Your Clearing questions answered

Applications open at 8am UK time on Thursday 13 August 2020

• From 8am you'll be able to fill in the application form. There'll be an 'apply' button next to the course you're interested in on the vacancy list.
• From 8am our phonelines will open, you'll be able to call us on 0330 058 6940.
• From 8am you'll also be able to apply on social media via our Facebook Page or our Twitter profile. You'll be able to send us a message/DM on either channel.

Please note: We treat online and phone applications in the same way; whichever method you choose you'll have the same response time from our team.

For more information on how to plan your path here for 2021, please see our undergraduate courses and how to apply.

To find out more about how the Clearing process might differ during the coronavirus pandemic, visit the official UCAS coronavirus information hub.

You can also find out about information for new students FAQ for additional guidance.

From results day, Thursday 13 August 2020, you will be able to contact us to find out if we will be able to make you an offer or not. If we can make you an offer you will need to refer yourself to Southampton via UCAS Track (or apply via UCAS Clearing if you have not yet applied to UCAS).

UCAS step-by-step guide to Clearing and Adjustment.

If you call our team of friendly advisors on results day (13 August 2020) you will need to be able to give us:

• Your name
• Your UCAS Personal ID (if you've already made any application through UCAS for 2020 entry)
• Your results (which may include relevant GCSE - or equivalent - results)
• The subject area / course you are interested in

Being released into Clearing means you'll be giving up your place at Southampton. Before you release yourself into Clearing, please make sure you are happy with this decision and you have secured an offer (in principle) from another University or College. We 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, sign into UCAS Track and choose 'Decline my place' and then follow the on-screen prompts.

You will need your Southampton student ID number to apply for accommodation and to formally enrol with the University.

Every applicant holding a firm or insurance offer with Southampton will receive an email on the morning of Thursday 13 August 2020 setting out whether we are able to confirm your place or not. Please check your email account (including your junk/spam folder). You can also check the status of your offer on UCAS Track (but if you still have other conditions outstanding Track will continue to show your offer as conditional).

The ‘triple lock’ is a new process that has been put in place by the Government to give young people “added security as they receive their grades this year” (Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson).

This means that students can choose one of three options to determine their entry grades for University:

a) They can accept their calculated grade. (These are the grades students receive on Thursday 13th August that have been based on the judgement of their school or college, and have then been moderated by exam boards to make sure the same standard is applied for all students, whichever school, college or part of the country they come from.)

b) They can appeal to receive a valid mock result.* A webform is available for students to advise us that they are appealing their grades or intending to resit their exams. (This should be done through the appeals process, with individuals notifying their school or college who will provide evidence of their mock results to their exam board.) 

c) They can sit autumn exams. A webform is available for students to advise us that they are appealing their grades or intending to resit their exams. (The Government has announced an extensive support package for all schools, colleges and further education providers to run a full exam series in the autumn.)

*Ofqual has been asked to determine how and when valid mock results can be used to calculate grades. 

Please note:

• The outcomes for all three options will hold the same value for universities, colleges and employers.
• We are told that similar arrangements will apply to vocational and technical qualifications.
• As set out by Ofqual last week, schools and colleges will also be able to appeal if they believe their historic data does not reflect the ability of their current students – that may be because they have experienced a recent change in leadership or because they have one or a number of exceptional students. This should be directly discussed with the school or college. If a student intends to appeal their grades or resit their exams then they MUST complete the online form to advise us.

If you haven’t already informed us of your circumstances, please forward details of your case via email to the Admissions Team, along with any supporting evidence, and we will make a decision on your application as quickly as we possibly can. Please make sure you put 'mitigating circumstances' in the title of the email.

Please email the Admissions Team to confirm that you have asked for a remark, ensuring that you confirm which subject(s) is/are being remarked. We may be able to hold your place if the decision on your remark is made prior to 31 August 2020.

Please make sure that you put 'remark' in the title of the email.

If we have places on your chosen course we may be able to make you a Clearing offer.

If you are already holding an offer from another university which is dependent upon achieving specific English and/or Maths GCSE grades then you will not be able to use Clearing until they have made their decision as to whether to accept you or not.

If you don't currently hold any offers, or if you will be applying directly via Clearing, you will be able to do so, but we may not be able to confirm your place with us until you have your GCSE results.

Clearing and Adjustment for 2020 will open on 6 July.

For more information on how to plan your path here for 2021, please see our undergraduate courses and how to apply.

Yes, all our courses that have places are open for both Clearing and Adjustment applicants.

Yes. The University accepts a wide range of international qualifications and you can find information about our requirements by looking up your country.

For information on how coronavirus might affect visas, travel and language requirements, visit our new students FAQ.

The University's International Office team provide prospective students with tailored support to help them prepare for studying with us. Visit our international Clearing and Adjustment page for more information.