More than a Quarter of A-Level Students Poised to Achieve Top Grades Across UK

Published: 14 August 2025. The English Chronicle Desk

Students across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are waking up to their A-level results on Thursday, with more than a quarter of entries anticipated to secure the highest grades. These results will play a crucial role in determining whether young people progress to university, vocational training, apprenticeships, or employment.

Last year, 27.8 per cent of UK A-level entries were awarded an A or A* grade, marking the highest proportion outside the pandemic-affected years of 2020 to 2022. In 2019, the last year before Covid-19 disrupted normal grading, 25.4 per cent of entries received top marks. The pandemic had temporarily inflated A-level results in 2020 and 2021 due to reliance on teacher assessments rather than exams.

Education leaders have cautioned that stark regional disparities in A-level performance could persist, reflecting the combined effects of socio-economic factors and the lingering impact of the pandemic. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson emphasized that the government will not “stand by and accept the entrenched inequalities” that continue to limit life opportunities for many young people, with plans to address attainment gaps between white working-class students and their peers expected this autumn.

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, noted that A-level grading has returned to a “consistent standard” since the pandemic. However, he warned that performance gaps between regions and student groups remain, largely driven by long-standing socio-economic challenges and the pandemic’s disproportionate effects on disadvantaged students. Di’Iasio stressed that schools and colleges have worked tirelessly to support learners, but government action and investment remain critical to address systemic inequities.

Professor Lee Elliot Major, a social mobility expert at the University of Exeter, echoed these concerns, predicting “stark divides” in A-level results between state and private schools, as well as between regions such as London and the South West or North East. He highlighted factors including the cost-of-living crisis, persistent poverty, school absences, and the pandemic’s legacy as barriers to closing these gaps, warning that generational divides in opportunity could persist if unaddressed.

For many students, Thursday’s results will also confirm their university placements. Jo Saxton, head of UCAS, suggested that a record number of 18-year-olds could secure their first-choice universities this year, as UK institutions seek domestic applicants amid uncertainty over international enrolment. Ahead of results day, UCAS clearing data showed tens of thousands of undergraduate course vacancies across major providers, with many Russell Group universities offering thousands of places for English residents.

In addition to A-level results, students in England will also receive T-level and other Level 3 vocational and technical qualification results on Thursday. Ms Phillipson urged all young people to celebrate their achievements, acknowledging the support of teachers, school staff, and parents. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling entrenched educational inequalities and improving life chances for disadvantaged students.

Experts emphasize that the effects of the pandemic and long-term socio-economic disparities are still evident, particularly for students in high-deprivation areas, and these challenges are likely to influence results. Sir Ian Bauckham, chief regulator at Ofqual, praised the dedication of teachers in preparing students for these defining assessments, noting the transformative impact that results can have on young people’s futures.

Meanwhile, Scotland, which follows a different qualification system, released its National 5, Highers, and Advanced Highers results last week. The Scottish Qualifications Authority reported modest improvements across the board, with pass rates in top bands increasing compared to the previous year, reflecting continued recovery from pandemic-related disruptions.