The Clearing process can be a time of uncertainty, not just for applicants, but for their entire support network. At the University of Westminster, we understand the crucial role that families and supporters play in helping applicants navigate this period.
To empower you to provide the best possible guidance, we've compiled some helpful advice to ensure the journey through Clearing is a positive and successful one, leading to the right choice for your young person.
What is Clearing?
Clearing is part of the UCAS application process and helps people who have not yet secured a university place to find and apply for a course. Applying through Clearing can be a good option for students who:
- have missed out on their firm or insurance university choices
- have done better than expected in their results
- have changed their mind about the course they’d like to study or the university they’d like to go to
- have not yet applied to university for this September
Clearing begins on 5 July 2025 and continues until the end of August, or until all courses are full. As soon as the applicant has received all of their results, they can apply for a course through Clearing.
If they are studying alternative qualifications like the Access to HE Diploma, BTEC, International Baccalaureate, or T Levels, they don’t need to wait until A Level results day – they can apply as soon as they have their results.
We encourage a calm and prepared approach. Clearing is not a setback, it's an opportunity. Many of our students find their perfect course through Clearing, discovering a path that ignites their passions and sets them on the road to a successful future.
Here are some ways you can support your young person:
- Learn and understand: Familiarise yourself with the Clearing process in advance. By understanding the steps involved, you can provide clear and confident advice.
- Encourage and empower: While your support is invaluable, it's important that they lead the conversation with universities. Empower them to articulate their interests and aspirations. This is their journey and their voice is the most important one in the process.
- Explore the possibilities: London is a city of endless opportunities and our campus locations are at the heart of it. Encourage them to explore our diverse range of courses and discover the vibrant student life that awaits them at Westminster.
- Focus on the future: Reassure them that their final choice of university and course should be about where they will thrive and be happy. Our dedicated teams are on hand to answer any questions and provide the information needed to make a confident and informed decision.
Applying
Your young person should have the following things to hand when they call:
- Their UCAS ID number.
- Results of all their academic qualifications, including GCSEs.
- English language qualifications (for international students).
- They may need to speak to an academic as part of the Clearing process, so make sure they are prepared for any questions they may be asked, such as about their motivation for applying to the course (or any questions they might want to ask).
Having these details ready will make it easier for them to work through their list of choices when it’s time to apply.
What to do when students have their results
If the student already has all of their results, they can apply now.
On A Level results day (14 August), the first thing to do when they have their results is to call our Clearing hotline. They’ll first speak to our Clearing team, and then if necessary, an academic on their course. During Clearing, most offers are made over the phone.
If the phone lines are busy, you can hold their place in the queue, but we can’t discuss their application with you, so we’ll need to speak to them as soon as we answer.
Staff will also be available to talk to students about accommodation and any other student support service they may need following an offer.
International students
The University of Westminster works with selected representatives overseas. These are listed on our country pages alongside information about entry requirements and qualification equivalencies.
Visit our student life pages to find out more about making the most of life in London.
Find out more about the University of Westminster
If you don't know much about the University of Westminster, now is the perfect time to get to know us better.
You can:
- Find out how we support students in getting career-ready on our Employability pages
- Read about our wide range of student support services, from personal tutors to health and wellbeing services
- Find out more about our student accommodation and take a virtual tour of our halls. Or get in touch with our student accommodation team at [email protected], or call us on 0207 911 5000 ext 65817 and 66127