Clearing FAQs

Many people believe that Clearing begins on A-Level results day. Clearing opened on Thursday, 2 July 2026 and continues until October. We'll feature our Clearing vacancies on our website, giving you plenty of time to plan and research potential courses of interest.

Clearing telephone number 01895 272273

From Thursday, 2 July our Clearing line will be open 9am - 5pm (BST) Monday - Friday.

From A-level results day, our Clearing lines will be open:

• Thursday, 13 August: 8am - 9pm (BST)
• Friday, 14 August: 8.30am - 5pm (BST)
• Saturday, 15 August: 10am - 4pm (BST)
• Sunday, 16 August: Closed
• Weekdays from Monday, 17 August: 9am - 5pm (BST)
• Monday, 31 August: Closed

Clearing isn't just for A-level students. It’s for BTEC, T-level, IB, Access, mature, international students, and other students too.

You can apply if you declined all your previous offers, you have an offer but changed your mind or you haven’t met the conditions of the offer you hold for another university. You can also apply to Brunel through Clearing if you haven't made any applications for the 2026/27 academic year or you’ve achieved higher grades than you expected.

Now that Clearing is open, applying is straightforward:

1. Find a course you're interested in: search our courses or go to UCAS.com (if you’re in Clearing your status on UCAS Account will reflect this)
2. Talk to us to check if you're eligible: once you have all your results, complete an online application or call us on 01895 272273 to get a provisional offer (remember, you’ll need your UCAS Personal ID number and all your exam results to hand).
3. Add us as your Clearing choice in UCAS: if we're able to make you an offer, you’ll need to add us as your Clearing choice on UCAS to accept your offer (we’ll let you know how to do this).

You can apply online anytime from 2 July, as long as you have all your results. Our application portal is open 24/7. If you'd rather speak to us or apply by phone, you can call us on 01895 272273 during our Clearing line opening hours.

It’s very unlikely that our Medicine MBBS will be available in Clearing.

You can check available courses on our website from 2 July, and explore alternative course options. If you’re set on Medicine, you may want to consider applying for September 2027.

Clearing is open, but you’ll need your confirmed results before you can apply.

If you’re still waiting for any grades, you can sign up for Clearing updates and get everything ready ahead of results day.

You’ll need to have all your results before you apply.

If you’re waiting for a result that’s required for your course (like a GCSE), you’ll need to wait until you have your grade before applying.

Clearing is open, but you’ll usually need all your confirmed results before applying.

The only exception is if you already meet the entry requirements for your chosen course with the grades you’ve already achieved. In that case, you can still get in touch with us to explore your options.

Yes. If you’re not quite ready for degree-level study or you don’t have the required qualifications for your chosen course, we have foundation programmes in almost every degree subject. Take a look at our foundation degrees.

It’s never too late to study. Come to Brunel and you’ll be joining hundreds of other mature students who call Brunel their home. If your application is successful, we’re here to help you with the transition back into education. We offer extra support to our mature students through a dedicated Widening Access Officer and dedicated teams at our student services. You can find out more at our information page for mature students.

There are a small number of postgraduate courses that must be applied for through UCAS. For 2026 entry, this includes:

• Social Work MSc (full-time pathway only)
• Registered Nurse (Adult) MSc
• Registered Nurse (Child) MSc
• Registered Nurse (Mental Health) MSc

For these courses, you must first register with UCAS and then add your chosen Brunel course as your Clearing choice.

Most of our other postgraduate courses can be applied for directly through the course webpage, where, if places are available, you can submit a late application for September 2026 entry.

However, there are a couple of exceptions:

• Physician Associate MSc: closed for September 2026 entry
• PGCE (Initial Teacher Education): applications are through the Department for Education
  • UK applicants: deadline 15 July 2026
  • International applicants: deadline 1 July 2026

First of all, take a deep breath and don’t panic! Take a look for other courses you might be interested in. Alternatively, you might be interested in one of our foundation year courses. These have lower entry requirements and when you successfully pass your foundation year you can progress to study for your degree. You can contact us to discuss your options. Make sure you have your UCAS personal ID, your email address and details of your exam results to hand.

Yes. We welcome students to Brunel with BTEC qualifications. To find out more about applying with BTEC qualifications, please visit our BTEC information page.

Launched by UCAS, it allows students who don’t currently hold an offer to see courses they could be ‘matched with’ on their UCAS account. You’ll be matched based on courses you’ve applied for, your qualifications and grades and the universities that have taken your type of application. You can review your list of matched courses on your UCAS account and select the ones you’re interested in. Then the university will contact you directly. Here at Brunel we'll contact any ‘matches’ by email or phone if the course you selected is open to Clearing applications.

