UK Clearing 2026: Questions Worth Asking Before You Say Yes

Clearing can get very “there’s a place — say yes!” very quickly.

But getting an offer and finding somewhere that actually works for you are not quite the same thing.

Before you commit, it is worth asking what studying and living there might actually look like — especially if accessibility, accommodation, routine or support will affect your day-to-day life.

You do not need to ask everything. You just need enough information to make a decision that feels informed rather than rushed.

For Falmouth University, information for Clearing can be found here: https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/study/clearing.

Teaching: How is the course actually taught?

A course can sound perfect on a website and still feel very different once you are there.

Ask what a typical week looks like. Think about contact hours, group work, presentations, practical work, independent study and how you will be assessed.

If predictability matters to you, it is also worth asking how timetables usually work and how much they can change.

Support: How are reasonable adjustments and disability support arranged?

Reasonable adjustments are changes that can help reduce disability-related barriers to studying.

You can ask how support is arranged, who you would need to contact and whether you can start discussing your needs before you arrive.

You do not have to explain your whole medical history during a Clearing call just to find out how the process works.

Living: Can the available accommodation meet your needs?

“Accommodation is available” does not always mean “the accommodation available will work for me”.

Think about noise, sensory needs, accessibility, bathroom facilities, cooking arrangements, flat size and how far you would be from teaching.

You may also want to ask about both university accommodation and private options nearby.

If where you live is going to affect how manageable university feels, it is worth asking about it before you decide.

Location: Where will you actually be studying?

This sounds obvious, but it can make a big difference.

Some courses are taught across different campuses or sites, so ask where most of your teaching will actually happen.

If you are looking at Falmouth University, for example, you might want to know whether your course is mainly based at Falmouth, Penryn or Woodlane.

Then think about the everyday journey: accommodation, buses, walking, shops, healthcare and any services you may rely on.

You are choosing somewhere to live as well as somewhere to study.

For a practical overview of food, transport, support and campus accessibility information, see the Falmouth and Penryn community map 2026.

Finance: What support or funding might you need to arrange or update?

If you receive, or may be eligible for, Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), it is worth checking whether anything needs to be applied for or updated if your university or course changes.

You may also need to update Student Finance or contact university support services once your place is confirmed.

You do not need to sort all of this out during the call.

The useful question is simply: What do I need to do next?

What’s Next: What happens if you are offered a place?

If a university offers you a place through Clearing, ask what happens next.

• How long do you have to decide?
• What do you need to do through UCAS?
• When can you apply for accommodation?
• Is there anything you should complete before starting?

When everything is moving quickly, having those next steps written down can make the process much easier to manage.

Clearing is not only about finding a space

It is easy to treat Clearing as a race to find somewhere with places left.

But you are also choosing a course, an environment, a place to live and a university system you may be navigating for the next few years.

So yes, ask: “Can I get in?”

But also ask: “Can I see myself studying, living and being supported here?”

That second question might tell you much more!

Starting university in September 2026?

Building Identity Through Stories (BITS) is a creative research project exploring how storytelling, art, memes, sound and digital media might support SEND and neurodivergent students through the transition into university.

The project is interested in the parts of starting university that do not always fit neatly into an induction checklist: identity, belonging, uncertainty, finding your people and working out how university fits around who you are.

There will be creative workshops, reflective prompts and more transition-focused content coming soon!

Disclaimer: This is an independent informational post and is not official guidance from, endorsed by, or representative of Falmouth University. Clearing information can change, so please check UCAS and the relevant university’s official website for the latest information.