A-level results day: Top grades drop to lowest proportion in more than decade as numbers going to university fall

A-level results day is nearly upon us. Here is a quick refresher of what to expect:

The number of students who say it is vital to get a degree has fallen to nearly two in three, survey finds.

Secondary school pupils think confidence and connections are more important for getting on in life than going to university, research from social mobility charity Sutton Trust found.

Only 65 per cent of teenagers agreed that it was “important” to go to university for future success - which has fallen by 10 percentage points since 2018, according to the poll.

And the proportion of pupils who believe studying for a degree is not important is rising - standing at 20 per cent this year, compared with 11 per cent in 2013, the survey shows.

The findings come as as sixth-formers across the country receive their A-level results and find out whether they have secured a place at their first choice university.

Artists and politicians have backed calls for the government to reverse the drop in students taking "vital" creative subjects at school.

A letter to education secretary Gavin Williamson states that arts education is vital to the future success of the UK's lucrative creative industries.

Sir Lenny Henry is among 150 celebrities and professionals calling for curriculum change "for the benefit of the whole UK".

Figures later today will show whether entries to A-level creative subjects have dropped. 

Newly appointed education secretary Gavin Williamson has wished good luck to the thousands of young people who are set to receive their A level results this morning.

He said: “Everyone receiving results today should feel proud of their achievements – as should the thousands of teachers that supported them in our brilliant schools and colleges. Today marks the culmination of years of hard work which it’s right to recognise at this time of year.

“Of course, the minds of thousands of young people getting their results will soon turn to the next chapter in their lives, whether that’s a place at one of our world class universities, earning on an apprenticeship or entering the world of work – and I hope every one of them is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for them and I wish them the very best of luck for their results today.”

Students waiting on university places will only be able to find out whether they have been accepted at 8am on Thursday by signing onto Track on Ucas' website.

Education Correspondent Eleanor Busby will have the national statistics and trends for A-level results day from Westminster at 9.30am - as more than 200,000 students collect their grades and find out their university places across the UK.

The new A-levels have less coursework and a greater focus on exams at the end of two years - and AS levels no longer count towards the A-level grade as part of the reforms.

This is the third year of reformed A-level subjects being sat in England. In 2017, grades were awarded in 13 subjects, with a further 12 reformed subjects last summer.

Students will receive grades in a further 19 subjects on Thursday.

Experts have predicted that the linear structure of the new qualifications will favour boys.

The exam boards are releasing the grade boundaries for the exams on their websites early this morning - although some were already leaked yesterday...

Students will be able to collect a hard copy of their results from their school or college this morning. Opening times will vary so it is worth checking their website.

From 8am, you can check online to see whether your university offer has been confirmed as unconditional, but you will need to go into your school or college to find out your results.

Labour wants to scrap university offers based on predicted A-level grades as they argue the system unfairly penalises disadvantaged students and those from minority backgrounds.

Here is our analysis on whether it would improve the situation for poorer students: