Thousands of young people across England are celebrating today as they receive their A Level, T Level, and Vocational Technical Qualifications (VTQ) results. The latest figures reveal that 76% of 18-year-old applicants in England have been accepted into their first-choice university, marking an increase from 71.6% in 2023 and 74.5% in 2019.
The Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, extended her congratulations to students and thanked educators for their dedication during what she described as “challenging circumstances”. Ms. Phillipson highlighted the government’s ongoing commitment to breaking down barriers in education, ensuring that all young people have the skills and knowledge to succeed.
Despite the positive outcomes for many students, the latest data also underscores the growing regional disparities in educational attainment. While 32.1% of all English 18-year-olds secured a place at university, the gap between the most and least disadvantaged students continues to widen. In the North East, just 25.3% of 18-year-olds secured a university place, compared to 42.5% in London—a difference of 17.2 percentage points, which has worsened since 2023 when the gap was 15.3 percentage points.
This year’s results also show an improvement in overall performance at A Level, with 27.8% of UK entries achieving a grade A or above, up from 2023. Similarly, 76.4% of entries secured a grade C or above. The number of students completing T Levels has more than doubled from last year, with 7,380 students receiving their results today. Of these, 88.7% achieved a pass or above.
However, the figures reveal stark differences between regions and school types. London leads the way, with 31.3% of grades at A or above, compared to just 22.5% in the East Midlands. Independent schools continue to outperform other types of schools, with the highest proportion of A grades and above, and have seen significant increases this year.
In response to these entrenched inequalities, the government has announced a series of measures aimed at addressing the challenges facing the education system. A key part of this effort is the recruitment of 6,500 new teachers, particularly in shortage subjects and in regions with the most significant recruitment challenges.
Additionally, the government has launched a review of the curriculum and assessment, led by Sir Kevan Collins, to drive up standards and tackle barriers to success, particularly for students with special educational needs and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Ms. Phillipson is also co-chairing a taskforce focused on tackling child poverty, with plans to publish a strategy in the spring. This taskforce will address the broader impacts of poverty on educational outcomes, with initiatives including free breakfast clubs and improved mental health support for the most vulnerable children.
For students who did not achieve their desired grades or are still considering their options, UCAS has reported that nearly 30,000 courses are available through clearing. Students can also explore alternative pathways such as degree apprenticeships or higher technical qualifications, which offer valuable skills for future careers.
For further advice, students are encouraged to contact the National Careers Service or explore additional options on the Skills for Careers website.