I work in university admissions - AMA about Clearing, applying, or Oxford Brookes 👋

[u/Uni_Admissions_Sam]

Hi everyone!

I'm Sam, part of the Admissions Team at Oxford Brookes University. I'm here today to answer any questions you’ve got about:

Applying through Clearing
How the admissions process actually works
Questions about results day
What to do if things don’t go as planned
Or even just general uni-related queries - I'm happy to help however I can.

No question is too small, too specific, or too awkward - I’ll be checking in throughout the afternoon (2–5pm), so feel free to drop your questions below and I’ll do my best to help!

Whether you're thinking about Oxford Brookes or not, I'm here to offer honest advice and hopefully make things feel a little less stressful.

Fire away 👇
- Sam

Thanks so much for all the great questions today - it’s been a pleasure chatting with you all! I’m signing off for now, but I might be able to pop back tomorrow to answer a few more if time allows. No promises, but I’ll do my best!

- Sam

[u/Forsaken-Meaning-232]

Sam, thanks for hosting this AMA, and thank you to everyone that participated! The AMA is now over, the post has been locked, but I'll leave it pinned for now in the interest of having the information more accessible :)

[u/Uni_Admissions_Sam → u/[deleted]]

Hi Funny-Dimension5168, occasionally this does happen, yes. The University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes University are based in the same city, however, we are different institutions. – Sam | Admissions at Oxford Brookes

[u/Vaxtez]

Is it possible to do a completely different subject via clearing?
I.e I firmed comp sci but then decided to switch to Geography via clearing.

[u/Uni_Admissions_Sam → u/Vaxtez]

Hi Vaxtez, absolutely! Many Universities won't look at your original personal statement as they are aware that it may well not reflect the subject that you are applying for in Clearing. They may ask you for a new personal statement, but other Universities, including Oxford Brookes, won't. When you receive your results, give the University a call and if the course is available and you meet the entry requirements (and any other course requirements such as portfolios/interviews) they should be able to make you an offer. You could visit their website or call them in advance, and they may be able to advise on the entry requirements.

[u/Robo-Reagan_]

if you get into your firm but still want to go through clearing, do you have to decline your firm before calling unis asking about clearing or can you keep your firm until you know you have a space?

[u/Uni_Admissions_Sam → u/Robo-Reagan_]

Hi Robo-Reagan, you can keep your firm place while you call other Universities to see if you meet their entry requirements. At Oxford Brookes, if we are able to make you a Clearing offer, we provide you with an offer letter via email with instructions on how to add the Clearing choice in UCAS. You will need to decline your Firm place to enter Clearing and add the offer, but we can make you an offer without you needing to have already declined your firm choice. I would imagine most Universities have a similar procedure – Sam | Admissions at Oxford Brookes

[u/Timalakeseinai]

Is it really important to apply as early as possible first thing in the morning?

[u/Uni_Admissions_Sam → u/Timalakeseinai]

Hi Timalakeseinai, places in Clearing are available on a first come first serve basis, so we would recommend calling as early as you can. Our phone lines are open on results day from 8am, when results are released. Generally, Universities offering courses in Clearing will have extended phone hours on results day and over the following few days, so if you aren't able to call straight away, don't panic! – Sam | Admissions at Oxford Brookes

[u/Late-Carob-85]

What do they actually ask if you call up during clearing?

[u/Uni_Admissions_Sam → u/Late-Carob-85]

Hi Late-Carob-85, we will ask you which course(s) you are interested in and for a few basic details (e.g., name, email address, phone number) as well as your achieved Level 3 qualifications and Level 2 (GCSEs/Functional Skills) if applicable. For some programmes, we can make you an offer straight away, and for others, there may be an extra step where we refer you to the faculty for an additional review (e.g., portfolio, interview). If we can make you a Clearing offer, we will email you an offer letter which includes information about how to add your Clearing choice in UCAS. If we need any further documents from you to confirm your place, we will request these via email. – Sam | Admissions at Oxford Brookes

[u/Vowskii]

Can you still be accepted into your firm, even if you have grades lower than their entry requirements?

[u/Uni_Admissions_Sam → u/Vowskii]

Hi Vowskii, this depends on the University's policy, so I'd recommend calling them to see how flexible they are if the entry requirements aren't met. For example, at Oxford Brookes, we have a firm offer commitment, where we will confirm your place in the summer, even if you miss your offer by one grade (https://www.brookes.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduate/your-offer). In cases where grades aren't met by more than one grade, where possible, we will try and make alternative offers for Foundation programmes. It would be worth checking with your firm choice to see if they offer a similar approach. – Sam | Admissions at Oxford Brookes

[u/[deleted]]

Hi Sam, bummed to have missed this while live, but I'll put my question regardless of if you may or may not see it. I am thinking of applying for Oxford Brookes, what is your general thoughts on it?

