FOR anyone who didn't get the results you hoped for yesterday or did better than expected, clearing could be the answer to your prayers.

The UCAS Clearing is a system that operates between July and September.

Anyone can apply through clearing, even if you have already submitted an application to UCAS.

If any of these situations apply to you now or next week when you open the envelope and receive your exam results then you should consider Clearing:

If you only made a single choice on your original application, you can pay a further £12 and apply to other universities and colleges.

You are allowed to complete an application up until September 20. You will automatically be entered into the Clearing system so you must not fill in any choices on your application.

A full list of course vacancies are published between mid-August and late September on the UCAS website so keep an eye out for these.

Eligibility for Clearing will show up on your Track page, where you will find your Clearing Number (universities will need this so they can access your application) and the 'Add a Clearing Choice' button.

In Clearing, applicants contact institutions directly to discuss the courses available and whether their application can be considered.

You can contact as many universities as you like, and may receive offers from several. Don't feel that you have to accept the first offer that you receive: remember that you will be spending at least three years studying the course, so make sure that the university or college and course are right for you before you accept a place.

Each university will give you with a course code and institution code. When you have decided which offer you want to take up, you must enter the details on Track.

You can only enter one choice, and you must have discussed your application with the university first. If you enter a choice without doing this you are likely to cause yourself significant delays and may even lose out on a course you were really keen on.

The last date you can enter a Clearing choice in October 23 - this is also the last date a university or college can accept an applicant in Clearing.

For more information on the Clearing process, visit https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/apply-and-track/results/results-what-you-need-know.