Clearing calls have a special kind of pressure: they arrive when you’re already tired, results are fresh, and your brain is still thinking in IB markschemes. But a UCAS call is not a trapdoor moment. It’s closer to a short, practical conversation where preparation does the heavy lifting.
If you’re an IB student heading into exams (or just coming out the other side), the goal is simple: make your UCAS Clearing call feel like a routine you’ve rehearsed, not a performance you’re improvising.

UCAS Clearing calls: your 60-second plan
Keep this checklist beside you before any UCAS call:
-
UCAS ID + Clearing number visible (UCAS Hub)
-
IB results written clearly (total points + HL/SL breakdown)
-
Course name, UCAS code, and key entry requirements
-
A 20-second opener + 2 proof points (why you, why this course)
-
3 questions you genuinely want answered
-
Notes template: who you spoke to, what they said, next step, deadline
For the wider process, keep UCAS Clearing 2025: Secure Your Ideal University Place Today open in a tab so you can cross-check the steps quickly.
What to have ready before you dial UCAS Clearing numbers
Admissions teams move fast in UCAS Clearing. Help them help you by making your info easy to scan and say.

