A-level results down from last year but higher than pre-pandemic levels
A-level and T-level results are out today
Last updated 18th Aug 2022
A-level grades in the UK are released today and while they are down on the past two years, they remain higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Hundreds of thousands of students across the UK are finding out their AS, A Level and T Level results today, having sat exams for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak.
A-level grades had been expected to drop from 2021 levels – when pupils were assessed by their teachers – as part of a transition year which saw marks aiming to reflect a midway point between last year and 2019.
The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) said the overall pass rate – the proportion of entries graded A* to E – fell by 1.1 percentage points from 99.5% in 2021 to 98.4% this year.
But this is up by 0.8 points from 97.6% in the pre-pandemic year of 2019.
Girls continued to outperform boys overall, with A* to E grades at 98.7% for the former, compared with 98.1% for the latter.
The number of A-level students in England who took three A-levels and achieved all A* grades is nearly three times what it was in 2019, rising to 8,570 compared with 2,785.
Second highest year for university places
UCAS, which handles admissions to universities, has revealed 426,000 people have been offered places this year - that's the second highest on record.
Only 2021 admissions beat that figure, with students being awarded grades from teacher assessments.
This year, 16,870 more pupils were accepted into higher education compared with 2019 - which was when in-person exams were last sat.
'Congratulations to everyone who has worked incredibly hard'
There's also been an increase on the number of students being accepted from the most disadvantaged backgrounds - with 3,770 more pupils being offered a place compared to 2019.
It means the gap between the most and least disadvantaged has narrowed from 2.36 in 2019 to 2.29 in 2022.
The Chief Executive of UCAS, Clare Marchant said: "Congratulations to everyone who has worked incredibly hard and received their results today.
"Whilst many will be celebrating today, there will be some who are disappointed. My advice is to take advantage of the wide range of choices on offer, which includes over 27,000 courses in Clearing."
For the 20,360 who found out today they do not have a place, but are still keen to start an undergraduate course, pupils are being encouraged to go through the UCAS clearing process.
T Levels awarded for the first time
Around 1000 students have also received T Level results for the first time. T Levels are a new technical qualification to help young people progress onto skilled employment, university or apprenticeships.
It combines study with a substantial industry placement so that students gain the skills and valuable workplace experience they need to progress into a job, further study or an apprenticeship.
Education Secretary, James Cleverly said:
"Today is also a really exciting time for our pioneering T Level students, as the first ever group to take this qualification will pick up their results. I have no doubt they will be the first of many and embark on successful careers."