Clearing 2008/2009

Clearing is a system that helps people who have applied to UCAS (The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) but who do not have a university or college place, to find out where there are still openings for study starting in September/October 2008.

Clearing allows you to apply for courses which have not been filled through the autumn university admissions process.

Last year, more than 35,000 students entered university or college through Clearing - so if you are flexible and act quickly you have a good chance of getting into Higher Education.

Clearing starts as soon as A level, and A level equivalent, results are announced

- in Scotland on the 7th August 2008 (online on 6th August 2008)

- in England and Wales on 14th August 2008

and runs until 20th September 2008, but you need to be quick off the mark and act quickly – the available places will soon be snapped up !

Who can apply through Clearing ?

You must apply through UCAS and you must be sent a Clearing Passport by UCAS to be eligible. (All applicants for the scheme should receive Clearing Passports by at least 1st September 2008). You must not be holding any offers from universities or colleges – either because you did not receive any offers or because your offer was not confirmed when your exam results came out.

If you already have an offer of a place from a university or college you cannot apply through Clearing unless the university or college is willing to release you from your commitment to them.

When do I need to start looking at Clearing ?

As soon as you know that you are not holding an offer on or after 14th August 2008, you need to look at the course listings in newspapers or on the web and contact the college or university that is offering a course you are interested in.

You do need to be quick off the mark or you may miss out on the course you want to study ! 

The Independent newspaper will publish official UCAS Clearing listings between Thursday 14 August 2008 and Friday 24 August 2008.

Most colleges and universities will have a clearing hotline telephone number to ring (see Greater Manchester hotline numbers below) and a contact person or section that you can talk to about courses. (usually called Admissions or Course Information staff.)

Where can I go for advice to help me decide ?

 · Admissions Staff at the universities and colleges can offer advice on suitable courses and entry requirements. For some courses they are able to offer a place over the phone to suitably qualified applicants, alternatively they can arrange for you to have an interview or an audition where necessary.

· Connexions has qualified careers guidance specialists ready to help with careers advice, advice on courses and advice on your options – you can call them free on 080 800 132 19.

The “Gateways to the Universities section” has links to universities and colleges across North-West England.

 · Staff at your own school or college may be able to help – they know your work best and so they can suggest the most suitable options for you.

What do I need to do to apply through Clearing ?

1. Decide what you want to Study - universities have many more subjects on offer than schools, don't be afraid to find out about something different

2. Decide where you want to study - do you want to live at home ? do you want to go to university or college somewhere that you know ? Do you want to discover a new part of the country ? Do you want to study in a city or not ?

3. Look for the courses and places you are interested in on the clearing lists in the newspapers or on the UCAS vacancy service website (open from 14th August 2008 at 00.01 hrs)  - or ring the UCAS telephone hotline to see what courses are on offer and where. (Telephone 0870 1122211  Open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm BST)

4. Contact the university or college directly - ask the university or college about the course, tell them what qualifications you have and check out whether you are eligible for a place. Most universities and colleges will have a special clearing website and a hotline number specially for Clearing applicants. Look to see if they offer a special clearing visit day or open day or ask if you can visit them.

5. Shop around and find out what is open to you. You can only apply to one place at a time through Clearing - you only have one Clearing Passport and that needs to be given to the university or college to decide whether to offer you a place or not. Find out what is available as quickly as you can, but don't jump at the first offer you get unless it is exactly what you want. Be sure that you have found what you want before sending or giving in your Clearing Passport.

6. Complete and send or take in your Clearing Passport - If you find a course you are interested in and the university or college say they are keen to accept you, you will need to complete your Clearing Passport and send it or take it in to that university or college.

Where can I look for information about courses with spare places during Clearing ?

The UCAS interactive Clearing course vacancy service will be available on the UCAS website http://www.ucas.com/clearing/index.html  from 14th August 2008 (at 00.01hrs). The service, will be updated continually throughout the Clearing period.

Official listings of current course vacancies will be published in the Independent newspaper and The Independent on Sunday newspaper.

Useful telephone helplines

Connexions - If you would like confidential advice about course choices, careers choices and going on to university and college you can talk to Connexions free on 0800 032 2727

UCAS Helpline - The UCAS Helpline 0870 1122211 will be available at the following times: Wednesday 13th August to Friday 15th August, from 8.30 am to 6.00 pm BST, Saturday 16th August 9.00am to 5.00pm, Sunday 17th August 10.00am to 5.00pm.

The Exam results helpline will be available from 14 August to 24 August 2006 to offer free, independent and confidential advice and guidance on Clearing. Well-trained advisers will be able to give you information on post-exam options, course choices, course availability and even your current status in the clearing process. Telephone 0808 100 8000

Useful websites

Aimhigher - Provides information about institutions and instructions on how to apply for courses during Clearing  http://www.aimhigher.ac.uk/applying_for_a_course/

Connexions-Direct  - Connexions staff can assist with confidential and impartial advice on a wide range of issues including personal issues, career options, employment possibilities and university or college course choices http://www.connexions-direct.com/

Guardian newspaper  - Clearing information and advice. The Guardian provides listings of available university and college places together with advice on Clearing, student finance, and links to universities. http://education.guardian.co.uk/

HERO Clearing pages - Your questions about Clearing answered. Contains detailed explanation of what Clearing is, explanation of the Clearing Entry Form (CEF) plus advice on what to do after results day. http://www.hero.ac.uk/uk/studying/applying_to_university_or_college/clearing.cfm

Independent newspaper  - Clearing information and advice. Provides the official UCAS listings of available university and college places and direct links to the UCAS vacancies database. online version of the "Which Way ?" magazine which goes to all UCAS candidates. http://www.independent.co.uk/student/into-university/clearing/

Times newspaper - Clearing information and advice. Provides listings of available university and college places together with advice on student finance, and links to universities http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/good_university_guide/

How do I find out which courses have spare places in Greater Manchester ?

