Direct answer
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) runs UCAS Clearing for September 2026 entry. The official Clearing page confirms that Clearing is open to UK and eligible home applicants who meet specific UCAS criteria. International students are explicitly excluded from Clearing; the international application deadline was Sunday 19 July 2026. The page provides a full step-by-step process, a guaranteed accommodation offer for first-year Preston campus students who apply through Clearing, and a live course vacancy search. All details below are drawn solely from the current official page and require live rechecking for course availability.
Who can use Clearing in 2026
The official page lists five UCAS-defined eligibility scenarios for Clearing 2026:
- You are applying after 30 June 2026 for September 2026 entry.
- You have not received any offers, or none you wanted to accept.
- You have not met the conditions of your offers.
- You have paid the multiple choice application fee.
- You have declined your firm place using the ‘decline my place’ button in your application.
If you hold a firm unconditional place and your grades are better than expected, you can decline that place and release yourself into Clearing from 2 July 2026.
International student restriction
The official page states: “Clearing is not open for international students. Our international application deadline is Sunday 19 July 2026.” No further international Clearing pathway is described. International applicants are directed to the separate international students webpage for 2026 entry information.
How to apply through Clearing
Before you apply
Check whether your chosen course has places available through Clearing. Have your results, personal details and UCAS ID ready. Some courses require an interview; the university will explain the process and schedule if this applies.
Apply online
Complete the online Clearing application form. If successful, you will receive an offer by email within a few minutes. Not all courses are available through the online form because some require an interview. If your course is not listed, you must call.
Apply by phone
Phone lines open at 8am on results day. If you already have your results, you can call from Thursday 2 July 2026 on 01772 830777. Staff will discuss your chosen course and qualifications and may make a preliminary offer during the call. Calls usually last a few minutes.
Accepting your offer
If you applied through UCAS, accept your Clearing offer by going to UCAS Hub, selecting ‘your choices’, clicking ‘add Clearing choice’, and entering the course details from your Clearing offer email. The Admissions Team then reviews the referral and confirms your place. You may need to send evidence of qualifications or results.
Accommodation guarantee
The official page states: “We guarantee accommodation at Preston Campus for all first year students who apply through Clearing.” Once the Admissions Team confirms your place, you can make accommodation arrangements. You will need your University registration number to apply. The Accommodation Team can be contacted on +44 (0) 1772 892529.
UCAS Extra option
UCAS Extra is a free service for applicants who have used all five choices and hold no offers. It allows you to add more choices and potentially secure a place before the Clearing period. The official page directs readers to a separate UCAS Extra page for details.
When Clearing closes
Clearing at the University of Central Lancashire closes during Welcome Week in September 2026. The page notes that most university Clearing deadlines fall before the UCAS deadline, usually around the end of September.
What requires live rechecking
The official page indicates that course availability changes quickly. The online course list and vacancy search are the only sources for live availability. Entry requirements during Clearing can vary; the page encourages calling to explore options and mentions foundation year routes. No fixed Clearing entry requirements are published on this page. The UCAS Points Calculator is available to work out your points total.
FAQ
What is Clearing?
Clearing is for applicants who have received their exam results but do not yet have a confirmed university place. It matches applicants to unfilled places after the main application deadlines have passed.
Can international students apply through Clearing?
No. The official page states: “Clearing is not open for international students.” The international application deadline for 2026 entry was Sunday 19 July 2026.
Will I still be able to apply for accommodation?
Yes. Accommodation is available at all campuses. First-year students who apply through Clearing are guaranteed accommodation at Preston Campus once their place is confirmed.
What if I get better grades than expected?
If you hold a firm unconditional place, you can decline it using the ‘decline my place’ button in your UCAS application and release yourself into Clearing from 2 July 2026.
How can I find my UCAS ID?
Your UCAS ID is a 10-digit number assigned when you apply through UCAS. You can find it in emails from UCAS, especially the first one after account creation, or on your UCAS Hub dashboard.
When will Clearing close in 2026?
Clearing at the University of Central Lancashire closes during Welcome Week in September 2026.
Official sources
The information in this article is drawn entirely from the University of Central Lancashire’s official Clearing page: UCAS Clearing 2026 is Now Open | Apply Here. For broader context on UK education pathways, see our related guides on UK education agencies for international students, recommended agencies for international applicants, Sydney university application intermediaries, and career-focused education in London.