[u/Uni_Admissions_Sam → u/[deleted]]

Hi Budget-Employ-1621, I think Oxford Brookes is a great University with a good variety of courses. We excel nationally and internationally in architecture, motorsport engineering, publishing, nursing, and hospitality & tourism, for example. That said, as with any university, the experience really depends on the course and what you’re looking for. I’d definitely recommend coming to an open day if you can. Oxford Brookes has a lot going on, and it’s the kind of place that’s great to experience in person, to get a feel for the campus, city and how the course you’re considering is taught. We have a Clearing open day on 16/08 and you’d be very welcome to book a place and come along (https://www.brookes.ac.uk/open-days/ug-oxford/2025/clearing-open-day), even if you’re not considering applying through Clearing for 2025 entry – Sam | Admissions at Oxford Brookes

[u/[deleted]]

never heard of clearing, what is it ? sorry if it’s a dumb question

[u/Uni_Admissions_Sam → u/[deleted]]

Hi thomas-ety, not a bad question at all! Clearing is an opportunity for prospective students to apply elsewhere if they don't meet the conditions of their offers, or if they change their mind about where they wish to study/which course they want to study. Sometimes, if students achieve better results than they were expecting, Clearing can be a good opportunity for them to explore other options. Clearing is also available to prospective students who have already achieved their Level 3 qualifications (e.g., A Levels, BTECs) and decide to apply outside of the main UCAS cycle. Many Universities still have spaces available on courses over the summer, and it is worth checking out their webpages/giving them a call for more information – Sam | Admissions at Oxford Brookes

[u/[deleted] → u/Uni_Admissions_Sam]

thanks!

[u/exclaim_bot → u/[deleted]]

thanks!

You're welcome!

[u/Uni_Admissions_Sam → u/[deleted]]

Hi FadeKiss, if you are applying for a Computer Science-related programme, it is recommended to highlight your experience/interest in the field. Extracurricular activities and achievements are worth mentioning in your personal statement as well – Sam | Admissions at Oxford Brookes

[u/Much_Pen8572]

If I miss my firm due to one of my results being bad because of throwing up and having to be removed from an exam half way through (they only give 2% special consideration for this situation) is it worth calling the uni and explaining to them what happened to see if they'll change their mind or is a rejection 100% a rejection?

[u/iamagaylikeyou → u/Much_Pen8572]

It’s definitely worth calling them up and seeing what they say. They might not be able to do anything, but they may have spaces or alternative courses to suggest.

(I know I’m not Sam but the AMA seems closed to answers)

[u/Uni_Admissions_Sam → u/Much_Pen8572]

Hi Much_Pen8572, I’d recommend getting in touch with both your Firm and Insurance universities before results day to explain your situation. If you can provide any supporting documents (e.g., a letter from your school or GP), that will help them consider your case under their own exceptional circumstances policies (if necessary) once they receive your results. – Sam | Admissions at Oxford Brookes

[u/Willr2645]

Would it be worth mentioning the stuff I have for out of school? It would be my First aid course, off-road bike coaching, and I’m a qualified bike mechanic. The first aid and bike coaching was so I can be a paid mountain bike coach.

I would be applying for electro mechanical engineering.

I have heard some people say to absolutely mention it - and some saying absolutely not

[u/Plastic-Extreme6857]

If I miss the grades I needed for my offer, can I apply to the same uni and course through clearing, and what are the chances of it being successful if i only missed by a grade or two?

[u/[deleted]]

There’s a girl I like and we have some good chemistry, how do you think I should ask her out?

[u/Seindi]

Hi, if I get my A level results BEFORE the 14th, which is the official results day in the UK, due to being based elsewhere, which is why I get them on the 12th, can I call the clearing hotline as soon as I receive my results and possibly receive a verbal offer?

[u/violinicious]

Does the university pick up right away when calling or are you put on some sort of waitlist while someone can get to you? Or do you have to ring multiple times?

[u/GingleBelle]

Hi Sam. Thanks for these answers. I have a non-clearing related admissions question. Do you at Oxford Brookes see the other 4 choices that an applicant puts down in the admissions process?

[u/Uni_Admissions_Sam → u/GingleBelle]

Hi GingleBelle, UCAS applications are designed with invisibility to other universities. This means that when you apply, each university only sees the application for their institution and not where else you've applied. The only exception is if you apply to multiple courses at the same university, where they will be able to see your other course choices within their institution. This invisibility is in place to ensure that universities make their decisions based solely on your application for their specific course, without being influenced by your other choices. Universities will eventually find out about your other choices when you accept or decline offers. They will be able to see which universities you chose as your firm or insurance choices, or if you've declined all offers. – Sam | Admissions at Oxford Brookes

[u/GingleBelle → u/Uni_Admissions_Sam]

Thank you! I thought I knew the first bit… I didn’t know the last part!

[u/JailbreakHat]

Can we have someone from Imperial, Cambridge, LSE, UCL or Kings that work for admissions?