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1 Most people get at least one offer – of the 100,000 applicants who were eligible for clearing last year, 38,000 took up places and more than half of the rest were made offers but rejected them.

2 It’s not just for people who have been rejected – increasingly, students who have an offer from their second (or insurance) choice, look at the clearing lists to see if there is a better option. Although they do not have to, universities invariably release applicants who want to study somewhere else.

3 Most of the action is in the first week – places on popular courses are filled quickly, but the majority of courses listed in clearing never fill up.

4 There’s no need to take the first offer you get – you can approach as many universities as you like, as long as you only accept one place in the end. A survey published today by the Edge foundation found that a third of students who entered through clearing felt they had rushed their choice.

5 Clearing often involves an informal telephone interview, so make sure that you have thought why you want the particular course and university that you are inquiring about – and why you would do well there.

6 Most universities and nearly all subjects will be in clearing, but your choice may come down to a trade-off between a popular university and a popular subject. Beware of switching subjects to find a ‘good’ university – the course might not suit you.

7 Clearing is about full-time courses. There is always the option of going to work and studying part-time if your results raise doubts about committing yourself entirely to a degree.

8 Some universities’ guarantees of accommodation for first-year students do not apply to those who come through clearing. If you are leaving home to study, check what the position is before accepting a place.

9 Bursaries and scholarships are available to clearing entrants, just like any other students. They vary widely between universities, so check what you are entitled to.

10 You can always change your mind – clearing goes on for a month and places will be available at many universities even after that, if you decide to go for a degree (or foundation degree) after all.

John O'Leary is the Editor of The Times Good University Guide

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