You’ve gone through Clearing and got the place on the degree that you want. You’ve done it; you’re off to university!

But what happens next? How do you confirm your offer? Will your student finance be affected now that you’re going to a different university, and how can you find somewhere to live with just weeks to go before term starts?

Read on to find the answer to these, and other practical steps, you need to take now.

1. Confirm your Clearing offer

After you’ve received a verbal offer from a university you should also receive an email confirmation setting out how long you have to accept your offer.

If you’re happy with the offer and want to accept it, sign into your UCAS Hub, click on 'Add Clearing choice' and fill in the course details before the offer expires.

This counts as you accepting the offer, and once it’s confirmed, it'll show as an acceptance on your 'Choices' page in your application.

2. Update your student finance after Clearing

If you’ve already applied for student finance, you’ll need to update your course and university details. This is easy to do via your online account.

Your application will be reassessed, but you should find out very quickly if there’ll be any changes to the amount of student finance you’ll get.

If you get a place through Clearing and haven’t applied for student finance yet, you’ll need to do this now.

Applications can take six weeks to process, so if you don’t get your funding in time for the start of your course, get in touch with your university to let them know.  

For more advice, read our blog on applying for student finance late.

3. Check scholarships and bursaries

As well as updating your student finance, you’ll need to make new arrangements if you’d previously secured a scholarship or bursary to study at a different university.

At Newcastle, we offer a range of funding schemes for UK and international students, from scholarships to donor and University-funded schemes.

Our Student Finance Advisers can help you research your options and any funding you may be eligible for.

4. Find accommodation after Clearing

Next on the list is somewhere to live!

Your new university should give you all the details you need about your accommodation options, and how you can apply.

Check out what’s available through their website, take an online tour of halls if that facility is available, and even ask about visiting in person.

Finding the right place to live is a huge part of settling into your new university life, so do your research.

At Newcastle, we have a great range of accommodation to choose from, with the option of taking a virtual tour of each of our sites.

5. Apply for your Student Visa

If you’re an international student, you’ll need a visa to study full-time in the UK. Now that the UK has left the European Union, you’ll also need to apply for a student visa if you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national and don’t have Settled or Pre-Settled status.

To apply, you’ll need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). You’ll be able to request this from your new university after you have accepted your offer and your details have been updated in your application.

Once you’ve received your CAS, make sure you check it carefully and if there are any mistakes, let the university know straightaway.

At Newcastle, you can get lots of helpful advice about applying for your visa from our Visa Support Team.

6. Register with your university

Once you accept your offer and it’s been confirmed, you should receive email instructions on how to register with your university – registration gives you official status as a student of the university.

As part of the process you’ll access your university email account, check and confirm your student data, register on to your programme of study, and follow the instructions to receive a university smartcard that you’ll need to access university buildings, libraries, borrow books, use printing and photocopying services and much more.

You may also need to pay, or make arrangements to pay, your tuition fees so you can complete your registration.

7. Start packing!

Now you’re officially registered with the university, it’s time to start thinking about what you need to pack – from clothes to bedding, towels, kitchenware and personal touches to brighten up your room and remind you of home.

Don’t be tempted to pack everything you own, instead check out our handy guide to the essential things you’ll need to take with you, and don’t forget you can always buy some items once you’re settled in.

We hope you’ve found this blog post useful. Going through Clearing can be a stressful and anxious time, so why not read about our students’ experiences and how Newcastle University was the right Clearing choice for them?