Clearing for parents and supporters

What parents and supporters need to know

Clearing is a normal and well-established route into university, used by thousands of students every year.

From July, universities begin listing courses with places still open. It’s how universities fill remaining places before the new academic year begins.

Some students already know they’ll use Clearing. Others start exploring their options as results day gets closer.

It's best to prepare early

Results day can feel very different when your student has already started exploring their options.

Understanding what courses might be available, what entry requirements look like, and how Clearing works can help students feel more confident - and make it easier for you to support them calmly when decisions need to be made.

At Essex, we provide Clearing entry requirements, course updates and step-by-step guidance by email, helping you and your student explore options early and feel more prepared before results day.

Talk things through

It’s completely normal to have questions about university life, especially if your child is preparing to leave home for the first time.

Lots of parents and supporters feel slightly awkward about contacting a university - but we’re here to answer your questions and help you feel more confident about what comes next.

Whether you have a practical question or simply want to understand what life at Essex is really like, no question is too big or too small.

Here are the two teams you can contact, depending on the type of question you have:

Student Services Hub

Our Student Services Hub supports students throughout their time at Essex, helping them settle into university life and access the support they need.

Parents, supporters and students can contact the team to ask about everything from wellbeing support, neurodivergence, healthcare services, living independently and adjusting to university life.

Undergraduate Admissions

For practical questions about Clearing, applications, entry requirements or the admissions process, our Undergraduate Admissions team can help.

They’re happy to answer general questions from parents and supporters. Once an application has been submitted, they will need the student present to discuss specific application details.