How to Guide Your Child Through Clearing

With thousands of prospective students considering Clearing as a route into higher education, it’s important that as a parent/carer you’re able to guide and support your child through the Clearing process.

This year, Clearing opens on Wednesday 5th July and closes on Tuesday 17th October.

If your child already has their results from a previous year, they can enter Clearing from the opening date. However, if your child is expecting their results this summer they will need to wait until they have received their results before entering Clearing.

For some, Clearing can be a stressful time, so we’ve put together a step-by-step guide for parents/carers to help you assist your child through Clearing.

1. Applying Directly Through Clearing

If your child is applying directly through Clearing, they will need to register with UCAS and make an application. Your child will then receive a welcome email with details of how to access their application through the UCAS Hub, together with a Clearing Number.

2. Clearing Plus

If your child is applying for the first time through Clearing (or they have been unsuccessful with their application), they will be able to use Clearing Plus. Through Clearing Plus, UCAS uses the information your child provided in their application, their qualifications and results, what universities have told UCAS they are looking for, together with what similar students went on to study previously, to provide your child with a list of their top 50 matches.

3. Search for Course Vacancies

Once your child has their grades, they can search for courses using the UCAS online search tool, which has the most up-to-date information on course vacancies.

If there’s no availability on their preferred course/at their preferred university, encourage them to keep their options open and perhaps consider studying an alternative course or a combined honours degree.

There are plenty of courses to choose from. You/they can even start browsing the University of Chester’s course vacancies now by using our A-Z Clearing Course Listing.

4. Making Calls to Universities

When your child has made a shortlist of courses they’re interested in, it’s time to start making calls to the universities. If your child feels nervous or uncomfortable about doing this, you’ll need to offer them reassurance and support as universities will only discuss an application with the candidate themselves. Encourage your child to remain calm and make sure they have the following to hand before they pick up the phone: 

• UCAS ID (and log-in details)

• Clearing Number – your child will find this on the UCAS Hub if they’ve been turned down by both their first and insurance choices, and are eligible for Clearing

• Clearing phone numbers for universities they’ve applied to or are interested in

• personal statement

• results (including GCSE results as this may come up)

• pens and paper to take notes

• mobile phone charger

• any questions they’d like to ask about the course/university.

If your child receives more than one informal offer, help them to decide which course/university is right for them based on things like course content, industry placement options, your child’s aspirations for the future, accommodation/commuting options and where your child will fit in and find like-minded people. If you have time to visit the university, go along with your child or take a virtual tour together if that’s an option.

At the University of Chester, we hold several Open Days throughout the year; they are a great opportunity for you and your child to take a tour of our subject-specific facilities, meet the lecturers and get a feel for our courses and student life in Chester. We will also be hosting Clearing Visit Days over the summer.

5. Accepting a Verbal Offer

Once you have discussed the verbal offer(s) with your child and they have decided which course they’d like to accept, they should add their Clearing choice in the UCAS Hub. Once the university has confirmed the place, it will show as an acceptance on the ‘Choices’ page of the UCAS Hub.

6. Next Steps

Once their place is confirmed, they should update their Student Finance application and you can help them look at suitable accommodation/commuting options.

You can also help your child by doing some research to help them prepare for their university journey; take a look at our recent blogs: Get Ahead: Learn How to Save Money at University Before You Join and Manage Your Money at University with Expert Help.

To successfully guide your child through the Clearing process, you’ll need to keep an open mind and listen to them, so that you can provide the comfort and reassurance they need. Having a plan B means they are less likely to panic or rush into making a decision they may regret. Being positive and supporting your child will help them to remain calm and confident as they navigate their way through the Clearing process and make the best decision for their future.