This morning is an exciting and nerve-racking day as hundreds of A-level students in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland open their results.
Most schools will be open from from 8am to 11am, but it's advised to check your school's website or social media accounts.
Keep in mind that some universities may take up to 24 hours to confirm a student's spot.
There will be an intense race for spots through clearing until October 20 for many students who don't attain the necessary Ucas points for their top preferences.
In 2024, 27.8 per cent of UK A-level entries were awarded an A or A* grade (up from 27.2 per cent in 2023).
Follow for all of the latest updates below....
Physics on the rise
11:59 , Nuray BulbulThe notable increase in the total number of students opting to study physics was applauded by the Institute of Physics (IOP).
Tom Grinyer, the chief executive of the IOP, said in a statement: “Today we have seen the highest entry levels for A-level physics this century — it’s great news for physics, young people and the UK’s science and innovation ambitions.”
In the UK, 44,947 students took A-level physics this year, which is a 4.3 per cent increase over the previous year and the biggest number in at least 25 years. With the increase, the topic rises from ninth to sixth place in popularity. 21 percent of physics candidates were female.
If you don't get your firm choice, try ringing the university
11:48 , Nuray BulbulOpening your results and seeing that you did not receive the grades you had hoped for might be quite disheartening, but if you are prepared to be flexible, you have several possibilities. It is worthwhile to give the university a call because they might be accommodating.
Make sure you have all of your information on hand, including your UCAS information and grades. Prepare a pen, paper, and possibly an additional pair of ears to hear the information.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan: "I hope you enjoy celebrating with friends and family"
11:37 , Nuray BulbulMayor of London Sadiq Khan wrote on X: “Your hard work, along with the dedication of your teachers, has brought you to this moment. I hope you enjoy celebrating with friends and family.”
Leader of the Conservatives Kemi Badenoch congratulates students
11:27 , Nuray BulbulKemi Badenoch took to social media to congratulate students who have received their A-level results today.
“If you’re not celebrating right now, don't lose heart. Remember, your results don’t decide your future, you do.
“This is just one step on a much bigger journey.”
Well done to everyone getting results today.
— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) August 14, 2025
If you’re not celebrating right now, don’t lose heart. Remember, your results don’t decide your future, you do.
This is just one step on a much bigger journey.
What matters most next? Your attitude, your choices, your determination.…
State-funded students are less likely to receive high grades than private school students
11:16 , Nuray BulbulToday's results figures indicate that students attending private schools have almost twice the chance of receiving top grades on their A-levels compared to their classmates attending state-funded schools.
There are noticeable grade variations between the institutions, according to Ofqual statistics, with 25.4 per cent of students at state-funded schools obtaining top grades on their A-levels and 48.5 per cent of students at private schools receiving an A or higher.
How does clearing work?
11:04 , Nuray BulbulYou must first decline any current offers from universities that you may have found on Ucas.
A clearance number will subsequently be sent to you.
Next, begin contacting colleges. Typically, they will call you with an offer, which should be followed by an email confirmation.
Proceed to log your clearing data on Ucas if you're satisfied.
What if you get an unconditional offer, but still get bad grades?
10:55 , Nuray BulbulRegardless of your final grades, your university spot is guaranteed if you have received an unconditional offer.
You can still look forward to beginning your course even if your results fall short of your expectations.
Ucas chief says there's no need to worry about financial pressures
10:43 , Nuray BulbulThousands of prospective students have been reassured by the Ucas director that the industry is well-regulated and has “student protection plans” in place, even if many schools are facing financial difficulties.
Numerous English institutions are in danger of collapsing due to multimillion-pound deficits.
In the meantime, emergency measures are being prepared by the Office for Students, which oversees universities in England, to shift students in the event that any schools fail.
What is the most popular subject?
10:34 , Nuray BulbulAfter breaking above the 100,000 barrier for the first time last year, mathematics continues to be the most popular A-level subject, with a 4.4 per cent increase in submissions to 112,000.
With around 76,000 students, psychology remained the second most popular subject, despite a 3.3 per cent decline.
In pictures: students react to results
10:25 , Nuray BulbulStudents were pictured across England, Wales and Northern Ireland as they opened the dreaded results envelope after months of hard-work preparing for A-levels
What options do you have if you can't pick your results up?
10:19 , Nuray BulbulYour A-level results will be emailed to you after 12:00 if you are unable to pick them up in person today.
All other Level 3 results have already been emailed from 08:00 this morning.
Freebies you can grab today
10:11 , Nuray BulbulMany restaurants are giving students discounts today if you want to celebrate your results without going over budget.
Nando’s - Students offered a free quarter chicken or starter when they show their ID and results at the till.
Banana Tree - You can get a free chicken or tofu pad Thai when ordered with a drink - including tap water.
Bill’s - You can get a free dessert when you show your physical A-level results to a server, and you order a main course or a brunch.
Bella Italia - Students with their results in hand will be able to enjoy a free starter and dessert when they order a main.
TGI Fridays - Between Sunday and Thursday throughout August, you'll get a main for free when you purchase one. And don’t forget the password: GRADSEATFREE.
What to do if you don't get your first-choice university course?
