Courses open for Clearing at University of Suffolk

University of Suffolk students who joined through Clearing are urging this summer’s applicants not to panic but to take their time and make the right choice for university this September.

Clearing – the application process which opens after the usual UCAS cycle and allows people to apply directly to universities for a course starting in September – has already begun, with a range of courses available at the University of Suffolk.

Students use Clearing for a number of reasons, including for those hadn’t applied by the UCAS deadline, those who have only recently decided they want to pursue a university course, people who rejected their offers from UCAS because they have changed their mind, as well as those who did not receive the grades they needed for their first choice university.

Zoe Whent came through Clearing in 2021 and is graduating with a First Class Honours in English this October.

She had originally applied for Psychology courses at universities in Manchester, but declined all of her offers during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 after reconsidering her options and instead took a year out to work.

Zoe, from Rushmere St Andrew, said: “I called at the end of September because I was working another job. I had started a career job and realised that I really didn’t enjoy it. I have always loved English, so I thought I am just going to take the leap and apply for it.”

She said that upon joining the course she was no different from any other student and was able to quickly settle into university life, adding: “For those thinking about it this year, I would say just do it. There is no harm in trying, and no matter how late you think you have left it there is no reason not to just call up and see.”

Kelly White is another to enrol via Clearing, joining in September 2022 to study BSc Mental Health Nursing.

As someone who didn’t complete school, Kelly had completed Pre-Access and Access courses to get her GCSEs, embarking on an Open University course in psychology during 2020.

But after deciding the course wasn’t for her, Kelly ceased her studies and started work in retail instead.

The Saxmundham-based student said: “I got promoted really quickly so I stuck with that for a little while, but I knew it wasn’t what I wanted to do. I thought I would take the plunge and apply through Clearing at Suffolk, and if I didn’t get in I would try the following year. But I applied, spoke to a module leader, had an interview and within a couple of weeks I knew I had a place.

“It was really clear and I joined the cohort on time. Joining though Clearing doesn’t mean your experience is going to be any different.”

The University’s Clearing call centre is now open for applicants to speak to admissions advisors, while course representatives will also be on hand to chat through students’ course questions.

This year, courses open for applicants include Adult Nursing, Business Management, Law, Psychology and Biomedical Science among others.

Campus tours for Clearing applicants will also be available on Saturday 17 August and Wednesday 21 August, which can be booked on the University website.

Professor Mohammad Dastbaz, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Suffolk, said: “Our advice to applicants is to stay calm and get in touch at the earliest opportunity to speak to one of our admissions advisors, who can help guide you through your options here at the University of Suffolk.

“Our courses ensure students are career-ready upon graduation, and allow them to enjoy enriching opportunities through their studies, link-ups with employers and brilliant careers support.

“We can’t wait to welcome our new students in September.”

The University is ranked in the top 60 in the UK in the 2025 Complete University Guide rankings, climbing by 68 places in the last three years.

It is also first in the East of England for facilities in the 2024 WhatUni Student Choice Awards.

In addition, the University scooped the ‘Career Coaching and Work Placements’ award at the WhatUni Student Choice Awards this year, and enjoyed strong student satisfaction results in this year’s National Student Survey (NSS), where the University scored well above the England average in all nine areas.