Five key takeaways from results day 2026
Summary
This year's results for A-levels, T-levels, and vocational qualifications in the UK show a slight increase in top A-level grades and a record number of 18-year-olds accepted into university, especially at selective institutions. Teenagers are also interested in technical skills and alternative routes to university, partly due to concerns about the cost of higher education.Key Facts
- About 40% of 18-year-olds in England take A-levels each summer.
- Top A-level grades (A* and A) have increased slightly for the third year in a row across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
- More UK 18-year-olds have been accepted into university this year than ever before, with a 5.5% rise in acceptances at selective universities.
- Despite more places, the percentage of students getting their first-choice university place fell from 82% to 79%.
- Nearly 40% of universities in England expect to report financial losses in 2025-26 due to frozen tuition fees and fewer international students.
- Many students are using Clearing, a process for applying to university after initial offers, often choosing courses closer to home.
- Teenagers are showing growing interest in technical qualifications like T-levels as alternatives to traditional university degrees.
- Concerns about the cost of university and student loans influence teenagers’ choices about their education and careers.
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