10:01 , Nuray BulbulStudents who did not receive any offers or who did not meet the terms of their offer on the day of the A-level results can try clearing.
The clearing process through Ucas is also available to students who have changed their minds about what or where they want to study, as well as those who applied outside of the regular application window.
Starting at 1pm today, applicants will have the option to add a clearing choice.
In England, students can ask their school or college to ask the exam board to examine the marking if they are not happy with their grade.
The student might request an appeal against the outcome from their school or institution if they are still worried.
Ucas chief: "This year’s students were just thirteen when the pandemic hit"
09:49 , Nuray BulbulChief Executive of Ucas Jo Saxton spoke about the students getting their results this year.
“This year’s students were just thirteen when the pandemic hit, and their secondary schooling was turned upside down,” she said.
“It’s great to see these applicants securing a university place in record numbers, seeking more education and investing in their futures.
“I am equally delighted to see how universities across the country have responded to their ambition.
“For any student who didn’t quite get the grades they were hoping for, or even those still yet to apply, there are plenty of options in clearing with around 27,000 available courses.
“Ucas experts are also available on the phones, on social media and on the Ucas website, to help all those deciding on the next step that’s right for them.”
Boys have outperformed girls
09:45 , Nuray BulbulBoys have surpassed females for the first time in seven years.
A*s were awarded to 9.9 per cent of male entries and 9.1 per cent of female entrants, a difference of 0.8 percentage points.
Combined, A* and A grades still matched them overall for girls.
However, the change represents a reversion to the pre-pandemic trend before the roles were reversed by teacher-assessed grades.
London achieves best A-level results for the second consecutive year
09:38 , Nuray BulbulWith nearly a third receiving top grades, London students had the best A-Level results in the nation.
It was discovered that 32.1 per cent of test participants received A*–A categories, which represents an increase of 0.8 per cent from 2024.
The city's students have been at the top of the table for the second consecutive year.
With 31.2 per cent of students receiving A*–A grades, the South East was the second-best performing region, followed by the East of England (28 per cent).
Read more here.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer congratulates students
09:31 , Nuray Bulbulrime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has poured in praise on social media:
“Whatever the outcome, if you’ve worked hard, you should be proud,” he says.
“I want all young people to have the opportunity to realise their ambition, and get the skills they need to thrive.”
Congratulations to everyone receiving T-Level, A-Level and VTQ results today.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) August 14, 2025
Whatever the outcome, if you’ve worked hard, you should be proud.
I want all young people to have the opportunity to realise their ambition, and get the skills they need to thrive.
Increase to student fees
09:28 , Nuray BulbulAs universities prepare to raise tuition for the first time in eight years, students who rely on loans to pay for their education may end up with more debt.
Starting in September, they will be able to increase tuition for full-time courses to £9,535 from £9,250. This is the first increase that has been approved since 2017.
For part-time degrees, tuition costs might reach £7,145.
Course fees are capped at £4,855 in Northern Ireland and are the same in Wales and Scotland (but Scottish and EU students are exempt).
Although some colleges might not charge the most, historical data indicates that tuition costs are generally the same.
Here are some of the latest pictures from results day
09:18 , Nuray BulbulThere were cheers and hugs as students celebrated their grades.
Education secretary's tips for students getting results today
09:16 , Nuray BulbulEducation Secretary Bridget Phillipson who spoke with Sky News this morning said: “My message to young people is that if you've got what you need to move on to the next step in your journey, that's fantastic.
“But if you haven't, there's lots of support and advice that's available, either from your school or college, but also through UCAS.
“If you're considering going to university through clearing, and also the National Careers Service, because there are lots of fantastic routes that are out there, whether that's apprenticeships, university or much more besides.”
Record numbers of 18-year-olds accepted to university or college this year
09:06 , Nuray BulbulAccording to data just released by Ucas, a record number of 18-year-olds will be celebrating their acceptance into university or college this morning.
82 per cent of those who were accepted this morning were assigned to their first choice, the same percentage as 2024.
Additionally, today's Level 3 results show that 255,130 UK 18-year-olds have been accepted, compared to 243,650 last year. This is a rise of 4.7 per cent.
In total, 439,180 applications from all ages and places of residence were accepted, which is the highest number of placed students on results day on record.
Didn't get the results you wanted? Listen to Jeremy Clarkson
09:01 , Nuray BulbulTV host Jeremy Clarkson is a trustworthy guide on the day of the A-level results every year.
Although his life turned out well, he likes to remind out that his grades weren't the best when he was younger.
He just posted his most recent comforting message on X.
If your A level results are disappointing, don’t worry. I got a C and two Us and here I am today, installing lights for a helicopter landing pad in my garden.
— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) August 14, 2025
How to access your results
08:56 , Nuray BulbulMany of you will need to visit your school or institution to pick up your results in person.
It's a good opportunity to allows students to meet their teachers and classmates, say their final goodbyes, and receive advise and direction on what to do next, particularly if things haven't gone as planned.
You should already be aware of how you will receive your results and when you should arrive, but if not, contact your institution or school right once.
If you intend to attend university, Ucas will update your application status on the Ucas Hub after receiving your results immediately.
