Adam Hall, Keele University's Associate Director of Global Student Recruitment, Partnerships and Access, has shared his top tips for Clearing in 2026.

Going into results day can be a nervous time: not knowing what to expect, not sure what your next destination might be.

Clearing helps students find a place on a university course if they don't hold an offer or have decided to change their plans. Many think Clearing is only for students who didn't get the grades they were expecting, but that's only one part of the story!

Clearing can be an answer to give you a better idea of what your potential choices are, no matter your circumstances.

Whether you want to change your mind, are applying for the first time, or you've missed out on getting into your first-choice university, here are our top five tips to make your Clearing journey a success.

1. Be prepared

You might be feeling confident, or perhaps a bit nervous going into Results Day, but going in with a plan for a range of different potential scenarios can save you time and potential stress on the day.

Think about universities and courses that might be a good match for you if things don't go to plan, even if you may not need to use them. Take a look at university websites and check entry requirements.

Familiarise yourself with UCAS Hub, and on results day try to be somewhere you can make calls, with access to your emails. And make sure you have your phone charged!

2. Check your UCAS Hub first

If you're unsure about whether you've had your chosen university place confirmed, make sure to check your UCAS Hub.

There can be a variety of reasons why you might have a decision you weren't expecting to see, including if you've decided on a change of course, or perhaps you will have been accepted without getting the grades you originally needed.

The UCAS decision will have been worked out by universities and will be correct.

3. Have your results and UCAS ID ready

When applying through Clearing, you'll need to share your results with university teams.

If you don't have them to hand when you're talking to university staff, they won't be able to give you a clear answer on whether they can offer you a place, so make sure you have your results and UCAS ID in front of you before contacting universities.

4. Contact as many universities as you need

It can be tricky to make quick decisions when it comes to Clearing.

There are a lot of options out there and narrowing down your choices can be hard, but make sure to speak to everyone you want to.

You can get multiple offers - explore your options and give yourself the best choice you can.

5. Only submit one Clearing choice

Once you've decided which offer you've received is best for you, on your UCAS Hub you can only add one Clearing choice, so it's important you've fully considered your options and made sure you're choosing the right one.

Whatever happens when you get your results, here at Keele, we wish you all the best with your next steps.

If you're not sure what to do and want someone to speak to in Clearing, you can always call our friendly team on 01782 491120, or visit the website here.

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