What If I Don’t Get In Anywhere Or Don’t Like My Options?
You may be faced with situations where things don’t turn out as expected, for example you were
rejected by all the Universities, or you have had a change of mind in where or what you would like to
study or would like to decline the offers received. Perhaps your actual grades were much better or
worse then expected. What do you do? Are you stuck with your original UCAS choices - luckily, no.
UCAS has options and alternatives you can utilize based on your particular situation. These include,
Extra, Adjustment and Clearing. Let me give you a brief overview of each of these:
1. UCAS Extra
If you applied for five courses on your UCAS application and didn’t manage to secure any offers, or
rejected the ones you received, then UCAS Extra gives you a second chance to apply for a place. With
Extra though, you can only apply for one course at a time, using the Track tool on the UCAS website.
UCAS Extra begins at the end of February and runs until the end of June.
Once you have decided on the course you would like to apply for, you will enter the details into the
Track system, and UCAS will send your application to the university. If you are offered a place through
Extra and accept it, this means you are committed to that institution and you cannot apply anywhere
else.
If you decide to turn the offer down, or the university/college turns you down, you can apply for a
different course through UCAS Extra, if there is still enough time. If you do not receive any offers
through UCAS Extra then you have another chance to apply for courses through Clearing after exam
results are out.
2. UCAS Adjustment
If you have received your final results and done better than expected – obviously that’s great news –
but now you may not be happy with the firm offer you have accepted.
An option you can pursue is UCAS adjustment, provided that you have exceeded the conditions
required for your firm offer and paid the full UCAS application fee.
Adjustment opens when A-Level results come out and is open until 31st August. It provides you with
the opportunity to secure another university or course in replacement of your original firm
acceptance. However you will only be given 5 days to find your alternative option and you will need to
register for Adjustment on the UCAS Track system. If you do not find alternative that you are happy
with within your time period, then you will still have a place at your original firm choice.
3. UCAS Clearing
UCAS Clearing is a way for universities to fill any spaces they have left for the new academic year and it
allows you, students who do not hold an offer, another chance of finding a university place.
It operates between July and September. You are only eligible if you have already applied through
UCAS, and one of these situations is true for you:
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You have not received any offers.
You have declined all your offers or not responded by the due date.
Your offers have not been confirmed because you have not met the conditions
You have declined a changed course, a changed date of entry and/or changed point of entry offer.
UCAS receive your application after 30th June 2016.
Your eligibility for Clearing will show up on your Track page, where you will find your Clearing
Number (universities will need this so that they can access your application) and the 'Add a Clearing
Choice' button.
The first step in the Clearing process is contacting the university(s) by phone or email – not applying.
You can contact as many universities as you like to discuss the course, eligibility and consideration,
and may receive offers from several. Don't feel that you have to accept the first offer that you receive:
make sure that the university or college and course are right for you before you accept a place.
You can only enter one choice, and you must have discussed your application with the university first.
Once you’ve found a place(s) that you think are suitable, the first thing you should do is phone the
university(s) and discuss it with them – remember, you shouldn’t apply for a place unless a university
actually asks you to.
The UCAS application system has included provisions like Clearing, Adjustment and Choice for
applicants should circumstances change or if you did not receive any offers. As these provide you with
a second opportunity to apply, it is important to evaluate these options in great detail and thoroughly
do your homework before you send in your application.