- Record numbers of English 18-year-olds receive first choice
of university
- T Levels continue to grow in popularity - with almost two
thirds of students achieving a merit or above
- Government makes progress to fix the foundations and tackle
stubborn inequalities through its Plan for Change
Hundreds of thousands of young people across England are
celebrating receiving their A level, T Level and Vocational
Technical Qualifications (VTQ) results today (14 August), as the
Education Secretary thanked teachers and congratulated students.
University continues to be a popular choice for young people with
record numbers (193,510, up from 184,400 in 2024) of English
18-year-olds receiving their first choice of university.
20.4% of disadvantaged 18-year-olds being accepted to
higher education, up from 19.8% in 2024 and 17.4% in 2019.
But like in previous years, results today have exposed
inequalities which continue to exist in the education system,
with big gaps between regions and with poor outcomes year on year
for pupils from white working-class backgrounds. This follows the
government setting out a clear focus on tackling these issues
head on and ensuring white working-class pupils – especially boys
– are supported to thrive in school and go on to get well-paid
jobs.
T Levels also continue to deliver strong results for students.
The overall pass rate for T Levels is 91.4%, with almost
two thirds of students (65.3%) achieving a merit or above, as
this innovative new qualification offering hands-on experience of
work in an in-demand sector continues to grow. Last year, 97% of
T Level students who applied to university received at least one
offer, with others progressing onto an apprenticeship or a job. T
Level industry placements offer strong work experience, insights
into competitive sectors which students might not otherwise get,
and lead to good jobs - with around a third of students that get
jobs after their course doing so with their chosen T Level
industry placement employer.
The figures build on the government's drive to deliver the
skilled workforce the country needs and follows the announcement
of a new £100m investment just this week in ten specialist
Construction Technical Excellence Colleges to offer even more
opportunities to build successful careers in trades.
Over the past 12 months, the government has already made progress
in fixing the foundations of education through its Plan for
Change and turning the tide on stubborn challenges.
Attendance is up, with over five million fewer days of absence
this year compared to last. And teacher recruitment and retention
is up, with 2,300 more teachers in our schools.
Education Secretary, , said:
“Students should be incredibly proud of their hard work and their
achievements today, and I am immensely grateful to teachers and
school staff for everything they have done to support students up
to this point.
“Every single young person collecting their results today should
have the opportunity to pursue their dreams - whether that starts
with further study, university, an apprenticeship or the world of
work - but too often, opportunities depend on background rather
than talent. The entrenched divide in outcomes seen over the last
few years and the lack of progress for children from white
working-class backgrounds is particularly concerning.
“Through our Plan for Change we are breaking the link between
background and success, starting with reformed early years and
revitalised family services, through to ambitious reforms to our
school and post-16 system to make sure every young person,
wherever they grow up, is truly ready for life and work.”
Progress sits alongside vital, wider work to tackle
disadvantage such as expanding free school meals, providing free
breakfast clubs across the country and revitalising family
services in every local authority.
Results today show that:
- At grade C and above at A level, the North East is now
the only region where attainment remains below pre-pandemic
levels.
- More pupils are taking maths, physics and chemistry A levels
than at any other time since modern records began - and more of
these pupils taking these subjects are achieving a grade C -
preparing them to work in the STEM sectors in the future.
- Almost 12,000 students received T Level results this year, up
from just over 7,000 last year and around 3,500 in 2023.
- Almost 240,000 certificates were awarded for those
completing their Level 3 vocational and technical qualifications.
24.9% of 18-year-olds from the North East have secured a
university place on results day compared to 43.4% of 18-year-olds
from London. This gap is now 18.5 percentage points, which is the
highest on record, up from 17.3 percentage points in 2024 and
11.9 in 2019.
For A level results the gap between this year's lowest performing
region (East Midlands) and highest performing (London) is 6.0
percentage points at C and above. While the gap has decreased
from 6.3 percentage points in 2024 it is still greater than in
2019 (when the equivalent gap was 5.2 percentage points).
Later this year government will publish Schools and Post-16
Skills white papers, setting out further reforms to build an
education system where every child and young person can achieve
and thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances.
To further break down barriers to opportunity for young people,
the government has also launched the Youth Guarantee, which will
ensure that every 18-21-year-old in England will have support to
access an apprenticeship, quality training and education
opportunities or help to find a job, backed by £45 million
investment.
