Student Blog

BU is now open for Clearing 2023. Find your place at BU this September.

What is Clearing?

Clearing is run by UCAS and enables universities to fill spaces on courses that aren’t yet full for the next academic year, while students without offers are given another chance to pursue their higher education aspirations.

Read our guide to Clearing.

When does Clearing 2023 open?

The service is available from July to October each year. If you already have your grades and aren’t holding an offer from a university, you can use the Clearing service from Wednesday 5 July 2023. However, we are open from Tuesday 4 July 2023. Find out more.

If you have a conditional offer and things don’t quite go to plan when you get your results, you can enter Clearing. A-level Results Day is Thursday 17 August 2023.

Applications will be accepted until Wednesday 18 October 2023, with this being the last date to add your choices, and for universities to make their final decisions.

Clearing is for students who:

Can I use UCAS Clearing?

haven’t yet made an application
were late applying for university (after 30 June)
haven’t received any offers (or none they’re willing to accept)
didn’t meet the conditions of their offers
declined their firm place.

From 5 July, if you are holding a firm unconditional place, you can release yourself into Clearing, by using the ‘Decline your place’ button in your application.

Your eligibility for Clearing will show up on your UCA S Hub page – your status says ‘You are in Clearing’ or ‘Clearing has started’. This will also be where you will find your Clearing Number (universities will need this so that they can access your application) and the ‘Add a Clearing choice’ button.

How does Clearing work?

Trained advisers are on hand, manning university hotlines to guide you through the process.

Once you’ve received a Clearing offer you need to go to the ‘Your choices’ section of your application and click ‘Add Clearing choice’. Then enter the details of the course.

How do I apply to BU through Clearing?

We are now open for Clearing 2023. Make us your uni and discover your degree of difference.