Joe Saxton, Chief Executive of admissions service UCAS,of cost speaking to the BBC Radio Four’s Today Programme reported, “It's a really similar picture to last year. and it's just a bit too early to say, what the demand to accept (Clearing) places is going to be.Around 27,000 places this year were available through Clearing ranging from medicine through to medieval history offering opportunities for those who missed out on their first choice or hadn’t made their mind up to apply for a university place.On subject trends for applications she commented that, “All things STEM are definitely increasing. And interestingly, when I talk to my colleagues who run the other equivalents of UCAS of the world, it's a trend that they're seeing too”.She also observed less of an emphasis from universities purely on A levels, with students now using T levels as well, to access university education in various different ways.“That's one of the brilliant things about the system that we have in the UK, that there's real choice in schools and colleges of what you can study, and universities recognizing the brilliant new qualification that is the T level” she said.With students worried about the cost of attending plus less applications from international students, universities have been enticing UK students with attractive and inventive scholarships. The BBC reported, The University of Reading is offering 300 sustainability scholarships of 6000 pounds for students with three A grades, 2000 pound scholarships for students with top grades in clearing are also on offer at Aberystwyth, some other universities are trying to get any students to sign up early to what they're calling priority or VIP clearing at Gloucestershire and Central Lancashire that gains entry to a prize draw for a year of free or heavily discounted accommodation. In Scotland, where student numbers are capped, the University of Stirling is offering students from other parts of the UK some scholarships worth a year of fees as well as 1000 pound welcome scholarship.

Coventry University rewarding entrepreneurship

One teenager has ambitions to tackle global financial inequalities after securing a prestigious £30,000 scholarship to study at Coventry University.Nikita Lal, 18, is thrilled to be taking up the scholarship to study Global Financial Planning having secured the funding through a competition run by the university.  The scholarship is being funded by Timeline, a financial technology company founded by Coventry University graduate Abraham Okusanya, which now manages assets approaching £10billion. Scholarship applicants were set the task of preparing a detailed budget for a young person either starting a full-time apprenticeship, a full-time job or going to university and living away from home.  Read more

From Clearing to Provost, the value of a degree in today’s world

Read a personal perspective from Coventry University Group Provost Ian Dunn on why university is worth it and his own Clearing journey.I joined Coventry University through Clearing. It wasn’t part of my original plan, but the opportunity came and I took it. That decision changed my life, and today I’m proud to serve as Provost of the university that gave me my start. So when I see headlines asking “Is university still worth it?”, I feel compelled to respond, not just as a senior leader but as someone who has experienced the transformative power of higher education first-hand.  Read more  

Leighton Park students reach new heights with 3% increase in top A* grades

Families are enjoying excellent A Level results today, including a 3% increase in the number of very top A* grades. Students achieved 68% A*-B grades overall, with boarders achieving 73%.  40% of overall grades were A*-A compared with a national average of 28%. 14% of grades were A* compared with 9% nationally. 15 students gained all A*-A results.Commenting on students’ university destinations, Jenny Powlesland, Assistant Head Teaching & Learning and leader of the Aspiring High Programme, commented: “We are delighted to celebrate with the students this morning as they receive the results of their hard work. The exceptionally high proportion of students achieving their ambitious first-choice university choices, including LSE, Durham and multiple competitive music conservatoires, is testament to their efforts and the dedicated support they have received from their teachers, as well as the success of our Aspiring High programme.” The School’s strength in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics has shone through in these results. Alex who achieved 3 A*s and secured her place to study Aerospace Engineering at the University of Sheffield and commented: “I wasn’t expecting this but I was really hoping for it. My hard work really paid off. The teachers here were so supportive all the way through and the environment was fantastic, with the outside space helping me to stay calm and focused. I don’t think anyone could have helped me more.” Gus who achieved 2 A*s and an A is going to study Engineering at Durham commented: “I’m really grateful to my teachers, friends and parents. The new Grove Sixth Form Study Centre was awesome.” His mum Suzy added: “LP has been the right place for Gus over the past 5 years, with great teachers helping him in his academic endeavours but also an amazing community of pupils and staff supporting him and encouraging participation without fear of failure. Thanks to them, he has had a huge amount of fun alongside his studies, and has grown in confidence.”Alex Wallace, Deputy Head Academic commented: "We are absolutely thrilled with the school’s A Level results. To have headline figures which are on the cusp of 70% is exceptional, particularly when coupled with our IB average of 36 points.It is also too easy to forget the disruption this cohort faced during the Covid years. They have shown tremendous resilience, focus and no little talent in achieving such remarkable results. We look forward to watching what happens next to the cohort of 2025, the Changemakers of the future."  Read full report

