University of Essex: Clearing 2010

Confirmation and Clearing Frequently Asked Questions

 

If you have any questions regarding Confirmation and Clearing, this page is here to help you. It provides answers to questions applicants commonly ask about Clearing.

1. What is Confirmation?
2. What happens if I have not gained the grades for my firm or insurance choice but I have been offered an alternative degree?
3. What happens if I am waiting on my firm or insurance offer to make a decision?
4. When do I know if I am in Clearing?
5. I am in Clearing, what do I do next?
6. How do I find out which universities have degrees in Clearing?
7. Can I go back to one of the universities I put down on my UCAS form that I declined to see if they have any vacancies?
8. There are vacancies in my chosen degree, what should I do?
9. What do I do if I have just decided to go to university and have not applied though UCAS yet?
10. When I ring what should I expect?
11. Should I go to a Clearing open day?
12. I wish to accept the offer, how do I do this?

1. What is Confirmation?

Confirmation is the process that universities and UCAS go through once they have received your results. If you have gained the grades required (for your first choice institution), including in the subjects that may have been specified, your place will automatically be confirmed.

If you have not quite achieved the grades your firm choice institution asked for it is important to check your UCAS Track record or ring the University - they may still accept you!

If it turns out that you have not been successful in getting into your firm choice institution, then you should contact your insurance choice institution. If you have the grades required for this institution your place will automatically be confirmed once they have received information from UCAS to say that you have been rejected by your firm choice.

2. What happens if I have not gained the grades for my firm or insurance choice but I have been offered an alternative degree?

It is important to gain as much information about the alternative degree you have been offered. You should try and discuss the degree content with a member of staff at the University, after looking at the prospectus and website. Remember that you are under no obligation to accept a changed degree offer, but if it meets your expectations and you are happy with the University then you should give it serious consideration. Note that in some cases you may be able to opt to transfer between the degree you were offered and your original choice after successfully completing the first year, but you should check this before accepting the place.

3. What happens if I am waiting on my firm or insurance offer to make a decision?

If your firm choice institution has yet to confirm your place, then you can still contact your insurance to see if they have made a decision. If it looks as though you are going to be rejected by both of your choices then you can start to contact other universities to see what is available. Until both your firm and insurance choices have made a decision you will not be entered into Clearing.

4. When do I know if I am in Clearing?

If neither your firm or insurance choices have been able to accept you, you will then be a Clearing Applicant. UCAS will inform you of this via UCAS Track.

5. I am in Clearing, what do I do next?

Clearing is the final opportunity for applicants to find a university place. The first thing to remember is to stay calm. Make sure you have all the relevant information in front of you before you start contacting universities (i.e. UCAS number, examination results, courses you are interested in etc).

The University publishes guidance about what to do once you are in Clearing.

6. How do I find out which universities have degrees in Clearing?

There are many different resources to help you find out the information required to help you through the Clearing process, such as:

Websites - the majority of universities (and UCAS) will have a list of their vacancies on their website, and you may be able to apply online - the UCAS clearing information and listings are on http://www.ucas.com;

Newspaper listings - national newspapers include a list of all degree courses with vacancies at all the different universities in the UK. This information can be found in the Independent and the Independent on Sunday (these hold the official UCAS listings)

Telephone - all universities will publicise their Clearing Hotline number. The telephones are usually staffed by current students, which gives you the extra benefit of asking them direct questions about life at that particular university. The Clearing hotline at Essex is 01206 873666.

7. Can I go back to one of the universities I put down on my UCAS form that I declined to see if they have any vacancies?

If you had offers from other universities but turned them down in preference of your firm and insurance choices, and they have places available during Clearing, then it is worthwhile going back to them. They should still have your original application form and therefore will not need to request your form from UCAS, which in turn will make the process quicker. If you do contact one of your original choices during Clearing it is important that you let them know you are an original applicant.

8. There are vacancies in my chosen degree, what should I do?

Either contact the university with the vacancy via their Clearing Hotline (which will enable you to discuss the content of the course and the type of university it is) or go to their website and apply online. It is important when looking at universities in Clearing that you do not lose sight of the criteria you used when picking your original five choices for your UCAS form. If you originally applied to all campus universities that guaranteed university-owned accommodation in the first year, then these are the kind of institutions you should look for in the first instance. You are advised not to rush into accepting an offer at a university before you have finished looking at all the degrees available and before you have visited the university.

You can apply to the University of Essex via the Telephone Hotline, or by completing the online enquiry form.

9. What do I do if I have just decided to go to university and have not applied though UCAS yet?

Do not worry if you have not applied through UCAS yet - it is not too late. When you telephone a university let them know that you have not applied through UCAS and then they will send you a UCAS Record of Prior Acceptance form. You must only complete this form when you have decided which university is the most suitable for you and the University has confirmed they will offer you a place on your chosen degree course. When you have completed the form you must send it directly to the university of your choice, NOT TO UCAS.

10. When I ring what should I expect?

When you first contact a university, you will go through to the Clearing Hotline where members of staff will ask for basic details such as UCAS personal ID number, address, grades etc. They will then give your details to a member of academic staff to make the decision. You may find that a member of academic staff telephones you back, so it is important that you remain by the telephone. If you contact the University of Essex through Clearing and your application is successful you will receive a confirmation e-mail.

11. Should I go to a Clearing Open Day?

It is recommended that you attend a Clearing Open Day. The day will provide information about the university, accommodation and most importantly more details about the degree you wish to study. It will also give you the opportunity to meet academic staff and fellow students. If you decide you like the university and they have given you an offer, computers will be available for you to enter the degree as your clearing choice in UCAS Track which will secure your place. See information on the Clearing Open Days at Essex.

12. I wish to accept the offer, how do I do this?

If the degree offered is right for you and the university is just what you want then you are ready to accept the offer.

At this stage you must enter the University's code (E70 for the University of Essex) and course code as your clearing choice in UCAS Track. The University will then confirm your place via UCAS and you will be notified via UCAS Track.