Clearing hotlines go down as up to 20,000 students fight for university place: Number of pupils battling for degree course is up nearly 50% on last year - after biggest ever drop in top A-level grades

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Tens of thousands of Britain's students were battling for a university place through Clearing today - after the A-level grades they received were down on the past two years, but remained higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Some 20,360 pupils across England, Wales and Northern Ireland found out today that they were unplaced and therefore eligible for Clearing, based on exam results. This total was up by 46 per cent on the 2021 figure of 13,930 - when students were assessed by teachers - but down on the last pre-pandemic figure of 24,260 in 2019. 

More than 27,000 courses are available through Clearing - the system which matches unplaced students with leftover course places - as well as 3,700 apprenticeship jobs. However, students trying to get into Cardiff University this morning faced a scramble after a fault with its systems saw them endure problems on phone lines.

Students took to social media to complain they were being cut off after waiting 40 minutes, with one tweeting: 'Trying to call Clearing, cannot get through, please help!' The university said it was 'working hard to resolve the issue' and urged prospective students to contact the relevant department to 'discuss potential vacancies'.

Overall, grades this year had been expected to drop back from 2021 levels - when there were no exams due to Covid - as part of a transition year which saw marks aiming to reflect a midway point between last year and 2019. And today, top A-level grades took the biggest drop ever registered in the 70-year history of the qualification.

While there were scenes of joy at many schools this morning, some parents reported 'tears in the car park' - with up to 60,000 pupils set to fall short of the grades needed for their chosen university course today.

It follows grade inflation during the pandemic when exams were cancelled and teachers decided on marks instead. Officials are now hoping to get grades back down to 2019 levels, when only a quarter got A and A*. 

Students collecting their results today have faced a difficult few years of education due to the pandemic, with months of learning from home and also competing against deferred places from last year's teacher assessed-exams when grades were unusually high. 

Many teenagers will also have a very different higher education experience - with admissions service Ucas saying that, amid the soaring cost of living, more than two-thirds of prospective university students are already considering part-time work. It added that would-be students are also looking for universities closer to home. 

Deferred applications to Ucas as of January this year comprised 2.7 per cent of the total applications (75,120 out of 2,781,490). In January 2021, the figure was slightly higher at 2.9 per cent (79,860 out of 2,730,040). 

The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) revealed today that the overall pass rate - the proportion of entries graded A* to E - fell by 1.1 percentage points from 99.5 per cent in 2021 to 98.4 per cent this year.

But this is up by 0.8 points from 97.6 per cent in the pre-pandemic year of 2019, which was the last time before this year that pupils had sat exams.

Entries receiving the top grades of A* and A are down 8.4 points from 44.8 per cent last year to 36.4 per cent - but up 11.0 points on 25.4 per cent in 2019. The 44.8 per cent figure last year was an all-time high. 

The figure for the highest grade, A*, is down year-on-year from 19.1 per cent to 14.6 per cent, but remains higher than in 2019 when it stood at 7.7 per cent.

And the proportion of entries graded A* to C dropped from 88.5 per cent in 2021 to 82.6 per cent this year, though it is up from 75.9 per cent in 2019.

There were a total of 848,910 A-level entries, up year-on-year by 2.9 per cent, compared with an increase of 2.4 per cent in the 18-year-old population.

Girls continued to outperform boys overall, with A* to E grades at 98.7 per cent for the former, compared with 98.1 per cent for the latter. However, the lead enjoyed by girls over boys in the top grades has narrowed. 

The proportion of girls who got A or higher this year was 37.4 per cent, 2.2 percentage points higher than boys (35.2 per cent). Last year, girls led boys by 4.8 points (46.9 per cent girls, 42.1 per cent boys). 

The number of A-level pupils in England who took three A-levels and achieved all A* grades is nearly three times what it was in 2019, rising to 8,570 compared with 2,785.

The most popular subject this year was maths, while psychology remained the second most popular. English literature saw the biggest fall in candidates for a single subject, falling out of the top ten for the first time.

Meanwhile Ucas figures showed the number of students accepted on to UK degree courses has fallen this year. A total of 425,830 people have had places confirmed - down 2 per cent on the same point last year.

In 2021, a record 435,430 people, from the UK and overseas, had places confirmed. This year's figure is the second highest on record, and up 16,870 compared with 2019 when exams were last held. Ucas said 19 per cent more 18-year-olds in the UK got a place at either their first or insurance choice this year, compared with 2019.

The number of students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds to gain places on courses is 6,850 this year, up by 3,770 in 2019. The admissions service said this translates to a narrowing of the gap between the most and least advantaged, with the ratio at 2.36 in 2019, 2.29 this year, and 2.34 in 2021.

International students account for 12.3 per cent of the total full-time undergraduate applicants accepted through Ucas this year, down from a high of 14.7 per cent in 2019.

Pupils celebrate with their A-level results at Norwich School in Norfolk this morning

Milly Foyster with her family as she receives her A-level results at Norwich School in Norfolk this morning

Millie Clark (left) and Ella Cragg (right) celebrate with their A-level results at Norwich School in Norfolk this morning

Genevieve Boateng reacts with teacher Sharna-Kay Prehay at Harris City Academy Crystal Palace in South London today

Abi Hill celebrates with her mother after reading her A-level results at Norwich School in Norfolk this morning 

Students receive their A-level results at a school in London this morning as pupils across the country get their grades

Sophie Thomas reacts after opening her A-level results at Ffynone House School in Swansea this morning

Alice Shaw and Amelia Cropley react after reading their A-level results at Norwich School in Norfolk this morning

A student receives her A-level results at a school in London this morning as pupils across the country get their grades

Freya Evans becomes emotional as she opens her A-Level results at The Bewdley School in Worcestershire today

The O'Malley twins celebrate their success at Solihull School today as they pick up their A-level results

A students reacts while reading her A-level results at Norwich School today as pupils across the country find out their grades

Two young women hug each other after reading their A-level results at Norwich School in Norfolk this morning

(left to right) Ben Surtees, Bryony Lucas, James McSaprron and Leonie Rowe at Peter Symonds College in Winchester today

Oliver James shouts with delight as he receives his A-level results at Ffynone House School in Swansea this morning

Alice Shaw (right) hugging a woman after reading her A-level results at Norwich School in Norfolk this morning

