Clearing FAQs

Clearing is just the method of application through UCAS, which starts on 2 July 2026 and runs through to the end of September.

Clearing is the perfect opportunity to apply for a place at university for students who have not yet applied through UCAS, have changed their mind and no longer wish to go to their Firm choice, or find they do not have a place at their initial university choices on results day.

No, it's not too late! At Cardiff Met, we'll be offering course places (subject to availability) up until the end of September 2026. So don't delay, get in touch.

• Advice Line Tel: 0300 330 0755
• Live Chat on this page!
• Apply Online
• Email: askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk

We will need to know the following:

Personal Details

• Name
• Contact Details (email and telephone number)
• Your UCAS Personal ID number if you have already made an application into UCAS.

Qualifications

We will also ask you about your exam results (A-levels, BTECs or equivalents) and what GCSE results you have, to determine whether we can offer you a place based on the academic requirements of the course. In most cases we are able to offer you a place over the phone with this information.

Course

We may also ask why you are interested in the course you wish to apply for, but this will just be a friendly, informal chat. If an interview is required, you will be informed of this when you make your enquiry and then given a decision during, or shortly after, the interview.

Once you have been made an offer, you can accept the offer by adding Cardiff Met as your Clearing Choice using UCAS Hub. Our advisers will tell how and when you can do this over the phone and you will receive an email with all the details.

International applicants are welcome to apply through Clearing, but due to visa requirements and September application deadlines, consideration will be given on a case-by-case basis, dependant on meeting all requirements.

For further information, visit our international student webpages.

Clearing Campus Tours will run on the following dates:

• 29 July 2026
• 15 August 2026
• 19 August 2026

Running from 10am to 2pm and include a campus tour and a chance to speak to student ambassadors and the student recruitment officers.

BOOK YOUR PLACE

If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact us at opendays@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

Do your research and take your time to consider your options. Look at the information on our website, through UCAS and attend one of our Clearing events, either face to face or virtually. If you have any questions, please contact us and we'll be happy to help.

Clearing Plus is offered to unplaced applicants who are shown potential course matches, based on their qualifications. If you have selected Cardiff Met as one of your matches, we will assess your UCAS application and contact you, either with an offer on the course, or for more information.

Visit the UCAS website for more information about Clearing Plus.

If you are made an offer over our Advice Line during Clearing, you will receive an email from us to confirm the offer on the course discussed.

Our foundation years are integral to most of our undergraduate degrees and more information can be found on individual degree course pages. They act as a year 0 and are sometimes offered as an extra year of study at the start of your university degree. After successful completion of your foundation year, you can automatically progress to the first year of a wide range of relevant degrees without reapplying*.

The foundation year is intended to prepare you for your following years of studying, offering you the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and build confidence in the area of study. They are offered if you haven't quite met the requirements to enter year one of a chosen degree, or they may also be offered if you are returning to learning after a prolonged period of time and/or you don't have the relevant qualifications to enter year one.

Undertaking a foundation year still gives you access to all the opportunities across the entire university experience. You are still able to apply for accommodation, engage in all extra curricular activities and benefit from the same dedicated support available to all undergraduate students.

*certain conditions apply for some degrees.

Visit UCAS Hub and add Cardiff Met (C20) as your Clearing Choice so that an acceptance can be entered.

If you're applying on A-level results day (August 13 2025), you won't be able to add a choice until after 1pm and you may need to email proof of your qualifications to applications@cardiffmet.ac.uk before we can accept you. Admissions will contact you for proof of qualifications if they are needed.

Once accepted, you will be sent confirmation from us via email with a link to your Joining Information online. Please note, that once you add Cardiff Met as your Clearing Choice on UCAS you can no longer be considered by another institution.

It is recommended that you accept as soon as possible or within 7 days, in order to arrange accommodation if needed and update or apply for student finance. Accepting your offer will also enable us to send you all the information you need about starting at Cardiff Met.

Tuition fees at Cardiff Met for 2026/2027 have been set at £9790 for full-time undergraduate home students. For further information about tuition fees and student finance, please visit www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/fees.

For more information and to apply online or download the relevant forms, visit the relevant website for you below, based on where you live:

• Wales: www.studentfinancewales.co.uk
• England: www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
• Scotland: www.saas.gov.uk
• Northern Ireland: www.studentfinanceni.co.uk

If you have already applied for student finance and change your course and or University in clearing you will need to contact student finance to inform them of the change.

You can apply for a place in halls if we have accommodation places still available. For further information, please visit our Clearing accommodation web pages.

If we make you an offer in Clearing, you will receive an email from us to confirm the offer on the course discussed. You will then need to add us as your Clearing choice on the UCAS website.

Once you have been accepted through UCAS, we will be in touch by email initially to confirm your place. We will then send you an email which will direct you to our New Students website, which will include all the relevant joining information you will need to enrol and start your course.

Term will start with welcome, enrolment, and induction week on Monday 21 September 2026. This will include a variety of events to welcome you to your new course and to Cardiff Met, as well as events organised by our Students' Union.

Find out more about term dates.

If you are a late acceptance onto a course at Cardiff Met, don't panic! We have dedicated members of staff in each school who can help you when you arrive and we will make sure you are put in contact with your Programme Director to make sure you don't miss out on any important information.