Record Number of UK Students Secure University Places Following A-Level Results

Published: 14 August 2025. The English Chronicle Desk

A record-breaking number of 18-year-olds in the UK have secured places at universities and colleges as students across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland collected their A-level and AS-level results on Thursday. The latest Ucas data reveals that 255,130 UK students have been accepted onto higher education courses this year, a rise of almost 5 per cent compared to 243,650 in 2024.

Among those receiving their offers, 82 per cent were placed at their first-choice institution, consistent with last year’s figures. In total, 439,180 applicants across the UK have been accepted, marking the highest number of placements on A-level results day ever recorded. The figures also indicate an increase in university admissions among students from the most deprived areas, with 35,920 accepted from England’s 20 per cent most deprived regions, alongside growth in Wales and Northern Ireland.

The surge in acceptances follows strong A-level results, with 27.8 per cent of entries awarded an A or A* grade in 2024, up from 27.2 per cent in 2023. This represents the highest proportion of top grades outside the pandemic years of 2020-22. The COVID-19 pandemic had previously disrupted exams, resulting in teacher-assessed grades in 2020 and 2021.

Ucas chief Dr Jo Saxton acknowledged the challenges faced by this year’s students, noting that their secondary schooling had been significantly disrupted when the pandemic struck while they were just thirteen. She highlighted the achievement of securing a university place and praised the responsiveness of institutions in meeting students’ ambitions.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described A-level results day as “a time for celebration,” emphasising that the system has begun to stabilise after the pandemic disruptions. She underscored the importance of giving every young person the opportunity to thrive and congratulated teachers, parents, and school staff for their vital support.

The Ucas data also shows that admissions have risen across higher, medium, and lower tariff institutions by 7.2 per cent, 4.5 per cent, and 1.4 per cent, respectively, while the number of UK mature students aged 21 and over fell by 2.4 per cent. International student acceptances have grown by 2.9 per cent, with China contributing a 13 per cent increase.

Engineering and technology courses recorded the highest rise in placed students, up 12.5 per cent, followed by mathematical sciences at 10.5 per cent and law at 10.4 per cent. Dr Saxton reminded students who did not achieve their desired grades or are yet to apply that UCAS clearing provides around 27,000 available courses, with support available online, by phone, and on social media.

Ms Phillipson reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing educational inequalities, particularly among overlooked white working-class students, and highlighted the broad range of options available—from degree apprenticeships to technical qualifications—to equip young people for future employment and contribute to economic growth.