Frequently Asked Questions

Full-time undergraduate – FAQs

• Accommodation
• Applying
• General
• Offers

Accommodation

Will Clearing applicants get a place in UEL's accommodation?

If you can answer YES to these three questions you should be offered a place.

1. Are you a new first year undergraduate student OR a first year postgraduate student? OR an International/EU student who has not previously studied at UEL?
2. Is your home outside Greater London/Essex? (Priority is given to students who live the furthest from UEL.)
3. Are you prepared to sign a rental agreement for a full academic year (September to mid June)? Note: this condition does not apply to single semester Exchange/Erasmus students.

If you can answer 'YES' to questions one and three, but live closer to UEL than stated you can still make an application which will be considered mid-term should vacancies arise.

Find out more about our halls of residence

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Applying

Can I email you instead of calling?

Due to the high volume of applications and enquiries that we receive during Clearing it is easier and quicker to call us on our Clearing hotline on +44 (0)20 8223 3333 or in person at one of our Application and Advice Centres.

I had a conditional offer from UEL but didn't meet the conditions. Can I still apply to UEL through Clearing?

If you didn't meet the conditions of your offer our admissions team will have automatically considered you for alternative options such as an extended degree or a related subject. Unless your circumstances change we will therefore be unable to consider you for the same programme through Clearing.

Our Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) team are available to give you personalised advice on your options including access courses and similar programmes offered by UEL such as New Beginnings 2. You can talk to them by calling our Clearing hotline on +44 (0)20 8223 3333 or visit one of our Application and Advice Centres for one-to-one advice.

Is it ok to go on holiday during Clearing?

Places on programmes can fill extremely quickly during clearing so it is important to apply as near as possible to the start of Clearing to give yourself the best possible chance of getting a place. If you are offered and accept a place at UEL please make sure that you are aware of the deadlines for applying for accommodation, registration and first week before planning your holidays.

Find out more about starting at UEL

Can I apply through Clearing but defer starting my programme until 2010?

You can apply for deferred entry for some programmes. You should make it very clear that you wish to be considered for deferred entry when you contact us to apply for a place.

If you accept an offer for deferred entry from UEL, UCAS will send you a confirmation letter which will show the entry date as 2010. It is important to note that once you have accepted a place for deferred entry you will not be able to apply again in the 2010 UCAS cycle.

Can I apply without a reference?

You can make an initial application to UEL without a reference. For some programmes you may be asked to supply a reference to support your application.

How do I apply for a programme through Clearing?

Visit our programme vacancies pages to see if we have availability on a suitable programme and then call our Clearing hotline on +44 (0)20 8223 3333 to apply or visit one of our Application and Advice Centres to make an application in person.

I didn't get into my original choice. Can I apply to UEL through Clearing?

If you are not holding any offers in UCAS after A level results day then you will become eligible to apply to UEL through Clearing.

Visit our programme vacancies pages to see if we have availability on a suitable programme and then call our Clearing hotline on +44 (0)20 8223 3333 to apply or visit one of our Application and Advice Centres to make an application in person.

I haven't applied through UCAS this year. Can I apply through Clearing?

If you haven't registered with UCAS this year you can make an application to UEL through Clearing by contacting us directly.
Take a look at our programme vacancies to see if we offer a suitable programme and then call our Clearing hotline on +44 (0)20 8223 3333 to apply or visit one of our Application and Advice Centres to make an application in person.

If we decide to make you an offer then we will send out a UEL UCAS Registration Form for you to complete and return to us. We will use this application form to register you with UCAS and to make you a formal offer. UCAS will then send you a formal confirmation of your offer and acceptance by post.

I'd rather discuss my situation face to face. Is that possible?

Our Application and Advice Centres are open at both campuses during Clearing. You can drop in anytime during our opening hours to talk face to face with one of our advisors from our Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) team who are available to give you personalised advice on your options including access courses and similar programmes offered by UEL such as New Beginnings 2 . They will also be able to assist you in completing your application form.

What is UEL's UCAS Code?

The UCAS Institution Code for UEL is E28.

I'm interested in applying to UEL through Clearing. Is there anything I need to do before I call?

If you know what programme you want to apply for at UEL then you should call the relevant Subject hotline to make an application. If you have already applied through UCAS this year then please make sure that you have your UCAS personal ID number before calling us. This will help us to process your application more quickly. If you haven't applied through UCAS this year then please call anyway and we'll help you to get registered as part of the application process.

