UCAS Clearing - Medicine
Applying through clearing to study medicine
Just in case you’re not sure Clearing is the UCAS process of matching students without university places to universities with course vacancies. You’ll be entered for Clearing if you meet any of the following criteria:
- You applied for university after 30 June 2024
- You didn’t meet the requirements set by your firm and insurance choices
- You haven’t yet applied for university
- You weren’t made any offers
Clearing officially opens on A Level results day, 15 August 2024, and closes on the 17 October 2024. This gives you little over a month to find a place at university and prepare to start the next step in your education.
Competition for course vacancies during Clearing is pretty fierce, and places are usually filled within the first week, so you’ll need to be organised and get on the phone as soon as you get your results.
If you’re applying to take Medicine then competition can be even harder as there are very few vacancies available in comparison to other subjects. For example, 10,000 medical places were given out last year and only 100 of those were gained through Clearing.
Most medical schools only accept students who have already applied to their university so it might be worth accepting your insurance choice. You’ll also need to attend an interview and possibly an assessment so it’s important to stay focussed during the Clearing process.
Medical schools are also notoriously strict when it comes to prospective students who have narrowly missed out on the required entry grades. If you don’t get the grades you need it’s still worth phoning the university, particularly if there are exceptional circumstances involved.
Don’t despair if you miss out on a place at university this year, you could find the extra time you’ve been given very useful. Taking a year out gives you a valuable opportunity to travel, work, boost your grades, and enhance your personal statement.
Look into volunteering vacancies or work experience at your local hospital as this could give you the edge when you reapply to study Medicine at your dream university next year.