Student Kevin Matyszewski of The City of London Academy in Southwark receives his A-Level results this morning

Jemima Miller (centre) hugs a friend after reading her A-level results at Norwich School in Norfolk this morning

Holly Robinson hugs her friend after she receives her A-level results at Ffynone House School in Swansea this morning

Anna Austin (centre right) reacts when reading her A-level results at Norwich School in Norfolk this morning

Si Tong Xie looks at her A-level results at Ffynone House School in Swansea this morning

Amelie Bredican (left) and Mia Bartrum (right) react after reading their A-level results at Norwich School this morning

A group of students react while reading their A-level results at Norwich School in Norfolk this morning

Student Maya Adams (R) of The City of London Academy in Southwark opens her results with drama teacher Ms Young today

Students at The City of London Academy in Southwark receive their A-Level results this morning

Clearing teams at Aston University (left) and Salford University (right) prepare to take calls from prospective students today

Clearing teams at Sheffield Hallam University are pictured taking calls from prospective students about courses this morning

Clearing teams at Hull University (left) and Nottingham Trent University (right) take calls from students about courses today

Students trying to get into Cardiff University this morning complained on social media about a fault with its phone systems 

Places for students from China, India and Nigeria are all up - increasing by 35 per cent, 27 per cent and 43 per cent respectively. A total of 20,360 students did not get a place this year, but Ucas said it cannot yet confirm the number of students who missed out on their first choice alone. It said there is no total figure on the total number of places available, because these are not capped by the Government. 

A total of 117,840 students have got places this year at the most selective universities, including the elite Russell Group institutions, Ucas said. This is down from 131,520 last year, but an increase from 101,450 in 2019.

Some 179,690 18-year-olds in England got into their first choice of university course, compared with 149,670 in 2019, the Department for Education said. This year, 21,670 got their insurance place, compared to 19,300 in 2019.

For the first batch of students to receive T-level results on Thursday, 370 - 71 per cent of applicants - have gained a place in higher education, the admissions service said.

Ukrainian pupil, 18, at school in Cardiff gets Durham University place

A Ukrainian teenager at school in Wales has been accepted into Durham University after receiving his A-level results today - as his father fights on the frontline at home.

Zorian Tytych, 18, from Kyiv, studied for his A-levels at Cardiff Sixth Form College while his family remained in the war-torn country.

The teenager got four As in his A-levels in physics, maths, biology and chemistry today, and is now going to study biology at Durham University.

Zorian Tytych, 18, from Kyiv, studied for his A-levels at Cardiff Sixth Form College while his family remained in Ukraine

Alongside his studies, Mr Tytych has been doing voluntary translation work helping host families in Cardiff who have taken in Ukrainian refugees.

Before the war broke out, his parents were lawyers - but his father quickly joined the army and is still on the frontline on the Belarus border. His mother was forced to flee to Lviv in Western Ukraine for a month.

Mr Tytych said: 'I live in the suburbs in west of Kyiv. Before the war started my mum and dad were lawyers. Dad was on the Ukrainian committee for Judicial Reform, taking things up to the European Union level.

'He joined the military the day after the war started, signing up to the territorial defence and receiving basic training. He did this because he wanted to protect his home and support his country.

'As the war has progressed, he has moved on; he has been assigned to the military and is now seeing active service on the front line. He is now on the Belarus border looking at routes, surveillance, communication and connecting the regiments and their communities.

'My cousin is doing the same and is now based near Kherson where he is right in the thick of it and all the shelling. My uncle is currently in the recruitment process for joining the army.

'I cannot think too deeply about my father as it would drive me mad with worry, but I am very proud of him. Also, I know he would feel it is a disgrace if he didn't join the army.

'But I cannot think about it too much as it just makes me really concerned. My mum was forced to evacuate to Western Ukraine where she went to Lviv and was hearing gunfire in the next street. She returned a month later when the Russians retreated from Kyiv.

'As well as studying for my A-levels at Cardiff Sixth Form College, I have been volunteering, visiting the homes of British people in Cardiff who have taken in Ukrainian refugees. I am helping these families by translating documents for them, helping them with day-to-day tasks and being a friend to them. They need someone they can communicate with.'

Over the summer Mr Tytych joined the army's training programme to become a translator.

He added: 'Britain now has 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers receiving training from the British Army here in the UK and they need translators and helpers. Another of my friends, Mica at Cardiff, is also doing this with me and I am going to stay in the UK with my godmother who is Ukrainian but lives in London before university.'

Cardiff Sixth Form College principal Gareth Collier: 'Zorian has been volunteering locally by helping Ukrainian families living in Cardiff feel at home, talking to them and providing translation which has really helped alleviate their concerns.

'He did this during his very busy A-level revision period. We have received glowing reports from the host family who described him 'as an example of an outstanding, selfless individual willing to help others where he can'.

'He has been an active member of the school community and we are delighted that he is able to continue his education here in the UK with these tremendous results.'

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T-level qualifications, which are broadly equivalent to three A-levels, offer students practical and knowledge-based learning at a school or college and on-the-job experience.

Ucas chief executive Clare Marchant said there are more than 27,000 courses in clearing, as well as a range of apprenticeship opportunities, for people who need to consider other options.

She said: 'Today we have seen more students progress compared to the last time students sat exams.

'This year has seen a growth in the number of 18-year-olds in the population, which will continue for the remainder of the decade, and creates a more competitive environment for students in the years to come.

'While many will be celebrating today, there will be some who are disappointed.

'My advice is to take advantage of the wide range of choices on offer, which includes over 27,000 courses in clearing, along with a range of apprenticeship opportunities.'

Kath Thomas, interim chief executive of the JCQ, said the results 'represent a huge milestone' in the country's recovery from the pandemic.

Congratulating students, she said: 'Not only is it the culmination of two years of hard work, but these students are the first to have taken formal summer exams in three years, so we should all celebrate this achievement. Exams are the fairest way to assess students, as they give everyone the chance to show what they know.

'Today's results therefore represent a huge milestone in our recovery from the pandemic and are testament to the diligence and resilience of young people and school staff across the country. As intended, these results are higher than the last set of summer exams in 2019, but lower than last year's teacher-assessed grades.

