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

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 of young people. 

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Students scoring just over half marks in A-level maths will be rewarded with an A grade this summer, leaked documents show.

Grade boundaries for Edexcel‘s maths A-level show students who gained 165 out of a possible maximum of 300 marks (55 per cent) will be awarded an A.

Separate documents show that those who took the OCR exam board’s A-level maths qualification will walk away with an A if they achieved 54 per cent across all papers – a total of 161 out of 300.

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A record number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds in England have been accepted to universities and colleges this summer. 

On the morning that teenagers receive their A-Level results, Ucas revealed 17.3 per cent (18,900 students) of 18-year-olds from the most disadvantaged backgrounds were accepted - a rise of 0.8 per cent on the previous year. 

In Wales, 15.8 per cent from the most disadvantaged backgrounds have been accepted, and in Northern Ireland the proportion is 13.2 per cent – both new highs.

Across the UK, 28.2 per cent of all 18-year-olds have been accepted through UCAS, also a new record for results day. Last year’s figure on A level results day was 27.7 per cent.

Clare Marchant, UCAS chief executive, said: "Students receiving their exam results today should be incredibly proud of their achievements. Everyone at UCAS wishes you the best of luck for the next few years of rewarding study of your favorite subject, supported by expert tutors and new friends.

"The record proportions of disadvantaged students off to university, combined with the highest number of international students we’ve seen accepted at this point, is testament to students’ hard work and the attraction of our world-class universities and colleges. 

"For everyone looking for a place today, Clearing offers a new direction. It’s important to take some time today to speak with teachers, parents, and universities for help and advice to make a fully informed decision that’s right for you. Students with a confirmed place can reflect, and if they want to change their mind, they can release themselves online to enter Clearing."

Fewer students have been accepted on to UK degree courses this year, Ucas figures show.

In total, 408,960 people, from the UK and overseas, have had places confirmed, down one per cent on the same point last year, according to data published by the university admissions service.

Among UK students alone, 348,890 applicants have been accepted, also a one per cent fall compared to 2018.

The figures come on the day that sixth-formers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland receive their A-level results.

However, a record 33,630 international students - those from outside the EU - have found places, Ucas said, adding that this has been driven by a 32 per cent rise in accepted applicants from China.

And there has been a small increase in the number of EU students accepted on to UK degree courses, with 26,440 confirmed so far.

The number of UK 18-year-olds taking up places has fallen by just under one per cent to 199,370. This comes amid a 1.9 per cent drop in the population of this age group in the UK.

Students across the country are starting to receive their results. We'll bring you some of the latest pics from up and down the UK. 

Aaliyah Wallace (centre) celebrates 3x A* in her A Level results with her family at King Edward VI High School for Girls in Birmingham. Aaliyah is going to study modern languages at Oxford University. 

Sophie Todd (right) and Willow Major celebrate their A Level results at Norwich School in Norwich (PA)

And the results are in...

A-level students have been awarded the lowest proportion of top grades in over a decade amid major exam reforms. 

The proportion of students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland awarded an A* or A this summer dropped to 25.5 per cent compared to 26.4 per cent last year. 

The number of students who secured the top grade of A* also dropped to 7.8 per cent this year – its lowest level since 2013 - compared to 8 per cent last year.

However, the overall A* to E pass rate in the UK of all subjects remained the same as last year at 97.6 per cent, the figures published by the Joint Council for Qualifications show.

BREAKING: Girls outperformed boys at the top grades this year after two years of males doing better. 25.5 per cent of exam entries for girls were awarded A* or A grades, compared to 25.4 per cent for boys.

A-level students have been awarded the lowest proportion of top grades in over a decade amid major exam reforms. 

This is the third year that students in England have received grades in a number of reformed A-levels, which have moved away from coursework and modules to final exams after two years.

The proportion of students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland awarded an A* or A this summer dropped to 25.5 per cent this year – the lowest point since 2007 and almost 1 per cent less than last year. 

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