Ultimate Clearing Guide

Clearing 2026

Clearing 2026 is now open. Coventry University’s Clearing course list and Eligibility Checker are live, giving you extra time to find a course and plan for your future. If you’re looking for a university place this September, this guide explains how Clearing works, key dates, how to apply, and how Coventry University can help you secure your place.

If you’re considering Clearing to secure a university spot, you’re in the right place. This Ultimate Clearing Guide explains how Clearing works, who can use it, when key dates are, how to prepare, what to expect on Results Day, and how our 'Save my place' option works. By the end, you’ll feel more confident about your next steps.

What is Clearing and how does it work?

Clearing is the UCAS process that helps students without a university place find courses with available spaces. Universities list courses that are available for the upcoming academic year (in this case, September 2026 entry). It’s often used if your plans change, you didn’t apply earlier, or your results are different than expected.

Important things to know:

• You can only hold one Clearing offer at a time. Unlike the main UCAS application (where you can apply to five courses at once), in Clearing you approach universities one by one. If a university is willing to offer you a place, you’ll add that single choice in UCAS Hub to confirm it. You can’t have two Clearing offers simultaneously, but you can decline one Clearing offer if you prefer another and then move on to secure a different place.
• Course availability is limited and can change quickly. Popular courses may fill up fast once Results Day arrives, so it’s important to act efficiently. Don’t worry, our team will guide you but be prepared that some courses might close as they become full.

At Coventry, we aim to make Clearing simple and supportive. Whether you’re completely new to the process or you’ve been through it before, know that we have friendly advisors and useful tools to help you find the right course for you.

We also have multiple start dates throughout the year, so if September doesn't work for you, be sure to check for alternative dates on your course of interest, you don’t have to wait another year to join us.

We offer:

• Save your place with predicted grades
• Guaranteed accommodation
• Support from friendly advisors

Browse our Clearing courses

Who can apply through Clearing?

Clearing is open to anyone without a confirmed university place, whether you applied previously or not. It’s available to UK, international and mature students alike. You can use Clearing if:

• You didn’t apply to any universities before 30 June.
• You applied but have no offers (or chose not to accept any offers). Maybe you were unsuccessful in the main application round, or you declined the offers you did get. If you are not holding any offers by early July, you automatically become eligible for Clearing.
• You didn’t meet the conditions of your firm or insurance offer. If your exam results didn’t quite meet the requirements of the universities that offered you places, those unis may release you into Clearing (so you can seek a place elsewhere). This often happens on Results Day if needed.
• You’ve changed your mind about your firm choice. Even if you hold an offer from another university, you can still use Clearing to explore other options. You would simply ‘Decline my place’ (more on that below) from your current offer and then apply to a new university through Clearing. If you are already holding an offer with us and want to change your course, you can do so on our Course Change Form.

In short, Clearing is for anyone without a confirmed place who wants to start university in September 2026. It doesn’t matter if you’re a recent school leaver, a mature student coming back to education, or an international applicant – you have the same opportunity to find a course through Clearing. (International students should note additional steps like visa deadlines and English language requirements, but the Clearing process is fundamentally the same. See UCAS guidance for international Clearing students if applicable.).

Can I apply to Coventry before Results Day?

Yes, at Coventry University, you don’t have to wait until A level Results Day (13 August 2026) to start your Clearing journey. Clearing 2026 is open from 2 July onwards, so you can act early:

• If you already have your exam results, you can apply right now for any course on our Clearing list. For example, if you took BTEC, IB or other qualifications and have your results, or if you’re a gap year student who received A level results previously, you can seek a Clearing place immediately. If you meet the entry requirements for your chosen course, you could get an offer from Coventry University straight away, well before Results Day.
• If you’re still waiting for results (using predicted grades), you can use our online Eligibility Checker to explore courses early and 'save your place'. Enter your predicted grades (or teacher-assessed grades) to see which Coventry courses you might be eligible for. If you meet the entry criteria, we’ll give you the option to ‘save your place’ on that course, in other words, you can hold a spot in advance, pending your actual results. This means that on Results Day, if you achieve the required grades, your place is ready and waiting for you. It’s a huge stress-reliever, giving you an extra level of security in the run-up to Results Day. (If your results end up higher or lower than expected, you can always adjust and look at other options too.)

Important: Saving a provisional place with predicted grades is not a guaranteed offer. It’s a way for us to prioritise you in Clearing and hold a spot for you on the course. You’ll need to meet the entry requirements on Results Day to turn it into a confirmed offer. If you have any questions about how 'Save my place' works, just ask our team, we’re happy to clarify.

