Clearing allows you to find a place at King's if you want to enrol in an undergraduate course and either: your exam results didn't go to plan; or you are holding no offers from other universities; or you have yet to apply this year; or you already have your exam results and are exploring other options.

Watch our Clearing video below for more information about Clearing including how the applying process works or visit the UCAS's Clearing and Results Day guide.

If you have your results before A-level results day (Thursday 13 August) and King's has courses with availability, you can apply through early Clearing via our Clearing application form, available from 2 July.

If you receive your results on A-level results day, and King's has courses with availability, you can call our Clearing hotline on +44 (0)20 3858 1050 when it opens at 08:00 (BST) on Thursday 13 August 2026.

Find out more about the Clearing application process on our how to apply through Clearing webpage.

If you are made an offer, we will email you with your next steps, which will involve taking actions on UCAS by a certain deadline.

From 08:00 (BST) on results day (Thursday 13 August), our Clearing hotline +44 (0)20 3858 1050 will be open. Below is what you can expect when you call the hotline. 

Clearing hotline and our automated triage system 
We've introduced an automated system on our Clearing hotline to help connect you to the right team more quickly. It uses voice recognition and keypad options to guide your call based on your course interest and qualifications.

How does the automated triage system work when I call?
When you call the Clearing hotline:

• You’ll be asked to clearly state the course you wish to apply for after the beep (please check the list of available Clearing courses on our website).
• The system will advise if the course is available in Clearing and state the A Level entry requirements (if applicable).
• You’ll then be given keypad options based on your grades and qualifications to help route your call to the right team.
  

Will I still speak to a real person?
Yes. All Clearing applications are still handled by our trained admissions agents. The automated system simply helps direct your call to the most relevant team faster.

What if the system doesn’t recognise my course?
If the system can’t recognise your course title, you’ll be redirected to an agent who can assist you further.

Can I skip the automated system and speak to someone directly?
The automated system is designed to speed up your experience and reduce wait times. If you’re unsure what to say or need help, you’ll still be able to speak to an agent.

Is the information provided by the system accurate?
Yes. The system is regularly updated with the latest Clearing course availability and entry requirements. For final decisions, you’ll always speak to an admissions agent.

Instead of waiting on the phone to speak to one of our Clearing agents, you can now request a call-back to be contacted as soon as one of our admissions agents is available. This helps reduce call wait times and prevents disconnection due to network call limits.

When should I request a callback?
Callbacks are offered during peak times when call wait times can vary between 30 minutes to 3 hours during extremely busy periods. If you’re in the queue and prefer not to wait on hold, you can request a callback.

How does the callback system work?
Once you request a callback:

1. You’ll enter & verify your phone number for the callback.
2. The call will be automatically disconnected once the callback is requested.
3. Your place in the queue will be automatically held – keep your phone close by whilst waiting for the callback!
4. When you reach the front of the queue and an agent is available, the system will initiate an outbound call to you.

What number does the callback come from?
The number the callback will be received from is the Clearing hotline number: +44 (0)20 3858 1050.

How long will it take to receive my callback?
We’re unable to provide exact timings, but your callback will be completed as soon as an admissions agent is available (during peak periods, this may take up to three hours). We kindly ask that you do not call to check the status of your callback, as this can clog up the phone lines and cause further delays for all callers.

What should I do after requesting a callback?
Please switch off your voicemail. If the system reaches your voicemail, it will treat the call as successful and you’ll need to rejoin the queue to speak with an agent.

How do I turn off my voicemail?
Turning off voicemail varies depending on your network provider and phone model.
We recommend googling “how to turn off voicemail” followed by your provider’s name (e.g., EE, Vodafone, O2) or your phone type (e.g., iPhone, Samsung).
This will give you the most accurate and up-to-date instructions.

What happens if I miss the callback?
If your voicemail is switched off and you miss the call, the system will retry every two minutes. Up to three attempts will be made to reach you.

Can I rejoin the queue if I miss all callback attempts?
Yes, but you’ll need to call again and re-enter the queue manually.

Should I call again while waiting for my callback?
Once you’ve requested a callback, your place in the queue is held for you. Calling again or requesting additional callbacks will not speed up your response time and may delay things further during busy periods.We recommend keeping your phone nearby and waiting for our call.

Does requesting a callback guarantee a Clearing offer?
No. Requesting a callback does not guarantee a Clearing offer. Clearing offers are only valid once:

• You have spoken directly with an admissions agent who has provided a verbal offer and
• You have received a formal offer email from clearing@kcl.ac.uk.