Once Clearing has opened, you can add your Clearing offer by following these steps:

1. Select 'Add Clearing choice' on your UCAS Account page.
2. Fill out the course and our university details in this section by the deadline date in your provisional offer email.
3. We'll then confirm your application and send you a confirmation offer email. Please note turn around times on this email can differ.
4. You'll then receive a confirmation UCAS email confirming your new Clearing choice.

If you don’t have the option to add a Clearing choice on your UCAS account, this maybe because you aren’t in Clearing yet on UCAS. This could be because you still hold an offer at another university or need to make a decision on another university offer. If you want to add a Clearing choice on UCAS, you'll need to decline any offers you're still holding first. You might want to get some advice from your school or college advisors, or from UCAS if you're unsure about declining your current offer.

There are a few common reasons you might not be able to add Brunel as Clearing choice on UCAS:

• You’re still holding an offer elsewhere
  If you still have a firm or insurance choice, you won’t be able to add a Clearing option. You’ll need to release yourself into Clearing first.
• UCAS is temporarily closed
  UCAS closes for updates between 8am on 7 August and 8am on 13 August 2026 (UK time).
  Any changes will show in your UCAS Hub from 8am on A-level results day (13 August 2026).
• It’s not yet time to add your choice
  On A-level results day (Thursday, 13 August 2026), you be able to add a Clearing choice from 1pm onwards.
• You’re not in Clearing yet
  Check your UCAS Hub to see your status. If you’re not in Clearing, you’ll need to wait until your application updates or results are confirmed.

If you’re unsure, get in touch and we’ll help you understand your next step.

You’ll need a UCAS account to add Brunel as your Clearing choice.

If you haven’t applied before, you can register as an individual and then add us as your Clearing choice once you have an offer. More information about applying as an independent applicant can be found on the UCAS website.

Yes. You can apply through Clearing if you:

• don't currently have a university place
• declined your previous offers
• changed your mind about where you want to study
• didn't meet the conditions of an offer
• are applying to university for the first time after the main application deadline

Clearing opens on 2 July 2026 and usually stays open until October, subject to course availability.

We recommend applying as early as possible. This gives you more time to complete the admissions process, receive your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and apply for your student visa.

Yes. We accept a wide range of international qualifications that are equivalent to UK entry requirements.

If you've studied outside the UK, we'll assess your qualifications to see if they meet the requirements for your chosen course.

Yes. If you're offered a place through Clearing, we'll issue your CAS once you've met all offer conditions and completed the required admissions and CAS checks.

Yes. Many international students apply through Clearing and successfully obtain their Student visa before their course starts. Find out more about making a Student visa application.

To give yourself the best chance of completing everything in time, we recommend applying as early as possible and respond quickly to any requests for information or documents.

If you've already received a student visa for another university and decide to study at Brunel through Clearing, you'll usually need a new CAS from Brunel and may need to submit a new visa application.

Visa requirements can vary depending on your circumstances, so we recommend contacting our International Student Support team for advice.

Most international students need to provide evidence of their English language ability.

We accept a range of qualifications, including IELTS and other recognised English language tests. Depending on where you've studied and your previous qualifications, you may already meet our English language requirements.

Check the entry requirements for your chosen course for details.

Yes. You may still be eligible for scholarships and fee discounts if you apply through Clearing.

Eligibility varies depending on the scholarship, so check our scholarships and bursaries pages for the latest information and criteria.

Your young person can get support from Brunel before, during and after results day.

Sign up for Clearing updates

We'd encourage your child or young person to sign up to our Clearing updates, where they'll receive:

• a priority phone number for results day
• reminders about key dates and deadlines
• advice and support
• information about available courses
• student stories and tips.

Speak to our Clearing team

Our dedicated Clearing team can talk students through their options and answer questions about courses, entry requirements, accommodation and student life at Brunel.

Visit Brunel

Visit us on campus our student ambassadors will show you around and answer your questions

Chat online speak to our students, staff and academics if you can’t visit in person.

The answer is usually no. We'll need to speak directly to the applicant about their Clearing application and any offer we make.

However, you can help your child prepare for the call, sit with them while they speak to us, and support them as they consider their options.

At Brunel, we understand that results day can be stressful for parents and guardians too. The good news is there are plenty of ways you can help. Take a look at our advice for parents, carers and supporters to see how you can help your young person navigate Clearing.

If your young person has already applied to university, here’s what usually happens on results day:

1. They receive their results.
2. They log in to UCAS and check the status of their application.
3. If they're eligible for Clearing, they'll see this on their UCAS Hub.
4. If they wish to apply through Clearing, they can contact universities to discuss available courses.
5. Once they've chosen a course, they add their Clearing choice in UCAS.
6. The university confirms their place.

