Heard about Clearing 2025 but not sure how it all works? Find out what you need to know and the top tips for supporting your student.
If you are the parent or supporter of a student who is holding a university offer, results day is when they’ll find out if they’ve secured a place. This can often be a day of celebration, but it can also be an unsettling time if their plans need to change.
Clearing can be seen as negative, or only as something students use when they don’t get their results. While these students can use Clearing, there’s much more to it. Clearing is a way to give students the power to make sure they pursue the course and university that’s right for them. Over a third of students who went through Clearing in 2024 were students who changed their mind on their original choice, or exceeded their expectations.
Students who might be reconsidering their options should be encouraged to contact their preferred university early. Edge Hill can offer decisions in principle ready for results day from when Clearing opens on 5 July.
Complete guide to Clearing 2025
If you haven’t already, we highly recommend reading through our Clearing guide. This will give you a full understanding of the Clearing process and everything your student will need to do.
As a parent or supporter, you can play a pivotal role in supporting your student through Clearing. Below is some additional information which you may find useful.
Before results day
Be prepared
Encourage your student to create a back-up plan of different options ready for results day. Make sure they research universities to see what is available and decide which course is right for them. If your student is considering Edge Hill, they can contact us from 5 July to discuss their options for Clearing and secure a decision in principle ready for results day, or get a decision right away if they already have their results.
Your student should check that they’re able to log in to the UCAS Clearing page before results day. If they’re having problems logging in, it’ll be much easier to sort in advance than on the day itself.
Have questions ready
While your student will understandably focus on finding a suitable course and securing a place, there are other important factors to consider when choosing where to study. When getting in touch with us through Clearing, your student will have the chance to ask other important questions.
Work with them on a checklist of things to ask, from how they will be assessed to what support is provided for finding accommodation, and whether any scholarships are available. We currently have good availability for on-campus accommodation for Clearing applicants. And our halls are great value for money, with fees below the national average.
On and after results day
Check UCAS application
The UCAS application system is updated and available from 8am on Thursday 14 August 2025 (JCQ results day), so make sure your student is free at this time. If they narrowly miss the conditions of their offer, they may still have their place confirmed or be considered for an alternative degree at the same university.
If their results are not what they were hoping for, reassure them that there will still be a wide range of courses available through Clearing with plenty of options to choose from. Alternatively, if they are having second thoughts they can start to contact universities about Clearing places.
Take a step back
Your student must be the one to make contact with their chosen universities. Clearing teams will want to hear first-hand why prospective students want a place on a particular course. It’s also worth remembering that this is a two-way conversation. Your student’s experience during an exchange may help determine if a university is the right choice for them.
Once your student has made their choice, they can apply through UCAS or directly with us. They will need their UCAS Personal ID number and results to hand.
Our Clearing Team will confirm what courses have available spaces, and they’ll discuss your student’s options with them. In most cases, we’ll be able to make them an informal offer over the phone instantly. There’s no limit on how many offers they can hold and they don’t need to accept that offer immediately. They’ll be told how long the offer will last for, so they can take some time to think about their options.
Our Clearing helpline is available to them from 5 July, 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. On Thursday 14 August 2025 (JCQ results day), our phone lines will be open from 8am– 6pm.
If your student wishes to accept an informal offer, the next step is to add this course and the university that they want to join as a Clearing choice on UCAS. Their place will then be confirmed.
Confirm student finance
If your student has already applied for student finance
They will need to update their student finance application if they’ve accepted an offer from another university through Clearing. They can do this online using their student finance login.
If your student hasn’t already applied for student finance and they want to go to university this year
Some students enter a university through Clearing because they didn’t get the grades they had hoped for or if they hadn’t originally planned to go to university at all. But even if your student has exceeded their expected grades, going through Clearing may mean big changes to their plans. Your student may be living independently for the first time, moving away from family and friends, or starting a path studying a subject they are less familiar with.
We understand that Clearing can present some additional challenges to our students, and we’re here to support them through this. We have many services available to enhance the university experience and to support your student as they take this step.
Our open days are a good opportunity for you to find out more about us before they join us in September. Take the opportunity to get involved with campus tours, subject talks, accommodation tours, finance talks, and chat to current staff and students to get your questions answered.
If you can’t make it to an open day, our campus tours are a great opportunity to see the campus and to look around our buildings and facilities.
