Students across England eagerly await the release of their A-level results, scheduled for 08:00 BST on Thursday. For many, this year will be a watershed. They are ready to make the determination of what they are going to do in their first two highly productive years. A-levels, meanwhile, act as pure vocational qualifications that should cater to 16-to-19-year-olds, allowing them to study practical subjects that directly relate to students’ professional goals.
Just over a quarter of A-level entries in 2024—27.8%—were given either an A or an A* grade. This represents a marginal rise since 2019. Back then, prior to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, 25.4% of entrants received equivalent high grades in the final full cohort summer exams. While the pandemic certainly had its effect on grading in recent years, these problems are not new. In 2020 and 2021, rather than use more conventional exams to assess student performance, schools turned to teacher assessments. As a result, many students experienced an unprecedented rise in top grades, raising questions about the long-term implications for academic standards.
Students going to receive their results are understandably in a special place. A significant number of these students take a mix of A-levels and BTECs, which are equally accepted as valid routes into higher education. For example, a distinction in BTECs is worth 168 UCAS points. That’s like getting three A* at A-level, and it’s no wonder that so many students look to this route to university.
In reality, the landscape of vocational education as a whole is blossoming! With the introduction of T-levels, students have a fantastic option between A-levels and apprenticeships without the apprenticeship’s long-term commitment. T-levels combine classroom-based education with practical work experience. Students are required to undertake a minimum of 315 hours—roughly nine weeks—of work-integrated learning through a work placement.
Universities are very keen to recruit additional UK undergraduates, the future of international student numbers being uncertain. The stakes are higher than ever this year due to this increased competition. Our own research indicates that around a quarter of students who take BTECs do so to access university. Now known as the “admissions revolution,” this reflects a growing acceptance of diverse qualifications in higher education.
Students are asked to contact their individual school or college about arrangements for collecting their A level results. Once the results are released, grade boundaries will be published shortly thereafter. This will help provide an even clearer picture of how our students are performing against rigorous, national standards.
Dr Jo Saxton, Chief Regulator of Ofqual, spoke about a bright future for the young graduates.
“It’s a really, really good year to be an 18-year-old applying for uni.” – Dr Jo Saxton
Indeed, this sentiment strikes a chord with millions right now, as students get ready to graduate and move on to the next stage of their academic careers. These testing results will have extreme consequences on personal lives and futures. They will fundamentally change the academic landscape in the future.
As that early morning hour nears, excitement surges through students and teachers both. The findings made public on Thursday will drastically shape the educational opportunities for the tens of thousands young people all over the country. Finally, they will influence their own future career trajectories.
