There will be vacancies available at universities and colleges across the UK through clearing.

If you miss your first and insurance choices, you can use clearing to find another place. If you are eligible, you will be sent a clearing passport in the post.

Course vacancies are advertised on the UCAS site and in the national press.

Getting a place through clearing

When you've looked at the vacancies, you should talk to the admissions staff at universities and colleges with places available. Staff will be able to tell you whether they can offer you a place. If they can, you'll need to provide your clearing number.

You should then make a note of the university or college name and the course you're applying for, along with the UCAS course code, and sign and date your clearing passport. You then send this to the college or university. Once they've received this they will decide whether to offer you a place. If they do, you should contact the university or college with your decision.

If you accept the offer, the university or college will tell UCAS, who will then contact you to confirm your place.

*Clearing is available until mid-September.

To search for course vacancies at UK universities log onto the clearing section of the UCAS site, or for more information on clearing check out the clearing advice section on Directgov.

But if you need help the government website Directgov offers advice on where and what to study. You can also find information about university prospectuses and open days at www. Direct.gov.uk and find out what financial help is available to you by visiting the Student Finance England section of the Directgov website.

For more help you can speak to an advisor at your local Connexions Centre.

You can contact a Connexions Direct Adviser by phone on 080 800 13 2 19, by text on 07766 4 13 2 19, by textphone on 08000 968 336, or talk to an adviser online at www.connexions-direct.com or by email.