Every August, students across the UK face a key question on results day: If my grades are different from my predicted results, should I use Adjustment or Clearing?
These two UCAS processes are often confused, but they serve different purposes. Choosing the right one can mean the difference between securing a better course, salvaging your original plan, or missing opportunities.
In this RevisionDojo guide, we’ll break down:
- The core differences between Adjustment and Clearing
- The exact scenarios where each works best
- The rules, deadlines, and processes
- How to switch from Clearing to Adjustment (and vice versa)
- Step-by-step action plans for both paths
🔍 What Is UCAS Clearing?
Clearing is the UCAS process for students who:
- Didn’t meet the conditions of their firm or insurance choice
- Didn’t receive any offers
- Declined their offers
- Applied after the June deadline
- Changed their mind about their course or location
It runs from 5 July to 20 October each year, but the peak is results day in mid-August.
In Clearing, you:
- Search for available courses on the UCAS Clearing search tool
- Contact universities directly to check vacancies
- Receive verbal or written offers
- Add your choice in UCAS Hub once you’ve decided
Clearing is open to anyone without a confirmed place.
🔍 What Is UCAS Adjustment?
Adjustment is for students who:
- Exceed the conditions of their firm choice offer
- Want to look for a course at a university with higher entry requirements
- Still want to keep their firm choice secure while searching
It’s completely optional and runs from results day until 31 August.
In Adjustment, you:
- Register for Adjustment in UCAS Hub once you see you’ve met and exceeded your firm offer
- Contact universities you’re interested in
- If you find a place you prefer, you can accept it and UCAS will update your application
- If you don’t find anything, you keep your original firm choice automatically
🆚 Key Differences – Adjustment vs Clearing
1. Eligibility
- Clearing: Anyone without a confirmed place
- Adjustment: Only for those who exceed their firm offer requirements
2. Risk
- Clearing: Once you accept a Clearing place, you give up any other offers
- Adjustment: You keep your firm choice until you confirm a new place
3. Purpose
- Clearing: To secure any suitable course if you don’t have a place
- Adjustment: To upgrade to a more competitive course/university without losing your place
4. Timing
- Clearing: July–October (peak in August)
- Adjustment: Results day until 31 August
📌 When to Use UCAS Clearing
Clearing is your route if:
- You missed your firm and insurance offers
- You want to change courses completely (e.g., from Biology to Law)
- You applied late and missed the main cycle
- You declined all your offers and now want a different direction
📌 When to Use UCAS Adjustment
Adjustment is ideal if:
- You beat your predicted grades significantly (e.g., predicted BBB, achieved AAB or higher)
- You’ve been accepted at your firm choice but want to try for a higher-tariff university
- You want the safety net of keeping your firm choice until a new offer is confirmed
📊 Example Scenarios
Scenario 1 – Missed Offer (Clearing)
Sam’s firm offer required AAB. He achieved BBB. His firm and insurance declined him. Sam enters Clearing to look for universities with lower entry requirements for his chosen subject.
Scenario 2 – Exceeded Offer (Adjustment)
Priya’s firm offer required ABB. She achieved AAA. She registers for Adjustment and secures an offer from a Russell Group university with higher requirements.
Scenario 3 – Subject Switch (Clearing)
Liam met his grades for his firm in Physics but realised he wanted to study Architecture. Because this is a subject change, he must release himself and use Clearing.
📝 Step-by-Step – How to Use Clearing
- Check UCAS Hub to confirm your Clearing status
- Search courses using the UCAS Clearing tool (updated in real-time)
- Prepare your details: UCAS ID, results, personal statement, reference
- Call universities directly and ask about vacancies
- Note offers and choose one to add in UCAS Hub
- Accept the offer and prepare for enrolment
📝 Step-by-Step – How to Use Adjustment
- Confirm you exceeded your firm offer in UCAS Hub
- Register for Adjustment (you have 5 days from registration to secure a place)
- Research universities with higher entry requirements in your subject
- Call admissions teams and explain you’re in Adjustment with your grades
- Get an offer and confirm it in UCAS Hub
- If you don’t find a place, keep your original firm choice automatically
💡 Switching Between the Two
- From Clearing to Adjustment: Not possible—Adjustment is only for those who met/exceeded their firm offer.
- From Adjustment to Clearing: Possible if you release yourself from your firm choice (but this is risky—once released, you can’t get it back).
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Using Adjustment without exceeding your offer – you won’t be eligible.
- Rushing into Clearing without checking Adjustment first – if you beat your grades, you could be eligible for better options.
- Giving up your firm place too soon – only do this if you have a confirmed Clearing offer you prefer.
- Not checking course details – both in Clearing and Adjustment, you must ensure the course fits your needs.
📈 Maximising Your Chances
For Clearing:
- Start calling early on results day
- Use both Clearing and Clearing Plus to find opportunities
- Keep an open mind about related courses or foundation years
For Adjustment:
- Shortlist target universities in advance
- Call directly—some universities don’t list Adjustment vacancies publicly
- Be ready to email a tailored personal statement immediately
📌 Quick Comparison Table
Clearing:
- For students without a confirmed place
- Can change subject or location entirely
- Competitive—places fill quickly
Adjustment:
- For students exceeding their firm offer
- Can “trade up” without losing original place
- Runs for a limited 5-day window from registration
🧭 RevisionDojo’s Final Advice
Use Clearing if: you need a place or want a complete change of course/university.
Use Adjustment if: you’ve exceeded your firm offer and want to explore higher-ranked or more competitive options while keeping your original place safe.
On results day, clarity is power. Know your grades, know your options, and act quickly—but never before confirming the path that fits your goals.
