A sharp increase in the number of students desiring to study in the UK universities usually apply through the Universities College Admission Service (UCAS) with the additional option like clearing – letting students to apply past several months traditional admission. UCAS experts warned that clearing choice week is going to be extremely busy.

Admission Service predict over 80.000 students rising number this summer, more than previous  year intake on 6.675. Clare Marchant, UCAS chief executive puts on notice that the system is going to be busy.

Due to pandemic situation most of exams were cancelled in England and Scotland and students got their predicted grades which were then moderated using a statistical model designed to ensure consistency. The outcome was not as cheerful as it was expected to be. Nearly quarter of recommended results in Scotland being downgraded. Clearing choice is growing due to the fact that students wait to receive their grades before making choices and universities make more places available, including on 4,516 courses at 17 of the elite Russell Group universities.

Nonetheless, UCAS group created a new way for submitting the applications called clearing plus. Now the system will assist applicants through the special algorithm to match them with available courses with their grades. From July, unplaced applicants are able to sign in to their UCAS account to see a unique list of suggested courses from around 25.000 offers that would suit this student. In theory, it should make the concept of clearing a lot less busy than it was in the days of phoning a helpline.

Besides saving the time, the new sub-system designers believe that it will get the right of entry for a higher education to socially deprived groups. Universities would be able to target their courses towards underprivileged students. It will mean that a university could choose to open a course that would be only for students from the poorest socio-economic backgrounds with particular grades.

As opposed to these great plans, Rachel Hewitt, director of policy and advocacy at the Higher Education Policy Institute, pointed out that this idea would not perfectly suit the admission pattern.  Experts have criticised such typed measures like POLAR system that might ignore other vital characteristics. 

Meanwhile it is too early to evaluate how students will use this tool, but obviously, the system needs updates.  

The London Metropolitan vice-chancellor – Gary Davies, has also mentioned that over 60% of applicants did not go through main admission period they choose universities via clearing.  Many of them have applied directly to the university, by passing the UCAS process entirely. Moreover, vice-chancellors of Sheffield Hallam University, East Anglia, Greenwich and Leeds Beckett noticed that most student created their clearing- choices and enrollment after main UCAS admission because due to it’s less stressful procedure.  

There are other opinions that wary of new or present clearing and that will give all available opportunities for the student that can really mess around with your plans. Even though you have such variety, you need to pay attention, still research these universities and their programs.