Technical
Focused on specialist skills such as cyber security, data science or engineering.
More ways forward
What are higher-level qualifications?
They are the next step after A levels, T Levels or BTECs, offered by colleges and universities. They can build advanced practical, professional or academic skills for your next career step.
Vocational
Designed around a job or industry, including healthcare, design and construction.
Academic
In-depth subject study that also develops transferable skills such as critical thinking.
Qualifications you may see in Clearing
HNC, HTQ or Higher Apprenticeship
Often one year full time and commonly offered by colleges.
HND, Foundation Degree or HTQ
Usually one to two years, with some routes offering progression to a full degree.
Bachelor's Degree or Degree Apprenticeship
Degree-level study at a university or college, including work-based routes.
Entry routes can be flexible. Some institutions also offer foundation years or Access to HE courses if you do not yet meet the usual Level 3 requirements.
The basics
What is Clearing?
Clearing is the main process for finding university and college courses that still have places available. Most Clearing applications are completed through UCAS, but some colleges may ask you to contact or apply to them directly first. It runs from July to October each year — and it's open to more people than you might think.
Lots of people use Clearing. You can, too, if:
- You're applying for the first time after 30 June — a new UCAS undergraduate application for this September automatically enters Clearing once you submit it. You don't need to be at school or college to apply — you can do it independently through UCAS Hub, even after the normal deadline.
- You've changed your mind about your course or your choices
- You didn't receive any offers
- You don't get the grades you were hoping for
This is a genuine, mainstream route into Higher Education. The courses in Clearing are the same courses, with the same teaching and the same qualification at the end.
Clearing opens
2 July 2026
You can browse vacancies and contact providers from now.
A level results day
Thu 13 August
Results from 8am. Clearing choices can be added in UCAS Hub from 1pm.
Clearing closes
19 October 2026
Places fill fast in August — but Clearing stays open well into autumn.
You don't have to wait for results day. If you already know you want to explore Clearing — or you're applying late — you can research courses and talk to admissions teams now. The exact route varies: some institutions will ask you to call, some use an online application or enquiry form, and others will direct you to UCAS. Follow the instructions on the institution's website, or use the Contacts below if you're unsure.
Step by step
How applying through Clearing usually works.
The exact process varies between institutions. For most UCAS Clearing applications, these are the usual steps. Some colleges may instead ask you to complete their own application or enquiry form and will explain whether any UCAS steps are also required.
Check your position
If you already have a UCAS application, check your status in UCAS Hub and note your Personal ID and Clearing number, if shown. If you have not applied before, you can still explore courses and contact institutions now — they will tell you whether you need to create and submit a UCAS application.
Build a shortlist of courses
Use the search below to see what's available across West Yorkshire right now. Keep an open mind — related subjects, foundation years and HNC/HND routes can all lead to the same career.
Contact or apply to the provider
Follow the instructions on the course page. You may be asked to call the admissions team, complete an online form or apply directly. Have your qualifications and, where relevant, your UCAS Personal ID and Clearing number ready.
Complete the required application step
If the provider tells you to add a Clearing choice, enter it in UCAS Hub. Some colleges may instead process the application through their own system. Follow the instructions they give you and ask when your place will be formally confirmed.
Get confirmed — and sort the practical bits
The provider will confirm your place through the relevant application process. Then check whether you need to update student finance, arrange accommodation or complete enrolment forms.
Be ready
Top tips for Clearing calls.
A little preparation goes a long way — especially on results day morning, when phone lines are busiest. Tap a tip to expand it.
Providers want to speak to you, not a parent or carer — it's your application, and admissions teams will usually insist on it. It's fine to have someone beside you for moral support, but practise saying your name, grades and the course you're interested in out loud beforehand. It genuinely helps.
UCAS Personal ID, Clearing number, your results (all of them, including GCSE English and Maths), a pen and paper, and a charged phone. Being asked for information you can't easily find, like your UCAS ID, is the most common way calls stall.
Hotlines open from 8am on results day and the first two hours are the busiest. Being early helps for popular courses — but places don't all vanish by lunchtime, and plenty are still filled days and weeks later. If you can't get through, keep trying, and work down your shortlist of desired courses in the meantime.
A Clearing call is a mini interview. Be ready to say, in a sentence or two, why this subject and why this provider. You don't need a speech — genuine interest and a reason is enough to stand out.
Verbal offers usually come with a deadline — often 24 to 48 hours — so you normally have time to think, call other providers, or visit. Ask how long the offer stands. Only add one Clearing choice in UCAS Hub, and only when you've decided.
Foundation years (an extra preparatory year before a degree), HNCs and HNDs (career-focused, vocational qualifications), foundation degrees, and top-ups (converting an existing qualification into a full degree) all appear in Clearing too — and West Yorkshire's colleges offer many of them with smaller class sizes and lower entry requirements.
Missed the grades for your firm choice? Phone them first, before anything else. Providers can and do confirm people who narrowly miss their offer — especially if you get in touch quickly on results day morning.
When I realised I hadn’t met the grades for my first choice, I honestly felt like everything had fallen apart. I’d built up so much pressure around that moment. But once I took a deep breath and spoke to someone on the Clearing line, things turned around so quickly. They were calm, reassuring, and helped me explore all my options. It wasn’t what I’d planned—but in the end, it felt right. I ended up somewhere that suits me so much better, and I’m genuinely excited about what’s next.
Live vacancies
What's in Clearing right now.
Every confirmed Clearing vacancy from West Yorkshire's universities and colleges, in one place — refreshed throughout the day, straight from the providers themselves. All vacancies are for courses starting September 2026. Application routes vary, so open the institution's course page to check whether you should call, apply directly or complete your application through UCAS.
Loading live Clearing vacancies…
Vacancies change quickly during Clearing — this list is a starting point, not a guarantee. Always check the institution's own website for the latest availability, entry requirements and application instructions. The institution will tell you whether to call, apply directly or complete any steps through UCAS.
Get in touch
Ready to call? Here's everyone.
Every West Yorkshire institution in one place — tap to call, or head to their website for the latest Clearing information.
Bradford College
University of Bradford
University Centre Calderdale
University of Huddersfield
Kirklees College
Leeds Conservatoire
University of Leeds
Leeds Arts University
Leeds Beckett University
Leeds College of Building
University Centre Leeds
Leeds Trinity University
Wakefield College (University Centre at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group)
Phone lines are busiest on results day morning — if you can't get through, keep trying and work down your shortlist of desired courses in the meantime. Numbers and opening hours are set by each institution and can change during Clearing, so if a number doesn't connect, check the institution's website for their latest contact details.