Pupils are celebrating their best ever A-level results outside of the pandemic after top grades rose for the third year running.

Boys also extended their lead over girls, with 28.9 per cent of male entries getting at least an A grade, compared with 28 per cent of female entries.

Overall, one in four entries – 28.5 per cent – got at least an A, which is a record high from 28.3 per cent last year, 27.8 per cent in 2024 and 27.2 in 2023.

Meanwhile, 9.6 per cent got an A*, compared with 9.4 per cent last year, 9.3 per cent in 2024 and 8.9 per cent in 2023.

Outside of the Covid years of 2020-2022 when grades were vastly inflated due to teacher assessment in the place of traditional exams, today's grades are the highest ever recorded.

In 2019, 25.4 per cent of entries got at least an A, with 7.7 receiving an A*.

This morning a record number of applicants – 446,690 – were also accepted on to university courses, up on 439,180 last year, according to admissions body Ucas.

Hundreds of thousands of pupils across England, Wales and Northern Ireland received their exam results this morning.

Sir Ian Bauckham, head of exam regulator Ofqual, said: 'These qualifications open doors for students because they are so widely recognised and trusted. 

'A Levels are trusted because they are awarded to rigorous and consistent national standards. Universities, employers, and students can have confidence that an A Level grade represents what students know and can do.'

Figures released by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) also showed 78.4 per cent of entries received a C or above, up from 77.9 per cent last year. This is again the highest percentage for this level of grade outside the pandemic.

The overall pass rate (grades A* to E) was 97.5 per cent. This is unchanged from 97.5 per cent in 2025 and is slightly below 2019, which was 97.6 per cent. 

Among the regions of England, London saw the highest proportion of entries awarded grades of A or A* (32.7 per cent, up from 32.1 per cent in 2025) while north-east England and the East Midlands had the joint lowest (23.1 per cent).

The East Midlands saw the largest year-on-year fall, down 0.7 points from 23.8 per cent, while north-east England rose slightly by 0.2 points, up from 22.9 per cent.

The 9.6 percentage point gap between London and the North East, and between London and the East Midlands, is the largest between these pairs of regions since the present system of grading began in 2010.

Some 30.7 per cent of entries in Northern Ireland received A or A*, up year-on-year from 30.3 per cent; this was higher than the equivalent figure for Wales (29.6 per cent, up from 29.5 per cent) and England (28.3 per cent, up from 28.2 per cent).

Analysis also showed boys extended their lead over girls in the top grades.

The proportion of boys' entries awarded A or A* this year was 28.9 per cent, 0.9 percentage points higher than the equivalent figure for girls' entries (28.0 per cent).

Last year, boys led girls by 0.2 percentage points (28.4 per cent for boys, 28.2 per cent for girls).

It is the second year in a row that boys have led girls in entries getting A or above, following a period from 2020-24 when girls were ahead.

Boys have also extended their lead over girls in the highest grade, A*.

The proportion of boys' entries awarded A* this year was 10.2 per cent, 1.1 points higher than girls (9.1 per cent).

Last year, boys led girls by 0.8 percentage points (9.9 per cent for boys, 9.1 per cent for girls).

Boys led girls at A* from 2012 through to 2019, before girls moved in front during the pandemic-affected years of 2020-22, after which boys reclaimed a lead in 2023.

The most popular subject this year was maths, for the 13th year in a row. It had 115,380 entries, up 3.9 per cent from 111,033 in 2025.

About one in eight of all A-level entries this year were for maths.

Psychology is once again the second most popular subject, with biology remaining in third place and chemistry in fourth.

Economics has entered the top five most popular subjects for the first time, ranking in fifth place and up from tenth last year.

It replaces business studies, which has dropped from fifth to sixth.

A total of 906,425 A-levels were awarded this year, up 2.7 per cent on last year's 882,653.

Dr Jo Saxton, Ucas chief executive, said: 'Today's school leavers were just starting secondary school when the pandemic interrupted their education.

'Given the significant disruption they faced at such a formative stage of their learning, it is wonderful to see so many young people getting a place at university or college. I'm delighted to see them backing themselves and choosing to invest in their education.'

Ofqual said the rise in grades was not down to artificial grade inflation, but a rise in maths entries. Maths always produces more top grades than the humanities.

More than one in eight of all UK A-level entries (12.7 per cent) were for the subject, the latest figures showed. Sir Ian at Ofqual said the 'sheer size' of maths affected the overall data.

On top grades rising, Sir Ian Bauckham said: 'It's largely driven by those changes in maths, growing popularity at maths and the high achievements that we're seeing in maths.

'It's a successful subject, maths A-level is a significant driver of economic growth, and we know that it correlates to higher earning potential for those people who hold A-level maths in their future lives.

'It does, because of its sheer size, have that impact on the overall cohort figures.'

A report by Professor Alan Smithers of Buckingham University last week explained why maths always produces more top grades. He wrote: 'It is clear whether answers are correct or not, so markers can be confident in using the whole range of marks from zero to 100 per cent.'

He said this morning: 'A-level results have settled down since the turmoil of Covid and the trend since for rises in top grades, particularly, for boys has continued. This can be attributed to the swing to quantitative subjects, such as economics, further maths, and maths, which are by far the highest awarders of top grades.'

