if I have got a place?
What can I do if the course I am interested in has no vacancies?
What is adjustment?
How long does adjustment last for?
Can I still have University accommodation if I apply through Clearing?

Clearing is the process that helps students without a university place to find vacancies on higher education courses. The service is run by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and it begins on the day GCE A-level/AS level results are published.

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Clearing is aimed at students who want to begin an undergraduate course in September 2011 and who have not secured a confirmed university/college place following the publication of their results.

You are eligible for Clearing if one of the following applies:

- you are not holding any offers from universities or colleges;

- your offers have not been confirmed because you have not met the conditions;

- you have declined, or not responded to, a changed course/date of entry/point of entry offer;

- you have applied too late for your application to be considered before Clearing.

Most students using Clearing have already applied through UCAS but have not obtained a place on a course.

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An ‘add Clearing choice’ button will appear on your UCAS Track profile, together with an individual clearing number.

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Degree programmes with vacancies are listed on university web pages under their broad subject headings. Also listed for each subject group will be the minimum entry requirements, and the name and telephone number of the admissions tutor. 

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Course vacancies are available on Higher Education institutions’ websites, the UCAS website and in The Telegraph.  Cardiff University has now filled its places for Entry 2011.  Please visit our Undergraduate Study web pages for details of all of our undergraduate degree programmes commencing in September 2012.  The Undergraduate Recruitment Office is open Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm for queries on undergraduate study at Cardiff University.

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When you contact the Clearing Enquiry Centre/a University admissions tutor, you should have the following information to hand:

• The type of degree programme you want to apply for;
• The qualifications that you have by subject/grade;
• Your original UCAS application number;
• Your Clearing Number.

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If an admissions tutor provisionally offers you a place you will either be requested to submit the details of that programme onto UCAS Track within 24 hours or you will be asked to ring UCAS to confirm that you wish to accept the Clearing offer.

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An email to confirm the offer will be sent to you and you will be able to view the offer via UCAS Track.  UCAS will also send you an official letter to confirm the offer.

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If the course you wish to study has no vacancies, it may be possible to apply to a degree programme with vacancies which is closely related in content. Our team of advisers will be able to assist you with this. If none of our courses are right for you, you should make contact with other universities with suitable courses.

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An 'adjustment' period has been introduced by UCAS for those students that have met and exceeded the grade/point requirements of their firm offer.

The eligibility criteria are as follows:

• only those applicants who have met and exceeded their original CF offer are eligible to seek adjustment;
• students must have paid the full £21 fee to UCAS;

Applicants are not eligible to use adjustment if:       

• they are confirmed (UF) at their firm choice but did not exceed the conditions of their offer;
• they have a confirmed place on a changed course offer; or
• their original offer was unconditional.

Students can register for adjustment through their UCAS Track profile.

Students should think carefully before ‘adjusting’ to another university and consider the benefits that they may be giving up at their original firm choice institution such as a place in residences/scholarship/bursary etc. 

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A student has 5 calendar days from the date their offer is confirmed at their firm choice to apply for adjustment and to secure a place at another institution.  The adjustment process ends on 31st August 2011.  Any student who applies for adjustment less than 5 days before the 31st August will only have the remaining days in the scheme to find a university place.

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Unfortunately we are not able to guarantee you a place in University accommodation. Once you have accepted your offer to study on a firm basis you can apply for University residences online. We will make every effort to find you suitable accommodation, either in University residences or in the private sector.

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