Clearing explained and FAQs

Clearing is a way of applying to university when you are either applying for the first time after 30 June, or when your results are not what you expected. The easiest way to know if you are in Clearing is by checking your UCAS Application status. It will say "You are in Clearing" or "Clearing has started". You can also read more on the UCAS website.

You can apply through Clearing if:

• You applied through UCAS before 30 June, but your results are different to what you expected and you didn't get your original choice of course or university.
• You applied through UCAS before 30 June, you received your results and you've changed your mind about the university place you've accepted.
• You didn't apply for a university place before 30 June, you have your results and are now considering applying to university.

If you apply for a place at university for September entry after 30 June, your application is automatically included in Clearing.

5 July 2022 – 12 August (at noon): Clearing Opens if you already have your final results
You can apply between 5 July and 12 August once you have received your final results. Read more about how to apply if you have, or will receive, your final results between 5 July and 12 August. 

18 August 2022: Results Day - Clearing Opens
Most students will apply for Clearing places on Results Day – Thursday, 18 August 2022. We have helpful information on what you’ll need to apply to help us process your application faster.

You have two ways to apply to the University of Reading: you can call our Clearing hotline or complete our online application form. We'll update our main Clearing page with the phone number and a link to our online application form when Clearing opens. We assess telephone and online applications in the same way, so it doesn't make any difference how you submit your application, but please only apply in one way, or we will end up with duplicate applications for you and it will take us longer to make a decision. Unfortunately, we cannot assess your application based on provisional results.

If you already have your final results and it is before 12 August, there is a slightly different process. Please follow this information on how to apply.

For those receiving results on Thursday 18 August, we’ll publish a list of all courses with places available in Clearing on our main Clearing page before our hotline opens. We update this list throughout Clearing as courses fill. If you’re considering Reading through Clearing, it’s a good idea to make a list of the courses (and UCAS codes) that you’re interested in ahead of time to check against the final list of courses available in Clearing. We also offer suggestions for other courses in related subjects in case your preferred course no longer has vacancies or we aren’t able to make you an offer on your first choice.

Yes! Our available courses list will include any Foundation courses if they are open for Clearing applications, as well as our International Foundation pathway courses and International Foundation Programme . You can read more about the different Foundation options at Reading if you’re interested in a Foundation year.

There is a slightly different process if you already have your results and it is before 12 August. Please use this information on how to apply.

If you receive your results on Results Day, we will publish our Clearing hotline number a few days before Clearing so you can make a note of it. Our online application form will also be available for applications. We assess telephone and online applications the same way, so you can choose either option (but please don't do both). You can apply through Clearing as long as we have vacancies.

We understand this can be a stressful process, and we have a team of dedicated decision-makers on hand to make on-the-spot decisions. For some courses, or if you have certain additional circumstances we need to consider, we may not be able to make a decision immediately. We may need additional information to help us assess your application (e.g., a portfolio, or proof of results) or ask you to have a telephone interview with the course’s Admissions Tutor before a final decision can be made. We'll explain any next steps if we can't issue you a decision immediately.

Don't worry – we may have other related courses that you'd be interested in! Our call handlers can let you know what similar courses are available if you're applying via our Clearing hotline. If you've submitted an online application and the course is unavailable or you aren’t eligible, we'll automatically assess your application for a similar course and make you an offer if you meet the entry criteria for it. If you’ve applied online and you receive an alternative offer, you can call our Clearing hotline and we’ll answer any questions you have.

The lines will be very busy, but we have plenty of people taking calls; please be patient and keep holding the line. If you don’t want to wait on the phone, you can use our online application form instead and we’ll email you a decision – we handle online applications in the same way as calls to our Clearing hotline.

We are bound by all applicable Data Protection laws to treat your application confidentially so we can’t take an application on your behalf unless you give us permission. You’ll need to be available to give us permission to speak to your parent or guardian over the phone.

We recommend you read our guide to applying online which will help you through the process. The application form is optimised for desktop/laptop use, but you can also use a mobile device or tablet. If you do use a tablet or phone, make sure you read the guide as certain features (such as hover help text) won’t be available. Additionally, we won’t be able to make a decision on your application unless you specify all your results (A levels and GCSEs or equivalent). Finally, double check your email address is correct before you submit your application as this is how we’ll confirm receipt of your application and contact you with a decision on your application. Please make sure to check your junk/spam folder for our emails.

If you have applied online between 5 July and 12 August, please follow this information on how we process your results.

On Results Day, we aim to process online applications within an hour, but it could take a bit longer depending on volume. You'll receive a confirmation email when you submit your application. If you haven’t received this, it may be because you've mistyped your email. In this case, please ring our Clearing hotline and our call handlers will be able to bring up your application and check your contact details. Please also check any junk/spam folders, as our emails can sometimes end up there. 

If you have applied between 5 July and 12 August, there is a slightly different process. Please read this information on how to accept your offer.

For applications submitted on or after Results Day (Thursday 18 August), you must accept your offer via your UCAS Application. We’ve prepared step-by-step instructions on how to accept your offer. If you apply on or after Results Day, your offer is only guaranteed until the following day at 12:00 (noon). If you intend to accept your place at Reading, please do so via your UCAS Application before your offer expires to guarantee your place. If you haven’t accepted your place on UCAS before your offer expires, you’ll need to contact us again to request a new offer. Please note: we may not be able to reissue an offer for the same course if it has become full.

