Clearing for parents and supporters

What happens during Clearing?

Clearing is when universities with places still available after the main application cycle can accept new applications. Clearing at the University of Essex is now underway and will remain open throughout the summer.

The busiest point in the Clearing process is A-level results day, which falls on Thursday 13 August this year. This is when many students receive their results, make decisions about their next steps and contact universities.

Results day can be one of the busiest days of the admissions cycle and course availability can change quickly, so it's perfectly normal for things to feel a little rushed.

Preparing early and understanding the process can help both you and your student feel more confident when the day arrives.

We're here to help you too

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.