Guide to applying

What is UCAS Clearing

UCAS Clearing is the process which allows applicants who don’t yet have a place, to apply for university. This year Clearing applications are open from 5 July 2025.

Clearing is available to all applicants, both UK and International. This includes anyone who has already made a UCAS undergraduate application but does not hold any offers.

Please be aware, Clearing applicants cannot defer their place at UAL and must start their course in 2025. All applications must be for year 1 entry only. We are not accepting applications for year 2 or year 3 entry onto any course.

Applying through Clearing: UK applicants*

Step 1

Check the course page on the UAL website for specific entry requirements and whether you'll need to provide a portfolio.

Step 2

Once you’ve chosen your course, you must complete a self-apply form. The link to this form will be available on our clearing course web pages from 5 July 2025. You should not refer yourself via UCAS Hub at this point.

Step 3

As part of the self-application process, some courses will require you to provide a digital portfolio or us to view your work. The Clearing application form will ask you to provide a link to your portfolio where this is required. Please only supply one URL during the self-application process. This must take us to a site which isn't password protected and doesn't have a download expiry.

Step 4

After submitting your self-apply form, you may receive a provisional offer from our Admissions team via email.

We expect people who apply through Clearing to have completed and obtained their qualifications (for example, A levels or other high school qualifications), and may require proof of these before making an offer.

We will then ask you to add your course onto UCAS Hub. Your offer email will tell you how to do this. If you haven’t already made a UCAS application this year, you’ll need to register your details and make an application on the UCAS website.

If the course we offer you has closed to new Clearing applications, you can only add it as a Clearing choice by entering the course code given in your offer email.

Step 5

Once your offer has been confirmed via UCAS Hub, you’ll receive information from us via email after 17 August about enrolment and starting your course.

*UK applicant refers to applicants who do not require a student visa to study in the UK.

Applying through Clearing: International applicants**

We are no longer accepting applications from international students for 2025/26 entry. Applications for 2026/27 entry will open in Autumn 2025.

** International applicant refers to applicants who require a student visa to study in the UK.

How to contact us during Clearing

From A-level results day, you don’t need to call us directly if you would like to apply to UAL. Just follow the step-by-step guide on this page to submit your application.

If you would like to speak to someone during this time for advice and support, call the Clearing hotline number which will be available on our website from Thursday 14 August. You can also speak to us via Live Chat which you’ll find on our Clearing web page.

If you want to get in touch directly with our Admissions team at any point regarding your application, you can do so via your UAL Portal.

BA (Hons) Graphic Design, Camberwell College of Arts © Alys Tomlinson

Find a course

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Marion Bisserier sketchbook during her internship at Pentagram, 2019, © Alys Tomlinson

Term dates 2025/26

View UAL's standard term dates.
Wall installation by Jasmin Aldridge, Wimbledon College of Art

UCAS Clearing guidance

For more information about Clearing, visit the UCAS website.