| Updated On - Sep 16, 2026
The UCAS Clearing 2026 application deadline is 24 September 2026 at 6pm UK time. This is the final date UCAS accepts a brand-new 2026 entry application. Students who already hold a UCAS application can still add a Clearing choice until 19 October 2026. After that, 2026 entry closes and the next route is the 2027 cycle.
- Indian applicants face a tighter practical deadline than UK students, because of visa and CAS letter timelines.
- Clearing is open to anyone without a confirmed place, not only students who missed their grades.
- Missing both cut-offs does not end the plan, it shifts the target to the next intake cycle.
UCAS data shows Indian students secured 4,770 UK university places through Clearing in 2024, part of more than 50,000 international placements that year. For anyone without a confirmed UK offer right now, the next few weeks decide whether September 2026 or a later intake is realistic.
Also check,
UCAS Clearing 2026 Key Dates and Deadlines
UCAS Clearing 2026 runs from 2 July to 19 October 2026, with the busiest window around A-level results day. UCAS opens Clearing to applicants without a confirmed place, then keeps adding vacancies as results come in.
Over 23,000 courses typically carry Clearing vacancies at UK universities. Top universities in the UK across the Russell Group and beyond take part every year, so Clearing is not limited to lower-ranked courses.
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| UCAS Extra closes | 1 July 2026 |
| Clearing opens | 2 July 2026 |
| A-level results day (UK students enter Clearing) | 13 August 2026 |
| Final deadline to submit a new 2026 application | 24 September 2026, 6pm UK time |
| Last date to add a Clearing choice | 19 October 2026 |
Key Insight: the 24 September date is for a fresh application. The 19 October date only helps someone who already has a UCAS application on file and needs to swap or add a choice.
Also check: How to Apply With UCAS in 2027? A Complete Guide
Why the Real Deadline Is Earlier for Indian Students
For Indian students, the practical UCAS Clearing 2026 deadline sits closer to mid-August, not 24 September. A confirmed place still needs a CAS, a visa and travel arranged before classes start in late September.
CBSE, ICSE and most state board results come out in May or June. This gives Indian applicants a head start over UK students, who wait for A-level results on 13 August before they can enter Clearing at all.
- A Clearing place confirmed by mid-August leaves room for the CAS, visa filing and travel booking.
- A place confirmed after mid-August pushes the visa timeline close to the course start date.
- Universities can still issue a CAS after 24 September, but a tighter turnaround raises the risk of delay.
Also check:
How to Apply Through UCAS Clearing 2026
Applying through UCAS Clearing 2026 means finding a course with a vacancy, calling the university, then adding it as a Clearing choice in the UCAS Hub. The steps stay the same for domestic and international applicants.
Clearing is open to a defined set of situations, not just students who missed their grades:
- No offers came through from the original five choices.
- All offers were declined or rejected on grades.
- The application was submitted after 30 June 2026.
- Self-release is used to swap a confirmed place for a different course.
The practical steps are straightforward once eligibility is confirmed:
- Check the Clearing button on the UCAS Hub to confirm eligibility.
- Search live vacancies and shortlist two or three realistic courses.
- Call the university admissions line to get an informal offer over the phone.
- Add the course as a Clearing choice in the Hub once the offer is confirmed.
International applicants may need extra documents, such as transcripts or an English test score, uploaded to the application at this stage.
Also check: UK Student Visa 2026 Requirements
UCAS Clearing 2026 Fees and Visa Costs
A UCAS Clearing 2026 application costs £28.95, and the UK Student visa on top of it costs £558 plus £776 a year in health surcharge. Budgeting for both early avoids a scramble once a Clearing offer comes through.
| Cost Item | Amount (GBP) | Amount (INR, approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| UCAS application (2026 cycle) | £28.95 | INR 3,700 |
| Student visa application fee | £558 | INR 71,400 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge, per year | £776 | INR 99,300 |
| Priority visa decision (optional) | £500 | INR 64,000 |
Key Insight: the UK Home Office has confirmed higher maintenance fund amounts for visa filings made on or after 3 November 2026, mainly relevant to the January 2027 intake rather than students confirming a place now.
UCAS Clearing 2026 gives Indian applicants a real, time-bound window to secure a UK university place for this September. The 24 September date closes new applications, and 19 October closes the door on adding a choice. Acting before mid-August protects the visa timeline that most Indian families actually need to hit. Missing both dates is not the end of the plan, it simply shifts the target to the 2027 cycle. Either way, the earlier the research starts, the more choice stays on the table.
FAQs
Ques. What is the last date to apply for UCAS Clearing 2026?
Ans. 24 September 2026 at 6pm UK time is the final date to submit a brand new application for 2026 entry through Clearing. Applications made after this time are not accepted for 2026 entry.
Ques. Can I add a Clearing choice after 24 September 2026?
Ans. Yes, but only if an application is already in the UCAS system. Existing applicants can add or change a Clearing choice until 19 October 2026.
Ques. What is UCAS Clearing?
Ans. UCAS Clearing matches applicants without a confirmed university place to courses that still have vacancies. It runs alongside the main cycle from July to October each year.
Ques. How many Indian students got a UK university place through Clearing?
Ans. 4,770 Indian students secured a place through Clearing in 2024, according to UCAS data. Over 50,000 international students used Clearing that year in total.
Ques. Is Clearing only for students who missed their grades?
Ans. No. Clearing also covers students who applied late, declined their offers, or want to switch courses. Missed grades are only one of several eligible situations.
Ques. How much does UCAS Clearing cost to apply?
Ans. The 2026 cycle UCAS fee is £28.95 for up to five choices, and this covers Clearing at no extra cost if already paid earlier in the cycle.
Ques. How long does a UK student visa take from India?
Ans. Standard processing takes about three weeks. Priority service at an extra cost gives a decision in five working days.
Ques. Can international students use UCAS Clearing?
Ans. Yes. International students, including those from India, can use Clearing the same way as UK students, though some universities run extra checks for visa eligibility.
Ques. What documents do Indian students need to apply through Clearing?
Ans. Board mark sheets, an English test score such as IELTS, a passport and, later, CAS and financial documents for the visa are typically required.
Ques. Is UCAS Clearing different from UCAS Extra?
Ans. Yes. Extra allows one choice at a time between February and July, while Clearing allows broader searching from July to October once results are out.
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