Students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland have achieved unprecedented success in university admissions as A-level results were unveiled today.
A record-breaking number of 18-year-olds have gained entry to their preferred universities, according to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.
The latest first-choice university place figures represent a 3.1 per cent rise compared to the previous year's figures.
The data marks the highest number of students placed on A-level results day since records began.
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PA | Students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland have achieved unprecedented success in university admissions as A-level results were unveiled today
While, a total of 28.3 per cent of entries were awarded either an A or A*, up from 27.8 percent in 2024 and above 25.4 per cent in 2019.
This is the highest proportion on record outside the pandemic-affected years of 2020-22, where the figure peaked at 44.8 per cent in 2021.
However, the divide between England’s top and bottom performing regions has widened once more.
This year, 32.1 per cent of A-level grades in London were awarded an A* or A, compared with just 22.9 per cent in the North East — a difference of 9.2 percentage points.
That’s up from an 8.8-point gap last year, when the East Midlands had the lowest results.
Only two regions — the North East and the West Midlands — recorded a drop in the share of top grades this year.
The North East stands out as the only region where the proportion of A* and A grades is lower than in both 2024 and 2019, the last pre-pandemic exam year.
Meanwhile, a total of 439,180 students have successfully obtained places on degree programmes.
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The milestones comes as teenagers collect their A-level, T-level, BTec National and other Level 3 qualification results this morning.
Among 18-year-old applicants from the UK, there have been particularly strong outcomes, with 255,130 securing university places - an increase of 4.7 per cent from the previous year.
Four in five of these young applicants who were awaiting decisions have successfully gained entry to their preferred institution.
An impressive 82 per cent of those holding offers have gained admission to their preferred institution - a percentage that matches last year's figure.
International enrolments have also increased, with 52,640 overseas students gaining undergraduate places - a rise of 2.9 per cent from the 51,170 accepted last year.
Chinese students have shown particularly robust growth, with acceptances reaching 12,380, marking a substantial 13 per cent increase.
Jo Saxton, chief executive of Ucas, acknowledged the unique challenges faced by this cohort of students.
PA
|A record-breaking number of 18-year-olds have gained entry to their preferred universities, according to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service
"This year's students were just thirteen when the pandemic hit, and their secondary schooling was turned upside down," she said.
She expressed satisfaction at the record-breaking acceptance figures, saying: "It's great to see these applicants securing a university place in record numbers, seeking more education and investing in their futures."
For those who missed out on their desired grades or have yet to apply, approximately 27,000 courses remain available through the clearing system.
Ucas support staff are providing assistance via telephone, social media platforms and the organisation's website to help students navigate their options.
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