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Clearing FAQs

Whether you’re just beginning your university journey or rethinking your choices, now’s the time to research, plan, and consider your options.

If you are considering clearing, we know you may have some questions. Please explore some of the FAQs below.

We also have dedicated pages about preparing to join us after confirming your place and information for current Offer Holders ahead of results day.

APPLYING THROUGH CLEARING

If you have all your results, when Clearing opens on 5th July, you can use our NU Clearing form to find out if you we are able to make you an offer. This form will be available to complete from 5th July. 

If we can make you an offer, we’ll provide information to help you add your Clearing choice to formalise it through UCAS.  

Watch our short video above for step-by-step guidance on applying through Clearing and read our full breakdown of the UCAS Clearing application process.

If you were previously interviewed for a course during the main cycle and were not successful at your interview, you can reapply for the same course via Clearing, providing you meet the academic requirements. You will be required to attend a new online interview. 

Yes, you can reapply for a course you have previously declined, provided you meet the Clearing entry requirements.  

Yes, you can reapply, and you would not have to be interviewed again if you previously passed your interview in this cycle. You will need to meet the clearing entry requirements for the programme.

If you were previously unsuccessful at interview you can reapply, if you meet the academic criteria but you will need to attend an online interview again.

Yes, if our top up degree programmes have vacancies you will be able to apply via Clearing. These courses do not accept tariff points. You will typically need a HND/Foundation Degree for a top course and evidence of previous degree level study for advanced entry.

Through UCAS Clearing, you can apply for only one course at a time. If your first choice is unsuccessful, you can then apply for another. While you can explore various courses and universities during Clearing, you will only have one active application.  

At Northumbria, we recommend you use our NU Clearing Form (available from July 5th) before applying through UCAS as we will be able to tell you if we are able to make you an offer.  

If you have used all five choices on your application and are not holding any offers, you could still find a place through up until the 4th July. 


CALLING THE HOTLINE

Whenever you call Northumbria’s clearing hotline, you will be speaking to Northumbria staff based in Newcastle.  

Our staff work year-round in a multitude of areas across the University and many of them have even studied here too. We’ll be the best people to ask questions if you have any. 

Clearing finishes when the University spaces are all filled. This can be different for every University but is typically in September or October. 

We take data privacy very seriously so when discussing your details, we need to hear from you. If you provide consent beforehand (or have a nominated contact listed on your UCAS form), we can speak to others on your behalf, however you may be required to confirm any personal details throughout the call. 

If you are unable to call, you can use our online clearing referral form to apply for a place. Alternatively, you can provide consent in advance, via email, to allow us to discuss your clearing application with a nominated contact. You can do this at ad.applicantservices@northumbria.ac.uk.


QUALIFICATIONS AND EXAM RESULTS

We accept all Level 3 Qualifications that carry UCAS tariff points. Find out more in our UCAS Tariff Points guide or on UCAS.com.

If the qualification does not carry tariff points, we may still be able to consider you for a place, depending on what the qualification is. This may be, for example, an international qualification, international A Levels, or equivalent. Please contact us for more information - our team can review them and let you know if they are acceptable.

From 5th July, you can use our NU Clearing form to provide details and upload copies of your qualifications.  If we can make you an offer, we’ll provide information to help you add your Clearing choice to formalise it through UCAS.

You will need to contact your school or college to make any arrangements in relation to finding out what results you have obtained; the university cannot give you these.  

If you need to apply for a course via clearing and are unable to call the hotline due to being on holiday, you can also use our online clearing form to apply for a place.

This will depend on the course you are applying for and the other qualifications you hold. We would recommend you contact us to discuss your options.

This will depend on your previous qualifications, the course you are applying for and what industry experience you have obtained. In these circumstances, we recommend that you email the admissions team in advance, detailing the industry experience you have. You can do this at ad.applicantservices@northumbria.ac.uk.


STUDENT SUPPORT AND FINANCE

If you accept a place at university through Clearing, you will need to sign into your student finance account and let them know of any changes. 

You can do this even before UCAS updates.

Once you make the necessary changes, it can take 6 to 8 weeks for the Student Loan Company to process and apply them to your entitlement. 

If your course starts before this, they may be able to award you the minimum Maintenance Loan amount before the course begins. 

When your full entitlement is calculated, you should begin to receive the difference right away. 

If your course and/or university will be different from those you entered on your Student Finance application, you should update your student finance account online at as soon as you accept the new offer. 

On your Student Finance England account, you should see a “make changes to your application”. Alternatively, you can phone your funding provider to discuss any queries.

To apply for Student Finance, you will need to submit your details and documents. This includes a form of identification, proof of household income, and more. 

For more information:  

Northumbria University has partnered with Blackbullion, which is a practical, financial education platform to help you: 

  • Develop your money skills and confidence 
  • Maximise your opportunities 
  • Start growing your financial wellbeing 

Create your to access the resources and ensure you select that you are applying to study at Northumbria University. 

We have a special guide dedicated to safe financing as a student, including information about avoiding student loan scams.

Similarly, if you would like to start learning about budgeting and staying on top of your student finances, read our helpful guide.

Once Clearing begins and you have accepted your place, we recommend that you register with our Student Accessibility Team as soon as possible. Some support mechanisms require assessments and equipment which can take time to process. Therefore, it is important that you register with the team early and maintain contact with your funding body and Accessibility Adviser, and respond quickly to requests during the process.


If your circumstances have changed but you have already registered yourself with our student support services, you will need to let your accessibility advisor and funding body know as soon as possible.


ACCOMMODATION

Once the clearing hotline opens, the accommodation team will start allocating rooms and aim to get offers out to students as soon as possible.   

We have lots of useful information available on the accommodation website, such as photo’s and 360 videos. Please take a moment to explore student accommodation options on our website. Please note that your ability to view the accommodation will depend on availability, but we will endeavour to accommodate your request where possible. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your options, feel free to call us on 0191 227 4201.  

No, your booking should still be on your account however if you get an email to say that your booking has been released, then please get in touch with us straight away on 0191 227 4201

If you've been sent an offer, you can complete your booking online via your student portal under the accommodation section.

We don’t take a deposit, however we do require a £250 advanced rent payment to secure your accommodation.This payment is deducted from your first rent installment upon moving into your accommodation. 

No but if you get an email from the accommodation team to say differently, please give them a call on 0191 227 4201 straight away.


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