How ‘Save my place’ works:

• Enter your predicted grades
• Get matched to courses
• Reserve a provisional place
• Confirm it on Results Day
• Helps to reduce stress before Results Day

Key Clearing dates 2026

Clearing dates 2026

Timing matters in Clearing. Here are the key dates for the 2026 Clearing period to mark in your calendar:

Keep this timeline handy. Being aware of these dates will help you stay prepared and make timely decisions.

How to prepare for Clearing 2026

A little preparation can make the process feel much easier. Here are some steps you can take now (before Results Day) to ensure you’re ready:

• Get your UCAS details in order. Make sure you know your UCAS Personal ID (the 10-digit number you get when you register with UCAS) and that you can log in to your UCAS Hub. If you haven’t applied through UCAS at all yet, you’ll need to register a UCAS account before you can accept any Clearing offer, so do that as soon as possible.
• Research courses & make a shortlist. Think about what courses and universities interest you. It helps to have a shortlist of courses you’d like to apply for through Clearing. On 2 July, browse universities’ Clearing vacancies (including Coventry’s) and note down a few courses that appeal to you and seem to match your expected grades. Jot down the course names, UCAS codes, and the Clearing contact details for those universities. Coventry University’s Clearing course list is now available on our website – have a look and see what catches your eye.
• Understand entry requirements and calculate your points. Check the typical entry requirements for the courses on your list (for Coventry courses, this information is provided alongside each course in Clearing). Many universities express requirements in UCAS Tariff points, so it’s useful to calculate how many points your qualifications give you. Use our UCAS points calculator if you’re unsure. This will give you an idea of which courses are realistic for you. Remember that entry requirements might be flexible during Clearing, so don’t rule yourself out if you’re just a few points shy – always talk to us to check.
• Prepare key documents and info. Have your important details ready and easily accessible. This includes your UCAS Personal ID, GCSE and AS level results (if applicable), and your UCAS Clearing number (you’ll see this in UCAS Hub once you’re in Clearing – likely on Results Day if you didn’t meet your offers). Also, keep a copy of your personal statement nearby – some universities might ask about why you want to study a course, and revisiting your personal statement can help you answer.
• Try our Eligibility Checker tool. Coventry’s Eligibility Checker is live now and free to use. This handy tool lets you input your achieved or predicted grades to see instantly which Coventry University courses you could be eligible for. It’s a non-committal way to gauge your options. If you use it now with your predicted grades, as mentioned, you can even save a provisional place on a course, giving you one less thing to worry about on Results Day. Doing this ahead of time means you’ll go into Results Day knowing you have a potential course lined up.
• Plan for results day. Make sure you’re available and in a good position to act quickly on Results Day (13 August). That means keeping your schedule light that morning (don’t be working a long shift or travelling without internet/phone access if you can avoid it). Also, have a working phone and internet connection so you can make calls or submit applications online. If you’ve saved a provisional place with us, keep an eye on your email and have your login details handy to send us your results quickly.
• Consider attending a Clearing Open Event. We know choosing a university through Clearing can feel like a quick decision, so Coventry University runs special Clearing Open Days, and campus visit opportunities during July and August. If you want to get a feel for the campus, accommodation and facilities, these events are a great chance to visit us, meet staff and students, and ask questions. Check our website for Clearing Open Day dates – we’d love to show you around.

Have a plan for accommodation and finance. The good news is Coventry guarantees accommodation for all students who join us through Clearing. Start looking at your housing options early, think about whether you’d prefer a university hall of residence or private accommodation. Similarly, if you’ll use student finance, you can apply now (if you haven’t already) so it’s sorted by the time you confirm a place. If you’ve already applied for student finance and then change your university or course through Clearing, you just need to update your Student Finance application online with the new details, it’s straightforward, but do it as soon as your new place is confirmed. Our student finance guidance and finance teams can help if you’re unsure.

