Guidance for Parents and Carers

To help support your child through Clearing, we’ve put together a guide that includes our top Clearing tips for parents and carers.

What is clearing?

Clearing is the way to find a university place if a student has:

  • Changed their mind about what they want to study and where
  • Not got the grades for their firm or insurance offer or has not received any offers
  • Chosen to apply after 30 June

As a parent, you can play an important role in supporting your child through the process. From coming up with a Plan B through to preparing for that milestone moment when they start at university, we’ve got some key tips. 

When does clearing open?

Clearing opens on 5 July 2025. You can see what courses are available via UCAS or view University of Staffordshire vacancies on our website.

If you have any questions, just get in touch with our enquiries team and we’ll be happy to help.

Results day

While this can be a nerve-wracking day, remind your child that there are still plenty of options available to them.

Once they receive their results, have them log in to their UCAS hub to check the status of their offers. It's important that they don't jump to conclusions and assume they've lost their place if they haven't met all the conditions of their offers.

Encourage your child to reach out to the universities they're interested in as soon as possible. Before they make contact, remind them to gather the following information:

  • Results
  • UCAS personal ID number
  • UCAS Clearing ID (found on the UCAS hub if they've had an offer rejected)
  • UCAS Personal Statement
  • CV, if they have one

Also, ask them to prepare a list of questions they might want to ask about the university, their preferred courses, or any aspect of student life like accommodation and support services.

Step-by-step Clearing guide

  1. Be prepared

    Have a back-up plan in case your child’s results aren’t what they expected. What about a slightly different course or taking a foundation year first? Doing research in advance means you can act more quickly on results day. A growing number of students are also waiting until they get their results before considering university – it’s a route for anyone interested in a degree place.

  2. Be ready for results day

    If they already have a UCAS account, you can check if their university application has been accepted. UCAS Track is updated at around 8am on results day (14 August). If they’ve done better than expected or have had second thoughts about where to study, they can also use the "decline my place" button through UCAS to search for a new place in Clearing.

  3. Be supportive and positive

    Remember, it’s their decision and their future. Once they spot a course they are interested in, encourage them to contact the university themselves to discuss it. Before they call, they’ll need their: UCAS ID number, Details of their qualifications (including GCSEs). Your child will get through to our Admissions Team, who can help them explore their options. If they prefer, they can choose to chat with us online or try the offer calculator on our website – and get an instant offer. We make it as straightforward and stress-free as possible.

  4. Ask questions

    Our team is here to help, so ask us as many questions as you want. We can also arrange a chat with an academic or current student. It’s your chance to find out more about a course, other opportunities like placements, and student life.

  5. Accepting an offer

    Once they’ve got an initial offer, they can formally accept it through the UCAS hub. Bear in mind, places tend to fill up quickly.

    Visit UCAS hub

  6. Visit us

    Knowing we’re the right fit for your child is really important. We’d love to meet you and can arrange a campus tour with a student ambassador. You can also come along to our Open Day on 16 August for the full experience – either as an offer holder or before making a final decision.

    Book an Open Day

What happens next?

Now your child has accepted a place on a course through Clearing, it's time to arrange student finance and accommodation (if applicable), and get ready for welcome week.

How to arrange student finance

It’s natural to worry about your child getting into debt. But the student finance system means they can apply for upfront support. If they have already applied for a loan and are changing where they study through Clearing, they should update their details using the student finance log-in.

If they haven’t already been through the student finance process, we recommend they apply now. This will give them the best chance of getting their loan in time for the start of term. Payments are made directly into their bank account in termly instalments.

Accommodation

Campus living is a great way for them to make friends, become more independent and feel like they belong. We offer all students through Clearing a guaranteed room.

View accommodation

 

Move-in weekend

Welcome! We’ve already got lots of things planned to help your child feel right at home here. The main move-in weekend is normally in mid-September. We also offer a quiet move-in if they would prefer to arrive a few days early to get used to the campus.

To help you prepare for the big day, here are five things to bring with you:

  • Sheets, duvet and cover, pillows and pillow cases
  • ID and important documents
  • Stationery, books and any IT such as a laptop
  • Clothes and hangers
  • Personal decorations to make your child feel more at home

 

Settling in

Our ResLife Team is dedicated to helping students feel part of their new community. As well as a packed programme of welcome activities, the team offers support and guidance throughout the academic year.

Our Students’ Union also offers lots of opportunities to meet new people, make friends and get involved in student life. The SU has more than 70 clubs and societies, covering an array of interests. We also have a variety of sports teams.

 

Access to parking

We have parking facilities for students on campus. If they have a car, your child may be eligible for a parking permit to help with costs.

A young female student with blonde hair wearing a grey jumper is chatting and smiling in the lab

Student support

Our student community is a place where everyone matters and where students get all the support they need to succeed.
A male student is sat down chatting with a female advisor in a modern breakout area

Academic support

Whether it’s extra support for neurodiverse students or tips on academic skills, we help students get the most out of their studies.
A male and a female student are smiling and sitting on a bench in front of a hedge near campus on a bright day

Student safety

Our Campus Safety and Security Service makes regular patrols and can be contacted 24/7 if they have any concerns. We also have a CCTV network and a SafeZone app.

And finally...

It's important to reassure your child. Clearing can sometimes carry misconceptions, but there's absolutely no stigma attached to it. When students begin their university studies, no one will know whether they entered through the main cycle or clearing.

If you need any assistance or if we can support you in any way, please feel free to reach out to us.

Get in touch

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