UCAS Clearing 2026 - Key Dates and Deadlines you NEED to know
If you're planning to apply through Clearing this year, these are the dates that matter most. Whether you're waiting for results, changing your mind about your university, or applying later in the cycle, knowing the timeline can make the process much less stressful.
30 June – Applications enter Clearing
Any UCAS undergraduate application submitted after 6:00pm (UK time) on 30 June is automatically entered into Clearing rather than the main admissions cycle.
If you're applying after this date, don't panic. Thousands of students secure university places through Clearing every year.
1 July – Final day to use Extra
This is the last opportunity to use UCAS Extra, which allows students with no offers to add another course before Clearing begins.
Once this deadline passes, Clearing becomes the main route for finding a university place.
2 July – Clearing officially opens
Universities begin advertising the courses they still have available.
From this date:
Students can start researching vacancies.
Clearing Plus becomes available for eligible students without a place.
Students already holding an unconditional offer can choose to decline it and enter Clearing if they decide they'd rather study elsewhere.
Although Clearing opens in July, many students simply use this time to explore their options before results are released.
Scottish Results Day – 4 August
Students receiving Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) results receive their decisions earlier than the rest of the UK.
Before Results Day
From 28 July until 4 August, universities and advisers are under a results embargo, meaning decisions cannot be shared before the official release.
On 4 August
8:00am – UCAS support services open.
9:00am – Students can view their university decisions.
10:00am – Eligible students can begin adding Clearing choices.
This is the first major Clearing day of the admissions cycle.
A Level Results Day – 13 August
For most students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, this is the biggest day of the year.
Before Results Day
Between 7 August and 13 August, schools and advisers can access results under embargo but must not share them before the official release.
On 13 August
8:00am – Students receive their results and can see whether they've been accepted by their chosen universities.
Universities begin making Clearing offers throughout the day.
1:00pm – Eligible students can add a Clearing choice in UCAS.
Many universities fill places quickly, so it's worth researching potential alternatives before results day and having a shortlist ready.
2 September – Offer conditions deadline
This is the final date for applicants to meet any outstanding academic conditions attached to their university offer.
If you're still waiting for a qualification or another required result, this is an important deadline.
24 September – Final day to submit a UCAS application
Applications for the 2026 cycle close at 6:00pm (UK time).
After this point, no new undergraduate applications can be submitted for 2026 entry.
19 October – Last day to add a Clearing choice
Even if you've been speaking to universities after Results Day, you must add your accepted Clearing choice to your UCAS application by 19 October.
After this date, no further Clearing choices can be added.
23 October – 2026 admissions cycle closes
The 2026 UCAS undergraduate admissions cycle officially comes to an end.
Once this date passes, the focus moves to applications for 2027 entry.
