A student looking down at the camera while using their smartphone, which they are holding horizontally. The student is wearing a pale yellow hoodie, and stood in a corridor which is well-lit by several fluorescent lighting strips.

How Clearing works

Whether you're a UK or International student, you'll find all the information you need to understand how Clearing works and complete the key steps of the process on this page.

Clearing 2025 at Southampton is now open. If you have your results, you can apply for one of our undergraduate courses in Clearing now.

What is Clearing at university?

Clearing is an opportunity for you to secure a university place, particularly if you:

  • are applying for university after Monday 30 June 2025
  • have changed your mind about what or where you want to study, and are rethinking your choices
  • are not already holding an offer from a UK university
  • have results which are different to what you expected – either because didn't meet the conditions of your offer, or you did better than you expected

You can watch our short video for advice, tips and guidance on Clearing and the process ahead of you:

If you are interested in Clearing at the University of Southampton, you can now register your details to receive all of our Clearing updates, news about upcoming events, key dates and tips.

Register your interest

You can also learn more about the Clearing process on the UCAS website.

Who can apply

You can apply for one of our undergraduate courses in Clearing if:

  • you have your results and, if applicable, your English language test results
  • you've not yet applied to any universities in this cycle
  • you've achieved higher grades than expected
  • your results are not as good as predicted for your original firm and insurance choice universities, and you've been rejected by both choices
  • you may have changed your mind about your subject or university

We can't make any conditional offers in Clearing so if you don’t have all your results, you’ll need to wait until they're available.

When Clearing opens

Clearing at the University of Southampton is now open. If you have your results, you can apply for one of our undergraduate courses in Clearing now.

You can also keep up to date with all of our Clearing updates, events, key dates and tips by completing our short form.

How to apply through Clearing

You can apply now for one of our undergraduate courses in Clearing by:

  1. exploring our list of courses in Clearing
  2. selecting the course you're interested in
  3. completing our short application form
  4. if we can make you an offer in principle, you'll need to add the University of Southampton as your Clearing choice in UCAS Hub

Once we receive your UCAS application, we will process it and verify your qualifications. If we can make you an offer, we'll send you a formal offer letter which will include your Southampton ID number.

We do not operate waiting lists for any of our courses.

Entry requirements

You can discuss your qualifications with our admissions team by email: admissions@southampton.ac.uk

Course availability and entry requirements are subject to change.

Contextual offers

We sometimes use additional information to consider applications to study with us. This information provides us with context for individuals' university applications and achievements. It also supports our admissions team in identifying an applicants' potential to succeed at university, regardless of their background.

You may be eligible for a contextual offer and additional support if you:

  • have been in care or looked after for 3 months or more
  • live within a postcode in a low participation neighbourhood, also known as POLAR4 quintile 1
  • have participated in one of our recognised outreach or widening participation programmes
  • were eligible for free school meals after the age of 14
  • are an estranged student aged 25 or below, studying without parental support or approval due to relationship breakdown and ceased contact
  • live within a postcode assigned to quintile 1, equivalent to decile 1 and 2, according to the English Index of Deprivation

You can use our postcode checker to check the status of your home postcode. Our postcode checker categorises postcodes by quintile, and your postcode should be listed as 1 for you to be eligible.

Find out more about contextual offers

How to contact us

If you have any queries about Clearing, you can contact our admissions team by: 

Phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, UK time.

We can't discuss your application status or grades with you from 6pm, UK time on Monday 28 July 2025 until 8am, UK time on Thursday 14 August 2025. This is due to the UCAS results embargo.

Clearing hotline

We'll be opening our Clearing hotline around A level results day on Thursday 14 August 2025. We'll publish more details about our hotline, including telephone number and opening times, shortly before A level results day.

How to visit us

If you'd like to see the places you'll study and socialise as a University of Southampton student, you can book a place on one of our campus tours.

Take a tour of Highfield campus – the academic heart of our University – as well as our Wessex Lane halls of residence on Thursday 24 July and Friday 25 July, 10:45am to 3:45pm, UK time.

Book a campus tour

Can't make it to one of our in-person events? We are also hosting a range of virtual events, including our parents and supporters webinars. To hear about upcoming Clearing events first, sign up for Clearing 2025 updates.

Clearing student accommodation guarantee

We will guarantee accommodation for Clearing students who apply for accommodation by 12pm, UK time on Tuesday 19 August 2025. Terms and conditions apply.

Your next steps