Accepting a Clearing offer is an incredible feeling. The stress of results day is over, you have your place confirmed, and now your focus shifts from getting in to getting ready.
But the time between accepting your Clearing offer and starting university is short—sometimes only a few weeks. Missing key steps now can lead to last-minute problems with accommodation, finances, or even enrolment.
In this RevisionDojo guide, we’ll walk you through:
- The exact steps to take immediately after acceptance
- How to secure accommodation quickly
- Updating your student finance application
- Preparing for life at your new university
- Avoiding common post-Clearing mistakes
📝 Step 1: Confirm Your Offer in UCAS Hub
Once a university makes you a Clearing offer, you need to:
- Log in to UCAS Hub
- Go to the “Your Choices” section
- Click “Add Clearing Choice” and enter the course details
- Wait for the university to confirm in UCAS Hub
Tip from RevisionDojo: Do this as soon as you’re certain—it locks in your place and prevents it from going to another student.
🏠 Step 2: Apply for Accommodation Immediately
Accommodation deadlines for Clearing students can be tight. Some universities:
- Guarantee housing if you accept your offer by a certain date (e.g., Northumbria by 17 August)
- Offer first-come, first-served allocation for remaining rooms
- Have partnerships with private halls for late applicants
Action checklist:
- Contact the university accommodation office the same day you accept your offer
- Ask about deadlines for Clearing applicants
- Check private housing or halls if uni accommodation is full
- Join university Facebook groups—students often post available room swaps
💷 Step 3: Update Your Student Finance Application
If your course or university has changed, your Student Finance England (or equivalent) application needs updating.
Steps:
- Log into your student finance account
- Update your university/course details
- Double-check your maintenance loan address for accuracy
- Submit changes immediately—delays can affect when your funds are released
Tip from RevisionDojo: If your term start date is close, phone Student Finance to flag the update for faster processing.
📚 Step 4: Prepare Your Enrolment Documents
Universities require specific documents for enrolment. These can include:
- Passport or birth certificate
- Original exam results
- Proof of student finance application
- Vaccination records (for some healthcare courses)
Action checklist:
- Scan and save digital copies of all key documents
- Keep physical copies in a labelled folder for move-in day
💻 Step 5: Connect With Your New University
Building connections early helps you feel settled before term starts.
- Join official uni social media groups for your course and halls
- Attend any virtual welcome events for Clearing students
- Sign up for newsletters and freshers’ week updates
🎯 Step 6: Plan Your First Few Weeks
Moving to a new city or starting a new course can be overwhelming—planning ahead helps.
Things to prepare:
- Budget for rent, food, and travel
- Travel to campus in advance if possible
- Download a campus map and timetable apps
- Order course-specific materials or equipment
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid After Clearing
- Not checking accommodation availability immediately – spaces go fast
- Forgetting to update student finance – can delay loan payments
- Ignoring course prep emails – may miss early assignments or induction info
- Not confirming offer in UCAS Hub – without this, your place isn’t secure
📌 Clearing Post-Offer Timeline (RevisionDojo)
Day 1:
- Confirm offer in UCAS Hub
- Contact accommodation office
- Update student finance details
Day 2–3:
- Gather and scan enrolment documents
- Join course and accommodation social groups
Week 1:
- Attend any online welcome sessions
- Research course modules and reading list
- Plan budget and move-in date
📊 Case Study – Smooth Transition After Clearing
Name: Chloe, A-levels BBB
Clearing Offer: Business Management at University of East Anglia
Action Plan:
- Confirmed offer at 10 am on results day
- Applied for accommodation by midday, securing a place in university halls
- Updated student finance the same afternoon
- Attended online welcome event the next day
Result:
Arrived at uni two weeks later fully prepared and stress-free.
🧭 RevisionDojo’s Final Advice
Securing your Clearing offer is only the start—you now need to act quickly and methodically to prepare for your university journey.
By following this post-offer checklist, you’ll:
- Secure accommodation without stress
- Ensure your student finance arrives on time
- Start term feeling confident and connected
Clearing gives you a place; what you do next turns it into a successful start to your degree.