Check if you're eligible using our Eligibility Checker

How to apply through Clearing

Applying through Clearing might seem a bit different from the main UCAS process, but it’s designed to be straightforward. Here’s how to approach it, depending on your situation:

• What if I’m not holding any offers by Results Day? If you find yourself without any university offers on Results Day (for example, you didn’t meet the conditions of your firm and insurance choices, or you had no offers to begin with), you are automatically in Clearing. Your UCAS Hub status will say “You are in Clearing” and include your unique Clearing number. At that point, you can start contacting universities with Clearing vacancies. At Coventry, from Results Day morning onwards, you can either call our Clearing hotline or apply online via our Clearing webform for the course you’re interested in. Make sure you have your UCAS Personal ID, Clearing number, and grades handy. If we can offer you a place, we’ll let you know (often on the call itself). You’ll then need to go into UCAS Hub and add Coventry’s course as your Clearing choice to confirm the offer (we’ll guide you through that).

  What if I’ve changed my mind about my university choice?

  If you've already accepted an offer but would prefer to study somewhere else, you may still be able to apply through Clearing.

  What you need to do depends on your current UCAS status.

  If your place has already been confirmed (you are showing as 'placed' at UCAS), you can release yourself into Clearing through UCAS Hub by selecting 'Decline my place'.

  If you're still waiting for your results and you're holding a conditional offer, the process may be different. Depending on your circumstances, you might need to make changes through UCAS or contact UCAS directly before you can enter Clearing.

  Before you decline any offers, we recommend speaking to your preferred university first. If you're interested in studying at Coventry University, give us a call. We can talk through your options and, in many cases, let you know whether we're able to offer you a place before you make any changes in UCAS.

  Remember, declining your place is a final decision and cannot usually be reversed. Once you've entered Clearing and accepted a new choice, your previous offers will no longer be available.

• What if I haven’t applied to any university until now? If you didn’t apply via UCAS before (for example, you missed the 30 June deadline or only decided to go to uni at the last minute), you can still get a place through Clearing. The first step is to register on UCAS and get a Personal ID (if you haven’t already done so). Once you have a UCAS login and ID, you can apply to Coventry through Clearing by contacting us (either by phone or through our online form). From our side, the process is the same, we’ll consider your application and, if suitable, provide an offer which you then confirm via UCAS Hub.

Making your Clearing call

When you get in touch with universities during Clearing it is usually by phone and it’s normal to feel a bit nervous. But remember, the advisors you speak to are there to help, not to grill you. Here are some tips for making those Clearing phone calls (like calling Coventry’s Clearing hotline):

• Be prepared with the essentials. Before you dial, have pen and paper (or a notes app) ready, and gather these key details:
  
  • Your UCAS Personal ID and Clearing number: Universities need these to pull up your application on their systems. You can find them in your UCAS Hub account (your Clearing number will appear there once you’re in Clearing).
  • Your grades (and points): Know your A level grades (or other qualifications) and their UCAS point equivalents. If calling before Results Day, have your predicted grades instead.
  • The course(s) you’re interested in: For Coventry, it helps if you can mention the course name or UCAS code you’re looking at. If you’re unsure, it’s fine – our advisors can suggest alternatives based on your interests and grades.
  • Your questions: Jot down any questions you want to ask – whether it’s about the course content, accommodation, scholarships, or anything else important to you. Clearing moves fast, but you still want to make an informed decision.
• Stay calm and be honest. Our advisors understand that Results Day and Clearing can be stressful. We’ll do our best to put you at ease. Just be straightforward about your situation. There’s no judgement at all; our goal is to find a course that suits you and your aspirations.
• Take notes and get names. During the call, write down important info, like any informal offers made, course details, or next steps given. Also note the name of the person you speak to. This can help if you need to call back or reference the conversation later.
• Don’t give up. If lines are busy when you first call (especially on Results Day morning), keep trying. Thousands of students will be calling universities on the same day, so some patience is needed. You can also try alternatives, for example, Coventry University offers an online application option on Results Day through our website, which might be quicker if you can’t get through by phone immediately.

By being prepared and staying positive, your Clearing calls will go much smoother. Our team is friendly, patient, and experienced, we’ll guide you through it.

Call our Clearing hotline

What happens after I get a Clearing offer?