'This reflects the special arrangements that were put in place to support students, schools and colleges through another challenging year due to Covid.'

Dr Jo Saxton, chief regulator of Ofqual, the exams regulator in England, said: 'I felt strongly that it would not have been right to go straight back to pre-pandemic grading in one go but accept that we do need to continue to take steps back to normality.

'These results overall, coming as they do broadly midway between 2021 and 2019, represent a staging post on that journey.'

Pupils in Scotland received the results of their Higher examinations last week, with a similar trend in that the pass rate was down on last year but above pre-pandemic levels from 2019.

Education Secretary James Cleverly insisted today that the 'majority' of students will get their first choice university place, and are not being crowded out by a deferred cohort.

Asked by BBC Breakfast if deferred applications would lead to more competition for university places, James Cleverly said: 'We should remember that there has been an increase in the number of courses, and as you say the number of 18-year-olds has been increasing, but so has the number of university courses.

'Predominantly of course, students are competing with the other people that took exams this year. The number of deferments as a percentage of the overall applications is very low, something around 6.5 per cent from memory.

'So the vast majority of places will be for students who have sat exams this year.'

Mr Cleverly said there had been a 'tighter set of results than last year' with the return of exams, but added: 'We have got to remember that the majority of students will probably be getting into their first choice institution, that is incredibly good news.'

The Education Secretary also said there are no plans to raise the cap on the number of medical student admissions, but stressed that the Government is increasing NHS recruitment.

Asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme why the Government will not lift the cap, he said: 'The NHS has always relied significantly on medical professionals from overseas, and I doubt that that will change any time in my lifetime.

'We are recruiting more doctors and more nurses, we are training more homegrown medical talent. That is right. We are seeing those medical professional numbers go up, but, as I say, the nature of those incredibly highly technical vocational medical courses makes them different to other courses.'

He later said medical courses in other countries often have 'huge' fees for students, adding: 'We have chosen to make a different decision. We don't put the financial burden on the students themselves. 

'The Government heavily subsidises courses because the courses themselves are important and that is the trade-off. The cap means we don't impose the costs on the students themselves.'

Connor Bott opens his A-level results with his father at Ffynone House School in Swansea this morning

Student Salimata Kabia (L) of The City of London Academy in Southwark reacts as she receives her A-Level results today

A student receives his A-level results at a school in London this morning as pupils across the country get their grades

Naz Capar (right) and her sister Sara (centre) react after receiving their results at Oasis Academy Hadley in Enfield today

Wendy Gomez and Precious Richardson, students at Harris City Academy Crystal Palace in South London, this morning

Students receive their A-level results at a school in London this morning as pupils across the country get their grades

A student receives her A-level results at a school in London this morning as pupils across the country get their grades

Elanur Tankisi (centre) is congratulated as she receives her results today at Oasis Academy Hadley in Enfield, North London

Abi Hill (right) and Anna Austin celebrate with friends as they receive their A-level results at Norwich School today

Sophie Thomas reacts after opening her A-level results at Ffynone House School in Swansea this morning

Alex Dixon hugs a friend after receiving his A-level results at Norwich School in Norfolk this morning

Abi Hill celebrates with her mother after reading her A-level results at Norwich School in Norfolk this morning

John Bose (left) and Umair Abdullah (right) check their A-level results at Ffynone House School in Swansea this morning

Alice Shaw (left) and Amelia Cropley (right) celebrate with their A-level results at Norwich School this morning

Nagma Abdi (left) and Zuhoor Haibe (right) with their A-level results at Ark Putney Academy in South West London today

Students receive their A-level results at a school in London this morning as pupils across the country get their grades

Rand El-Shebli opening her A-level results at Ark Putney Academy in South West London this morning

Students at The City of London Academy in Southwark receive their A-Level results this morning

Yasmin Adan poses for a photo after receiving her A-level results today at Oasis Academy Hadley in Enfield, North London

Millie Clark (left) and Ella Cragg (right) celebrate with their A-level results at Norwich School in Norfolk this morning

Students at The City of London Academy in Southwark receive their A-Level results this morning

Sir Daniel Moynihan, who runs 28 secondary schools across the South East of England as chief executive of the Harris Federation, told MailOnline that 'it was right that grading was still more generous than in 2019' as students have continued to 'have had a tough time' this year.

Brighton head boy turns down Cambridge place to study in the US 

Brighton College head boy Shaun Pexton, who got five A*s

The head boy at Brighton College has turned down an offer of a place at Cambridge University to continue his education across the pond.

Shaun Pexton achieved five A* grades in chemistry, physics, maths, further maths and history - and he is one of 16 pupils at the Sussex college choosing to study in America rather than the United Kingdom.

Mr Pexton has accepted an offer to study at Yale University and will be joined by two other Brighton College pupils, Kieran Malandain and Matias Paz Linares.

Last year Mr Pexton swam the Channel to raise money for mental health charity YoungMinds.

He said: 'I spent my younger years in Hong Kong and Singapore, and I'm now moving on to Yale University in the US - but my roots will always be here in Brighton, and I know that my years at Brighton College will remain some of the best of my life.'

This year 60 per cent of grades at Brighton College were A*s - and 79 pupils achieved at least three A*s.

The last time exams were held, Brighton College was the top co-educational school in England, and was named UK School of the Decade by The Sunday Times.

College headmaster Richard Cairns said: 'It was always going to be a challenge for this year's cohort because they had no previous GCSE exam experience, so it is wonderful that they have risen to the challenge, smashing the record in 2019 when exams were last sat in person.

'Nearly all Brighton College pupils have secured places at top universities. Twenty-four received Oxbridge offers but it is noticeable that there has been a real shift in emphasis towards the United States, with 16 heading off to North America.'

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He said: 'Students have had a tough time. This set of A-level students didn't do GCSEs, it was their first set of exams in secondary, and they'd gone through lockdown and some disruption during this year. That's why it was right grading was still more generous than in 2019.'

Although grades for pupils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have fallen since last year, Sir Daniel said this year's set-up was 'the least worst way' of assessing students.

He continued: 'Students were given the benefit of the doubt in the last few years but grading was very high. Doing exams, in the end, is the fairest way to assess people.

'The choice was always how do you get back to pre-Covid standards. Do you do it in one go? Well that would have been cruel.

