Young person and parents talking to UEA staff

Clearing for parents and carers

How to support your young person through Clearing

Welcome to Clearing 2026

As Clearing approaches, your young person may need some extra help and advice to decide what to do. We're here to help them, and to help you too.

Clearing offers lots of opportunities and you can help by researching the Clearing process and how it all works, so you're there for them if they find themselves in Clearing. We've got lots of information for you, as a parent or carer, to absorb to help you understand the process - have a read through our FAQ's to see what we get asked most.

Quick links:

How to help prepare for Results Day

Watch our video to hear from Rachel, a parent to three young people at post-18 level. Hear about what Clearing is and when applicants might use it. Rachel has shared her knowledge and top tips of what you can be doing as a parent during this time. Hear about everything from easing stress to practical things to consider.

Step-by-step guide

Clearing is the last stage of the UCAS application cycle and offers lots of opportunities for those who are looking to start university in 2026. Clearing allows your young person to apply and secure a place at university once they receive their exam results if they’re not already holding an offer, and the course still has places.

See how the Clearing process works

Business students working together in the seminar session in Thomas Paine Study Center

Supporting your young person

There are many ways you can support your young person during this stressful time. This can include making yourself available if they want to talk through things with you, reassuring them that they can still make the best of the situation, knowing how Clearing works, and helping them to research courses and universities, so they are able to make a clear and informed decision.

Clearing at UEA officially opens Thursday 2 July and closes Sunday 19 October 2026. It’s important that your young person submits their application before the closing date to have a chance at securing a place, so you can support them by encouraging them to make sure they’re organised and don’t miss out on these opportunities.

Remember, this can be a stressful time for both you and your young person but try not to panic and have a clear plan before diving into the Clearing process!

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Assisting with a Clearing application

So, how can you help your young person build a strong Clearing application?

Some of the ways you can do this include encouraging them to prepare application materials in advance including relevant supporting documents and reliable references. If your young person has previously applied through UCAS, then they will already have a personal statement, but if they haven’t and would now like to apply through Clearing, they will need to write a personal statement for their application.

By submitting their Clearing application as early as possible, your young person will increase their chances of securing a place on their preferred course. This will also give them time to consider alternative options and make a back-up plan if there are no places on the course they are interested in.

Economics Employability Event took place at the Elizabeth Fry on 12 March 2025

Clearing resources for parents and carers

There’s lots more information about Clearing out there to help you, as a parent or carer, absorb and understand the process - you can check out our FAQ's to see what we get asked most. You can also check out the UCAS Clearing Guide for Parents for more guidance on the process and supporting someone in Clearing.

What parents want from universities and how UEA can help

Going to university is a major life milestone for anyone, but it doesn’t just impact the lifestyle of the student – it also represents a significant change for their families.

It’s therefore unsurprising that so many parents and carers are involved in the decision-making process when a child is choosing which universities to apply to.

With this in mind, we surveyed 1,000 parents and carers of children aged 16–18 from across the UK to discover what exactly would reassure them the most about their child’s choice of university.

Find out more