Top A-level grades rise for third year as T-level uptake rockets
UKPulse Local Desk
Top A-level grades have increased for the third consecutive year, with 28.5% of grades marked at A* or A across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, the number of students receiving T-level grades has significantly increased.
- Overall A-level grades at A* or A rose to 28.5% across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, up from 28.3% last year.
- A record number of 18-year-olds in the UK have been accepted into university, with a 5.5% increase in acceptances to "higher tariff" universities.
- Over 19,600 students received T-level grades this year, a rise from 11,900 students last year, with the pass rate increasing to 92.6%.
Top A-level results across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland have risen for a third year running, with 28.5% of grades marked at A* or A, an increase from 28.3% last year. In England, 28.3% of grades were A* or A, up from 28.2% in 2025. Wales saw 29.6% of grades at A* or A, up from 29.5%, and Northern Ireland had 30.7%, an increase from 30.3%.
A record number of 18-year-olds in the UK have been accepted into university, according to Ucas. "Higher tariff" universities, which are the most selective institutions, have taken on 5.5% more UK 18-year-olds than last year.
The number of students receiving T-level grades in England has significantly increased, with more than 19,600 students getting grades in 21 subjects this year, up from 11,900 students across 18 subjects last year. The T-level pass rate also increased slightly to 92.6%.
The regional gap in A-level attainment in England has widened, with London having 32.7% of A* or A grades, compared to 23.1% in the North East and East Midlands. This 9.6 percentage point gap is the largest on record since the A* grade was introduced in 2010.
Why this matters: The rise in top A-level grades and university acceptances, alongside the growing popularity of technical qualifications, indicates shifts in post-16 education and career pathways for teenagers.
What this means for you: If you are an 18-year-old in the UK, a record number of students have been accepted into university, and many selective institutions are still advertising courses through Clearing. If you are considering technical education, the number of T-level subjects and students has increased, with a higher pass rate.