'The results are more generous than they were pre-Covid, and it's right that they are because of the disruption that's happened. There's no perfect way of doing this but this is the least worst way.'

And Sir Mufti Hamid Patel, chief executive of Star Academies which runs 19 secondary schools across the UK, told MailOnline that 'the results are as expected'.

He said: 'It has been a very difficult two years for our college leavers. However, to protect the value of our qualifications and the achievements of our young people, it is right that we start to start moving towards normality in the grading and so the return of exams has been welcome.

'The Government and Ofqual deserve some praise in the way that the ‘glide path’ to normality has been managed this summer.'

Alfie Astley, 18, a pupil at Ark Putney Academy in South West London, said he was 'very happy' and 'relieved it's all over' after receiving A* in geography, A in art and A in biology in his A-levels.

He is now going to Loughborough University, his first choice, to study graphic design, where he will become the first in his family to study for a degree.

Mr Astley said after opening his results envelope: 'With Covid it was quite strange, in and out of school constantly and with the struggles of online learning.

'It never really felt real until the last few months when the A-levels started and then it was a mad rush to be prepared and sit the exams, as there was a big question over whether we could actually sit the exams.

'It made me feel a lot more uncertain about it all. My GCSEs were completely cancelled and we got teacher-assessed grades. It feels very great to be the first in my family to go to university.

'I know that some of my friends feel a bit disappointed or frustrated; they've received offers but not getting into their first choice. I'm very grateful that I wasn't negatively impacted by anything that I had no control over, such as grade inflation.'

Another pupil at the same school, Somalian refugee Nagma Abdi, from Fulham, said she was 'very happy' with her A-level results of A in sociology, just four marks from an A*, as well as B in psychology and C in media studies. The 18-year-old has secured her first choice of university, the London School of Economics, where she will study social anthropology.

'I feel very happy, I've worked very hard, and obviously with Covid it's been quite challenging,' she said.

'It made everything more difficult, you were very unsure what was happening. We weren't sure whether the exams would happen, then there were questions about grade boundaries and the questions because we've had changed curriculums.'

Sadia Ibrahim (left) with her results at Whalley Range High School today. She will study pharmacy at Manchester University

A student receives her A-level results at a school in London this morning as pupils across the country get their grades

Students at The City of London Academy in Southwark receive their A-Level results this morning

Students Madison Smith-McCabe (L) and Ellie Somm (R) of the The City of London Academy in Southwark this morning

Ziying achieved 4 A* grades in her A-levels when picking up her results at Solihull School today

Students at The City of London Academy in Southwark receive their A-Level results this morning

Genevieve Boateng reacts with teacher Sharna-Kay Prehay at Harris City Academy Crystal Palace in South London today

Students receive their A-level results at a school in London this morning as pupils across the country get their grades

Students at The City of London Academy in Southwark receive their A-Level results this morning

Pupils receive their A-level results this morning at Oasis Academy Hadley in Enfield, North London

Student Janay Pinnock (R) of The City of London Academy in Southwark receives her A-Level results this morning

Freddie achieved three A* grades his A-levels when picking up his results at Solihull School today

Students receive their A-level results at a school in London this morning as pupils across the country get their grades

Student Roanna Richards (centre) of The City of London Academy in Southwark receives her A-Level results this morning

Naz Capar (right) and her sister Sara (centre) react after receiving their results at Oasis Academy Hadley in Enfield today 

Keshvaa Baskaran confirms a university place with Ucas after opening his results at Ffynone House School in Swansea today

Holly Robinson smiles after she receives her A-level results at Ffynone House School in Swansea this morning

A student is comforted by Good Morning Britain presenter Pip Tomson at William Wilberforce Sixth Form College in Hull today

Student Faith Soyer of The City of London Academy in Southwark reacts as she receives her A-Level results this morning

Ms Abdi arrived in the UK at the age of seven after her family fled Somalia's civil war. 'English became a big challenge - it took me about a year and a half to work out grammar - but in the end, everything went well for me,' she said.

Straight A*s for pupil, 18, who is a full-time carer for her grandmother

Jaynee Winslade-Gregory, 18, from Bridgend, South Wales

A teenager who is a full-time carer for her grandmother scored straight A*s in her A levels and will now study medicine.

Jaynee Winslade-Gregory, 18, from Bridgend, South Wales, was only two years old when her grandmother was diagnosed with dementia, and later suffered a stroke.

She helped with showering, dressing, eating and medication, after school and during overnight stays.

Miss Winslade-Gregory's father works nights and her mother suffers from mental health issues, and the schoolgirl, who has no siblings, found hospitals to be 'inspiring' and she idolised medics. Nobody in her family had been to university before.

Jaynee got her head down at Cardiff Sixth Form College and achieved A*s in Chemistry, Biology, Maths and English Literature and will study at Imperial College London. She was delighted to land a place to read medicine at Imperial College London.

Miss Winslade-Gregory said: 'I first went into hospital with my Nanna when she was diagnosed with vascular dementia, triggered by a mini stroke, when I was two years old. She was very disabled, blind and needed lots of support so hospital became almost like our second home.

'I found the atmosphere very inspiring and idealised the doctors. Seeing people who had such a positive manner and were doing their absolute best to help people, many of whom were extremely ill, really focused me.

'It was pivotal in helping me decide what I wanted to do with my life. As an only child I have never known anything else. We had no outside support so I felt my mission in life was to care for my nanna and to look after people generally.

'When she passed away it was as if I had lost my purpose. Compounded by lockdowns during the pandemic, I felt very displaced. However, I have been really fortunate as my teachers at Cardiff Sixth Form College and my parents have been so supportive. I decided to put my head down, start working hard to achieve the best grades I could and am now the first person in my family to go to university and the first doctor.'

She found herself fascinated by the medical staff and started to talk to the doctors about how they made diagnoses from the symptoms exhibited. An active campaigner and fundraiser for dementia, Miss Winslade-Gregory has set up donation pages for the local Brace charity. She has also volunteered, shadowed medical practitioners, helped lead Cardiff Sixth Form College's medical society and undertaken extra medial research.

She said: 'As a country girl growing up in Wales going to university in London has been my dream. I was fortunate to win a full scholarship at Cardiff Sixth Form College which has helped me not just achieve top grades, but also reflect on where I wanted to go to medical school and think positively about how to get there. We had lots of professionals working in different part of the medical profession come to speak to us and I certainly couldn't have done it without their support.'

