Students wait for A-level, T-level and BTec results

Hundreds of thousands of students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are set to receive their A‑level, T‑level and BTec results on Thursday morning. Another significant number of learners are expected to learn that they have secured a place at their first‑choice university. The cost of attending university has remained in the spotlight this year, with growing pressure on the government to improve student‑debt repayments and a renewed emphasis on vocational education under Prime Minister Andy Burnham. However, the chief executive of Universities UK, which represents more than 140 vice‑chancellors, urged students not to “let politicians marque your determination for you”. Approximately 40 % of 18‑year‑olds in England sit A‑levels each summer. Around 250 000 grades for vocational and technical qualifications are also anticipated to be released to students in England, including BTec National, Cambridge Technical, Cambridge Advanced National and T‑level results. AS‑levels, which will contribute to students’ final A‑level scores next summer in Wales and Northern Ireland, will be published as well. This year, the pass rate for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher examinations in Scotland rose across the board. And last year, the proportion of students achieving top A‑level grades reached a record high, with 28.3 % of all grades across England, Wales and Northern Ireland marked at A* or A.