Results day guide
This guide explains the options available on results day, and how you can prepare.
What is Clearing?
Clearing matches applicants to university places that are still available.
It’s open to anyone who has made a UCAS Undergraduate application but isn’t currently holding any offers, so you can use it if
- You didn’t receive the grades you expected
- You changed your mind about what or where you want to study
- You didn’t apply through UCAS earlier in the year
- You’re applying after 30 June
- You’ve declined your previous offers
- You’re looking for a different opportunity
When does Clearing open?
Clearing opened on 2 July.
You're now able to:
- Check out which courses are accepting clearing enquiries
- Send an enquiry to our Admissions team to express your interest in a course.
On results day
Your results will be released on:
- Tuesday 4 August 2026 (Scotland A Level results)
- Thursday 13 August 2026 (Northern Ireland, England and Wales A Level results)
- Friday 21 August (Irish Leaving Certificate results)
When your results arrive, take a moment to breathe, check your application status and plan your next step. If you’ve received an email from Ulster University and are unsure what it means, check out our "Ulster admissions emails explained" section below for a helpful overview of our Admissions emails.
Not sure what your application status means? Check out this helpful UCAS guide
Congratulations!
If you’ve received an offer from Ulster University, make sure you click the green ‘Accept my place’ button in your email by 27 August to confirm that you’ll be joining us this September. Once you’ve accepted your place, we’ll send you information about your next steps, including enrolment, accommodation and preparing for university life.
If you didn’t meet the conditions of your original offer, there may still be options available to you. Depending on availability, Ulster University may offer you a place on a similar degree programme that aligns with your interests and qualifications. Known as a Changed Course Offer, this allows you to secure a place at Ulster University quickly and easily, without having to search for alternative options through Clearing.
If you’re waiting to hear back from Ulster University, our Ulster communications explained section explains next steps and updates.
If we are waiting on your GCSE results, once you receive these on 20 August please upload them via our Supporting Documentation form as soon as possible.
No worries, there may still be great options available to you through Clearing.
Explore our Clearing courses and browse available degree programmes. If you find a course that matches your interests and qualifications, complete our Clearing enquiry form and our Admissions Team will let you know if we’re able to offer you a place.
If you’re entering Clearing, you may need to speak to universities directly.
Make sure you have the following to hand:
- UCAS number
- Clearing number
- Exam results
Entry requirements explained
Entry requirements usually include a combination of qualifications, subjects and exam grades, with each university setting its own criteria. At Ulster University, entry requirements for some degree programmes may vary depending on demand and the number of places available at each location. However, every Ulster degree delivers the same high-quality academic experience, with shared teaching standards, industry-informed learning and access to expert academic support across all our university locations.
No matter where you study, you’ll graduate with the same Ulster University degree and benefit from the same commitment to teaching excellence, student support and career-focused learning.
For full details, see the UCAS guide to entry requirements
Ulster admissions emails explained
Results day can bring a lot of emails and updates all at once. While the UCAS Hub (opens in new window) is the best place to check your application progress and latest status, Ulster University will also send important updates directly to your inbox.
Below is a guide to the different admissions emails you may receive from us, what they mean, and what you should do next.
If you’ve achieved the grades needed for your offer, your place at Ulster University will be confirmed.
We’ll send you an email asking you to accept or decline your place. Please respond by 27 August, as this helps us finalise places and support other students who may still be exploring their options through Clearing.
What happens if you don’t meet the entry requirements
If you haven’t met the required grades and we’re not yet able to offer you a place, we’ll email you with an explanation and outline your next steps.
Please don’t panic - it can take time to assess availability across our courses. If your grades are significantly lower than expected, you can still:
- Browse our Courses in Clearing to find a programme that matches your grades
- Complete the enquiry form if you find a course you're interested in.
A member of our Admissions Team will be in touch as soon as they can.
Met your offer conditions but haven’t heard from us?
If your grades meet or exceed your offer but you haven’t received confirmation, it may be because your results haven’t been sent to UCAS.
Please contact us as soon as possible with your results so we can assess your application. If you haven’t submitted your GCSE results or passport, please upload them via our Supporting Documentation form.
When will you be updated?
We understand waiting can be stressful - rest assured, we are processing every application as quickly as possible. The Admissions Team will be reviewing a high volume of applications and are doing their best to respond to applicants as quickly as possible.
Please note our Call Centre staff are not able to provide updates on offer decisions.
Some of our most popular degree programmes are highly competitive, and places may only be available for applicants who meet the full terms of their offer. If you haven’t met the conditions of your original offer, we may still be able to offer you a place on a similar degree programme at another Ulster University location, subject to availability.
No matter where you study, every Ulster degree offers the same high-quality teaching, academic standards and career-focused learning experience.
If an alternative course is available, we’ll contact you by email with more information and explain your next steps. This can be a great option, allowing you to secure a place at Ulster University without having to search for alternative programmes through Clearing.
Students from the Republic of Ireland
Results day for applicants in Northern Ireland is one week earlier than for students in the Republic of Ireland. This does not affect your offer with Ulster University.
We will receive Irish Leaving Certificate results from UCAS on Friday 21 August and will work to make decisions as quickly as possible. You are likely to hear from us from 26 August onward.
Need support?
Simply complete our enquiry form and our ream will get back to you. You can also contact us via phone
Republic of Ireland: 048 7028 7028
After results day
From the week after Results Day, you'll receive your joining instructions, which will guide you through each step before the start of term, including:
- Submitting a photo for your student ID card.
- Completing any required AccessNI or occupational health checks (where applicable to your degree programme).
- Online enrolment, which opens from the week commencing 24 August. We'll email you with simple step-by-step instructions.
- Receiving important updates by email and text message. If you've provided a mobile number, we'll use it to send important information about your place and enrolment. If you haven't already shared your mobile number with us, your enrolment email will include a link to a form where you can add it.
Please also make sure you've registered with a personal email address, as you may lose access to your school or college email account after the summer.
