Sixth-formers across the UK have achieved record-breaking exam results this summer in both academic and vocational subjects. This has enabled over a quarter of a million 18-year-olds to progress to higher education.
In England, students set new records for the proportion of A* grades in A-level subjects, with 9.7% achieving an A*. This marks an increase from 9.4% last year and represents a new high outside of the pandemic period when exams were cancelled.
Northern Ireland was the top-performing country, with 30.7% of grades being A or A*. Wales followed with 29.6%, and England with 28.7% of grades at A or A*.
The strong results have led to 262,000 UK pupils already securing places on university courses starting this autumn. This increase is partly attributed to a rising number of 18-year-olds in the population. Improvements were seen across subjects, with mathematics showing a notable enhancement despite a surge in candidates.
Detailed results for Level 3 vocational qualifications, including BTecs and Cambridge Technicals, were also published, showing that just under 10% of 300,000 candidates achieved top grades. Sir Ian Bauckham, head of Ofqual, stated that the improved results for both A-levels and vocational qualifications can be trusted by employers and universities.
Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK, confirmed that a record 262,820 UK 18-year-olds have secured a university place this year, including an increase from disadvantaged backgrounds. She also noted that 26,000 courses are still available through clearing for those who did not achieve their desired results.
Regional disparities persist, with nearly a third of candidates in London achieving A*s and As, while only 23.1% did so in the East Midlands and North East. Myles McGinley of OCR noted that the gap between boys and girls at A* and A grades has widened, with boys now a full percentage point ahead in England, though more girls taking A-levels means a higher absolute number of girls achieved these grades.