Universities are seeking to stabilise student numbers after a surge over the last two years amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with many students deferring their places. Subsequently, university places are filling up quickly, with this year’s university applications hitting a record high of 320 thousand 18-year-olds who applied for UK universities before the deadline in January. Universities and colleges have responded to the increase in applications by exercising more restraint in their offer-making and increasing entry requirements for many courses. As a result, it has been revealed recently that due to the high levels of competition, 12 elite universities won’t be participating in clearing this summer. Students are being advised to select a university with lower entry requirements as their insurance choice. This will reduce the volume of students trying to find alternative universities through the clearing scheme, reducing the level of competition.
Throughout the pandemic, universities made greater use of promotional recruitment which has resulted in an increase in applicants. Therefore, competition has increased for both universities and students as more interest is made by both parties. Those universities which have filled places quickly this year are therefore not offering clearing. This is disappointing for students, however there are still many universities which have a lot to offer to students. Universities should now turn their attention to advertising their clearing options towards students.
Clearing is how universities fill any places they still have on their courses. Most students who use university clearing are those who missed out on a place at their chosen universities come results day. This system then gives them an opportunity to quickly and easily find alternative universities who are willing to offer them a space. Students can apply for a place on a course using clearing from the 5th July – 18th October 2022. It is recommended that students, for whatever reason, have yet to secure any course offers make the most of clearing earlier in the year, so they are prepared for results day, with 13.6% of all accepted students in 2020 receiving their place through Clearing.
As an education communications platform, we recommend students consider their options now to avoid disappointment on results day. Clearing is a great opportunity to access university courses which still have spaces available for the forthcoming academic year. If a student’s preferences or circumstances have changed, they can still be accommodated. Unfortunately, the selection of universities offering clearing this year are lower. But this also provides advantages to students as some universities will lower the entry requirements for clearing as they are keen to fill spaces. 
At Hecom we offer a free prospectus distribution service to ensure our universities, students and advisors all remain connected. On top of this our schools and colleges list can be used throughout the year to send marketing campaigns, postcard mailings, leaflets, and much more promotional material. As competition for university spaces increases, place your students one step ahead through signing up to receive Hecoms bulk prospectus to prepare students for next year’s university applications.
