UCAS Adjustment: A Step-by-Step Guide

Got results that smashed your expectations? Congratulations! Now you're probably wondering if you can aim higher.

If you've exceeded your firm offer grades, you might be thinking about UCAS Adjustment. Here's everything you need to know about what happened to it and what you can do now.

What Is UCAS Adjustment?

UCAS Adjustment was a brilliant service that let students "trade up" to better universities.

If you met and exceeded your firm offer conditions, Adjustment gave you five days to shop around for higher-ranking courses. You could explore better options without losing your original place.

It’s like having a safety net while you reached for something better.

But here's the crucial bit: (opens in a new tab)UCAS Adjustment was discontinued from 2022 entry onwards (opens in a new tab). It no longer exists.

What Replaced UCAS Adjustment?

Don't panic! UCAS didn't leave you hanging.

The new Clearing process is actually more flexible and student-friendly (opens in a new tab) than Adjustment ever was.

Now, if you smash your predicted grades, you can still explore other offers through Clearing. The best part? You don't have to decline your firm place until you've been accepted elsewhere.

This removes the biggest risk that Adjustment had – losing your guaranteed place before securing a new one.

UCAS replaced Adjustment with an enhanced Clearing system (opens in a new tab) that includes tools like Clearing Plus to match you with suitable courses.

Step-by-Step: What to Do If You Exceed Your Firm Offer

Here's your action plan for results day and beyond.

Step 1: Check Your Results and UCAS Hub

The first thing to do is log into your UCAS Hub on results day.

Check if your firm offer has been confirmed. Look at your actual grades compared to what your firm choice required.

If you've exceeded the entry requirements, you've got options to explore.

Step 2: Explore Clearing Vacancies

Time to do some detective work!

Search for courses with higher entry requirements on the UCAS website (opens in a new tab). Look for universities that previously rejected you or courses you wished you'd applied to.

Make a shortlist of universities you'd genuinely consider switching to. Don't just go for prestige – think about location, course content, and what really matters to you.

Use UCAS's Clearing search tool (opens in a new tab) to find available courses that match your results.

Step 3: Call the Universities

This is where the real work happens.

Contact admissions teams directly and explain your situation. Be clear, polite, and ready with your UCAS ID and exact grades.

Ask specific questions:

• Would they accept you based on your results?

• What's the course structure like?

• Is accommodation still available?

• When do you need to decide?

Most admissions teams are helpful and understand you're exploring options.

Step 4: Accept a New Offer—If You Want To

Only make this move when you're 100% certain.

If a university makes you an informal offer that you want to accept, then you can (opens in a new tab)decline your firm place via UCAS (opens in a new tab) to accept the new one.

Never decline your firm offer until the new place is absolutely guaranteed. This is crucial – once you decline, there's no going back.

Should You Consider Switching Universities?

This is a big decision. Let's weigh the pros and cons.

Pros

You get the opportunity to attend a higher-ranked university that might have better career prospects.

The new course might be a better fit for your interests or career goals. Location could be more appealing too.

It could genuinely enhance your future opportunities and open doors that weren't available before.

Cons

You might lose guaranteed accommodation at your original choice. Finding housing late in the day can be stressful and expensive.

There's less time to mentally prepare for the switch. You've probably been getting excited about your firm choice all summer.

Don't underestimate emotional attachment. If you've fallen in love with your firm choice, rankings aren't everything.

Tips for Making the Right Decision

Here's some friendly advice for this big choice.

Don't rush into anything. There's no pressure to switch just because you can. Being happy at your firm choice is perfectly valid.

Talk to people you trust – teachers, parents, careers advisers. They know you well and can offer valuable perspectives.

Consider the whole package: location, finances, course structure, campus life, and career prospects. University rankings are just one factor.

Remember that success depends more on what you put in than where you go. A motivated student can thrive anywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is UCAS Adjustment still available in 2025?

No, (opens in a new tab)UCAS Adjustment was discontinued from 2022 onwards.

Instead, you can use the enhanced Clearing process to explore better options. It's actually more flexible than the old Adjustment system.

You can search for courses and contact universities without giving up your firm offer first.

What if I decline my firm offer and regret it?

This is why you should never decline until you're certain about a new place.

Once you decline your firm offer through UCAS, you can't get it back. The university might not have space to re-offer you a place.

Always get written confirmation of your new place before declining anything. Don't rely on verbal promises.

Can I use Clearing even if I got better grades than expected?

Absolutely! Clearing isn't just for students who missed their grades.

You can use Clearing to find courses with higher entry requirements that match your actual results. Many universities save places specifically for high-achieving students in Clearing.

UCAS's Clearing system (opens in a new tab) includes tools to match you with suitable courses based on your grades.

Will the new university see my personal statement and references?

Yes, universities can access your full UCAS application when you apply through Clearing.

They'll see your personal statement, references, and predicted grades alongside your actual results. This gives them a complete picture of you as an applicant.

Some universities might ask for additional information or an informal chat, but your original application materials are all there.

Final Thoughts

Doing better than expected is honestly a wonderful problem to have. Take your time to think clearly about what's best for you.

Whether you stay with your firm choice or switch through Clearing, you've earned your success. Your results prove you're capable of great things.

Use your achievements as a launchpad for whatever comes next – and choose the path that feels right for you, not what others expect.

References

1. UCAS Adjustment | UCAS (opens in a new tab)

2. The Uni Guide (opens in a new tab)

3. Trading up through Ucas clearing: how to advise students | Times Higher Education (opens in a new tab)

4. What is Clearing? Find out when Clearing happens and how it works (opens in a new tab)

5. Applying through Clearing - search Clearing courses & Unis here | UCAS (opens in a new tab)

6. Clearing and results day | UCAS (opens in a new tab)

7. Your Clearing matches | UCAS (opens in a new tab)