You missed your offer. What actually happens now

Missing your firm by a grade is not the same as having no options — and the first thing to do is not what most people think.

First: check UCAS Hub before you assume anything. Universities often accept students who narrowly miss, and Hub will already say so. A surprising number of people start ringing round Clearing while holding a confirmed place they haven't looked at.

If Hub shows you've been accepted

Nothing to do. Your place is confirmed even though you missed the grades — the university has decided to take you anyway.

If Hub shows unsuccessful at both choices

You're automatically eligible for Clearing — no form to fill in.
Your Clearing number appears in Hub. You don't need it to ring round — they'll look you up on your Personal ID. It's for adding the choice afterwards.
You can only add one Clearing choice at a time, so don't add one until you're sure.
Ring the universities directly. Adding a choice in Hub before they've verbally agreed will not work.

Don't add a Clearing choice too early

Adding a choice in UCAS Hub is you accepting a place. Only do it after a university has told you on the phone that they'll take you and asked you to add it. Adding it speculatively locks you out of other options.

The option people forget

You can ask for a remark, and a university will sometimes hold a place while it's processed. If you were within a couple of marks, say so on the phone — some will note it and reconsider.

Just come off a call?

Tell us how it went — it takes under 30 seconds and it’s what builds the picture everyone else is using. Verbal offers stay private.

Report a call