UCAS Clearing - Nursing
Applying through clearing to study Nursing
Clearing is the UCAS process of matching universities with course vacancies to students without university places. You’ll be automatically entered for Clearing if you applied for university after 30th June 2024, weren’t made any offers, didn’t meet the requirements for your offers, or haven’t yet applied for university.
The Clearing process moves quickly, most course vacancies are filled within the first week of Clearing being officially open, so you’ll need to be prepared to ensure you get a place.
This year Clearing officially opens on A Level results day, 15th August 2024, and closes on 17th October 2024. This gives you just over a month to find a university place, accept their offer, and prepare to start at university.
If you’re applying to study a Nursing degree then you may be asked to attend an interview and/or selection day, possibly at short notice, so you should be prepared to visit the university.
As well as applying through Clearing it may also be worth contacting a university directly to ask about course vacancies, particularly if it’s your top choice. Remember to have your personal statement, exam results, and UCAS information to hand before you call so you can tell the admissions staff as much as possible.
Nursing is a relatively competitive course option for Clearing because students who have failed to get on medicine-based courses such as Midwifery often use Nursing as a backup subject choice.
Being prepared and knowing how to demonstrate your passion and knowledge for nursing in a clear, calm way will give you the upper hand over other applicants. Give the admissions staff all the information they need and make sure you can answer the questions “Why do you want to study Nursing?” and “Why do you want to study at this university?”
If you don’t get a place this year then don’t feel disheartened. You’re bound to be disappointed but the extra year gives you the chance to improve your application. This could mean resitting your exams, undertaking a work experience placement in a hospital, or looking for other volunteering opportunities.