Things can move quickly on results day, so it's a good idea to have a plan and a shortlist of courses ready in advance.

Once your young person has accepted a place and their offer is confirmed, take a breath and celebrate!

It's now time to start thinking ahead for joining Brunel in September. There are a few things they'll need to do next:

• book their accommodation
• plan what to bring and how to prepare for moving in
• find out what's happening during Welcome Week
• get ready to start their course

They may also want to explore part-time jobs, placements and volunteering opportunities we have at Brunel.

Clearing can be stressful for students. As a teacher or adviser, you can support your students by encouraging them to explore all their options. You can also join our Clearing webinar for teachers and advisers, where we'll talk about the UCAS Clearing process and how you can support and guide your students.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with our Schools and Colleges team.

Once you've been given a provisional offer from us, you'll receive email confirmation of your offer. Your offer is held for 24 hours, so you'll need to add Brunel as a Clearing choice on UCAS within 24 hours of receiving your provisional offer email. To add Brunel as your Clearing choice, follow these steps:

1. Refer yourself to us on your UCAS Account: (you don't need to wait for this email before referring yourself on your UCAS Account). Under 'Add a Clearing Choice’, select Brunel B84 and the course you have been offered (at this stage, you won't see the provisional offer from Brunel on UCAS). You’ll have 24 hours to refer yourself to Brunel after you receive your provisional offer email.
2. Wait for your formal offer email: once you have referred yourself to Brunel we'll be able to process your application. Please bear in mind that we have lots of applications to process and we'll need to verify some details as we review your full UCAS application - but we'll try and get your place confirmed as quickly as possible. When we have confirmed your offer, we'll update UCAS and you’ll receive your formal offer email from us.
3. Apply for your accommodation: after you receive your formal offer email, you’ll now be able to apply for your accommodation.
4. Get in touch with Student Finance: if you’re applying for Student Finance, please contact your Student Finance team to let them know your new course details.

You won’t usually be able to apply for the exact same course again through Clearing.

But don’t worry, you can still:

• use our course finder to explore similar available courses
• consider a foundation year
• or apply for a different pathway

Yes! We guarantee on-campus accommodation for all first-year undergraduates who firmly accept their offer and apply for their accommodation by Monday, 31 August 2026.

After this date, places may be limited.

Find out more about accommodation at Brunel if you apply through Clearing.

Don't panic. Check our website to see if the course you'd like to study is still available in Clearing. Contact our Admissions team and they'll be able to review and update your offer if you're eligible. You won't need to apply to us again through Clearing.

As long as the course you want to study is available in Clearing, it's not too late to change your mind. Please email our Admissions team with your Brunel ID or UCAS Personal ID number and the course you'd like to study so your application can be re-assessed. You won't need to apply to us again through Clearing.

Please don’t use ‘Decline my place’ in UCAS, as this could affect your application.

If you’ve already enrolled at Brunel (usually from September onwards), you’ll need to request any course changes through your eVision portal instead.

If you’ve already added us as your Clearing choice, you’ll need to decline your place in UCAS.

If you haven’t added us yet, you can simply let the offer expire and choose another option.

Now that Clearing is open, you can apply online using our online portal.

When you apply, you’ll need to:

• include your previous qualifications (such as your A-levels or equivalent)
• upload a copy of your current university transcript

If your application is successful, it will then be processed through UCAS. Our Clearing team will guide you through what to do next after you’ve received an offer.

If you’ve successfully completed your first year at another university but feel that your current course or university is not the best for you, it's possible to request a transfer to a different course at the same or different university, subject to the availability of places.

Start by checking out our courses and choose one or more courses that you’re interested in. Please also check our Accommodation and Student Finance pages to explore your options.

You’ll need to send in copies of your current university transcripts showing your first year results. If possible, our Admissions team will issue an offer and provide advice about further steps about accepting your offer, registration and arriving to Brunel.

You can apply for second year entry through our online form. Please provide details of your current university, course and first year grades as well as your previous qualifications such as BTECs, IB or A-Levels.

Applications for entry into second year for most of our courses is open until early October 2026.

Yes, some of our courses accept Year 3 applications, as long as you’ve completed Year 2 at another university.

You’ll need to provide your university transcripts, and your previous study must meet our requirements.

Yes - Clearing is open and you can apply for a new course.

If you still have access to eVision, you can request a course change through the My Course tab

If you no longer have access to eVision, you’ll need to apply online via our online portal.

If you’re unsure which route to take, you can give us a call on our Clearing number and we’ll point you in the right direction.