CLEARING

For 2026 entry, UCAS Clearing opens on 2 July 2026. From this date, you can call a university’s Clearing hotline to discover which courses have available places and, if you are eligible, apply through Clearing.

Clearing is a UCAS process that helps you find a place at university if you are not currently holding an offer, have changed your mind, are applying later in the year, or your results were different from what you expected.

It is a normal part of the university admissions cycle and can be a positive opportunity to explore your options, compare courses, and choose the right place for you.

At Lincoln, our Clearing team can talk you through your choices, explain entry requirements, and help you understand your next steps, so you can make a calm, informed decision about your future.

If you’ve accepted a firm choice university already via UCAS you can “self release” into Clearing after you’ve got your results and your firm choice confirms your place. You’ll need to talk to the university where you’ve accepted an offer to ask them to “release” you.

Yes, you can apply to us in Clearing even if you didn’t apply to universities during the main UCAS cycle. If you’ve got your qualifications already, we can help you complete the application now. If you’re waiting for exam results, we can make provisional offers based on predicted grades.

Not at all. Our Unibuddy community is a great way to make friends before you arrive at university. You can join communities based on your chosen course, accommodation, or interests like sports, music, or hobbies.

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Absolutely. We’re very proud of our award-winning student accommodation at the University of Lincoln. Our Accommodation Guarantee means that applicants who apply for accommodation with us by 1 August 2026 are guaranteed an offer of a room in University-managed accommodation.

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No. About one in seven students enrol through clearing and it has no bearing on your experience as a student. It’s simply another admissions route beyond the “main cycle” UCAS process.

Yes, we can be more flexible on entry requirements during Clearing so it’s well worth calling our Clearing Hotline to see if we can make you an offer. It’s a good idea to act quickly since course vacancies can fill up fast. Our advisors can also discuss alternative entry routes available, such as our foundation year programmes, which provide more opportunities for students who might not otherwise meet standard entry requirements.

If you're already a Lincoln applicant and would like to discuss your application or offer, please contact Admissions on 01522 437530.