In order to find out where there are vacancies on courses in Greater Manchester you can contact the university or college through the telephone hotline numbers, text services, e-mail addresses, websites or postal addresses as listed below.

Institution: The University of Bolton 

UCAS institution code number : B44

Clearing hotline number  : 01204 903903

Contact:  Admissions Office

Website:  http://www.bolton.ac.uk/clearing

Postal address:

The University of Bolton

Deane Road

Bolton BL3 5AB

Institution : City College Manchester   

UCAS institution code number : C66

Clearing hotline number  : Freephone 0800 013 0123

contact: Higher Education Admissions Officer

website:  http://www.ccm.ac.uk/ccm_gateway.asp?NavID=4

Postal address:

City College Manchester

PO Box 40

Manchester  M23 0GN

Institution: Holy Cross College, Bury

UCAS applications are made through Liverpool Hope University.

contact: Admissions Officer at Liverpool Hope University

website: http://www.hope.ac.uk/index/prospective.htm

Institution: Hopwood Hall College, Rochdale  

UCAS institution code number : H54

Clearing hotline number: 01706 345346

contact: Admissions Officer

website: http://www.hopwood.ac.uk/

Postal address:

St Mary's Gate

Rochdale

Lancs  OL12 6RY

Institution : Manchester College of Arts and Technology 

UCAS institution code number : M10

Clearing hotline number: 0800 068 8585

contact: Course Enquiries Team

website: http://www.mancat.ac.uk/clearing/index.htm

Postal address:

Course Enquiries

MANCAT

Openshaw Campus

Ashton Old Road

Openshaw

Manchester M11 2WH

Institution : The University of Manchester  

 UCAS institution code number : M20

Clearing hotline number: 0161 275 7402

contact: Undergraduate Recruitment and Admissions Office

website: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/clearing

Postal address:

The Undergraduate Recruitment and Admissions Office

The University of Manchester

Oxford Road

Manchester M13 9PL

Institution: Manchester Metropolitan University   

UCAS institution code number : M40

Clearing hotline number: 0800 915 0668

contact: The Clearing Team

website: http://www.mmu.ac.uk/clearing

Postal address:

The Clearing Team,

Admissions Office

All Saints

Manchester M15 6BH

Institution: Trafford College   

UCAS institution code number :

Clearing hotline number: 0161 886 7000

contact: Admissions

website: http://www.trafford.ac.uk

Postal address:

Trafford College (North),

Talbot Road Centre,

Stretford

Manchester M32 0XH

Institution: Oldham College

UCAS institution code number : O10

Clearing hotline number 0161 785 4053

contact: Higher Education Admissions Officer

website: http://www.oldham.ac.uk/courses

Postal address:

Oldham College

Rochdale Road

Oldham OL9 6AA

Institution: Open University

Courses hotline number 0870 333 4340

contact: Student Services

website: http://www.open.ac.uk/courses

Postal address:

Open University in the North West

351 Altrincham Road

Sharston

Manchester M22 4UN

Institution : The University of Salford    

UCAS code number : S03

Clearing hotline number : 0161 295 4545

contact: Undergraduate Admissions Office

Website:  http://www.salford.ac.uk/clearing/

Postal address:

Undergraduate Admissions Office

The University of Salford

Salford M5 4WT

Institution : Trafford College (South)   

UCAS institution code number :

Clearing hotline number: 0161 952 4600 

contact: Higher Education Admissions Officer

website:   http://www.trafford.ac.uk

Postal address:

Higher Education Admissions Officer

South Trafford College

Manchester Road

West Timperley

Altrincham

Cheshire WA14 5PQ

Institution : Stockport College 

UCAS institution code number : S76

Clearing hotline number : 0845 230 3102

contact:  Guidance Officer

website:  http://www.stockport.ac.uk

Postal address:

Admissions Office

Stockport College of Further and Higher Education

Wellington Road South

Stockport SK1 3UQ

Institution : Tameside College  

UCAS institution code number : T10

Clearing hotline number: 0161 908 6649

Contact: Admissions Tutor

website : http://www.tameside.ac.uk/he/higher.asp

Postal address:

Admissions Tutor : Student Services

Tameside College

Ashton Centre

Beaufort Road

Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 6NX

Institution : University Centre Oldham    

UCAS institution code number : H60

UCAS campus code : Z

Clearing hotline number : 0161 213 5000

contact: Undergraduate Admissions Office

Website: http://www.oldham.hud.ac.uk

Postal address:

Undergraduate Admissions Office,

University Centre Oldham,

Oldham OL1 1BB

Institution : Wigan and Leigh College  

UCAS code number : W67

Clearing hotline number:  01942 761605

contact: Admissions Coordinator

website:  http://www.wigan-leigh.ac.uk/

Postal address:

Admissions Office

Wigan and Leigh College

PO Box 53

Parsons Walk

Wigan  WN1 1RS

Don’t Give Up !

If at first you don’t succeed, it is always worth trying again.