If you would some advice before submitting an application you can drop in anytime during our opening hours to talk face to face with our Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) team who are available to give you personalised guidance on your options including access courses and similar programmes offered by UEL such as New Beginnings 2 . They will also be able to assist you in completing your application form.

I’m in the UCAS Adjustment system – how do I apply to UEL?

Please have a look at the information regarding Adjustment

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General

When does Clearing start and finish?

Clearing starts on A level results day, 20 August 2009, and continues officially until 18 September 2009. It may still be possible to apply to UEL after this date but you should call our Clearing hotline first to check that we still have vacancies on the programme you are interested in applying for. Please note that our subject hotlines and Application and Advice Centres will close on 18 September so you will need to call the main Clearing hotline +44 (0)20 8223 3333 after this date to apply.

I'd like to see UEL for myself before I make a decision. When can I visit?

Our Application and Advice Centres on both campuses run tours on request during opening hours. This is a good opportunity for you see our facilities and accommodation for yourself and to ask any questions that you may still have.

We are also holding an open day on 2 September from 4-7pm. You can book your place online

What is Clearing?

Clearing is a service provided by UCAS between August and September to help applicants who have not secured a place at university, for whatever reason, to find vacancies on degree courses. You can apply for a place on many programmes at UEL through Clearing provided we still have vacancies and you have not already accepted an unconditional offer from another institution.

How do I know if I am eligible to apply through Clearing?

You can apply to UEL through Clearing if you have applied via UCAS in the current application year and:

• you have not withdrawn your application;
• you hold no offers; or
• your offers have not been confirmed because you have not met the conditions (eg you have not achieved the required grades); or
• you have declined your offers or not responded by the due date; or
• your offers have not been confirmed, and you have declined any alternative offers from the same university; or
• you have applied after 30 June (12 June for Route B art and design courses).

You will also be eligible to apply through Clearing if you haven't applied through UCAS in the current application year. If this is the case UEL will handle your registration with UCAS as part of the application process.

How do I find out what programmes are available through Clearing?

The programme vacancies pages on this website provide regularly updated information about the programmes at UEL which you can apply for through Clearing. If the programme you want to apply for isn't listed it is still worth calling our Clearing hotline on +44 (0)20 8223 3333 to discuss your options.

Is Clearing just for people who have received lower exam results than they expected?

Over 30,000 applicants gained their university places through Clearing last year, so you're in good company. Clearing is for you if you don't have an offer of a university place after the exam results have been announced. This may be because you have only just decided to apply to university, you declined all the offers you received in the main UCAS cycle, you applied after 30 June 2009 and your application was rejected by UCAS, you didn't quite achieve the grades you expected to confirm the offers you were holding or you achieved better grades than you expected and have decided to reconsider your options.

What is Electronic Clearing?

Electronic Clearing is the process by which applicants without a place (who have already registered with UCAS) can formally accept a clearing offer.

I’ve changed my mind about where I want to study. Can I apply to UEL?

If you are already holding an offer with another university and have been confirmed (UF), you must contact the institution concerned and asked to be released before applying to UEL.

If you are eligible for Adjustment, please see our Adjustment pages for guidance on how to apply.

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Offers

I'm not sure if I meet the entry requirements and would like some advice. What should I do?

Our Information Advice and Guidance service are available to discuss your suitability for programmes at UEL and to advise on suitable alternatives if you don't yet meet the entry requirements such as access courses and our New Beginnings 2 programme. You can talk to them by calling our Clearing hotline +44 (0)20 8223 3333 or by dropping in to one of our Application and Advice Centres during opening hours for a face to face discussion.

I've accepted a place at UEL through Clearing but I've changed my mind and want to apply somewhere else. What should I do?

If you have accepted a place at UEL through Clearing but have changed your mind and would like to apply somewhere else you will need to make a request in writing to our Head of Admissions to be released from your offer. Please ensure that your request explains your reasons for requesting release from your offer.
You can do this by:

• emailing release@uel.ac.uk
• or writing to us:
  Head of Admissions,
  University of East London,
  Docklands Campus, University Way,
  London E16 2RD 
  United Kingdom

I've accepted a place at UEL through Clearing but would like to change programme. What should I do?

If you have accepted a place at UEL through Clearing but would like to change programme you will need to call the relevant subject hotline to check that places are still available and that you are suitable for the programme. If they are happy to make you an offer on an alternative programme you will be transfered to our admissions team who will be able to update your record with UCAS.

How do I receive a formal offer?

Your formal offer will come from UCAS, either because you have used their Electronic Clearing Service or we have registered you with them following receipt of your UEL UCAS Registration Form.

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