When does Clearing open and other FAQs

We accept Clearing applications from 1 July. Browse courses with Clearing vacancies

If you haven't already applied to university, you can apply directly to ARU from 1 July onwards.

If you have already applied to university through UCAS, you can still apply to ARU from 1 July and we may make you an offer. However, you'll only be able to update your UCAS Track account from 5 July. That's the date that UCAS officially switches to Clearing.

There is no official closing date for Clearing. In many cases you can apply from July through to September, when the new university year starts. However, some courses may fill up before September, so we usually recommend applying earlier if you can.

You're eligible to apply through Clearing if you:

• are late applying – perhaps you decided to go to university after the UCAS application date had passed
• you've received your results but didn't quite get the grades you expected
• you took exams some time ago and want to return to education
• you applied to other universities but have changed your mind about where you want to study – staying closer to home might work best for you.

We accept applications from 1 July. Browse courses with Clearing vacancies and apply online.

Not everyone has to apply through UCAS or have a UCAS Track account.

You might be applying through Clearing because you decided to go to university after the UCAS application date had passed. Or perhaps you took your exams a few years ago and want to return to education. That's fine. Once Clearing opens, you can apply directly to your chosen university. You won't need to set up a UCAS account.

Once you know your grades, our Clearing advisers will be on hand to give you some guidance. Give us a call on 01245 686868, email answers@aru.ac.uk or speak to us on live chat.

Yes, this could be an option for you.

You're eligible for Adjustment if you've obtained better grades than expected, and so meet and exceed the conditions of your firm choice offer. Adjustment gives you a chance to reconsider where and what to study, while still holding your confirmed place. If you register for Adjustment, but don’t find an alternative course, you'll remain placed at your original firm choice university.

We've all been affected by the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown, but please be reassured that we have already started returning to face-to-face tuition, supported by online technologies.

Find out more about studying on our safe and inclusive campuses.

We'll send you a formal offer email. Once you get this email, you can do one of two things:

• if you've applied to university through UCAS, you'll have 24 hours to refer yourself to us via your UCAS Track account
• if you haven't applied through UCAS, simply follow the instructions in the offer email we send to you.

If you're waiting to be released into Clearing and are concerned that you will miss the deadline that you have been given by us, just let us know and we'll extend the deadline.

As your offer is being processed you may receive a text message confirmation from us as well as an email. If you don't receive a text message please don't worry, your provisional or confirmed offer still applies.

Check your spam/junk folder. Sometimes our emails get caught up in there.

UCAS updates the information on its system twice a day, so it may take some time to see any changes on Track.

If you're waiting to be released in to Clearing by your firm (first) choice university, this process can take a few days depending on how far through the individual university's processes you have got. For example, if you have already registered it will take longer than if you've only just accepted your offer.

If you're concerned that you will miss the deadline we've given you, just let us know. We'll be able to extend the deadline.

If you haven't applied through UCAS, please follow the instructions in the offer email that we send you.

If you’ve accepted your offer, you'll get a welcome email from us at the beginning of August with your student ID number and details on how to officially register as an ARU student. You'll register using a system called e:Vision.

If you've applied for a social care or health course, we may still be processing your Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or occupational health checks. This should take no longer than a week, but does depend on how quickly you respond to our communications. In the meantime, keep an eye on your email (including spam/junk folder). Visit our Disclosure and Barring page for more information.

You’ll get your timetable four to five working days after registering. You can access it through e:Vision or the ARU app, which you can download from iTunes or Google Play once you've registered as a student .

Yes, we welcome your application. You can apply online, directly to us, from 1 July: browse courses with Clearing vacancies.

Simply indicate on the application form that you're applying for admission with prior learning, and let us know which year you'd like to join (for example, Year 2).

When we're reviewing your application, we'll ask to see a transcript from your current university or college. This is a record of the modules you've studied so far and the grades you've achieved. You can apply first and send the transcript to us later; we'll email you to ask for a copy.

Our BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science, BSc Hons) Medical Science and BOptom (Hons) Optometry courses are all potential routes into studying a degree in Medicine.

You'll need to complete your first year to an exceptionally high standard, before applying to transfer to Year 1 of our MBChB Medicine in Chelmsford. We encourage your interest in medicine but ask you to note that places are limited and cannot be guaranteed.

Contact the admissions team that's handling your application – details should be in your offer letter.

We can’t accept deferred applicants through Clearing. Please contact us on 01245 686868 and we’ll be happy to discuss your options.

During Clearing, you'll find an up-to-the-minute list of courses with Clearing vacancies on our website.

We have a wide variety of courses on offer at ARU. See our full list of courses with Clearing vacancies.

If you're interested in a course offered at ARU London, University Centre Peterborough, University Centre West Anglia or the London School of Osteopathy, please contact them directly.

• ARU London london.aru.ac.uk
• University Centre Peterborough www.ucp.ac.uk
• University Centre West Anglia www.ucwa.ac.uk
• London School of Osteopathy lso.ac.uk

Visit our dedicated web page for information about tuition fees and how to apply for a student loan. There's also information about additional grants and allowances.

You can still make your application after the deadline, but payment of your loan may not begin before you start your course. Please contact us for advice if this will cause hardship for you. Call 01245 686868 or email answers@aru.ac.uk.

Visit our Help with finances page to find out more about scholarships. We offer a number of scholarships and bursaries to UK and international students.

Our ARU Bursary is for UK and eligible EU students who have an annual household income of £42,875 or less. It's worth up to £300 each year. There's no need to apply, you'll automatically receive this bursary if you meet the eligibility criteria.

You can apply online but before applying, take a look at our accommodation options, and frequently asked questions about who can apply and when.

If you have any questions, our Residential Service Team is here to help. Call 01223 698900 or email cambaccomm@anglia.ac.uk (if you'll be studying in Cambridge); call 01245 683110 or email essexaccomm@anglia.ac.uk (if you'll be studying in Chelmsford).

You can find all the information you need on our Paying for your accommodation page.

You should receive these dates after you apply for accommodation, in your accommodation offer letter. Soon you’ll be asked to complete our online induction for new students, which gives you more specific information.

Yes. Our House Hunting Team can answer all your questions, and help you find the right place to live.

You can email househunting@anglia.ac.uk or call 01223 695123 (if you'll be studying in Cambridge) or 01245 683180 (if you'll be studying in Chelmsford). Our private rented accommodation page has some handy hints and tips, too.

As we have campuses in three cities, we've traditionally offered more student places than other universities in the region.

There are lots of reasons to study with us:

• our students rate their experience with us highly
• our courses are recognised by industry, with a large number being professionally accredited
• many of our undergraduate degrees offer a placement year, so you can gain valuable work experience and make industry contacts
• there's a spirit of enterprise across the University, with loads of support on offer if you've got a brilliant business idea
• we’ve invested £115 million in our world-class facilities over the past five years
• we're ranked as one of the top ten universities in the country for the proportion of UK undergraduates in employment 15 months after graduating.