UCAS only opens for offer acceptances after 3pm on Thursday 18 August. If it’s before 3pm and you’re trying to accept your offer, you’ll need to wait until UCAS opens for Clearing referrals. Our step-by-step instructions on how to accept your offer should help you through the process. If you haven’t applied to university previously and don’t have a UCAS ID, you will have to apply for one directly with UCAS—you should do this as soon as possible since UCAS can take up to 24 hours to issue you a login.

Once you have your results, you can contact us to apply. Please ensure you have details of your qualifications available (including any GCSE or equivalent qualifications) and the UCAS codes of the course you’d like to apply for. We can then let you know whether we can offer you a place. Unfortunately, we can’t assess provisional results, and we can’t make an offer on your predicted grades or keep a partially completed application open.

Yes! Please have details of your qualifications available, both A levels and GCSEs (or equivalent) and know what course(s) you want to apply for. We will then be able to let you know whether we can offer you a place. To accept a Clearing offer, you must apply for a UCAS ID via UCAS; we recommend doing this as soon as possible since UCAS can take up to 24 hours to issue you a login.

How will courses be taught in Autumn 2022? Are there still adjustments in place to handle the COVID-19 pandemic? What if I can’t travel to Reading for the start of term?

We have advice about what to expect for teaching at the University of Reading for the Autumn Term 2022 on our main website, and other information about how we are keeping our students and community safe and supported

I’m an international student and I don’t have UK qualifications. Can I still apply through Clearing?

Yes! We accept a range of international qualifications for entry directly onto our undergraduate programmes. If your qualifications do not meet the criteria for a place on a full degree course, we offer some courses with an integrated Foundation year, and we also offer an International Foundation Programme that provides you with a pathway to an undergraduate degree course. You can check your eligibility by country for our undergraduate and International Foundation courses.

I’m from a country outside the UK or Republic of Ireland. Do I need a visa to study in the UK and will it get to me in time?

Most international students usually have enough time to receive a visa to study in the UK when applying via Clearing. Once you have accepted your Clearing place at Reading and hold an unconditional offer, we’ll be able to issue you a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) document which you’ll need to apply for your visa. You can find more information on our Visa and Immigration page . If you are from a country within the European Union or European Economic Area (with the exception of the Republic of Ireland), regulations have changed and you will now need a visa to study in the UK. You can find more information on our Brexit page. We also have international representatives who can help with the visa application process. Make sure you provide us with the documents we require as soon as possible so that we can minimise any potential delays in the process.

I’d like some help with my Clearing application or visa application – what kind of help do you provide?

Our International Recruitment team will be able to help you—from providing course advice to information about getting to Reading from the airport. If you have specific questions about visas and immigration, please contact our dedicated International Student Advisory Team. We regularly update our COVID-19 prospective student and applicant pages with the latest information and guidance for students arriving from outside the UK. If you’d like personalised support, we have international representatives in many countries who can submit a Clearing application and/or visa application on your behalf.

Will I get accommodation?

We have reserved rooms for our Clearing applicants on our main Whiteknights campus across a range of room types and catering options. Please visit our Clearing Accommodation page for more information about your halls options, as well as how to apply for accommodation if you have been guaranteed a place in halls.

If you’re applying via Clearing between 5 July and 12 August, you are guaranteed accommodation. 

We will email you with further important information about how to apply for accommodation after you have accepted any offer we have been able to make you, and we have verified your results. 

How will courses be taught in Autumn 2022? Are there still adjustments in place to handle the COVID-19 pandemic?

We have advice about what to expect for teaching at the University of Reading for the Autumn Term 2022 on our main website, and other information about how we are keeping our students and community safe and supported. 

Can I visit the University? 

There are two ways that you can get a taste of what life is like at the University of Reading this year. If you receive a place at Reading via Clearing on Thursday 18 August, you’ll be invited to our dedicated Clearing webinar which you can watch at a time that best works for you, or join when we are answering your questions live, and our Visit Day on Friday 19 August. The invitation to both of these and other on-campus opportunities will be emailed to you separately from your offer letter.

You can also get a feel for living and studying at Reading on our Virtual Experience Hub, where you can explore our campuses, view inside departmental buildings, facilities and accommodation using our 360 tours, or watch one of our students show you around. From 19th August you'll also be able to watch a recording of our Clearing Webinar. You'll be able to book one of our self-guided campus tours on this site too.

We have range of Virtual Events which give further insight into our courses and subject areas, as well as dedicated sessions providing practical support about applying to university, including through Clearing. You can watch previous events as well as sign up for future events.

How do student loans work if I apply via Clearing?

Student Finance England (SFE) have a short video explaining what you need to know. 

If you have already applied for student finance and then change your course/university through Clearing you’ll need to let SFE know as soon as possible, as it may affect what you're entitled to. To do this, log into your SFE online account and then select: Your Account, Change your application, University/college and course.

If you get a place through Clearing and haven’t yet applied for a student loan, you can apply for a loan via the SFE online service.

There’s a different process if you’re a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, so please be sure to check with your relevant student finance authority.