King's College London Clearing for 2026 entry runs from 2 July to 19 October 2026, with the busiest period falling on A-level results day, expected 13 August 2026. You can use Clearing if you don't hold a confirmed university place: because you missed your grades, applied after 30 June, received no offers, or declined your existing offer. KCL only releases a limited number of courses into Clearing, so checking availability and acting quickly on results day matters more than almost anything else in the process.
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When Is KCL Clearing 2026?
| Stage | Date |
| Clearing opens | 2 July 2026 |
| A-level results day | 13 August 2026 (expected) |
| Clearing closes | 19 October 2026 |
KCL's available Clearing courses are published on the university's own admissions pages from 2 July, though the list, and how many places remain, changes daily once results day passes. The busiest single day of the entire cycle is results day itself, when thousands of students across the UK are trying to secure a place at the same time.
Am I Eligible for KCL Clearing?
You can use Clearing for 2026 entry if any of the following apply:
- You applied to UCAS after 30 June 2026.
- You did not receive any offers, or none you wanted to accept.
- You did not meet the conditions of your firm or insurance offer.
- You have declined your firm place via "Decline my place" in UCAS Hub.
If you already hold a confirmed place at any university, you cannot use Clearing, you would need to decline that place first, and this decision is often irreversible. Read the UCAS Hub guidance carefully before doing this.
How KCL Clearing Actually Works
Unlike some universities, King's College London does not treat Clearing as an open free-for-all. Only a limited number of courses have places available, and competition for them remains high even on results day. The process works as follows:
1. Check your results and your UCAS status. As soon as you have your results, log into UCAS Hub to confirm whether you hold a place. If you don't, you're eligible to use Clearing.
2. Search for available KCL courses. From 2 July, check KCL's own Clearing course list directly on the university website, alongside the official UCAS vacancy search tool, which updates in real time.
3. Contact KCL or apply through UCAS Hub. Once you find a course with availability, you can add it as a Clearing choice in UCAS Hub from 1pm on results day, provided you have an informal offer.
4. Release your application if needed. If you already had a different firm or insurance choice that fell through, your application is automatically released into Clearing. If you're declining an existing offer to pursue a different KCL course, you'll need to do this yourself, and it typically cannot be undone.
5. Accept your verbal offer. A verbal Clearing offer becomes your confirmed place once it's formalised in UCAS Hub.
How to Prepare Before Results Day
The students who succeed in Clearing tend to be the ones who prepared before results day, not the ones scrambling on the day itself.
- List two or three backup courses at KCL and elsewhere that realistically match a range of possible results.
- Have your UCAS Personal ID, exam results, personal statement, and reference ready to hand.
- Keep your phone charged and the KCL admissions contact details saved.
- Read the entry requirements for your target course in advance. KCL advises that even if your results fall slightly short, it's still worth calling to discuss your case, but you should have a realistic backup ready regardless.
What Happens If You Get a Place
Congratulations, your verbal offer is formalised once you accept it through UCAS Hub. At this point, your most pressing next step is accommodation.
Clearing students are at a real disadvantage compared to those who applied earlier in the cycle: they're searching for housing in August, right when demand peaks and the best-located rooms have already gone. If your KCL Clearing place comes through close to results day, search for student accommodation near King's College London immediately rather than waiting until you've settled into the course, since rooms close to Strand, Guy's, and Waterloo in particular fill fastest in this window.
For a full breakdown of what KCL accommodation actually costs by campus and room type, including how university halls compare to private options, see the complete guide to King's College London accommodation costs.
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FAQs: King's College London Clearing 2026
When does KCL Clearing open in 2026?
KCL Clearing for 2026 entry opens on 2 July 2026 and remains open until 19 October 2026. The busiest period is results day, expected to be 13 August 2026.
Can I get into King's College London through Clearing?
Yes, but places are limited. KCL releases only a small number of courses into Clearing each year, and competition for them remains high, even on results day. Checking course availability as soon as it's published and acting quickly improves your chances significantly.
Am I eligible for KCL Clearing?
You're eligible if you applied to UCAS after 30 June, received no offers you wanted, did not meet your offer conditions, or have declined your existing firm place. If you already hold a confirmed university place, you are not eligible to use Clearing.
What time does Clearing start on results day?
UCAS allows you to add a Clearing choice from 1pm on results day, once you have a verbal or informal offer from the university. Lines and online systems are typically busiest in the hours immediately after results are released that morning.
Does King's College London accept lower grades through Clearing?
KCL advises applicants to assume entry requirements in Clearing match those published on the course page. If your results fall slightly short, it's still worth contacting KCL directly to discuss your case, but you should have a realistic backup option ready.
What if I want to decline my current offer to apply to KCL through Clearing?
You can do this via "Decline my place" in UCAS Hub, but this action is usually irreversible. Read UCAS's guidance carefully and be certain of your decision before declining an existing confirmed place.
How do I find accommodation if I get a KCL place through Clearing?
Search as soon as your place is confirmed. Results day accommodation demand is intense, particularly for areas near KCL's central campuses. Verified student accommodation listings near King's College London update in real time and include bills-inclusive options, which is particularly useful when you're arranging housing on a compressed timeline.
How competitive is King's College London generally?
KCL's overall acceptance rate is estimated at around 13%, making it one of the more selective Russell Group universities. For a full breakdown of acceptance rates by course, see the King's College London acceptance rate guide.
Final Verdict
KCL Clearing is a genuine route in, but it rewards preparation over panic. Know your eligibility before results day, have realistic backup courses ready, and move fast once places are published. If you secure a place, treat accommodation as the very next task, not something to sort out once term starts. The best rooms near Strand, Guy's, and Waterloo go quickly in the August rush, and a compressed search window makes verified, bills-included listings worth far more than they would in a normal admissions cycle.