Students in the UK are poised for a record-breaking A-level results day, with experts forecasting the highest number of top grades and university acceptances ever recorded outside of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than a quarter of entries are expected to receive at least an A grade, a figure that would represent a significant increase from previous years.
This anticipated surge in top grades is projected to drive a new high in the number of students admitted to degree programs. In 2025, a record 439,180 students were accepted onto university courses. The upcoming results are also expected to lead to a record number of students entering Clearing, the system that allows applicants to find alternative courses if they miss their target grades or wish to switch institutions.
Jo Saxton, chief executive of Ucas, the university admissions body, indicated that record numbers are expected not only to accept places through Clearing but also to apply directly to it. This trend suggests a highly competitive but potentially advantageous landscape for students navigating their university options.
Schools leavers may benefit from a "buyer's market" as universities actively seek domestic students amid a reported decrease in international student revenue due to changes in visa regulations. Analysis indicates that a substantial number of university courses, including those at elite Russell Group institutions, still have places available. Prestigious programs in subjects such as Engineering, Maths, and Economics are among those with openings. Historical data from Ucas suggests that some courses have historically accepted students with grades below their official entry requirements.
However, Birmingham University has announced plans to introduce a minimum entry requirement of three Bs, or equivalent, in the future to maintain academic standards. Clearing serves as a pathway for students who did not achieve their desired grades to secure a university place, and also offers an opportunity for those who exceeded expectations to pursue more prestigious options.
Last year, 28.3% of A-level entries achieved an A or A* grade, up from 27.8% in 2024 and 25.4% in 2019. The predicted increase for the current year, while potentially less than half a percentage point, would still translate into thousands of additional top grades. Professor Alan Smithers of Buckingham University suggested that this trend could indicate a new upward trajectory in top grades, not attributable to grade inflation but rather to changes in the student entry mix, such as the increased popularity of subjects like mathematics which tend to yield more high grades.
Ahead of the results, the new education secretary, Lucy Powell, highlighted government support for students, stating that maintenance loans are being increased and maintenance grants will be reintroduced to ensure financial background does not impede educational opportunities. Powell emphasized that a range of options, including apprenticeships, jobs, and university, are available to school leavers.