Cardiff Sixth Form College principal Gareth Collier said: 'Jaynee has worked really hard, attending drop in sessions with staff to help her catch up on her chemistry.

'She has joined the debating society which has given her confidence with public speaking and improved her interview technique as well as making full use of the extensive resources that the college offers. Having spent so much time in hospital she has seen first-hand what being a doctor entails and understands the hard working environment in which medical staff operate. She has natural empathy and will make an excellent doctor.'

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Rand El-Shebli, from Battersea in south London, felt her generation had not been treated fairly as she opened her A-level results.

The 17-year-old is now going on to study psychology at Queen Mary University of London, after achieving A in media studies, B psychology and B in sociology.

'I was expecting a bit better, but overall I'm happy because for those to be the first exams since SATs, it's a big achievement and everyone should be proud regardless of what they got,' she said.

'We're the first year to never have sat GCSEs then go straight into A-levels. We did have some help but I feel like it's not entirely fair but overall I think people did get what they deserved.'

The Ark Academy Putney school-leaver added: 'At the end of the day, I feel like it's pretty unfair for your whole secondary school and A-level life to be determined by just one grade and three papers that you sit. Your future depends on that, which isn't the best.

'I did expect the grade boundaries to be lower but if anything they are not actually low, which again is not really fair. It has become normal for people to get A*, and I think they wanted that grade to be reserved for a particular type of student this year.'

Walsall College students have thanked the Government for introducing the new T-level qualifications and have spoken of their 'exciting' career prospects.

Leah Hickman, 18, who secured a degree-level Chartered Surveyor Apprenticeship working on infrastructure on the HS2 route, said: 'I'm very happy. I wasn't expecting a distinction - so, yes, I'm very happy.

'I've got to thank my tutors - they definitely kept me going. It was a very hard year, especially with Covid, but I've got to thank the Government for the T-level funding as well.

'I'm only 18, and already have two years' experience on my CV, which will really help me to stand out.'

Walsall College student Aqsah Ahmed, 18, who achieved a distinction in her design, surveying and planning T-level, told the PA news agency she was proud of her results after finding studying during the Covid-19 pandemic difficult.

'When I came in I was quite nervous, but when I opened my results I was really happy because I didn't think I was going to get that grade - so I'm quite proud of myself.

'The first year, because Covid hit, it was kind of hard because we were at home doing it online and everything.

'But when we came in and they taught us face to face it was quite easy to understand, and when we did practical work - especially the work placement we did with Balfour Beatty - it gave us a great perspective of the work environment and office, so that was really good.'

Eshana Kainth, who achieved a distinction her design, surveying and planning T-level at Walsall College, said was 'really happy' she could go on to pursue a career in architecture.

'I'm really happy with the results I've got,' she said. The 18-year-old said she hoped to study architecture at Birmingham City University.

Walsall College principal Jatinder Sharma said his T-level students will be 'absolutely flying' after some earned jobs working on HS2.

He said: 'I'm absolutely delighted, why wouldn't I be? The stories of maturity in the workplace - talking to colleagues, dealing with multi-million pounds contracts - these students are gong to be absolutely flying. So yes, I'm a delighted principal today.'

Following her experience of homelessness, Andria Kamil, who is celebrating A-level results of A in sociology, B in psychology and B in history, said it is important for universities to admit disadvantaged students.

The 18-year-old, from Roehampton, South West London, had a 'nerve-wracking' morning after missing her first choice of university, but secured her insurance choice to study law at City, University of London.

'It was nerve-wracking this morning because I opened the Ucas portal and I didn't get the answers so I came in early to sort it out. I'm excited and happy because I knew I wanted to do law,' she said at her school, Ark Putney Academy.

'All these two years building up to it has led to this moment and it's crazy because everything I've done is on this piece of paper. We've been through a lot as a year group and I'm just proud of all of us.

'We've always been the first year group to experience something. I was nervous doing exams again, walking into what used to be our assembly hall, this time to sit A-levels, but we tried our best and I think it paid off.'

Si Tong Xie smiles after she receives her A-level results at Ffynone House School in Swansea this morning

Oliver James talks on the phone as he receives his A-level results at Ffynone House School in Swansea this morning

Mert Savas (left) and Paris Eockeray (right) after receiving their results at Oasis Academy Hadley in Enfield this morning

Yasmin Adan (left) and Asmaa Ali (right) receive their A-level results at Oasis Academy Hadley in Enfield, North London, today

Sarim Rafique with his mother and father today after he receives his A-level results at Ffynone House School in Swansea

Students receive their A-level results at a school in London this morning as pupils across the country get their grades

Student John Junior Olugosi of The City of London Academy in Southwark receives his A-Level results this morning

Mert Savas (left) and Paris Eockeray (right) hug after receiving their A-level results at Oasis Academy Hadley in Enfield topday

Pupils receive their A-level results at Oasis Academy Hadley in Enfield, North London, this morning

Elanur Tankisi receives her A-level results at Oasis Academy Hadley in Enfield, North London, this morning

Nagma Abdi (left) and Zuhoor Haibe with their A-level results at Ark Putney Academy in South West London today

Alice Shaw hugs a friend as they receive their A-level results at Norwich School in Norfolk this morning

(L-R ) Students Kevin Matyszewski, Josh Collins and Abdullai Luwalat from The City of London Academy in Southwark today

Student Salimata Kabia (R) of The City of London Academy in Southwark receives her A-Level results this morning

Ms Kamil found the cancellation of GCSE exams 'a blessing in disguise' as she was moved into temporary accommodation in east London, meaning a commute between 5am and 8pm each day to reach school.

She said universities should 'definitely' focus on disadvantaged students.

'Everyone has their own struggles, disregarding their backgrounds and whatnot, but it just depends how you take it on and manage your problem. I just tried my hardest and now I get to go to uni, so I'm excited,' she added.

In Norfolk, a teenager who is preparing to start a BBC apprenticeship said studying through the Covid-19 pandemic was a 'nightmare'.

As he collected his A-level results at Norwich School, James Livesey, 18, said: 'I feel very relieved. It's a big weight off my shoulders.'