A Level Success for the Class of 2025

St George’s Ascot continues to maintain excellent A Level standards and outstanding university outcomes following a set of impressive grades achieved by its Upper Sixth pupils.40% of all A Level grades awarded were at A* or A grade with double the number of A* grades (24%) compared to 2024. 55% of candidates achieved one or more A* grade with over a third gaining 2 or more A* grades. Of particular note were the outstanding results in Geography (75% A*/A), Biology (60% A*/A), Psychology (57% A*/A), Art, Photography and Textiles (all 100% A*-B) and the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) with over half of grades awarded at A*.This year’s leavers have secured places at a broad range of universities to study in a variety of fields including Biology at Oxford, Geography at Cambridge, Veterinary Science at Liverpool, International Management at Bath and Biomedical Science at Bath, Philosophy at UCL, History of Art at Edinburgh, Criminology at Bristol and Geography with Innovation at Bristol, Art Direction and Visual Effects at the University of the Arts London, Video Games Design at Escape Studios and Music at Royal Holloway.This year also marks the final chapter of Mrs Liz Hewer’s leadership of St George’s before she takes up the position of High Mistress at St Paul’s Girls’ School, London for the new academic year. From September, Miss Hannah Fox, currently Academic and Universities Director on the Senior Leadership Team at Harrow School, will join as Head of St George’s, bringing a wealth of experience and a strong vision for the school’s next chapter.Liz Hewer, Head, commented: “I am very proud of this accomplished, compassionate, diverse and impressive group of Upper Sixth leavers who have continued to give so much to all aspects of life at St George's alongside their A Level studies. They should feel very proud of their achievements and the well-balanced young women they have become.

William de Ferrers students achieve “superb” A Level success

William de Ferrers School, located in South Woodham Ferrers, is “hugely proud” of its students’ “fantastic” results this A Level results day (14 August 2025). Students achieved highly in both A Level and vocational qualifications.James Donaldson, Executive Headteacher at William de Ferrers, said: “We are delighted by our students’ superb grades, which are richly deserved and demonstrate their hard work and resilience. This year’s Year 13 students have been a joy to teach, and I look forward to watching them continue to achieve great things as they take the next step in their lives.”This year’s students have secured places at a wide range of universities including University of Liverpool, University of Nottingham, Durham University and Loughborough University, while others have secured apprenticeships and employment. Ally Farrar, Assistant Headteacher said: “At William de Ferrers, we aim to empower our students to take their place within a changing career landscape and explore new and exciting opportunities as well as more established pathways. This can be seen in the diverse destinations that our students will go onto, and I look forward to seeing them build on their current success.”Year 13 Sadie-Rose Tyler, who studied Maths, Further Maths and Double Engineering has secured an offer to read a Masters Degree in Architectural Engineering at Loughborough University. Sadie has said “I am really happy and excited to have been offered a place on the Masters Degree course.”Jack Hughes who studied Maths, History and Chemistry alongside the role of Head Student has secured a place at Durham University to read Politics and International Relations. He said: "Results day has arrived and I am heading off to Durham University in September. I would like to congratulate everyone who is collecting results today. I am very happy that I have achieved the grades to attend my first-choice university and I have learnt not to doubt myself in the future.”William de Ferrers is a secondary school and Sixth Form for children aged 11 to 18 year olds, located in South Woodham Ferrers. The school is part of Chelmsford Learning Partnership, a multi-academy trust based in Essex.

Essex school celebrates success

Students at The Boswells School in Chelmsford, Essex, have “continued to exceed expectations” this A Level resultsday (14 August 2025), achieving “first-class grades across the board.”The results were amongst the best the school has ever achieved with the percentage of students achieving the highest grades well above national averages. Their results have secured them places at a range of prestigious institutions including to Oxbridge and other top Russell Group universities.Stephen Mansell, The Boswells School’s Headteacher, said: “At The Boswells School, we always encourage our students to aim high, and our dedicated teaching team have worked hard to help them to achieve their fullest potential.It has been enormously gratifying to watch this year’s cohort go from strength to strength and grow into hard-working and confident young adults.”Particularly outstanding results were achieved by:Filip, who achieved A* grades in Computing, Physics, Mathematics and Further Mathematics and will be going to King’s University to study Computer ScienceAdam who achieved A* grades in Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and the Extended Project Qualification and will be going to Durham University to study EngineeringReilly who achieved A* grades in Physics, Mathematics and Further Mathematics and an A grade in History and will be going to Cambridge University to study Engineering.The Boswells School is a popular co-educational secondary school and Sixth Form for children aged 11 to 19 years old located in Chelmsford, Essex. It is one of the highest performing non-selective schools in Essex. The school is part of Chelmsford Learning Partnership, a multi-academy trust based in Essex.

Cambridge International AS & A Level results

Cambridge International AS & A Level results have been released to more than 354,000 students in 3,367 schools worldwide, opening doors to top universities and future-focused careers. Cambridge is the largest provider of international education for 3-19 year-olds and will issue Cambridge IGCSE and O Level results to over 305,000 students in 4,779 schools on 19 August.“In a time of uncertainty and transformation, the awareness and perspective that an international education provides is not just an advantage — it’s a necessity,” said Rod Smith, Group Managing Director for International Education at Cambridge. “Congratulations to all those receiving Cambridge results this August. We are proud to support a global community of learners who are preparing not only for university and careers, but for life in a rapidly changing world.”

Highlights for Cambridge International AS & A Level:

• More than 700,000 entries – up 11% on June 2024
• Taken by over 354,000 students in 3,367 schools in 129 countries
• Most popular subjects: 1. English General Paper; 2. Mathematics; 3. Physics; 4. Chemistry; 5. English Language.  

Demand rising across all regions and different education systems

The demand for Cambridge qualifications is increasing globally among a diverse range of schools, with Cambridge seeing particularly strong growth in state schools in the US (exam entries up 15%), and international and bilingual schools in China (entries up 11%). In total, 5507 Cambridge International Schools in 149 countries made exam entries for the June 2025 series. Read moreSee A level exam coverage in schools plus IB exam coverage and our Featured Schools.

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