We know that results day can be daunting – for students and their families. Whether your child didn’t quite get the grades they were hoping for, changed their mind about their university choice, or decided late in the process to apply, Clearing is a great opportunity to find a course they’ll love at St Mary’s.
If your young person is thinking about applying through Clearing, your support and encouragement can really make a difference. In this parents' guide to Clearing, we'll break the process down and outline exactly how you can help.
What is university Clearing?
Clearing is part of the UCAS application process, giving students the opportunity to apply for university places that are still available after the main round of offers. Students might find themselves in Clearing because they didn't meet the conditions of their offer, changed their mind about their course or university, or applied after the main UCAS deadline. For until 19 October.
Thousands of students find a course they love through Clearing each year — it's a well-established route, not a last resort.
At St Mary's, we have lots of available, but the more popular ones will fill up quickly. If your child knows what they want to study, encourage them to get in touch as soon as their results are in.
How does university Clearing work?
Each year, universities list the courses they still have places for, and students can search for these using the tool on the . If your child already has St Mary's in mind, they can browse our available directly on our website.
Once they've found a course they're interested in, the next step is to call the university directly. Every university runs a Clearing hotline where your child can speak to a member of the admissions team, ask questions, and talk through their options. To process the application, the university will need your young person's Clearing number and UCAS Personal ID — both found in their UCAS Hub account — so make sure these are written down and ready before they .
If the university makes an offer, your child can accept it through UCAS Hub. One thing worth knowing in advance: if they're already holding an offer from another university, they'll need to decline it before they can accept a new one. It can feel like a big step, but the admissions team will walk them through it.
Read our .
Who can apply through Clearing?
Your child may be if they:
- Didn't meet the conditions of their firm or insurance offer
- Changed their mind about their course or university
- Didn't receive any offers, or declined all of them
- Haven't applied to university at all this year
What to do before results day
The Clearing process can move quickly so it pays to get prepared. Here's what you can do before results day to help the process go smoothly for your young person:
- Sit down together and look through courses and universities, creating a shortlist you can work through when Clearing opens. You can search on the or check directly on the
- interest with universities your child likes — St Mary's allows this, and it means we'll contact them on results day.
- Make sure you have everything ready: UCAS ID, Clearing number, grades, personal statement
- Attend an if you can to get a real feel for what university life will be like. At St Mary's, you can also take a .
- Talk through the "what if" scenarios with them calmly, so results day doesn't feel like a crisis if things don't go to plan.
How to support your child through Clearing
Stay calm and supportive
Your young person might be feeling disappointed or overwhelmed – that’s completely normal. Reassure them that thousands of students go to university through Clearing every year, and there is no judgement whatsoever around how students join St Mary’s – we’re just happy they’re here.
At St Mary’s, we welcome lots of students through Clearing who thrive in our safe, friendly, supportive community. You can see some of , or read our blog.
Be involved, but let them lead
It’s tempting to take over, especially when time feels short – but this is their decision. Instead, help by:
- Encouraging them to explore different options
- Preparing questions together to ask universities
- Listening to their concerns and offering practical help
- Helping them collate all their information so they're ready before making any calls.
You can also watch our with your young person to know what to expect when they call us. At St Mary’s, our friendly team is here to help – no pressure, just honest advice. If a phone call is too much, we’re also available via live chat or via WhatsApp ().
Encourage them to contact us directly
It can be nerve-wracking, but calling universities is often the quickest way to secure a Clearing place. On the call, they can:
- Ask about available courses
- Talk through their results
- Get a feel for the university
Questions worth considering
When weighing up the options or talking to universities, here are some things to consider:
- Does the course genuinely match their interests and career direction?
- What’s the teaching style like?
- What are the entry requirements?
- Is still available for Clearing students?
- What is available — particularly for students who arrive later in the summer?
- Are there campus tours or running during the Clearing period?
Clearing at St Mary's University, London
At St Mary's University, London, we welcome lots of students through Clearing every year. We have places available across a wide range of courses through Clearing, but popular ones fill quickly so acting early matters. We offer a limited guarantee of accommodation for students going through Clearing, along with and meetings with lecturers throughout the summer.
We're here to support students and their families throughout the Clearing process. If you have any questions, you can talk to us via live chat or on WhatsApp .
For more information about how Clearing works, explore our . Or to browse available courses and learn how to apply, visit our main .
Clearing 2026 is now open
Register for Clearing today, or if your child already has their results, they can .