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I changed university through Clearing - what about student finance and accommodation?

Secured a new place through Clearing? Two things to sort quickly so your funding and housing are ready for the start of term.

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In short

If you switch university or course through Clearing, update your student finance straight away and sort accommodation quickly. Log in to your student finance account and change your university/course so your funding is assessed correctly - UCAS warns that not updating Student Finance England can delay your payment. If you haven’t applied for finance yet, do it now: applications take weeks to process.

How it works

tutor2u isn’t a university or a UCAS service, and we can’t place you on a course. This is a plain-English guide to the official process - always use UCAS and speak to the universities and your school or college for anything specific to you.

  1. Update your student finance
    Log in at GOV.UK, go to your account and change your university/college and course. Student Finance England reassesses and tells you of any change to what you can get.
  2. Not applied yet? Apply now
    Applications take at least several weeks to process, so apply as soon as you have your place - the sooner you apply, the sooner your money arrives.
  3. Sort accommodation quickly
    Contact your new university’s accommodation team straight away - Clearing places can fill halls fast, so don’t leave it.
  4. Keep a record
    Note confirmation of your finance change and accommodation, in case you need to chase anything before term.

Example

You accept a Clearing place at a different university on results day. That evening you log in to your student finance account and change the university and course, then email the new accommodation office. Because you updated Student Finance England promptly, your first payment isn’t delayed.
Common misconception

Your student finance follows the course you’re actually on. If you don’t tell Student Finance you’ve switched, your loan can be wrong or late - so update it the moment your place is confirmed.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to tell student finance if I change through Clearing?

Yes. Update your application with the new university/college and course so your funding is assessed correctly, or your payment can be delayed. Source: UCAS ↗

How do I update it?

Log in to your student finance account at GOV.UK and change your university/course; Student Finance England will reassess and let you know of any changes. Source: GOV.UK ↗

What if I haven’t applied for finance yet?

Apply as soon as you have your place - applications take several weeks to process, so the sooner you apply, the sooner your money arrives. Source: UCAS ↗

What about accommodation?

Contact your new university’s accommodation team straight away, as Clearing places can fill housing quickly. Source: UCAS ↗

See it in the data

New to the whole process? Start with how Clearing works.

University Clearing explained →How to phone a university →

Official sources

Official sources: UCAS: going through Clearing (student finance) · GOV.UK: student finance
About this guide. Produced independently by tutor2u using current UCAS guidance to explain university admissions and Clearing in plain English. Always check your UCAS application and contact the relevant university or college for advice specific to your application. Last reviewed 11 August 2026.

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Last checked August 2026. This is a plain-English summary of the UCAS admissions and Clearing process; always check your UCAS application and contact the relevant university or college for the details that apply to you, which can change.

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