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Clearing

What is Clearing?

Clearing is an extra opportunity for you secure a place at university. The process is aimed at students who are not holding any offers, have missed the entry requirements for their firm and insurance choices, or are considering university for the first time. Clearing for September 2025 entry will open on Saturday 5 July 2025.

Different grades?

Are your results different from what you were expecting?

Changed your mind?

Would you like to study something or somewhere else?

Haven't applied yet?

You can apply directly through Clearing from 5 July 2025

Below, you can search the exciting, diverse range of courses that we offer here at Lincoln. Remember, you can still apply as normal through UCAS until 30 June 2025.

Preparing for A Level Results Day

Prepare a list of universities that you would be interested in speaking to

Read over your personal statement to remind yourself of what you've submitted

Consider different possible outcomes for results day

Research courses that you might want to apply for

Two students using a laptop

Our Step-by-Step Guide to Clearing

1

Find Your Course

From July 5, you'll be able to view which of our courses have spaces through Clearing on UCAS and the course pages on our website. Take note of important information such as entry requirements and course content. In Clearing, we can often make offers to students who don't fully meet our published entry requirements – just call us to check if we can make you an offer.

2

Apply

There’s no need to wait until A Level Results Day to apply to us in Clearing. If you have your results already, you'll be able to apply from 5 July 2025. Remember, you can still apply as normal until 30 June 2025.

During Clearing, you will need to contact us yourself to find out if we can make you an offer, and by calling us directly you can often get a decision while you are on the phone.

When you call us, it's helpful to have your UCAS account, Clearing number, Personal ID, the name of your chosen course, and your grades to hand.

3

Add Your Choice

Once you've received an offer from us, simply add us as a choice on UCAS. Remember, spaces at Clearing are given on a first-come, first-served basis.

4

Visit Us

Visiting us in person is the best way to find out what the University of Lincoln is really like. Our Clearing Open House events in August are the perfect opportunity to discover Lincoln for yourself if you're looking to apply during Clearing.

5

Organise Your Student Finance

You don't need a confirmed place to apply for student finance. If you are intending to apply to us then simply put us down as your preferred university choice. It is important to have funding in place to help cover expenses such as accommodation, tuition fees, and living costs.

6

Choose Your Accommodation

If you aren't commuting to us, you'll want to choose somewhere to live. We guarantee all new undergraduate students who apply for accommodation by 1 August 2025 a room in a University-managed residence. Our range of modern residences place you in the heart of the city, and only a short walk from your lectures and the high street.

The quality of our accommodation is something our students recognise too. We were named as winners of the Halls and Student Accommodation category at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024, the largest annual university awards in the UK voted for exclusively by students.

Explore Our Accommodation

Frequently Asked Questions

I’ve changed my mind about my firm choice university and now want to apply to Lincoln. What can I do?

If you’ve accepted a firm choice university already via UCAS you can “self release” into Clearing after you’ve got your results and your firm choice confirms your place. You’ll need to talk to the university where you’ve accepted an offer to ask them to “release” you.

I haven’t applied to any universities yet but now want to start a course in September. Can I still apply?

Yes, you can apply to us in Clearing even if you didn’t apply to universities during the main UCAS cycle. If you’ve got your qualifications already, we can help you complete the application now. If you’re waiting for exam results, we can make provisional offers based on predicted grades.

Will I find it harder to connect with potential coursemates or housemates if I apply in Clearing?

Not at all. Our Unibuddy community is a great way to make friends before you arrive at university. You can join communities based on your chosen course, accommodation, or interests like sports, music, or hobbies.

Find out More

Will I still be able to find good student accommodation if I apply in Clearing?

Absolutely! We’re very proud of our award-winning student accommodation at the University of Lincoln. Our Accommodation Guarantee means that applicants who apply for accommodation with us by 1 August 2025 are guaranteed a room in a University-managed student residence.

Explore Accommodation

Are students who join in Clearing treated differently?

No. About one in seven students enrol through clearing and it has no bearing on your experience as a student. It’s simply another admissions route beyond the “main cycle” UCAS process.

I don’t think I’ll meet the course entry requirements. Is it still worthwhile applying in Clearing?

Yes, we can be more flexible on entry requirements during Clearing so it’s well worth calling our Clearing Hotline to see if we can make you an offer. It’s a good idea to act quickly since course vacancies can fill up fast. Our advisors can also discuss alternative entry routes available, such as our foundation year programmes, which provide more opportunities for students who might not otherwise meet standard entry requirements.