Students receiving T-levels increase, but academic routes still dominate

This morning students across the country are receiving their A-level, T-level and vocational results. It’s a time to celebrate the results and full breadth of ambition as they embark on their next steps – from brilliant academic institutions to degree apprenticeships, higher technical qualifications and careers in sectors the country needs the most.

This year’s results paint a largely positive picture. A-level attainment improved slightly, more students secured places at their first-choice university, and T-levels recorded their biggest year of growth yet.

In a landmark moment for technical education, nearly 20,000 students received T-level results this summer, up from almost 12,000 in 2025. Pass rates remained strong despite the rapid expansion, with more than 90 per cent of students achieving a pass.

At the same time, A-level results remained stable, with 78.1 per cent of entries achieving grades C and above, while 28.3 per cent were awarded an A or A*. Maths results were also particularly strong this year, with record participation and an increase in top grades. Entries in STEM subjects rose by 3.7 per cent compared to 2025.

Higher education also remained a popular destination. More students were accepted onto university courses than last year, with 194,800 English 18-year-olds securing places at their first-choice institution.

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.

“It’s brilliant to see more students succeeding in T-levels, more taking maths and STEM subjects, and more young people progressing to the next stage of their education or training.

“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.”

Education secretary Lucy Powell echoed that message, describing the rise in T-level participation as “very encouraging”. She 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.”

Growth, but not parity

While ministers will welcome the rapid growth of T-levels, analysis published by the Social Market Foundation suggests technical education still faces significant challenges.

Although T-level entries increased by around two-thirds in a single year, the qualifications remain considerably smaller than the traditional academic route. This summer, 19,860 students received a T-level Technical Qualification result, compared with 320,505 students receiving A-level results, equivalent to roughly 16 A-level students for every T-level student.

The think tank’s analysis also found technical routes remain heavily gender-segregated. Almost 95 per cent of construction T-level results were awarded to male students, while men accounted for more than 90 per cent of engineering and manufacturing completions.

Dani Payne, head of education and social mobility at the Social Market Foundation, said:

“T-level growth offers real encouragement for Andy Burnham’s push to put technical education on a more equal footing with academic routes. The number of students receiving a T-level Technical Qualification result has risen by around two-thirds in just one year, while outcomes remain strong, suggesting that expanding these qualifications does not have to come at the expense of standards.

“But today’s results also show the scale of the challenge facing Burnham. More than 320,000 students received A-level results today, compared with fewer than 20,000 receiving T-level results, while a record 262,820 UK 18 year olds have already been placed at university. Demand for university has stalled slightly, yet higher education remains by far the more established and visible route for young people.

“The rapid growth in T-levels shows that young people do want high quality technical qualifications when they are available, and Burnham should capitalise on that demand. If he wants technical education to command genuine parity of esteem, creating new pathways will only be the beginning. It will require sustained investment in further education, to ensure these new pathways lead somewhere meaningful: into good jobs, training and further study.”

Persistent inequalities remain

Today’s figures also highlight several longer-term challenges facing the education system.

Regional disparities in university access remain pronounced. London continues to record the highest university entry rate among 18-year-olds, while the North East has the lowest.

Progress on widening participation has also largely stalled, with the gap between young people from the most and least advantaged communities changing little over the past decade.

Dr Rebecca Montacute, research director at the Social Market Foundation, said:

“Access gaps to higher education still remain stubbornly persistent. While more young people from poorer areas are now going on to HE than a decade ago, the gap in access between them and their better off peers is almost exactly the same as it was 10 years ago.

“Andy Burnham is right to place a renewed focus on technical pathways, but alongside those efforts we also need to ensure that every young person with the ability and desire to go to university is able to do so – regardless of their background. Too many young people are being priced out, with rising living costs that support levels have not kept pace with. Re-introducing maintenance grants to all young people from lower income homes, not just those on specific courses, would be a great first step to widen access.”

Looking ahead

The government has pledged to continue expanding technical and vocational pathways through further T-level growth, new V-level qualifications and reforms designed to place academic and technical routes on a more equal footing.

Business leaders have broadly welcomed that direction of travel.

Patrick Milnes, head of policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“Today’s exam results are a moment to celebrate the hard work of hundreds of thousands of young people.

“We wish every student the very best of luck as they consider their future plans. Whatever their next step, businesses will value their ideas, determination and potential.

“Academic routes are only one part of the system. Government plans to strengthen technical and vocational education to deliver the skills firms need are welcome.”

For now, today’s results show both progress and unfinished business. T-levels are expanding rapidly and attracting more students than ever before, but they remain a comparatively small part of the post-16 landscape. While policymakers continue their push for parity between academic and technical education, A-levels and university remain the dominant pathway for the vast majority of young people.