An archaeology student in an archives room, using a magnifying glass to inspect a tray of bones and fossils. The student has red hair and is wearing a cream-coloured knitted sweater. There are more fossils and bones in the background, as well as shelves filled with boxes.

Your Clearing questions answered

Find answers to the most asked questions about Clearing, including: 

  • the application process
  • eligibility
  • available courses
  • international applications

Clearing 2026 is not open yet. You can still use this page to find answers to Clearing FAQs.

The application process

How do I apply through Clearing?

If we’re in Clearing for 2026 entry, we will update this page with a step-by-step guide to our application process nearer the time.

I previously applied to the University, but my application was rejected. Can I apply again through Clearing?

Yes – if the course you're interested in has availability in Clearing and you meet the entry requirements for it, you can apply again through Clearing.

Your initial application rejection does not affect how your application is processed, and our team will work with you to see if we can make you an offer.

What is the Clearing telephone number and what are the opening times? 

When Clearing opens we'll open an additional Clearing Hotline, but for general queries about Clearing, you can contact our admissions team by:

Phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, UK time.

What information do I need when I call you? 

You'll need to tell us: 

  • your name
  • your UCAS 10-digit identification number, if you've already made any applications through UCAS
  • your results, which may include relevant GCSE or equivalent results
  • the exact title of your qualifications – for example, a BTEC Extended Diploma or a BTEC National Certificate, as some different qualifications will have similar names
  • the subject area or course you're interested in

If you're an international student, you'll also need to provide details of your current level of English language proficiency, including the:

  • test taken
  • date the test was taken
  • unique test reference number

How do I get released into Clearing? 

Being released into Clearing means you'll be giving up your place at your chosen university. 

Before you do this, please make sure you've got an offer in principle from another university or college. 

The university where you hold an offer may not be able to accept you if change your mind and want your old place back. 

Once you’re sure you want to be released into Clearing, what you need to do will depend on the type of offer you have. If your offer is:

  • Unconditional Firm (UF): sign into UCAS Hub, choose ‘Decline my place’ and follow the on-screen prompts
  • Conditional Firm (CF): contact the university where you hold an offer so they can release you into Clearing 

What courses are available in Clearing? 

When Clearing 2026 opens we will update our courses vacancies page.

What is my Southampton student ID number? 

You'll receive your student ID number as part of your formal offer, after we've confirmed your place through UCAS. You'll need your ID number to apply for accommodation and enrol with the University.

Can I apply for accommodation?

Yes, you can apply to stay in University accommodation. Our Clearing accommodation guarantee hasn't been confirmed for 2026 yet.

How can I prepare my finances for Clearing?

There are plenty of things you can do to prepare your finances if you're expecting to go through Clearing. 

  • If you're a home student, you can apply online for student finance including tuition fee and maintenance loans. The process can take 6 to 8 weeks, so apply as soon as possible.
  • Get means-tested when applying for your loans – if your household income is £36,200 or less, you may be eligible for the Southampton Undergraduate Bursary.
  • If you've already applied for student finance, log in to your account and update your university name, to ensure your finance gets paid to the correct place.
  • Once you know what student finance you'll be receiving, you can create a budget to help you manage your everyday costs. You can do this using our resources for making the most of your money.
  • Ask for help if you need it – you can contact The Student Hub or our Students' Union, SUSU, about any money concerns. You can also get guidance from our Student Money Champions.

What is the UCAS results embargo? 

The UCAS results embargo is a period of time where we will not update applications, and the advisor portal on UCAS will not be updated. 

The 2026 results embargo will run from 6pm UK time on Tuesday 28 July 2026 until 8am UK time on Thursday 13 August 2026.

International applicants

I'm applying from outside the UK. Where can I find help in my home country? 

The University's international team can help you with your country-specific enquiries. To get in touch, visit our Clearing for international students page.

I have non-UK qualifications. Will I be eligible for Clearing?

Yes, the University accepts a wide range of international qualifications. Check the international grade equivalencies for your qualification or country below.

Can't find your qualification or country? Email our admissions team: admissions@southampton.ac.uk

Typical A level grade range equivalencies
A*AAAAAAABABBBBBBBCBCCCCC
Pass, with overall score of 38 points with 19 at higher levelPass, with overall score of 36 points with 18 at higher levelPass, with overall score of 34 points with 17 at higher levelPass, with overall score of 32 points with 16 at higher levelPass, with overall score of 30 points with 15 at higher levelPass, with overall score of 28 points with 14 at higher levelPass, with overall score of 26 points with 13 at higher levelPass, with overall score of 24 points with 12 at higher level

Where A level requirements are specified at subject-level, you would be expected to offer these at higher level.

A level subject equivalencies
A*AB
7 in higher level6 in higher level5 in higher level

 