The pupil, of Norwich, achieved an A* in computer science and As in physics and maths. He said of studying during the pandemic: 'It's been a nightmare. Honestly, 2020 was just such a different kind of learning environment and everything and it did throw a spanner in the works.'

Grades in 2020 and 2021 were based on teachers' assessments, with this year marking a return to public exams.

'It's a bit of a weird difference considering I'd never really done exams before in such an official capacity, but I think I was fine with it in the end,' said Mr Livesey. 'As the results show, I'm really glad.'

He said his grades were enough for his first choice university, Southampton, but he then got an offer for a degree apprenticeship at the BBC doing software engineering on websites and other platforms.

'I'm going to go for that because it's such a sought-after opportunity so that's my main choice,' he said. 'I'm really excited for it.'

Mia Bartram, 18, from near King's Lynn, said she was 'very happy' to achieve three A* grades in 3D design, photography, and art, craft and design.

'All the hard work's paid off, so that's really great,' she said, adding that she plans to study sustainable product design at Falmouth University.

On studying over the last two years, she said: 'It was difficult in periods like when we had lockdown and stuff, especially as all the subjects I take are in the workshop and are very hands-on-based, so that was difficult from home. But the school have combatted it really well. There's always been ways round it.'

Millie Clark, 18, achieved two A* grades in history and music and an A in French and plans to study music at Cambridge University. 'I'm really happy, I can't quite believe it,' the head of school said.

She said coronavirus restrictions had made things 'difficult with music extracurricular stuff, not being able to play together as year groups', adding: 'It's been difficult but it's been worth it.'

She said sitting the exams, after two years of teacher-assessed grades, 'felt like we were going in kind of knowing nothing'. She added: 'We hadn't even done GCSEs beforehand, so that was really scary.

Bridget Phillipson MP, Labour's Shadow Education Secretary, visits the King James I Academy in Bishop Auckland today

Emily Rivett celebrates with her parents after opening her A-level results at Norwich School this morning

Robert Robinson, Headmaster of Campbell College in Belfast, with (left) Patrick Kenny who was awarded 4 A*/A and (right) Tom Crowther who was awarded 3 A's in their A Level results today

Nikita Howard, 18, (left) and Skye Paterson (right), 18, get their T-level results at Peter Symonds College in Winchester today

Students with their A-level results at Ark Putney Academy in South West London this morning

Robert Robinson, headmaster of Campbell College in Belfast, with pupils receiving their A Level results this morning

(left to right) Students Ben Surtees, Bryony Lucas, James McSaprron and Leonie Rowe check their results on their phones at Peter Symonds College in Winchester today

Students receive their A-level results at a school in London this morning as pupils across the country get their grades

Rufaro Cheda, 17, (left), looks at her results with her mother Angela Mupfeka at Peter Symonds College in Winchester today

Harry Cooper (left) and his twin brother Robbie who were both awarded 3 A's in their A Level results in Belfast today

Lila Hallam celebrate with friends after opening her A-level results at Norwich School this morning

'But it was actually much easier than I thought it would be. The adrenalin kind of kicked in, and that was good.'

Jeremy Clarkson boasts that he 'got a C and 2 Us and I'm currently holidaying on this boat' in annual tweet to A-level students with disappointing results today 

Jeremy Clarkson has boasted that he 'got a C and two Us' in his A-levels and is 'currently holidaying on this boat' in his annual tweet to students who are disappointed with their results today.

The total number of students accepted onto degree courses in Britain has fallen by two per cent on the same point last year - with 425,830 taking up places so far, initial figures from admissions service UCAS have revealed today.

But the former Top Gear presenter, 62, has taken a swipe at the importance of the results by tweeting a picture of himself on a boat looking out to sea to his 7.8million followers.

 

He said this morning: 'Don't worry if your A level results are disappointing. I got a C and 2 Us and I'm currently holidaying on this boat.'

It comes after he was pictured with girlfriend Lisa Hogan enjoying a lavish getaway to Saint Tropez last month

The couple were in good spirits as they took to A-list hotspot Club 55 for a sun-soaked day out.

Clarkson's tweets on A-Levels results day have become a regular fixture, boasting last year that he has 'loads of friends' despite failing his exams.

And social media users welcomed Mr Clarkson's annual tweet on their timelines this morning.

One said: 'To everyone coming in to make the same tired jokes as every year: who does this tweet hurt? 

'Because I can tell you it's probably quite comforting to a 17/18 year old who's just found out they haven't got into their dream university.' 

Another added: 'Another year, another Clarkson tweet. What a time to be alive.' 

A third said: 'Jeremy Clarkson keeping it real! It's so true! I don't even have a-levels and I've got an amazing job that I totally love.'

And a fourth wrote: 'Death, taxes and Jeremy Clarkson's A level results tweet.'

But some were quick to show they were less keen on the sentiment of today's tweet.

One said: 'I wanted to be a fighter pilot when I was 17, but guess what? I didn't work hard enought at school to get the qualifications. 

'My fault, nobody else's. So I settled to being a chef, long hours, poor pay working in rubbish conditions. So boo hoo. Study harder, to get good grades.'

A second replied: 'Remind us again of the deprived area you lived in and the state school you went to?'

A third said: 'Smug Monster Jeremy Clarkson wheels out his annual tweet about his A levels.'

 

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Flynn Robbins, 18, of Thorpe St Andrew, achieved A-grades in chemistry and maths and an A* in physics. He plans to study for a masters degree in aerospace engineering at Sheffield University.

'My ultimate goal is to join an F1 team as an aerodynamicist working in that department designing the aerodynamics of an F1 car, that's what I want to do,' he said.

He said he is 'very, very excited', adding: 'The past few days was not much sleep, just stressing over this.

'I've just been really worried that I somehow messed up, even though I think I knew in my head that I got enough, but the doubts creep in.'

Vani Kumar, 18, of Costessey in Norwich, who achieved four A*s in maths, economics, Spanish and 2D design, said: 'Throughout the two years it was tough as the teaching was slightly different, but we were lucky that every department had support.'

Students at Peter Symonds College in Winchester have spoken of their high 'excitement levels' as they received their exam results despite facing the disruptions of pandemic lockdowns.

John Diedrick, 18, from Winchester, Hampshire, has secured a place to study aerospace engineering at the University of Birmingham having gained A* grades in geography, maths and his Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) with an A in physics.

