Hundreds of thousands of pupils across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are set to find out their A-level today.
School and college leavers will find out if their grades will be sufficient to get them into universities, as well as whether they should find employment or enrol in an apprenticeship.
A record number of students have been accepted into their top universities in 2025, according to UCAS.
The findings indicate a “steadying of the ship” after the pandemic, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said.
Here’s everything you need to know about A-level results day.
When are exam results this year?
This year, A-level results are going to be released on August 14.
What can we expect?
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told BBC Breakfast that there has been a “steadying of the ship” this year and last following disruption from the pandemic.
According to her, students have completed the entire, anticipated exam cycle in school, making this a "totally normal year" as it would have been prior to the pandemic.
She tells “Congratulations” to those receiving their results today, acknowledging the "nerve-wracking" nature of the process. She adds there is a lot of support and assistance available for people who did not receive what they needed.
Last year, 27.8 per cent of A-level entries were graded A or A*, up from 27.2 per cent in 2023.
How does the situation differ in the devolved nations?
GCSEs and A-levels returned to pre-pandemic grading arrangements in England in 2023. This happened in Wales and Northern Ireland in 2024 — a year later.
Scotland has a different qualification system and students received their results on Tuesday last week.
Data published by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) showed that 78.4 per cent of students sitting National 5 exams passed with a to C grades, up from 77.2 per cent in 2024.
For Highers, 75.9 per cent passed with top bands, up from 74.9 per cent in 2024.
There was also a rise in Advanced Highers top grades. 76.7 per cent received A to C grades, up from 75.3 per cent in 2024.
Will students face tougher competition for university places?
It doesn’t look like it! This A-level results day, a record number of 18-year-olds are expected to secure their first choice of university even if they slightly miss their grades, the head of Ucas indicated.
Jo Saxton, chief executive of the university admissions service, said that it was a “good year to be a UK-domiciled 18-year-old” who wants to go to university.
Last Wednesday, there were still 22,700 courses with vacancies for undergraduate students living in England on the Ucas clearing site.
A sample of 129 of the UK’s largest higher education providers revealed that 17 of the 24 Russel Group universities had over 3,600 courses with vacancies for English residents on clearing.
What can students do if they are not happy with their results and they do not get accepted to their first choice university?
Clearing is available to students who do not meet the conditions of their offer on A-level results day, as well as those who did not receive any offers.
Students who have changed their mind about what or where they wish to study, and also those who have applied outside the normal application window, can also use the clearing process through Ucas.
Applicants will be able to add a clearing choice from 1pm on results day.
In England, if a student is unhappy with their grade they can ask their school or college to request that the exam board review the marking.
If there are still concerns after the review, the student can ask their school or college to appeal against the result.
