What is the difference between Clearing and Clearing Plus?

Clearing is the process of finding a different course for your firm and insurance choices. Clearing is an overall process that mainly focuses on finding you a new university if you achieved worse grades than you were expecting or if you achieved better grades than you were expecting. Clearing Plus is different. This is an effective tool that is only available for students that are actually in Clearing. You cannot use Clearing Plus outside of Clearing.

UCAS

Finding a Clearing course match with UCAS Clearing Plus

Q: What is Clearing Plus?

Clearing Plus is a tool that provides students with personalised courses based on their course choices. Clearing Plus is specifically for students who have not been placed on a course and are still actively looking. UCAS will find options for you. Your previous course choices are taken and then cross-referenced with similar courses that are still available in the Clearing process and then suggested to you. You don’t have to use Clearing Plus if you don’t want to. You can see if you are eligible through your UCAS Hub. A “see matches” button will appear in your Hub if you are eligible.

Q: How does Clearing Plus work?

Clearing Plus is only available for students going through Clearing, you cannot use it otherwise. Specifically, you must have received your final grades for either your A-Levels, BTEC or A-Levels. Clearing Plus is a tool that provides students with personalised courses based on their course choices. The UCAS Clearing process includes looking at the original choices you applied for, cross-referencing with the courses that universities and colleges have said they are happy to be entered into Clearing Plus, further cross-referencing with data on what students in Clearing studied in previous years, matching your profile to a course, and then you can see these results by clicking the “see matches” button.

Q: Do I have to use Clearing Plus?

You don’t have to use Clearing Plus if you don’t want to. Plenty of students have been able to use Clearing without using Clearing Plus. UCAS does not always recommend using Clearing Plus, owing to how quickly spots are taken. Clearing Plus is an effective tool to use. However, it can be a time-consuming one that does not always yield good results for students who are on a short deadline.

Q: Who can use Clearing Plus?

Anyone who is in Clearing can use Clearing Plus. You cannot use Clearing Plus if you have not entered into Clearing.

By Ben Maples · Jul 4th 2024 · 3 min read

Clearing Plus is there to find you a degree that matches your skills and interests. Here’s everything you need to know about how it works and how to use Clearing Plus!

Clearing Plus uses technology and data analysis to give you personalised recommendations and guidance during Clearing. Clearing Plus aims to show you a wider range of possibilities and give you insight into courses you may have overlooked.

What is Clearing Plus and your Clearing matches?

Clearing Plus is a tool made by UCAS that matches you to the best options available through Clearing, opening 5th of July. It takes into account your previous course choices from your UCAS application and cross-references these with similar courses that are still available in the Clearing process.

What's the difference between Clearing Plus and Clearing?

Essentially, Clearing Plus is a tool you can access while you're finding a course through Clearing. Clearing Plus doesn't exist outside of Clearing so it'll only be available to use from the 5th of July to the 21st of October. Both the Clearing Plus tool and Clearing are available to anyone who missed out on their grades for their university choices or is yet to receive an offer.

Who can use Clearing Plus?

If you're eligible to use Clearing Plus, a "see matches" button will show in your UCAS Hub. If you find one you like the look of, you can tell the university that you're interested and the university will take things from there. This doesn't necessarily guarantee that you will hear back from that university.

How does Clearing Plus work?

To use Clearing Plus, you must first have your final grades, whether that's Scottish Highers, A-Levels or BTEC qualification.

The UCAS Clearing process is:

UCAS looks at the original choices you applied for
They cross-reference these with courses the universities and colleges that are happy to be included in Clearing Plus
UCAS match your profile to courses available through Clearing
You'll see your matches through your UCAS Hub under "see matches"
For the courses you like, you can say you're interested and the uni can contact you directly
You can also use the university's Clearing hotline to talk to them yourself and receive an informal offer
Receive an offer from the university and accept this on your UCAS Hub. You can learn more about how to do this with our how to apply through Clearing guide.

Courses in Clearing tend to go pretty quickly after Results Day, so you'll want to be quick with reaching out to the university and finding an option. You can get prepared ahead of Results Day and understand what you need for Clearing.

Do I have to use Clearing Plus?

You don't have to use Clearing Plus if you don't want to! Plenty of students go through Clearing, finding the degrees they like by themselves. Clearing Plus is a great tool to get you started on the search but, as places fill up fast, it can be easier to find options yourself and contact the universities directly.

When can I use Clearing Plus?

Clearing can be used as soon as Clearing opens. This year, Clearing opens on the 5th of July, 2024 ahead of Results Day, though most Clearing courses will be available to you after you receive your results.