This is the fourth year of marking returning to normal after the pandemic.

During the pandemic, grades were wildly inflated due to exams being cancelled and teachers deciding marks.

In 2020, 38.5 per cent of entries got at least an A, while in 2021 it was 44.8 per cent.

In 2022, it was 36.4 per cent as regulators implemented a half-step back to normal level for grading.

While marking has returned to normal, the proportion of A grades has never returned entirely back to 2019 levels, always remaining between one and two points higher.

This year's A-level students were aged 12 in 2020, when schools were closed and pupils were forced into online learning – meaning their education may still have been affected by the pandemic. 

Detailed Ucas figures show that among UK 18-year-olds only, there has been a rise of 3 per cent in acceptances to university to 262,820.

According to Ofqual, there has been a 4 per cent rise in the population of 18-year-olds this year in England – which has partly driven the rise.

Some 228,990 UK 18-year-olds were accepted at their first choice of university or college, up 1 per cent from 226,580 last year, while 31,770 have been placed at their insurance choice, up 21 per cent from 26,330.

This means that 79 per cent of 18-year-olds got their first choice, compared to 82 per cent last year. Another 13 per cent were placed at their insurance choice compared to 11 per cent last year.

Meanwhile, the number of international students who have applied via Ucas and been accepted has risen by 2 per cent – from 52,640 last year to 53,740 this year. However, Ucas figures only reveal a small proportion of total overseas applicants.

Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK, which represents vice chancellors, said: 'Congratulations to all the students receiving their results today, and to the teachers, families and friends that supported them to get here. 

'Whatever the next step is – university, an apprenticeship or something else – students who have worked hard for their results should feel incredibly proud of themselves.

'Today marks the start of an exciting new chapter for thousands of students. A record 262,820 of UK 18-year-olds have earned a place at a university this year, including an increase in students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds. 

'These students will go on to gain new skills and experiences that will benefit them throughout their whole lives.

'To those who have not got the results they were hoping for, don't panic. There are still 26,000 courses available through clearing, and advice is available through UCAS or direct from universities.'

Meanwhile, a record number of young people have secured a place to study engineering, the head of Ucas has said.

Dr Saxton told the BBC's Today programme: 'We've got a record number of new engineers going on to study at university today. 35,000 young people are going off to study engineering – it's up 14 per cent compared to last year.'

Figures from the Department for Education this morning showed a 65 per cent rise in pupils receiving T Level results – 20,000 compared with 12,000 in 2025. The pass mark was more than 90 per cent.

Congratulating pupils this morning, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: 'I want to congratulate everyone receiving their results today. I know there will have been a mix of excitement, nerves and relief this morning, but you should all be proud of the hard work that got you here.

'The talent is there in every town and city in this country. Our task is to match that talent with opportunity, whether that's through university, an apprenticeship or a technical pathway that leads to a great career. That's how we'll build a stronger Britain, restore hope and ensure every young person can look to the future with confidence.'

He said he was glad more pupils were taking T levels, which focus on vocational skills, and science and maths subjects. 

Meanwhile, Education Secretary Lucy Powell said: 'Congratulations to everyone getting their results today. You should be really proud of what you've achieved and I wish you every success for the future. A big thank you to the teachers and families who have backed you every step of the way.

'The rise in students receiving T-Level results this year is very encouraging, as well as so many students progressing in to higher education. There is no single route to achieving your ambitions.

'That's why we are opening doors with more high-quality opportunities for young people to fulfil their potential - whether that's through academic study, technical education or hands-on training for skilled work. Whatever path you choose, today is the start of an exciting future.'

The rise in maths and economics entries at A-level sparked a debate about whether pupils are now more job-focused when choosing their options.

Sir Ian said it was 'plausible to suggest' that job prospects are influencing the choices students make in terms of what they study.

He said: 'These are all subjects that have a very strong either vocational flavour or are proven to be linked to higher earning potential, and in students’ minds will be associated with the trends that we’re seeing in the economy.

'So, I do think it’s plausible to suggest that those considerations are, for most, in students’ minds.'

Lee Elliot Major, professor of social mobility at the University of Exeter, said: 'More than ever, young people are asking a simple question: where will the opportunities be? In a world of rising living costs, student debt and AI, they want confidence that their investment of time and money will lead to a fulfilling and secure career.

'Students are increasingly choosing subjects with one eye on the labour market. That’s entirely understandable.'

 Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said: 'Congratulations to all students receiving their A-Level, Vocational and Technical Qualification results today, and to all the dedicated staff who have taught them.

'It is a day to think about whether A-Levels should remain so heavily reliant on end of course exams. This is an outdated approach which limits students’ ability to demonstrate their full range of skills. Using more varied methods of assessment would better prepare young people with what they will need for future learning, life and employment.'

Scotland has a different qualification system and students received their results on Tuesday last week.

Figures showed the number of passes at National 5 reached record levels.

Pass rates for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher increased across the board, to 79.2 per cent, 76.7 per cent and 77.6 per cent respectively.

The proportion of pupils who achieved an A also rose for National 5 and Higher to 40.3 per cent and 20.9 per cent, while the rate for Advanced Higher fell to 30.9 per cent.

Going through clearing? Don't miss the Daily Mail's definitive league table and guide to every university in Britain