Typical A level grade range equivalenciesA level subject equivalencies
A*AAAAAAABABBBBBBBCBCCCCCA*AB
85%82%79%76%74%Please call +44 (0)23 8059 4732 for more information98.58
QualificationTypical A level grade range equivalenciesA level subject equivalencies
A*AAAAAAABABBBBBBBCBCCCCCA*AB
High School Graduation Diploma87% average across 5 academic subjects (or 6 in OSSD and New Brunswick)85% average across 5 academic subjects (or 6 in OSSD and New Brunswick)83% average across 5 academic subjects (or 6 in OSSD and New Brunswick)81% average across 5 academic subjects (or 6 in OSSD and New Brunswick)79% average across 5 academic subjects (or 6 in OSSD and New Brunswick)77% average across 5 academic subjects (or 6 in OSSD and New Brunswick)75% average across 5 academic subjects (or 6 in OSSD and New Brunswick)73% average across 5 academic subjects (or 6 in OSSD and New Brunswick)87% in Grade 1285% in Grade 1281% in Grade 12
QualificationTypical A level grade range equivalenciesA level subject equivalencies
A*AAAAAAABABBBBBBBCBCCCCCA*AB
French Baccalauréat Général16 overall15 overall14 overall13 overall12 overallPlease call +44 (0)23 8059 4732 for more information161514
QualificationTypical A level grade range equivalenciesA level subject equivalencies
A*AAAAAAABABBBBBBBCBCCCCCA*AB
AbiturOverall grade of 1.6 or lowerOverall grade of 1.8 or lowerOverall grade of 2.0 or lowerOverall grade of 2.1 or lowerOverall grade of 2.3 or lowerPlease call +44 (0)23 8059 4732 for more information14/15 at advanced level13/15 at advanced level12/15 at advanced level
QualificationTypical A level grade range equivalenciesA level subject equivalencies
A*AAAAAAABABBBBBBBCBCCCCCA*AB
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)5*55555554544444443433333Grade 5*Grade 5Grade 4

Chinese Language and Liberal Studies are excluded from our offer.

QualificationTypical A level grade range equivalenciesA level subject equivalencies
A*AAAAAAABABBBBBBBCBCCCCCA*AB
Indian School Certificate (ISC)82%80%78%77%75%74%72%70%85%80%75%
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)82%80%78%77%75%74%72%70%85%80%75%
Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)87%85%83%82%80%79%77%75%90%95%80%
QualificationTypical A level grade range equivalenciesA level subject equivalencies
A*AAAAAAABABBBBBBBCBCCCCCA*AB
Diploma di Esame di Stato95 overall92 overall88 overall84 overall80 overallPlease call +44 (0)23 8059 4732 for more information20/20 from written exam or 10/10 final school grade18/20 from written exam or 9/10 final school grade16/20 from written exam or 8/10 final school grade
QualificationTypical A level grade range equivalenciesA level subject equivalencies
A*AAAAAAABABBBBBBBCBCCCCCA*AB
Monash Foundation Year80%75%70%Please call +44 (0)23 8059 4732 for more informationN/A80%75%
Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia 
(STPM, Malaysian Higher School Certificate)		AA-A-A-A-A-A-A-BA-BBBBBPlease call +44 (0)23 8059 4732 for more informationAA-B
Matriculation Certificate or
Diploma (2 years)		GPA 3.6GPA 3.5GPA 3.33GPA 3.0GPA 2.67Please call +44 (0)23 8059 4732 for more informationAA-B
UEC (United Examination Certificate)6 subjects at Grade A5 subjects at Grade APlease call +44 (0)23 8059 4732 for more informationAAA
Foundation in Accounting, Business or Management*GPA 3.6GPA 3.5GPA 3.33GPA 3.0GPA 2.67Please call +44 (0)23 8059 4732 for more informationN/A

*Registered on the Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQR) and only suitable for specific programmes

QualificationTypical A level grade range equivalenciesA level subject equivalencies
A*AAAAAAABABBBBBBBCBCCCCCA*AB
Vitnemål for videregående opplæring5.0 overall4.8 overall4.5 overall4.3 overall4.0 overallPlease call +44 (0)23 8059 4732 for more informationGrade 6Grade 5Grade 4
QualificationTypical A level grade range equivalenciesA level subject equivalencies
A*AAAAAAABABBBBBBBCBCCCCCA*AB
Baccalaureat Francais International (BFI)15 overall14 overall13 overall12 overall11 overallPlease call +44 (0)23 8059 4732 for more information161514

Parents and supporters

I'm an adult supporting an applicant through the Clearing process. What do I need to know to help them?

If you're a parent, carer, guardian, teacher or careers adviser, we want to help you feel prepared and confident in supporting someone considering applying for university through Clearing.

Depending on yours and the applicant's circumstances, you can find comprehensive guidance by expanding one of the following drop-down boxes:

Have a chat with the student you're supporting, and be there to help create an agreed back-up plan, should their circumstances change on results day.

The course might be the most important thing to the student, but there's a lot to consider when choosing a university. We recommend creating a checklist together, and using it to help decide which universities to apply for. 

Your checklist might include:

You can find plenty of information on:

Don't forget to also ask any family and friends about their own university experiences too.

Remember that Clearing moves quickly, so we recommend saving Clearing hotline numbers to your mobile phone and bookmarking course vacancy pages and application forms for the student's preferred universities in advance.

You can also watch our videos below to learn more about the Clearing process, key dates and top tips, from our recent parents and supporters webinars.

UK parents and supporters

International parents and supporters

Students can check their UCAS Hub for decisions made by their firm and insurance choice universities from 8am, UK time on Thursday 13 August 2026.

Before applying, make sure the student has their grades, qualification names, UCAS ID details and preferred subject area ready.

You can also learn more about how Clearing works at Southampton in one of the following videos:

UK parents and supporters

International parents and supporters

Make a note of any expiry deadlines attached to Clearing offers and accommodation guarantees. Students will also need to add their preferred Clearing choice of university to their UCAS Hub.

To help make a decision, students can also attend university Clearing events, such as open days. These events are a brilliant opportunity to chat to current students and the academics that will teach them, as well as visit the spaces and facilities they'll be studying in.

Support your student in what's best for them and help them respond to offers.

If you have any Clearing-related questions, you can email our admissions team: admissions@southampton.ac.uk

Your next steps