Clearing: A parent’s cheat sheet

Helping your child navigate Results Day and Clearing 2025 with confidence 

Clearing opened on July 5 and runs until October 20, offering prospective students the chance to secure a place at university. Prospective students may include those taking all A-level/T-level/BTEC (or equivalent) qualifications, or adult learners who want to return to education.   

Clearing lines are open: call 0808 196 9129 from 

• August 14: 8am-8pm 
• August 15 : 8am-7pm 
• August 16 & 17 : 9am-4pm 
• August 18-22 : 9am-5pm 
• August 23: 9am-4pm 
• August 26-29: 9am-5pm 
• September 1-October 20 (Mon-Fri): 9am-5pm 

Things you should do 

• Stay Calm and be reassuring 
• Your child will take emotional cues from you. Remind them: “This isn’t the end, it’s a new beginning.” 
• Get Familiar with the process 
• Clearing is how students find a university place if they don’t meet their original offers,  if they’ve changed their minds – either about their choice course or university - , or if they have done better than expected.  

Explore the University of Bradford’s Clearing Community Pass 

This gives students early access to: 

• Webinars and Q&As with staff and students 
• Priority support on results day 
• Help your young person shortlist alternative courses and universities. Understand what they are interested in and career options. Think about location, course content, and support services. 
• Support with being realistic, working with them to have alternative options prepared – whether that is options when they’ve not done as well as hoped, as well as options for if they have done better than expected. 
• If the course they want has an interview as part of the admissions process, research what might be required in the interview.
• Plan for what your role on results day – your young person will need to ring themselves, you can’t do it for them: bradford.ac.uk/clearing 

Have key info ready before the day 

• UCAS ID and UCAS login. 
• Know where and when your young person will collect their results.  
• GCSE certificates 
• Charged phone and laptop 
• If you’re on holiday, make sure you have access to Wi-Fi and phone lines. 
• Snacks and water (it’s a long day!) 

Call Bradford early 

• Lines open at 8am on 14 August 
• Your young person must have their results before calling or applying online. 
• Clearing Hotline: 0808 196 9129 
• (Or +44 1274 236 073 from outside the UK) 
• Use online application form – immediate decision for the majority of courses. 
• Once your young person has their offer, they will need to apply through UCAS Clearing – all the information they need to submit on UCAS will be in the offer email they get sent. 

Ask Questions 

Encourage your young person to speak to academic staff. They can ask about course content, support services, accommodation, and more.  

Visit if You Can 

Bradford offers Clearing Open Days, the next being on August 16 – this are a great way to get a feel for the campus and meet staff and students. 

Celebrate the Journey 

However the day unfolds, your young person is taking a big step toward independence and opportunity. Be proud. 

Some things to avoid and do 

• Don’t panic 
• There are thousands of places available. Many students find a better fit through Clearing. 
• Don’t rush decisions 
• Take time to compare offers. Bradford gives students a few days to accept. 
• Don’t choose based on freebies alone 
• Incentives are nice but the course, support, and future prospects matter more. 
• Don’t assume it’s too late 
• Even if your young person changes their mind after accepting a place, they can still use Clearing to apply for alternative courses or universities. 
• Do make sure your young person keeps an eye on their emails – these will be the main way universities send out information. 
• Don’t forget to breathe 
• This is a big moment but it’s just one step in a much bigger journey. And Bradford is here to support you every step of the way.