Clearing opens at University of Suffolk

Clearing has opened at the University of Suffolk, allowing prospective students to apply for a range of courses in time for September.

Clearing allows students to apply for remaining courses by contacting the University directly, rather than through the usual UCAS cycle.

Those applying through Clearing can include students who haven’t received any offers, those who haven’t met the grades or conditions for their first choice, have turned down offers made to them, have changed their mind about where they want to go or what to study, and those who didn’t apply through UCAS before 30 June.

In recent years, increasing numbers of students have applied through Clearing who haven’t applied as part of the main UCAS cycle. UCAS data published in June this year indicated that traditional Clearing applicants – those who didn’t secure the grades they needed – now represented just 24 per cent of total Clearing applications nationally, five percentage points lower than in 2023, with more older and non-traditional students applying later.

Among courses available at Suffolk for 2025 are Accounting and Finance, Adult Nursing, Business Management, Computing, Esports, Graphic Design, Psychology, and Sport and Exercise Science.

The University of Suffolk won the University of the Year prize at this year’s Whatuni Student Choice Awards, as well as awards for lecturers and teaching quality, and student support. Those awards are based on student reviews, feedback and recommendations.

In addition, student satisfaction scores were above the national average in all themes in the 2025 National Student Survey.

The University works with employers in the region to aid students with placement opportunities and careers support, while bursary opportunities are also available for some courses to help with costs.

Professor Jenny Higham, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Suffolk, said: “August can be an important and exciting time for prospective students, making the next step of their journey into university. We would like to reassure applicants that it isn’t too late to join us this autumn.

“We would encourage those considering a place to call us on our Clearing hotline and speak to our helpful Admissions Advisors.

“We have a range of courses open to applicants, and with our strong student satisfaction scores, quality teaching, excellent teaching facilities and beautiful waterfront location, we know Suffolk is a real destination of choice.

“We will have a warm welcome ready for every one of our new students arriving this autumn.”

Flo Durrant was among the students to join the University through Clearing in September 2024, securing a place on the Physiotherapy course.

An administrative error on the results from one of her qualifications meant Flo, from Hertfordshire, didn’t have any offers from the universities she applied for, leaving her having to apply through Clearing.

Flo looked on the Whatuni website to see which universities offered Physiotherapy through Clearing, and contacted Suffolk, which was able to make her an offer the same day.

She quickly secured accommodation and joined an open day two days later to see the campus.

“It was a stressful feeling at the time but I stayed calm which helped me so much,” says Flo, whose first year has included setting up a new women’s football team, as well as getting involved in the Students’ Union and becoming a course rep.

“When I called the Clearing line they were really nice. I was obviously a little bit stressed but they were so lovely.

“When I had my interview with the course team that’s when I knew if I got a place I would definitely accept it, because they were really nice.”

Flo added: “I’ve really enjoyed my experience this year. Out of all the unis I looked around Suffolk has the best physio facilities. I know all my lecturers really well and they know me really well, and it’s a really supportive environment.”

The University’s Clearing hotline is already open, with the Admissions team able to support prospective students, while course tutors are also available to answer course-specific queries.

Prospective applicants are advised to have their grade certificates and UCAS number (if applicable) to hand when contacting the Clearing hotline to ensure the process is as easy as possible.

Campus tours will also be available for Clearing applicants, beginning on Friday 15 August and continuing throughout the following week. Campus tours can be booked at the website here.

To find out more information, visit the website here.

To speak to the Admissions team or make an application, call the Clearing hotline on 01473 338352.