Congratulations – you have an offer from Coventry University through Clearing! Here’s what to do next to make sure your place is secured:

• Add your Clearing choice in UCAS Hub: After we (or any university) give you a verbal or email offer in Clearing, you need to formally accept it by adding the course as your Clearing choice on UCAS. Log in to your UCAS Hub, find the “Add Clearing choice” section, and enter the course details (Coventry’s institution code and the course code, which we’ll provide in your offer communication). This step tells UCAS that you’re accepting our offer. Important: Only add a Clearing choice if a university has explicitly offered you a place – don’t add a university at random, as they won’t be able to accept it without a prior offer. Once you’ve added Coventry as your Clearing choice, we will formally confirm the offer, and your UCAS status will update to show you’re accepted.
• Look out for a confirmation email: Coventry will send you an official offer email or confirmation letter. This will outline any conditions (if applicable) and important information, like deadlines by which you need to respond or send evidence of qualifications. If you used our 'Save my place' service with predicted grades, this email will explain that your offer is conditional on meeting your predicted grades (or the required tariff points) on Results Day. For those who already had results and got an immediate offer, it may be an unconditional offer – the email will clarify.
• Arrange accommodation: Now that you’re (almost) a Coventry student, you can sort out where to live. As mentioned, we guarantee university accommodation for Clearing students, which is great peace of mind. In your welcome information from us, there will be instructions on how to view and book available rooms in our student halls. If living on campus is not for you, our accommodation team can also advise on private housing options around Coventry. Either way, act quickly once your place is confirmed to secure your top choice of accommodation.
• Update student finance & other admin: If you’ll be using Student Finance (loans or grants), log into your Student Finance account and update your application with Coventry University and your course name. This ensures your funding goes to the right place and there are no delays in receiving your loan at the start of term. We will also send details about enrolment, induction, and any required actions (like providing ID documents or certificates) as part of your Welcome Pack – keep an eye on your email (and spam folder, just in case) for those instructions.
• Join our community: Once your offer is confirmed, you’ll start receiving information from us about student life, welcome events, and more. Feel free to join our official student groups or follow Coventry University on social media to connect with future classmates. We have lots of support in place to help you transition to uni smoothly – you’re not on your own after Clearing!

Will I need an interview or audition during Clearing?

Some courses might invite you to an interview or audition before making a Clearing offer, especially in fields like healthcare, teaching, or the arts. For example, our Nursing and Paramedic Science courses may require an interview. In some cases, if you don’t quite meet the academic entry requirements, we may still consider your application by reviewing a portfolio or other evidence of your skills and potential — we recognise that creativity and talent can be just as important as grades.

If the course you’re interested in has this requirement, don’t worry – we’ll arrange it with you and guide you through the process. Here’s what to expect:

• You’ll be notified if an interview/audition is required. Typically, when you call or apply online, if your chosen course needs an interview, our team will let you know immediately and help schedule it. We try to arrange Clearing interviews as soon as possible (often within a day or two of Results Day) so that we can make a decision quickly.
• Interviews might be online or over the phone. For speed and convenience, many Clearing interviews are done via Microsoft Teams/Zoom or simply as a phone call. Make sure you have a quiet space and reliable internet/phone connection at the scheduled time.
• Prepare just as you would for any interview. Think about why you want to join that course and what makes you a good candidate. Review any instructions we send you – for example, if you need to have a portfolio or certain documents ready. Show enthusiasm and be yourself. We understand the timeline is tight in Clearing, so we don’t expect lengthy preparation, but do take a little time to gather your thoughts.
• It’s part of helping you succeed. Remember, an interview or audition isn’t meant to trip you up – it’s to ensure the course is the right fit and that you’ll be able to succeed on it. We often cover things like your motivation for the subject, any relevant experience you have, and give you a chance to ask questions too, it’s a two-way conversation.

Many of our courses don’t require an interview – a decision can be made based on your grades and personal statement alone. But if yours does, stay calm and know that we’ll support you through it. Even in Clearing, we want to make sure every student is on the right course for them.

Ready to get started?

Clearing can feel like a whirlwind, but it’s also an exciting opportunity to find your perfect course if your plans have changed. Now that you know what to expect, you can move forward with confidence. Here are your next steps:

• Check your eligibility & save a place now: Use our Eligibility Checker to see your options instantly. It’s the quickest way to find out which Coventry courses you can get into with your grades. If you’re a match, you can go ahead and secure a provisional place (Save my place) today, no waiting required.
• See what courses are available: Browse our Clearing 2026 course list to find courses that interest you. We update this list regularly – if you see a course you love, note its code and entry requirements.
• Contact our Clearing team: If you have any questions or you’re ready to discuss your options, call our Clearing Hotline on +44 (0)2476 88 88 88. Our advisors are available and happy to help, whether you want more details on a course or need guidance on the next steps.

We know this process can be a bit daunting, but thousands of students find their way to university through Clearing every year, including many here at Coventry who are now thriving. With preparation, a clear head, and the support of our team, you’ve got this! We’re excited to help you on your journey, and we hope to welcome you to Coventry University very soon. Good luck!