A-level Results in England Expected to Return to Pre-Pandemic Norms with Shifting Subject Preferences

Published: 11 August 2025. The English Chronicle Desk

Students across England are set to receive A-level results this year that more closely reflect the pre-pandemic standards last seen in 2019, marking a significant milestone after years of disruption caused by Covid-19. For the first time since the onset of the pandemic, the grading pattern will align more traditionally with the national GCSE results these students attained two years prior, signaling a return to more predictable academic outcomes.

The cohort sitting A-level exams in 2025 experienced some early disruption during their secondary education due to school closures and exam cancellations, yet they have benefited from a relatively stable exam period without the upheaval that affected earlier years. This stability has allowed for a more consistent assessment environment and grading process.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has underscored the government’s commitment to addressing the educational disparities facing white working-class youth, a demographic she described as “falling behind their peers.” The forthcoming schools white paper, expected this autumn, will outline strategic interventions to close this attainment gap, highlighting the government’s focus on equitable educational opportunity.

Academic experts have noted that the unexpectedly high A-level grades recorded in 2024 may influence the outcomes this year. Professor Alan Smithers from Buckingham University pointed out that while top grades had increased slightly above pre-Covid levels last year, the distribution varies widely across subjects and student demographics. He emphasized the importance of this year’s results in settling grading volatility caused by the pandemic.

Notably, the landscape of subject popularity is evolving. Career-focused subjects such as business studies and economics are overtaking traditional academic disciplines like history. Despite a modest overall decline in A-level entries compared to last year, the sciences and mathematics continue to see rising interest, with mathematics remaining the most popular subject with over 105,000 entrants. Conversely, entries for subjects like English literature, French, and German are experiencing a downturn.

Approximately 250,000 sixth-form students in England will receive their results this Thursday. Meanwhile, students in Wales and Northern Ireland will get their results on the same day, though their grading systems operate independently. Scotland has already released its Higher and Advanced Higher results, which show record numbers achieving high grades.

Universities in England, facing a reduction in international applicants, have expanded their offer rates to domestic students. Mike Nicholson, Director of Recruitment at the University of Cambridge, indicated that institutions may be more flexible this year with students narrowly missing grade requirements, particularly when the missed grade is not crucial to the chosen course.

Bridget Phillipson characterized the current educational inequities as a “national disgrace,” pointing to stark disparities in GCSE achievement rates between white British pupils eligible for free school meals and the broader student population. Fewer than 19% of these pupils achieved a strong pass in English and maths compared to nearly 46% across all state schools.

The Education Secretary’s vision aims to rectify these disparities, ensuring that more young people receive the support necessary to thrive academically and beyond. The upcoming schools white paper will serve as a blueprint for addressing what she termed a “generational challenge,” seeking to prevent young people from being “written off” by the education system.

As students await their results, the 2025 A-level outcomes are poised to offer a clearer reflection of academic performance, with shifting subject interests and a renewed focus on addressing long-standing educational inequalities shaping the future landscape of secondary education in England.