Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
FAQs
We want to help you prepare for Clearing.
Find all the information you need to know, including what UCAS Clearing is and how the process works at Warwick.
If you are considering applying, research can be key to making your decision.
Visit our undergraduate webpages to find out what it’s like to live on campus and study at Warwick.
UCAS Clearing is a part of the university application process. The UCAS Clearing system gives you the opportunity to find a place on a course that has spaces available. It also allows you to consider applying for a different course, or course at a different university, if you have missed out on your first choice or simply changed your mind.
Clearing is for students who have received their A Level or other recognised Level 3 qualifications results but have either missed their required grades or would like to change the course or university they had applied to on UCAS. UK and International students are all eligible to participate in Clearing.
Universities which have courses with places to fill will list these on the UCAS Clearing website. Clearing is often thought to be for students who achieved lower grades than expected but can also be for people who simply change their mind.
Clearing is also for students who change their choice because of better grades. Students can then view their options in UCAS and request an offer for a different course. If you are looking to apply for 2026 entry, you can find out more about our courses and what it’s like to live on campus.
The complete list of Clearing vacancies will always be the one held by UCAS. The list can be searched if you have a particular subject or university in mind.
You can apply for any course in Clearing, if you have met the stated entry requirements.
If you have already received all of your results, you may be eligible for consideration through Clearing.
In 2025:
- We considered applicants with Level 3 qualifications (e.g. International Baccalaureate, BTEC, A Level) achieved in the 2024/25 and 2025/26 academic years
- We did not consider applications for advanced entry (Year 2) via Clearing
If your qualifications were achieved in a previous academic year or you wish to join a course at Year 2, our Clearing applicants needed to apply for 2026 entry during the main UCAS application cycle.
You can speak to various universities and receive more than one verbal offer over the phone. You can only add one choice at a time on UCAS, so if you have received multiple offers you will need to decide which one you are most interested in.
Universities will sometimes lower their entry requirements during Clearing, but not always. You will need to check the individual course requirements on our Clearing course web pages or the UCAS website.
If you have achieved the necessary grades for your Firm or Insurance choice, but have changed your mind about your university or subject, you can decline your place via UCAS and enter into Clearing. When you decline an offer, the university is free to give your place to someone else and you are unlikely to get it back.
It is worth speaking to an academic advisor at your intended university and/or current place of study before you commit. After declining your offer, you can use UCAS Clearing like anyone else.
UCAS produces a list of universities and courses with vacancies to fill on their Clearing website. By applying through Clearing, the individual student finds courses they would like to apply to from this list. You then need to contact the university to check course availability and ask them to offer you a place via Clearing. This does not have to be at the same university, or even a similar course.
Once you have contacted your chosen university, been offered your chosen course and added it in UCAS, the university will confirm the offer and your place is then guaranteed.
If you want to apply in 2026, there are three main things to do when preparing for Clearing:
- Check which courses are in Clearing - We will publish the list of courses available in Early Clearing. Please note that our course listings may change based on availability.
- Check the grades you need for Clearing - The grades you need will be published on each course page. In some cases, required grades may change so please check before calling the hotline.
- Prepare for results day - We want to help you stay calm on the day so make sure you have researched your options thoroughly beforehand.
Here are a few top tips for calling our Clearing Hotline:
- Make a note of the Clearing Hotline number +44 (0)2476 533 544.
- Have your UCAS ID number ready. We’ll ask for that at the start of the call.
- Have a mobile phone charger handy in case you need it and make sure you have internet access so that you can check offer grades and course information.
- Don’t feel rushed into making a decision about an offer. Ask for some time to think if you need it.
- Remember, you’re having a conversation with another human being, so try to stay calm. We want to help you.
Our Clearing Hotline for 2025 entry is now closed.
Our friendly and welcoming team on our Clearing Hotline will be back to help you in 2026.
Once you have your results, you will be able to check to see if you have qualified for your Firm choice or Insurance course via UCAS. If you have not met the requirements, or if you have changed your mind, you will be able to contact other universities or apply for an alternative course.
Our Clearing Hotline is now closed, but our friendly team will be back to help you in 2026.
If we made you an offer through UCAS Clearing, you need to make the University of Warwick your Clearing choice on UCAS before your place is confirmed.
Here's how to accept a Clearing offer on UCAS:
- Log on to UCAS.
- Add details for the University of Warwick, and the name of the course we have offered you a Clearing place on by selecting the ‘Add Clearing Choice’ option.
Please note, Clearing offers are on a first-come, first-served basis and can be withdrawn at any time once the course is full.
Please try not to worry if you don't manage to meet our clearing guarantee conditions - there's plenty of student accommodation available near to the University of Warwick and we'll continue to allocate eligible clearing students meet our conditions after 19 August 2025 on a rolling basis, subject to availability, across our partnership accommodation and campus residences. We also have support teams and guidance available to help students secure suitable housing.
In any case, we recommend applying online at your earliest convenience.
Find out more about our clearing accommodation guarantee by heading to our Allocation Principles.