Clearing 2024: What to do if you missed your UK university’s conditional offer, the other options available

So you failed your exam, or you might have fallen a grade or two short of meeting your conditional offer into a UK university. 

First of all, let the panic subside and don’t beat yourself up over it. It’s neither the end of the world to have failed exams, nor the end of your dream to join a UK university. 

This is a great time to explore other options, like apprenticeships, temporarily opting for online courses, or even taking a gap year to really think about what you want for your future. 

But if all that doesn’t entice you, then it’s time for you to check out Clearing. 

Clearing is a way for those who failed their exams to still get their foot in the door to the UK university. Source: AFP

What is Clearing and how does it work?

Clearing is how universities and colleges fill any places they still have on their programmes. 

The 2024 Clearing started on July 5 and will remain open until October 21, 2024. 

You can use Clearing if:

• You didn’t receive any offers (or none you wanted to accept).
• You didn’t meet the conditions of your offers.
• You’ve declined your firm place using the ‘decline my place’ button in your application.

The premier UK University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) revealed that 67,990 students found a place using Clearing in 2023, the highest number to date. 

Of the 67,990, 32% found a place after declining their original firm choice, 30% found a place after not meeting the terms of their offer and being released into Clearing on results day, and the remainder either applied directly into Clearing or held no firm choice.

You can apply for Clearing through UCAS or on a university’s website.

Most universities have a Clearing-specific page up and running with all the information you could need, as well as hotlines and contact details should you need to speak to someone.

If you’re applying through UCAS, it’s as simple as:

1. Using the UCAS search tool to find the programme you’re looking for or to explore a new programme entirely.
2. Contacting the universities and colleges you’re interested in to provide them with your Clearing number (you can find this in your application) and Personal ID so they can look it up and give you the OK to…
3. Add your Clearing choice to your UCAS application.

Take note that adding your Clearing choice counts as you definitely accepting the offer, so if the university or college confirms it, it’ll show as an acceptance on your “Choices” page in your application.

Also, you can only add one choice at a time, but if the university or college doesn’t confirm your place, you’ll be able to add another.

So, it suffices to say you can still hedge your bets on Clearing, and you might even love your new university and programme better than the one you were previously aiming for.

And if it still doesn’t work out, you could always consider another degree, potentially even in another country. 

Maybe studying in the UK wasn’t your calling. This is a great time to consider other options for your future. Source: AFP

The other options that are still on the table

While there is a sense of pride about studying in one of the most popular study abroad destinations in the world, it’s good to remember that studying in the UK isn’t your only path.

Broaden your horizons in another country

In the QS World University Rankings 2025, only four UK universities are in the top 25 – Imperial College London at #2, University of Oxford at #3, University of Cambridge at #5, and University College London at #9.

The US has the most universities ranking in the top 25, with 10 higher education institutions, and Australia is just one short behind the UK, with three universities in the rankings. Seven other countries comprise the rest of the list, including Switzerland, Singapore, Australia, China, Hong Kong, France, and Canada. 

More countries and their universities fill the top 50 list. 

While the UK has four more additions to the rankings (the University of Edinburgh ranks #27, the University of Manchester #34, King’s College London #40, and the London School of Economics and Political Sciences #50), countries like Germany, South Korea, Japan, and the Netherlands make their appearance as well.

With its relatively cheap tuition fees and good post-graduation prospects, Germany is a great study abroad destination for international students who don’t mind picking up another language. Source: AFP

And while it’s important to consider the university’s rankings, other factors should be taken into account too, such as the university’s location.

London, QS Best Student Cities 2025’s number one city, is notoriously expensive for international students due to its high cost of living. Australia’s biggest cities have been facing a housing crisis over the past years, and international students aren’t exempt from that problem; and Canada has a cap on international students per province, making applications extremely competitive.

Going to a less popular study abroad destination might just be the less stressful option.

Universities in Germany and Norway have considerably lower tuition fees, and Germany even has government initiatives that make it easier for graduates to live and work in the country after graduation. 

You could even choose your university based on how good the national healthcare system is for international students, how easy it is to get a permanent residency, or how safe it is for the LGBTQ+ community.

But if you think you want a break from studying, maybe you could dip your toes into the working world as well.

You might not be landing an internship with Google (though never say never), but you can sure try your hand at the many other companies and organisations around you. Source: AFP

Seek a new path through apprenticeships, trainee programmes, or short courses

Going to university in the UK (or anywhere, really) can be expensive. 

While there are definitely affordable options, not everyone has the means to pay for tuition and the cost of living abroad.

And while pursuing a degree brings you that long-term return on investment, that’s not to say that short-term achievements like apprenticeships, online courses, or trainee programmes won’t benefit you.

Apprenticeship programmes train you to become skilled in a trade or profession. Training typically combines classroom learning with paid, hands-on work. These are available at community colleges and technical training schools, and some are even offered by employers directly.

According to CareerOneStop, more than 90% of apprentices in the US remain employed after completing their programmes, with an average full-time starting salary of over US$60,000. Throughout their careers, apprentices can earn US$300,000 more than workers who did not complete an apprenticeship.

A less labour-intensive (and sometimes with higher entry requirements) alternative to apprenticeships is trainee programmes. 

Here, you’ll work with different departments to gain knowledge and experience in various corporate functions, expanding your skill sets and preparing you for corporate work. 

Some trainee programmes will require a degree, though others don’t need a specific degree to get started, so it’s always worth checking out the job description. 

Otherwise, if you want something more short-term, online courses are an excellent investment for key skills. 

You could learn to code and pave your path to a high-paying job, learn a new language and boost your CV, or sharpen your soft skills like time management or communication – essential skills both within and outside the workforce. 

As long as it’s not through illegal or underhanded measures, no one really cares how you got into university. Source: AFP

Defer a year and try again

There is no shame in deferring a year. Rather than mindlessly bulldozing ahead with no clear plan in sight, take the time before the next application begins and reset yourself for a better future ahead. 

After all, you’re never too old to get your education. 

And as this Redditor puts it simply: “If a gap year is what you need to be successful, do it. 22 and 23 mean nothing at graduation.”

Still, gap years aren’t for everyone, especially if you don’t have a plan for the future. 

This Redditor says: “In my humble opinion, a gap year has to be productive, or it’s just a wasted year. I would recommend getting some kind of paid work during your gap year, something that keeps you involved with the outside world and meeting schedules and deadlines. Yes, you need to figure out what you yourself really want out of life, but as a young adult, it’s just as important to work on your future place in the world.”

Gap years are great for realigning yourself – just make sure you’re not wasting time away lazing about all day when you could be doing something good and productive instead. Source: AFP

If you’re looking for productive and inexpensive ideas to fill in your gap year, here are a few ideas:

• Volunteer with initiatives or causes you support, like animal welfare or a humanitarian movement. A 2018 survey found that 58% of college admissions personnel agreed, “A student’s community service experience has a positive impact on his or her acceptance to our higher education institution.” 
• Pick up a part-time job to grow your financial independence. A 2023 report reveals that 88% of adults in the US feel unprepared to call their own financial shots, so knowing how to deal with money early on is a key skill to master.
• Find a new hobby, or hobbies – preferably something that keeps you active, creative, or makes you money. Having a year to spend time on these hobbies will make it easier to incorporate into your new schedule once your university life picks up. Something like crocheting or photography are both creative and can help you earn money on the side, so it’s worth giving a shot.