A Level, AS Level and Welsh Baccalaureate Exam Results Announced Across the UK
Today ends the nervous wait for hundreds of students across the UK, with results being announced today.
England
A and AS level results in England are largely similar to 2023, although every year there are small fluctuations in the results.
Government figures show that over three-quarters (76%) of English 18-year-old applicants have been accepted into their first choice of university.
Prime Minister Kier Starmer said:
“Congratulations to all students receiving their A-Level, T-Level and BTEC results. You’ve worked hard to get here, now nothing should hold you back from achieving your ambition.”
Wales
Wales saw a drop in the top ‘A’ grades as the ‘more generous’ marking during covid returned to normal for the first time.
Results show the percentage of entries graded at A* is 10.1% and A*-A 29.9*, compared to last year when 13.5% achieved the very top A* and 34% A*-A.
Ministers said the results were largely as expected given the change in marking.
Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle on a visit to Coleg Cambria in Wrexham, congratulated learners across Wales who have received their A-level, AS, Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate and vocational qualification results this morning as she met students collecting their results. She said:
“I want to congratulate all the students, as well as our fantastic teachers and school and college staff, for all their hard work leading up to today. This year, for the first time since the pandemic, A-level and AS Levels exams and assessments took place with the same arrangements as pre-pandemic.
““Each and every one of you receiving results today should be tremendously proud of your achievements. Today is testament to your resilience and perseverance.
“Whatever your plans are for the next step in your life, I wish you all ‘pob lwc’. There are many ways to continue your learning, some of you may be about to start an apprenticeship or a new job or maybe you have secured a place at your chosen university, including some of our great institutions here in Wales.
“I will continue to focus on doing everything I can to raise standards and ensure everyone is supported to reach their full potential.”
University is not the only option
While many students will see these results as their ticket into university, the reassuring news for those who did not reach their desired grades or who worry about the cost of a University education is that University is no longer the only option, with apprenticeships, workplace learning and vocational qualifications all becoming increasingly viable alternatives for people starting out on their career path.
Laura Baldwin, President of O’Reilly, a learning platform for technology professionals, believes a degree no longer equates to career success in today’s digital age.
With 55% of companies removing their degree requirements in 2023, Laura believes that technology is now evolving so rapidly that what students learn in their first year at university could be obsolete by the time they graduate.
She said:
“Let’s put it out there: You no longer need a degree to succeed in today’s digital era.
“Tools and technologies are evolving so rapidly that what students learn in their first year at university could be obsolete by the time they graduate. Take this into account with the rise of new roles such as AI prompt engineers, and we’re witnessing a radical shift in employment opportunities. Additionally, with university fees costing upwards of £40,000, many students are opting to explore alternate learning paths such as in-role training and development opportunities provided by prospective employers.”
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Useful links:
Awarding qualifications in Wales this year
An overview of this year’s assessment arrangements from Qualifications Wales: Summer 2024 results | Qualifications Wales
The Young Person’s Guarantee
This is the Welsh Government commitment to providing under-25s in Wales with support to gain a place in education or training, find work, or become self-employed: Young Person’s Guarantee | Working Wales (gov.wales)
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16 in Wales. They combine practical training in a job with study. Apprenticeships | GOV.WALES
Employment Bureaus
Based in FE Colleges, the Employment and Enterprise Bureaus provide a package of opportunities for students, full and part-time, to build essential employability and enterprise skills: Employment and Enterprise Bureaus | Business Wales Skills Gateway (gov.wales)
Power Up Campaign
Support for learners taking exams and assessments during the 2024 season: Power Up – Hwb (gov.wales)
Meic
The free helpline service for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales. Home – Home – Meic (meiccymru.org)
NHS Wales Silvercloud
Free online guided self-help programme to support learners and their parents: SilverCloud – Free online mental health therapy – Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (nhs.wales)
