Students trying ‘trading up’ through Clearing could face problems

According to iNews, higher education experts have warned that students attempting to ‘trade up’ by self-electing to go through Clearing could lose out on attending their first-choice university. 

iNews reports that a record number of 18-year-olds are expected to apply through Clearing this year, creating intense competition for university places.

Chief Executive of UCAS, Dr Jo Saxton, says that students have begun using Clearing in a new way in recent years. Last year, approximately 30% of students rejected their original offer and attempted to secure a place on a more competitive course through Clearing. Students who had declined their place somewhere else, thus self-electing into Clearing, made up the largest group of applicants who used UCAS Clearing last year.

Higher education experts warn students to think carefully before releasing themselves into Clearing, as there is a possibility that they could lose their original spot at university without securing a new offer. 

However, reports of universities facing serious financial challenges suggest that students will be well-placed to secure spots during Clearing. According to UCAS statistics, more than 38,000 18-year-olds found their university place through Clearing last year, a 14.6 per cent increase from 2022. iNews report that this year, 18 of the 24 Russell Group universities advertised vacancies on courses for domestic students, with a combined total of 3,892 courses available between them.

Some universities have even promised benefits to students who sign up to Clearing before A-level Results Day. These include packages such as a year of free accommodation, fast-track access to lecturers on results day and the chance to win cash prizes.

Universities such as the University of Manchester, which are promising student accommodation guarantees for first-year students, are offering a huge benefit as the student accommodation market is currently facing a crisis. 

Richard Ward, Head of Research at StuRents, has reported that, in some cities, most accommodation will already be booked by the time students go through Clearing. 

‘Some students going through Clearing will find a real shortage of housing options,’ he said. ‘This can lead to students being forced to live in housing far away from their university or in low-quality housing.’

Much of the student accommodation is already booked in cities like London, Glasgow, Bristol, Edinburgh, and Manchester. As there is less choice, prices for remaining accommodation have been driven up. For instance, on average, private student accommodation in London now costs £288.65 per person, per week. 

Read more on iNews.