How to prepare for Clearing calls

How to prepare for Clearing: what to expect when you call universities

How can you prepare for Clearing? What should you say when you call universities during the process? Can you still get accepted if you didn't get the grades you need? Clearing can raise a lot of questions for prospective uni students. But, with the right approach at the ready, you'll be cool as a cucumber on results day and ready to find your perfect course.

What is a Clearing call?

If you're going through the Clearing process, you'll need to ring universities to see if they have any spare spaces on the courses you're interested in. To do this, you'll call their dedicated Clearing hotline and speak to a representative from the university to see if they can offer you a place.

Only you can speak to the universities during Clearing. You can't ask a parent, guardian, friend or teacher to do it for you, so it's important to know what to expect.

What can you expect on your Clearing call?

Clearing is open from 5 July to 17 October, but Clearing hotlines will be busiest on A-Level results day on 17 August, as students find out their grades and whether or not they have got into university. This means that you may have to wait in a queue to get through to each university. Don't worry, this is completely normal. Just be patient and use the time to think about what you're going to say.

Once you're through the queue, you'll speak to someone from the university who is dedicated to sorting Clearing issues. This could be an admissions team member or a course tutor. You should expect to discuss your situation, why you're going through Clearing, and what course you're looking to apply for. Don't be intimidated - the people taking Clearing calls are usually very kind and understanding.

Your Clearing call might be just a few minutes long, where the university will check your grades and if the course you want to apply for has any vacancies, before offering you a place. Alternatively, you might need to attend a short interview. This could be on the spot, or scheduled for later in the day, so be prepared for either.

What do you need for your Clearing call?

Before calling any university, make sure you have the following things to hand:

• Your personal ID number
• Your Clearing number
• Your grades/UCAS Tariff points

You will be asked for these things at the beginning of every call, so have them ready. It's also a good idea to have a notebook and a pen nearby so you can note down the name and contact details of who you're speaking to and any key details of the conversation.

How can you prepare for your Clearing call?

Before you get on a Clearing call, it's important that you've taken steps to prepare. On results day, Clearing can be hectic, but doing these things will give yourself the best chance of getting an offer.

Research

Use the UCAS search tool to look at the courses available through Clearing, and write down the numbers of any universities that interest you. Then, research each course and university, noting down a few key things that you can draw upon in an interview. Remember, you want to convey real enthusiasm. Being specific about what you like about the university and course helps to avoid looking like you're only calling out of desperation.

Practice

Try saying a few practice answers out loud before you call. This will help you feel more natural when you eventually speak to the university. You could even ask a parent or friend to help you prep for your call.

Write it down

As you're looking at each course and university, write down a few bullet points about what makes them stand out to you so you don't forget. You can also make a few notes brainstorming your responses to some of the most commonly asked questions. You can then refer back to this when you're doing the call.

What are some common Clearing interview questions?

• Why do you want to study this course?
• Why do you want to attend this university?
• Do you have any relevant work experience?
• What would you like to do after you graduate?
• What do you enjoy about learning?
• How do you work under pressure?
• How do you motivate yourself to study?

Top tips for your Clearing call

Trying to prepare for Clearing? Here are some of our best tips to prepare you for your call.

Find a dedicated space

Try and find a distraction-free space to make your Clearing calls. Go to a quiet room or area of your house where you won't be interrupted. It's also smart to check that your internet connection is strong before you call any universities.

Give honest answers

When you get on a call with a university, you want to make a good first impression. Be enthusiastic, confident, and polite. After all, attitude is everything. It's also important to give honest answers and be true to yourself. You want to show why you would be a good fit for the course. If you're asked the hard questions, it's ok to be honest. Tell the truth about why you didn't meet a certain grade, and reflect on how you want to improve in the future.

Stay calm

Clearing can be a stressful process, but just remember, thousands of students find a place at university this way every year. Just breathe, try not to panic, and take your time with the questions asked.

Ask questions

An interview is a two-way process. You're going to spend the next three years at the university you accept. Take the opportunity to ask any questions that you want to know at this point. Asking questions makes you look interested and engaged, so it's always a good thing.

Get email confirmation

If a university gives you a verbal offer, ask them if they will send written confirmation via email. In the written offer, they should also outline how long the offer stands for. This means that you'll have physical evidence of the offer, which will help to avoid misinterpretations when both parties come to confirm your choice on the UCAS hub.

Your uni offer awaits!

Now that you understand how to call universities for Clearing, you're ready to smash the process and secure your place. For help with the next steps, check out our blog on applying for accommodation after Clearing.

For even more tips and advice, follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with our entire Clearing series.