
What is university Clearing?
University Clearing is the process by which universities fill any remaining places on their undergraduate courses after the main application cycle has ended. This typically takes place from July to September and is designed to help students who have not yet secured a place at university find a course that's right for them.
If you're interested in applying to the University of Wolverhampton through Clearing, you can apply from the 5 of July. Simply use our online clearing course search tool to browse our available courses and apply online. Alternatively, you can speak to one of our friendly advisors who will be happy to answer any questions you may have and guide you through the application process.
2023 Clearing will open on the 5 July 2023. This is the date when prospective students who have not yet secured a place at a university can apply for available courses through Clearing. It closes on 17 October 2023. If you already have the results of your qualifications, you can secure your place from 5 July.
In some cases, universities may lower entry requirements during the Clearing process to fill available spaces on their courses. However, this is not a guarantee and it can vary depending on a range of factors such as the popularity of the course, the number of places available, and the number of students who have met or exceeded the entry requirements.
How to apply through Clearing
The first step is to search the courses available. You can check the university website or contact the Clearing hotline for a list of courses available.
Once you have identified a course you are interested in, check the entry requirements to ensure you meet them. If unsure, you can speak to the Clearing hotline or email the admissions team for clarification. Please ensure you have all qualifications achieved available so you are able to discuss them with the hotline operator advisor.
If you meet the entry requirements, the next step is to contact the Clearing hotline. The hotline is staffed by experienced advisors who can guide you through the application process and answer any questions you may have.
Clearing Hotline: 01902 518585
*please note this number is not in operation until 9am on the 5th July 2023.
When you call the Clearing hotline, you will be asked to provide your personal details and your examqualifcation results. Make sure you have this information to hand when you call.
If you are eligible for the course and there is space available, you will be made a verbal offer. This offer will be dependent on you submitting an application and then meeting certain conditions such as achieving certain grades or providing further information.
After submitting the formal application as instructed, Admissions will process your offer. If you are happy with the offer, you can accept it by following the instructions provided by Admissions. You will usually have a deadline to accept the offer, so make sure you respond promptly and confirm your place by meeting the conditions of the offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you do not hold any offers, Clearing is your chance to seek a place at University in September.
Maybe you've had a change of heart about the university you have previously chosen, changed your mind about a particular course, or you're rethinking career options. Whatever the reason, the Clearing process gives you the opportunity to select a different course or university and find a place for September.
Clearing is a period where universities fill the remaining places on their courses. It is an opportunity for people to apply late into the summer months to start university in September.
Applying through Clearing is ideal for those who have not been offered a place at their chosen universities, or are simply considering options outside of their original university selection. Clearing is a popular option for prospective students who have reconsidered course and career paths since their initial university applications.
Clearing opens on 5 July 2023 and ends in early October. You can contact us here at the University of Wolverhampton by requesting a call to discuss applying through Clearing.
If you are currently studying for a Level 3 qualification, such as A-levels, you will likely receive your results on results day, which will be 17th August. Once you have your results, you can call our university Clearing hotline. We offer extended phone line hours on results day, where you can contact us if your results are not as expected.
If you already have the results of your qualifications, you can contact us from 5 July.
If you have an offer at another university (conditional or unconditional) but you have changed your mind and would like to apply to us through Clearing, you can decline your place under UCAS Hub. We advise that you contact us regarding an informal offer before you do this.
You can apply through Clearing if:
- you’re applying on and after 5 July 2023
- you've previously applied but didn’t receive any offers (or none you wanted to accept) on UCAS
- you've previously applied but didn’t meet the conditions of your offers
- you’ve declined your firm place using the ‘decline my place’ button in UCAS Hub
Some of our courses, such as part-time routes and postgraduate courses, do not require you to apply through UCAS and adhere to the guidelines set by UCAS. However, we continue to recruit to these and you can either apply directly through our website or contact us through our Clearing channels.
Clearing is available to anyone who has applied to universities through UCAS Undergraduate but has not received any offers or any that they wish to accept, it is also available to anyone who has not yet applied.
If you apply to us after 5 July 2023 (the last standard UCAS application deadline date) for an undergraduate course you will apply through Clearing.
If you have applied to us before 5 July but have not received any offers, then your UCAS Hub account will tell you if you are eligible for Clearing.
Our list of available courses in Clearing will be published on our website and via the UCAS Clearing+ tool from 5 July. The University of Wolverhampton Clearing hotline will open on 5 July, where you’ll be able to find out the full details about available courses.
