Every August, thousands of students find themselves facing an unexpected twist on A-level results day. Some miss their offers, some change their minds about their course, and others discover new opportunities they hadn’t considered before.
UCAS Clearing is often seen as a last resort, but in reality, it’s also a fast-track to success. Many students use Clearing to land better courses, more suitable locations, or even higher-ranked universities than their original choices.
In this in-depth RevisionDojo feature, we share inspiring case studies from recent Clearing cycles, unpack what made them successful, and highlight the key lessons you can apply to your own Clearing journey.
🌟 Case Study 1: From Missed Medicine to a Thriving Chemistry Degree
Name: Jay (A-levels: ABB)
Original Plan: Medicine at a high-tariff university
Results Day Reality: Missed offer by one grade in Chemistry
Jay’s dream of studying medicine seemed over—until he realised his passion for science could take another form. He found a Chemistry course with strong biomedical links through Clearing.
What Worked:
- Quick subject pivot: He identified chemistry as his strongest A-level and used it as the basis for a new plan.
- Targeted research: In under an hour, he found universities with excellent postgraduate links to medical research.
- Confident calling: He explained his interest in chemistry’s medical applications, impressing admissions tutors.
Outcome:
Accepted at the University of York, thriving in a course aligned to his original medical ambitions, with plans for postgraduate medicine after his degree.
Lesson: Clearing can be a detour, not a dead-end—look for degrees that keep your long-term goals alive.
🌟 Case Study 2: Trading Up to a Russell Group University via Clearing
Name: Emily (A-levels: AAB)
Original Plan: Law at a mid-ranked university
Results Day Reality: Exceeded predicted grades
Emily had her firm offer secured—but she wanted more. She used UCAS Adjustment and Clearing listings to target Russell Group universities.
What Worked:
- Fast decision-making: She released herself from her original place after securing interest from her target university.
- Direct contact: She phoned the law department directly rather than going through general Clearing lines.
- Prepared documents: She had her UCAS ID, results, and a tailored personal statement ready to email immediately.
Outcome:
Secured an offer at the University of Exeter within three hours of receiving results.
Lesson: If you beat your grades, you can use Clearing to level up—not just to recover from missed offers.
🌟 Case Study 3: International Student Finds UK Place in 24 Hours
Name: Farah (IB Diploma: 34 points)
Original Plan: Business Administration in Canada
Results Day Reality: Visa delays made her Canadian plan impossible
Farah used Clearing to find a UK alternative quickly.
What Worked:
- Proactive international outreach: She called universities directly, even those without official Clearing vacancies listed for international students.
- Flexibility: She was open to similar courses like International Management.
- Immediate follow-up: After calls, she emailed scanned documents to admissions the same day.
Outcome:
Offered a place at Northumbria University with a start date in September.
Lesson: International students can use Clearing to bypass delays and still start in the same academic year.
🌟 Case Study 4: Switching Subjects Completely – From Physics to Architecture
Name: Marcus (A-levels: AAB)
Original Plan: Physics at a high-tariff university
Results Day Reality: Lost interest in the course before results came
Marcus decided to follow his creative instincts and move into Architecture.
What Worked:
- Portfolio preparation: He quickly compiled a portfolio of school projects and sketches.
- Direct departmental contact: Spoke to the head of admissions in the architecture department rather than a general operator.
- Tailored statement: Adapted his personal statement in one hour to link physics problem-solving with design creativity.
Outcome:
Clearing offer from the University of the Arts London, where he’s now thriving.
Lesson: Clearing is perfect for career and subject switches—if you prepare a fast, relevant application.
🌟 Case Study 5: Overcoming Nerves to Secure a Competitive Spot in Psychology
Name: Holly (A-levels: BBB)
Original Plan: Psychology at her firm choice
Results Day Reality: Missed entry requirements by one grade
What Worked:
- Morning resilience: Took a 15-minute break after seeing results before making calls, to stay calm.
- Volume approach: Called eight universities by noon.
- Focus on strengths: Highlighted relevant volunteering at a mental health charity in every call.
Outcome:
Offer from the University of East Anglia within hours.
Lesson: Don’t let one setback stop you—energy, persistence, and a strong talking point can win over admissions teams.
📈 Key Themes in Clearing Success
Across these stories, a few patterns emerge:
1. Speed
Successful students made calls and sent statements early in the day, while places were still available.
2. Preparation
They had grades, UCAS IDs, and personal statements ready to go—often in a printed or one-page format.
3. Flexibility
They stayed open to related courses, different locations, and alternative entry routes.
4. Direct Communication
They contacted course departments directly whenever possible, not just general Clearing lines.
5. Positivity
They framed Clearing as an opportunity, not a setback—something admissions staff notice immediately.
📌 How to Turn These Lessons into Your Own Success
Step 1:
Print a one-page call sheet with your UCAS ID, grades, and 3–5 course choices.
Step 2:
Prepare a 30-second “why this course” pitch.
Step 3:
Start calling from 8:30 am onwards, aiming to speak to 5–8 universities before midday.
Step 4:
Have a tailored personal statement ready to send in under 1 hour.
Step 5:
If you get a positive response, confirm deadlines and conditions before adding the choice in UCAS Hub.
💬 Mini Success Quotes from Students
- “Clearing gave me a better course at a better uni—I wish I’d known how flexible it could be.” – Jake, Law student
- “It felt like speed-dating for universities, but I got my perfect match by lunchtime.” – Priya, Business student
- “Being prepared turned panic into confidence. I had my offer by 11 am.” – Alex, Engineering student
🧭 RevisionDojo’s Final Advice on Clearing Success
Clearing isn’t just a safety net—it’s a second launchpad.
The students who thrive:
- Act quickly but not recklessly
- Keep documents and statements ready
- Show enthusiasm in every conversation
- Follow up promptly on any interest
On results day, your attitude is as important as your grades. Approach Clearing with energy, preparation, and a willingness to adapt—and you could end the day with a better outcome than you ever expected.
