Students offer advice on joining through Clearing as places still available for September

Students from the University of Suffolk who joined through Clearing over the last few years have shared their experiences to help advise those applying for September 2026.

Clearing is the annual process allowing applicants to apply for the remaining places on university courses ahead of the September start date.

Each year, a broad range of people apply through Clearing, including people who decided to apply after the UCAS deadline in January, those looking to change career, those who did not receive any offers, those who have changed their mind about where they want to go, or applicants who didn’t get the grades they needed for their original choices.

At the University of Suffolk, places are open on a number of courses, including Accounting and Finance, Adult Nursing, Biomedical Science, Business Management, Computer Science, Esports, Law, Pharmacy, Psychology, and Sport and Exercise Science.

Recognising it can be a daunting time for those applying to join in September, students at Suffolk who themselves joined through Clearing have shared their experiences to reassure applicants this year.

Hephzibah Gad (ZG), who lives in Ipswich, joined through Clearing last year, and has just completed her first year on the BA (Hons) Business Management course. She has already launched her own business – Unity Eats – an African fusion food pop-up celebrating authentic African flavours, and won £8,000 at the university’s summer bootcamp last month to invest in her business.

ZG had originally intended to pursue an online degree, but after seeing the Ipswich campus decided to join an in-person course instead.

“When I came in and saw the environment, the support and opportunities, I knew that this could be a gamechanger for me. I live in Ipswich and was within a walking distance, it fits exactly what I envisioned, so it was a good fit for me,” ZG said.

Ellena Scott joined the BSc (Hons) Children’s Nursing course in 2023, and is due to graduate this autumn.

Ellena, from Ipswich, was working full time at a nursery, and wanted a fresh challenge while still working within the childhood industry. Supported by her mum to attend a July open day, Ellena spoke to course representatives and student finance teams to gain all the information she needed.

“I met one of the lecturers who I have today, and I was expressing how anxious and worried I was that it wouldn’t be possible,” the 24-year-old said. “But she really reassured me, she explained the whole process of Clearing.

“Without the reassurance of everyone I contacted, I don’t think I would have had the confidence to go ahead. They really gave me that support from very early on, and it just made it feel like it was doable, because I really was doubting that it was achievable, but here I am in third year.”

For Kate Robinson, who finished her A-levels in 2020, her original plan of heading to a university in London in September 2020 was put on pause while the disruption of Covid-19 lockdowns continued.

After working for a couple of years, she joined the BSc (Hons) Criminology course in September 2022. Despite struggling with her A-levels, Kate found a new passion for her studies at the University of Suffolk, graduating last October with first class honours and securing the Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Award for Best Undergraduate Degree in Criminology.

She has continued her academic journey since then, nearing completion of her MA Criminology course at Suffolk.

“Clearing wasn’t something I originally planned, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I have made,” Kate, 24, from Stowmarket, said.

“I did not enjoy my A-levels but I felt like I had an inner drive, and when you have got a passion for something, you have that desire to do well.”

For those applying through Clearing this year, ZG has the following advice:

“Don’t hesitate. When I came to the open day it helped me make my decision quickly – when I saw what I saw, I knew it was for me,” she said.

Ellena recommends applicants visiting the University on an open day or a campus tour laid on specially for Clearing applicants to get a feel for the campus and the course.

“Attend an open day just go and speak to the relevant course team and ask them any questions you have got,” she says.

For Kate, her advice to those not sure is to “just follow your gut and do it – it will be the best thing you have ever done.”

Holly Bowen, Admissions Manager at the University of Suffolk, said: “Our team of admissions advisors will be available through our Clearing call centre ready to help support prospective applicants with questions about courses, applications, finances and more. For those that haven't been to our campus or would like a refresher, we will be running campus tours to enable applicants to see the university before they join in September."

To find out more about courses still open for September entry, visit the webpage here or contact the Clearing call centre on 01473 338352.

Campus tours are available from Friday 14 August until the end of the day on Friday 21 August in bookable hourly slots between 9.00am and 4.00pm. Campus tours can be booked here.