EPI releases analysis about A-level, T-level and VTQ results

Entries to A-levels were at a record high for the second year in a row, with 816,948 A-levels awarded on 15 August, according to the Education Policy Institute (EPI).

The numbers have increased in recent years as there is a continued rise in the number of 18-year-olds progressing through the education system.

The students that received their level 3 results represent the second cohort for which grading has been back to ‘normal’, following centre and teacher assessments and a gradual return to pre-pandemic grade boundaries.

A slightly higher proportion of students achieved A/A* grades in 2024 (27.6 per cent) than in 2023 (26.5 per cent). More than three quarters (76 per cent) of entries were awarded grade C or above, again a slight increase on 2023 (75.4 per cent). Although more students achieved top grades this year, the overall pass rate (those achieving grade E or above) was similar to 2023 (97.1 per cent compared to 97.2 per cent).

The biggest increase in students achieving A or A* grades by centre type since 2023 was seen in free schools, from 33.8 to 37.1 per cent of students, whilst the provider type with the overall highest grades were independent schools, which has consistently been the case in recent years.

In further education (FE) colleges, the proportion of students achieving top grades in 2024 increased to 14.8 from 14.0 per cent in 2023. However, this is still below the 2019 proportion of 16.2 per cent, according to EPI.

EPI said that this variation is likely to be related to the differences in intake between institution types, rather than a simple reflection of quality of provision. The institution said that independent and selective schools tend to take on more students with higher prior attainment and far fewer students from economically deprived backgrounds, while FE colleges typically serve a higher proportion of disadvantaged students.

Research showed that since last year, there is variation in the subjects for which male or female students had biggest increases in top grades.

There has been a bigger increase in the proportion of female students receiving top grades since 2023 in many STEM subjects, notably maths and further maths, physics, chemistry, and biology. There have also been sharp increases in the proportion of students entering these subjects this year.

While female students had bigger increases in the proportion achieving the top grades since 2023 in maths, further maths and physics, male students still achieved a greater proportion of A and A* grades in absolute terms. Although more male students entered computing, it is female students that achieved the higher grades.

Students taking level 3 technical and vocational qualifications also received their results today, including the third cohort of T-level students. These new qualifications were designed as high-status technical alternatives to A-levels. EPI said that for a short period, it looked as though T-levels might never become established as they were set to be replaced under the planned Advanced British Standard (ABS). However, now that it is confirmed that the ABS will not go ahead, it appears as though T-levels will be here to stay.

EPI said the third cohort of T-level students began their qualifications in 2022, and this cohort have again been graded favourably to recognise that these qualifications are still in their roll-out phase.

Figures showed 10,253 students began a T-level two years ago, and 7,262 completed their T-level and received a grade today, equivalent to 71 per cent. This is an increase from 66 per cent in 2021. This figure is lower than the completion rates of 75 per cent for similar sized vocational or technical qualifications (VTQs), the existing alternatives to A-levels, and 88 per cent for those taking three A-levels last year.

EPI revealed the number of 18-year-olds applying for higher education courses from England remained at a comparable level to 2023 (43 per cent), having peaked in 2022 (45 per cent). Although university application rates peaked in the pandemic, they are still considerably higher than they have been for most of the last decade.

While the number of 18-year-olds in England applying for university has not decreased this year, the number of applications in England by students off all ages is lower than it was in 2023.