Students set new records for A-level grades in bumper year 2026

A-level grades have hit new records this year, with students across the UK achieving the highest proportion of A* grades outside the pandemic era. The bumper results have allowed over 263,000 pupils to secure university places, marking a significant milestone in education.

Record-Breaking A-Level Results Across the UK

This year's A-level results have set a new benchmark, with 9.7% of students in England achieving the top A* grade, up from 9.4% last year. This is the highest level since exams were reintroduced after the pandemic, when teacher-assessed grades were used. The overall pass rate also improved, with more students achieving A* to E grades than in previous years.

Top Performing Regions

Northern Ireland emerged as the best-performing country, with 30.7% of grades being A or A*. Wales followed closely with 29.6%, while England recorded 28.7%. These figures highlight a strong regional performance across the UK, with Scotland also seeing improved results in Highers and Advanced Highers, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

Surge in Economics and Maths

One of the most striking trends this year was the surge in popularity of economics, which jumped from the 10th most popular subject to 5th, with over 47,000 exam entries. Myles McGinley, managing director of the Cambridge OCR exam board, noted that students born around 2008, the children of the financial crisis, are naturally interested in economics due to the impacts of Covid and beyond. Mathematics also showed strong improvement, with more candidates taking the subject and achieving higher grades.

Implications for University Admissions

The record results have led to nearly 263,000 UK pupils being accepted onto university courses starting this autumn. This is driven in part by the rising number of 18-year-olds in the population. The increase in vocational qualifications also reflects the government's focus on skills-based education, providing more pathways to higher education and employment. The background to this story is set out in AI Boosts Homework Grades 18% But Exam Scores Drop, Study Finds.

Key Takeaways

• A* grades in England reached 9.7%, a record outside the pandemic era.
• Northern Ireland leads with 30.7% A/A* grades, followed by Wales and England.
• Economics has become the 5th most popular A-level subject, with over 47,000 entries.
• Mathematics continues to improve, with more candidates and better results.
• Over 263,000 students have secured university places for autumn.

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