He said: 'My excitement levels are really high, I am just relieved that I have got the grades and I have all the options open to me. I am very excited to move out of home and be independent and study a full course on things I am interested in.

'I was really worried that I might not get the grades because aerospace is really competitive, it's just a relief that all the hard work I have done over the past two years has paid off.

'My motivation was low during lockdown, my productivity wasn't great but when we came back I really got my head down and refocused.

'There were so many distractions in lockdown, online learning was a bit difficult and a lot of people struggled.'

Leonie Rowe, 18, from near Romsey, is going to study classics at Durham having achieved A* grades in Latin, classics and EPQ with an A in history.

She said mock exams had helped her prepare for the exams as her year had missed out on sitting exams for their GCSEs.

The teenager said: 'It was hard to begin with as half was online and it was a struggle to make friends but this year got much better and the college has been really helpful, having people to talk to, they even brought in a mini zoo to help us deal with stress.'

On her results, she added: 'I am really happy, it's so nice to have it confirmed and know I am going somewhere in September, it's a really nice feeling.'

Leyna McQuillin, 18, from Salisbury, Wiltshire, gained a double distinction star Btec in IT and a B in psychology A-level and will go on to study a degree in e-sports at Staffordshire University.

She said: 'I am very happy with my results, I can't complain as I have my place already confirmed, there were rumours they were marking harshly but I have done alright.'

Ms McQuillin said she struggled to explain her degree choice to her parents' generation, and added: 'I say it's like the old Pac-Man tournaments where people would compete to set record scores but nowadays it's with better arcade machines.'

She explained it could lead to a range of career options, including running events, broadcasting and creating competitive teams.

She added: 'My excitement levels are through the roof.'

Nikita Howard, 18, from Whitchurch, achieved a distinction in the new T-level of childcare and education.

She said: 'It was good experience, it was a half placement so I learned what it would be like in the classroom.'

Skye Paterson, 18, from Winchester, who achieved the same result on the same course and will go on to study education studies and early childhood at Winchester, said: 'I really liked it because we did placement and work in the classroom and my teachers were really supportive.'

The pass rate for A-levels at Peter Symonds College this year was 99 per cent, with 40 per cent of the grades awarded being at A* or A. The proportion of A*, A and B was 67 per cent.

Leyna McQuillin (left) with her mother Michelle McQuillin at Peter Symonds College in Winchester this morning

Bridget Phillipson MP (left), Labour's Shadow Education Secretary, visits the King James I Academy in Bishop Auckland today

Milly Foyster celebrates with her family as she receives her A-level results at Norwich School in Norfolk this morning

Wendy Gomez and Precious Richardson, students at Harris City Academy Crystal Palace in South London, this morning

Student Salimata Kabia (R) of The City of London Academy in Southwark receives her A-Level results this morning

John Diedrick, 18, looks at his results alongside principal Sara Russell (right) at Peter Symonds College in Winchester today

Patrick Kenny (left) who was awarded 4 A*/A and Tom Crowther who was awarded 3 A's in their A Level results at Campbell College in Belfast today

Principal Sara Russell said: 'This year group has had an educational experience like no other - the first to have its GCSE exams cancelled, and the first to be asked to sit full A-level examinations, and all sorts of Covid arrangements to navigate in between.

Teenager who commuted from London to Bristol for A-levels wins Oxford spot

Martha Heaps commuted from London to school in Bristol

A teenager who commuted from London to school in Bristol has won a place at the University of Oxford.

When Martha Heaps' family moved from the West Country to Highbury in north London during lockdown, the 18-year-old did not want to disrupt her studies at St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School in Bristol.

For two years she either studied remotely from her home in Highbury or travelled more than 100 miles to stay with friends in Bristol when she attended classes.

Now the teenager has won a place at Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford, to read mathematics and philosophy after getting A*s in English literature, philosophy, maths and further maths.

'I really wanted to stay here for school,' she said. 'With Covid-19 it worked out that I was home schooling more in the first year of sixth form. The school made allowances so that I could stay more at home and learn remotely.'

Fellow student Iman Mohamed, from Fishponds, has won a place at the University of Bristol's medical school.

'I did better than I thought because I did not think I would do as well in chemistry,' said the 18-year-old, who got A*s in biology, chemistry and maths. I am shocked I got into medical school. I am thinking about emergency medicine. I do love living in Bristol and if I didn't work here, it would be another big metropolitan city.'

The teenager said the pandemic presented its own set of unique challenges for learning.

'It was very difficult at the start but the teachers have been absolutely superb here and they made the whole online learning much easier,' she said. 'These are the first exams I've done since Sats, so I am really pleased.'

Lucy Hennessy, 18, from Bedminster, was celebrating A*s in chemistry, maths, further maths and physics and was heading to the University of Cambridge's Trinity Hall to read computer science.

'My results are what I was hoping for,' she said. 'I came to the sixth form from the main school and the teachers have been fantastic keeping in touch with us all on Teams during the pandemic.'

Adam Harvey, 19, from Stockwood, will be studying English and film studies at the University of Leeds after getting A*s in English literature, film and media.

The teenager said he had done better than he expected and was delighted to have won a place at university.

'I am very pleased and very, very happy. I wasn't sure if I would be celebrating today,' he said. 'The pandemic did have its hurdles, but we wouldn't have got here without the teachers and during the last two years the teachers have been nothing but great.'

Twins Thomas (left) and Daniel Beechboth celebrate their A* A-level results at St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School in Bristol

Eighteen-year-old twins Thomas and Daniel Beech, from Bedminster, both got A*s in all the subjects they took and have won places at university.

Thomas will study mechanical engineering at the University of Bristol having got top grades in maths, further maths and physics. His brother achieved A*s in English literature, history, politics and Spanish and is reading law at the London School of Economics.

Daniel said: 'I am quite happy with my results - I didn't think they would be as good, and I am pleasantly surprised.'

Thomas said: 'I found the exams quite hard and I am very pleased to have exceeded my expectations.'

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'Against a national drop in A-level performance, we are proud that we have bucked this trend and our students' grades are as high as last year: indeed, the proportion of A* grades has actually increased, with almost 1,000 securing this top grade.'

Among the universities running Clearing hotlines today was the University of Sheffield, which took more than 550 calls within the first 90 minutes of opening at 8am.