All other courses such as part-time or postgraduate courses will be listed and available via our course pages across our website. You can use our handy course finder to look for these.
The Clearing Hotline will be open during the following times:
- 9am until 5pm between Wednesday 5th July and Wednesday 16th August 2023.
- 7am until 7pm on Thursday 17th August 2023 (Results Day)
- 8am until 7pm on Friday 18th August 2023
- 9am until 5pm on Saturday 19th August 2023. This is also our Open Day.
- 10am until 2pm on Sunday 20th August 2023
- 9am until 6pm between Monday 21st to Friday 25th August 2023.
- 9am until 5pm between Tuesday 29th August and Friday 22nd September 2023.
Yes, mature students (age 21 and above) can apply to university through Clearing.
You can apply for Clearing if you are not a UK resident. Clearing is open to EU and international students - to learn more, you can contact the University of Wolverhampton’s Global Opportunities Office.
You can still apply through Clearing if you haven’t applied through UCAS, if deemed suitable for a course which is available you will be asked to submit a direct application instead of using UCAS.
Not at all. The Clearing period is a very busy time for universities across the country, and if you don’t get through to an advisor immediately, you’ll need to be patient while you wait. Don’t worry – it will be well worth your time, once you’ve signed up to your life-changing course!
Being positive and deciding which courses you are interested in is a great start. If you make a list of universities, courses, and contact details, you’ll be ready to start calling as soon as the time comes.
When calling our Clearing hotline, you’ll speak to a trained operator who will let you know if the course you are interested in applying for still has places available.
If it does, the operator will help you apply or put you in touch with someone from the right department who can give you more information.
If the course isn’t available, or if you don’t meet the entry criteria, the operator may recommend an alternative course, or the course you originally wanted plus a foundation year.
If you don’t get the results you expected, then Clearing could be a perfect option for you! Don’t worry – there are many other people who are in the same situation.
If you are applying for student finance for the first time, you will need to apply through the Student Loans Company via Student Finance England as soon as possible for a student loan to help cover tuition fees and living expenses. The initial deadline will have passed but your application will still be processed.
If you already applied for student finance, but changed your course and/or University through Clearing, you will need to advise the Student Loans Company as soon as you have confirmed your choice and register with Student Finance England.
You can still apply for University-run accommodation at the University of Wolverhampton if you've applied through Clearing, though we cannot guarantee places will be available.
Be proactive, and do some research as soon as you receive your offer – or even before.
Visit our University Accommodation page to learn more.
If you have previously applied for a course to start this September and you were unsuccessful with your application you will be unable to reapply for the same course through Clearing. However, you will be able to apply for a different course that is available in clearing.
Clearing Jargon Buster
There are many different terms used throughout clearing. Here are some definitions for the terms you may have seen and heard.
Clearing is a period where Universities fill the remaining places on their courses. It is an opportunity for people to apply late into the summer months to start their university course in September.
Clearing Plus is a tool where UCAS will suggest courses in Clearing you might be interested in. You can select the courses you are interested in from the list of suggestions on your UCAS Hub. The University may then contact you if we still have vacancies and you meet the entry criteria.
To defer an offer is to request that the offer is changed to the next available intake. For example, this could mean that an offer for September would be changed to September the year after. However, for most undergraduate courses applied through UCAS, you must have met all conditions before a deferral request can be granted and processed.
Confirmation is where we as a university will be able to make a final decision on your application. For example, this can mean if you have a conditional offer based on grades, and these are met we are able to award you with an unconditional offer.
When you contact us, following discussion around your qualification we may offer you a place verbally/through social media, but until you add us as your Clearing choice on UCAS Hub, this offer is not confirmed. This gives you the opportunity to research the course further first
If you have an offer but then change your mind, you can self-release yourself into Clearing. It is advised that you contact us to ensure we are happy to offer you an informal offer first before you risk losing your firm offer.
UCAS is an abbreviation for the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service in the UK. They offer different services to allow you to apply for undergraduate degrees amongst other services.
UCAS Hub is an online tracking system which allows you to see how your application is pogressing. This is the online platform where you can reply to offers and make amendments.
The first level of study in higher education. If you graduate from an undergraduate degree, you can move on to postgraduate study.
The second level of study in higher education. If you had already studied an undergraduate degree, to study further the next level is postgraduate study.