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Your Clearing questions answered

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

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

Clearing 2025 at Southampton is now open. If you have your results, you can apply for one of our undergraduate courses in Clearing now.

The application process

How do I apply through Clearing?

You can apply now for one of our undergraduate courses in Clearing by:

  1. exploring our list of courses in Clearing
  2. selecting the course you're interested in
  3. completing our short application form

If we can make you an offer in principle, you'll need to add the University of Southampton as your Clearing choice in UCAS Hub. You can do this by following UCAS' step-by-step guide to Clearing.

Once we receive your UCAS application, we will process it and verify your qualifications. If we can make you an offer, we'll send you a formal offer letter which will include your Southampton ID number.

We do not operate waiting lists for any of our courses.

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

We'll be opening our Clearing hotline around A level results day on Thursday 14 August 2025. We'll publish more details about our hotline, including telephone number and opening times, shortly before A level results day.

In the meantime, if you have any queries about Clearing, you can contact our admissions team by: 

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

We can't discuss your application status or grades with you from 6pm, UK time on Monday 28 July 2025 until 8am, UK time on Thursday 14 August 2025. This is due to the UCAS results embargo.

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

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? 

You can now explore which of our undergraduate courses are in Clearing on our course vacancies page.

Are the entry requirements for courses in Clearing flexible?

For some courses, we will be more flexible on our entry requirements and accept applicants who have achieved slightly lower grades than our published requirements.

If you'd like to discuss your qualifications with someone, you can email our admissions team: admissions@southampton.ac.uk

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 formally enrol with the University.

Can I apply for accommodation?

Yes, and we will guarantee accommodation for Clearing students who apply for accommodation by 12pm, UK time on Tuesday 19 August 2025. Terms and conditions apply.

Can I visit the University before results day?

Yes, you can see the study and social spaces at Southampton by booking a place on one of our campus tours, which are place taking on Thursday 24 July and Friday 25 July 2025, 10:45am to 3:45pm, UK time.

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.

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 2025 results embargo will run from 6pm, UK time on Monday 28 July 2025 until 8am, UK time on Thursday 14 August 2025. We cannot discuss any applications during this time.

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 on 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
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
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

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. 

You can sign up for our parents and supporters newsletter to receive bespoke information and guidance straight to your inbox.

You can also sign up for one of our parents and supporters Clearing webinars and learn what to expect from Clearing, including key dates and processes. You can also ask our Clearing experts any questions you have, so you can plan for different outcomes:

  • International parents and supporters webinar: Tuesday 15 July 2025, 12pm to 1pm, UK time
  • UK parents and supporters webinar: Wednesday 16 July 2025, 5pm to 6pm, UK time

Can't make it to one of our webinars? Sign up anyway, and you'll be able to catch up with the webinar on demand shortly after it's happened.

Contextual offers

I've been made an offer through contextual admissions. What support can the University provide?

We sometimes use additional information about applicants when considering their applications to study with us. We call this process contextual admissions, and we have plenty of support available to those who receive an offer through this process.

Our Student Inclusion Team is committed to ensuring that every student has access to the help and resources they may need whilst at university. The team offers support and guidance for underrepresented student groups, including care leavers, estranged and mature students.

Your next steps