There are lots of phrases and words associated with applying to university and the Clearing process that you’ll see used across UCAS and university websites. We want to make the process totally stress-free so we’ve put together this jargon buster to help you better understand the process.

Adjustment: On results day, if you have met or exceeded the requirements for your conditional offers then you can use the UCAS Adjustment service. You may be able to get on a different course at an alternative university with higher entry requirements. You can still hold your original confirmed place whilst you shop around.

Admissions: The department within Edge Hill University that processes applications and makes the decisions on applications.

Apply: The name of the UCAS online application system.

Applicant number: A ten digit number assigned by UCAS. Sometimes referred to as a UCAS ID.

Campus Tour: A chance to look around the university buildings and facilities. If you can’t make it to an Open Day, this is a great opportunity to see the campus. During Clearing we’ll be running them every working day from Thursday 15th – Friday 23rd August. Find out more.

Campus tour outside Catalyst building

Campus University: A university situated on one dedicated site, with student accommodation, teaching and research facilities, and leisure activities all together. Edge Hill is a campus university, and we’ve won awards for our beautiful surroundings!

Changed course offer: You might get one of these if you haven’t met the conditions of the offer you accepted. It might involve a different start date or a different course altogether.

Clearing: Clearing is the system that operates after UCAS Extra has closed in July. It allows students without a university place, or those who want to change their mind, to apply for courses at universities where there are still spaces.

Conditional offer: The offer of a place on a course, which is dependent on certain conditions being met, for example, achieving certain grades of medical clearance.

Deferred entry: If you apply for a place but want to start university the following year. If you are taking a Gap Year you may want to consider this option, then you can return for your year knowing that your university place is sorted.

Extra: Extra is the UCAS service you can use to apply for alternative places if you do not hold an offer from your first five choices. It closes at the end of June.

Firm choice: The university you accept as your first choice following your UCAS application. If you get the grades you need this is the university you will be going to in September.

Gap Year: A year away from education before going to university. You may want to use the time to travel or gain work experience and additional qualifications.

Higher Education (HE): The level of education that involves undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. The next step after sixth form or college.

Insurance choice: The university you accept as your backup choice following your UCAS application. If you don’t get the grades for your firm choice university you may have your place confirmed at your insurance choice.

Offer: An official offer of a place on a course from Edge Hill University. This can be conditional or unconditional.

Open Days: The university is open for those considering an application. The day includes campus tours, subject talks, accommodation tours, finance talks and the chance to get your questioned answered. Edge Hill’s next Open Day is on Saturday 17th August. Book your place now.

Open day team

Prospectus: Guides produced by individual universities detailing the unique information about that university and the course it offers. Also available online via our website at edgehill.ac.uk/study

Tariff: The points system for entry into higher education. Some offers of places are expressed in terms of a tariff point score rather than grades.

Track: The UCAS online system that allows applicants to check the status of their application.

UCAS: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. This is the organisation that handles nearly all university applications.

Unconditional offer: The offer made by the admissions team which does not depend on reaching certain targets. Often used when a student has already taken their exams and achieved the required grades.