Does UCAS Adjustment Still Exist and How Does Clearing Compare?
Results day can turn your plans upside down in seconds. You might feel excited, stressed, or both. Then you start seeing phrases like UCAS Adjustment and it’s not always clear what they actually mean.
Many students and parents still search for UCAS Adjustment each year. Most of the time, they’re asking: “I got better grades than I expected. Can I switch to a different course or university?” That’s exactly the situation UCAS Adjustment used to cover. However, the process has changed and plenty of older advice online is now out of date.
In this blog, I’ll explain what UCAS Adjustment was, whether it still exists today and how it compares to Clearing in a few simple points. No long explanations. No confusing terms. Just a clear guide so you know what’s possible and what to do next.
What’s UCAS Adjustment?
UCAS Adjustment was a UCAS service for students who got better grades than expected. It gave you a short window to look for a different course or university, even after you’d already secured a place.
However, it’s important to know this upfront: UCAS Adjustment no longer exists. If you’ve achieved higher grades than you expected and want to change course, you now usually do that through UCAS Clearing. (I’ll keep the Clearing side brief here, since we’ll link to your full Clearing guide.)
Back when Adjustment was running, the big difference was that you could explore other options while keeping your original place secure. That’s why people still search for adjustment UCAS today. They’re really looking for the best route to switch when results go better than planned.
What Happened After UCAS Adjustment Was Removed?
When UCAS Adjustment was removed, the situation it covered didn’t disappear. Students still get better grades than expected. The difference is how they act on it now.
If you exceed your offer grades today, UCAS doesn’t automatically give you a separate Adjustment window. Instead, you decide whether you’re happy with your current place or want to explore other options. This is where self-release, also called “Decline my place” comes in. It allows you to give up your confirmed place in UCAS Hub if you choose to. Once you do that, you’re free to look for alternative courses.
After releasing your place, you can then look for other options, usually through Clearing. That’s why Adjustment and Clearing are often mentioned together. Adjustment was used to protect your place while you explored. Now, the choice comes first, so it’s important not to rush the decision.
UCAS Adjustment Compared with Clearing
| Point | UCAS Adjustment | UCAS Clearing |
| Purpose | For students who got better results than expected and wanted to switch to a “better fit” course or uni | For students without a confirmed place (or who want to change) to find available courses |
| Timing | Short, fixed window around results day | Runs for a longer period across the summer (sometimes beyond) |
| Security | You could explore other options while keeping your original place | You often need to self-release (Decline my place) before moving to a new option |
| Status today | Discontinued | The live route students use now |
In short, Adjustment was a low-risk way to explore better options. Clearing is more flexible, but it requires clearer decisions upfront.
What Students With Better Grades Should Do Now
If you did better than expected and you’re wondering whether you could aim higher, you’re not alone. That’s why many students still search for UCAS Adjustment. The process has changed, but the goal hasn’t. Here’s what to do on results day, without rushing into decisions.
- Check your UCAS Hub status
Log in and see what UCAS says about your place. You want to know if you’re confirmed and what your current options look like before you make any moves. - Decide what you actually want
Be honest with yourself. Are you happy where you are, but curious? Or do you truly want a different course or university? That decision matters because the next steps can be hard to undo. - Research options in advance
Don’t wait until results day to start thinking. Make a short list of courses you’d genuinely take and check entry requirements and modules. It saves you loads of stress later. - Contact universities with your grades ready
If you want to explore a change, call universities directly. Have your results, UCAS details and course codes ready. Unis will often tell you quickly if they can consider you. - Only decline your place once you have a confirmed alternative
This part is important. If you’re holding a confirmed place, you may need to use the ‘Decline my place’ (self-release) option to move forward. UCAS and results-day guides are very clear: only do this when you’re sure and you’ve secured an alternative, because it isn’t reversible.
Next, let’s clear things up by going through the biggest misconceptions about UCAS Adjustment.
Common Misconceptions About UCAS Adjustment
Here are some of the common misconceptions:
“UCAS Adjustment still exists.”
No. UCAS Adjustment was removed and it isn’t a live option anymore. If you see it mentioned online, the advice is likely dated.
“You automatically get better courses placed for you.”
No. Nothing gets upgraded automatically. If you want to change course or university after better grades, you have to take the steps yourself and speak to universities.
“Adjustment worked the same as Clearing.”
Not really. Adjustment was specifically for students who exceeded their offer grades. Clearing is broader and is the main route used now. They’re linked in people’s minds, but they weren’t the same process.
“You had to give up your first choice to try Adjustment.”
Back when Adjustment existed, you could explore other options while keeping your original place. Today, if you want to switch, you may need to use the ‘Decline your place’ (self-release) option, and UCAS warns it isn’t reversible.
Now, let’s wrap everything up with the key takeaways so you know exactly what UCAS Adjustment means today and what to do next.
Conclusion
By this point, you can see why UCAS Adjustment still gets searched, even though it isn’t an active UCAS service today. The label has stuck, because students still face the same moment: your results come in higher than planned and you start weighing up whether another course or university might be a better fit.
In practise, changing direction now usually involves using the current UCAS route, which may include releasing your accepted place and then exploring available options through Clearing. If you want extra support alongside all of this, online tutoring can also be useful.
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FAQs
When was UCAS Adjustment discontinued?
UCAS Adjustment was discontinued for 2022 entry onwards. It hasn’t been part of the UCAS system since then.
Can I use UCAS Clearing if I got better grades?
Yes. If your results are higher than expected and you want to change course or university, Clearing is the route now used to explore alternatives.
Do I lose my original place immediately when I explore alternatives?
No. Looking at options or speaking to universities doesn’t remove your place. You only lose it if you actively choose to release it using the UCAS self-release option.
Is UCAS Adjustment the same as self-release?
No. Adjustment was a separate service that let students explore options while keeping their place. Self-release is a decision you make to give up your place so you can move forward using the current UCAS processes.