The most popular subjects they were receiving calls for were English, history, geography and maths. The university gad more than 100 people staffing the phones via a virtual and physical call centre.

Dan Barcroft, director of admissions at the University of Sheffield said: 'Clearing is a competitive time this year, as has been the case for a number of years now, with students seeing it as an opportunity to reassess their options post-results, switch courses or trade up to another university which they had previously ruled out.

'At Sheffield, we have some places available through clearing to high achieving students across a range of courses and we will be honouring all our offers to applicants who have met the terms of their offer, whilst doing everything we can to ensure that students from widening participation backgrounds can study on the right courses for them.'

This year's grades aim to reflect a midway point between 2021 - when pupils were assessed by their teachers - and 2019.

Record numbers of students, including high numbers of disadvantaged students, are still expected to start university in September, the Department for Education said.

The results will be a testament to students' resilience and hard work, as well as the efforts of their teachers, the Association of Colleges chief executive David Hughes said.

He added: 'The class of 2022 has faced unprecedented disruption to their education and many have never taken public exams before due to the pandemic.

'So, their achievements are a testament to their resilience and hard work throughout this period, and to their outstanding teachers and support staff who have helped them to achieve success.'

The school leaders' union NAHT also paid tribute to pupils for their 'resilient and tenacious' approach to meeting the challenges they have faced.

Paul Whiteman, union general secretary, said: 'They have experienced large amounts of disruption due to Covid throughout their courses and have worked hard with their school's support to achieve today's results.

'For many students receiving results today, these will have been the first formal national exams they have ever taken.'

Russell Hobby, chief executive of Teach First, said the 'sad truth' is that those who do not achieve grades that reflect their true potential 'will be disproportionately from poorer backgrounds', describing the attainment gap in this country as one that remains 'stark'.

Childline said its counselling sessions about exam results worries were higher every month since January compared to the same period in 2020/21, with the greatest number taking place in June.

Shaun Friel, the charity's director, said: 'Children have had to contend with a huge amount because of the pandemic and it's no surprise that with exams returning to normal for the first time this year, we're seeing a rise in anxiety levels.

'We hear from lots of children who are concerned about their results and it's really important they know that there is someone they can talk to who will listen to their worries. 

'This could be a teacher, careers adviser, parent, carer or Childline.'

Chris Hale, chief executive of Universities UK, said: 'Students applying this year have faced multiple years of disrupted education and they and their families should be exceptionally proud of their achievements.

'University is a life-changing experience for many, and universities will continue to provide students with the support for success in their studies and the future.'

Meanwhile, staff at exam board AQA are taking part in strike action over the next few days and next week when GCSE results are due out.

Unison said the action is planned as part of a long-running dispute regarding pay and fire and rehire threats to staff, but AQA said it had 'robust contingency plans in place to ensure that industrial action has no effect on results'. 

Students have also received their T-level results for the first time ever.

The qualifications, which are broadly equivalent to three A-levels, offer students practical and knowledge-based learning at a school or college and on-the-job experience.

Of the 1,029 pupils receiving their results on Thursday, 92.2 per cent passed, with 31.9 per cent achieving a Distinction and 2.7 per cent were awarded the top grade of a Distinction*.

Bridget Phillipson MP, Labour's Shadow Education Secretary, visits the King James I Academy in Bishop Auckland today

Student Faith Soyer of The City of London Academy in Southwark receives her A-Level results this morning

Nagma Abdi with her A-level results at Ark Putney Academy in South West London this morning

Jakob Hamilton (left) and Darragh Hanlon receiving their A Level results at Campbell College in Belfast this morning

Student Ubayd Bakye of The City of London Academy in Southwark reacts as he receives his A-Level results this morning

The first courses started in September 2020 in construction, digital, and education and childcare.

Identical twin sisters to study the same subject... at different universities 

Identical twin sisters will be separated for the first time - despite going on to study the same subject at university.

Amelia and Macey Morris, 18, will both take on degrees in sociology after receiving successful A-level results.

But while Amelia will study at Bristol University, her sister Macey will be 40 miles away in Cardiff.

Amelia (left) and Macey Morris, 18, are both off to university

Amelia received ABB grades in law, government and politics, and English, while Macey got ABC grades in politics, sociology and criminology. The sisters from Pontypridd, South Wales, studied at Coleg y Cymoedd.

Amelia said: 'We are so used to always being together so it will be strange being apart but we are excited to start our journeys and it will be nice to have some time part to grow individually. I want to learn more about inequality and various societal ideologies. I'm interested in how these are embedded in society, and how to make changes.'

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Data from the results shows 94 per cent completed their industry placement, 99.5 per cent achieved an E grade or above in their core component, and 97.5 per cent passed their occupational specialism.

Jo Saxton, chief regulator at exams body Ofqual, said: 'This year, students have achieved many well-established vocational qualifications.

'We're also seeing the first students celebrating the successful completion of T-levels in construction, digital, and education and childcare.

'All these qualifications will help students progress into further and higher education, an apprenticeship or other employment. I wish them all well in their next steps.'

The Department for Education said 90.9 per cent of boys and 93.5 per cent of girls achieved a pass.

Girls also out-performed boys in achieving the top grades, with 3.6 per cent of girls getting a Distinction* compared to 1.8 per cent of boys.

The overall pass rate for digital production, design and development learners (89.7 per cent) was lower than for education and childcare (93.4 per cent), and design, surveying and planning (93.7 per cent).

Of the first batch of students receiving T-level results, 370 - 71 per cent of applicants - have gained a place in higher education, Ucas said.

Zac Aldridge, of the country's largest T-levels provider NCFE, said: 'This is a hugely important day that signifies years of hard work from across the sector and Government to strengthen the options available to young people and tackle the widening skills gap.

'We've seen first-hand just how much students - and employers - can gain from T-levels, and we're incredibly proud of this first cohort as they receive their results, particularly given the challenges posed by the pandemic.

'Huge congratulations too, to the teachers, providers and businesses for their hard work in bringing these qualifications to life.'

Education Secretary James Cleverly said: 'Today is a really exciting time for our pioneering T-level students, as the first ever group to take this qualification will pick up their results.

'I have no doubt they will be the first of many and embark on successful careers.'