A-Level results day: record number of students accepted into UK universities
A total of 439,180 applicants have gained a place at a university or college. That's up 3.1% on the same point last year, according to data published by the university admissions service (Ucas).
Ucas confirmed this is the highest number of placed students on results day on record.
The education secretary said there has been a "steadying of the ship" following disruption to education caused by the pandemic.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Bridget Phillipson said, 'These are young people who have not had disruption in recent times, but have had the full normal assessment process."
'These are also young people who would have been the first to sit GCSEs under normal circumstances. So they've gone through the full regular GCSE cycle that you would have expected before the pandemic."
'So, this is a normal year, the kind of year that we would have seen before the pandemic hit.'
In 2023, GCSEs and A-levels returned to pre-pandemic grading arrangements in England.
In Wales and Northern Ireland, exam regulators returned to pre-pandemic grading last summer – a year later than in England.
A total of 255,130 UK 18-year-old applicants have accepted places compared to 243,650 the previous year, which is an increase of 4.7%.
Whilst the number of international students who have been accepted onto undergraduate courses has also risen by 2.9%, from 51,170 last year to 52,640.
Accepted applicants from China (12,380) are up 13% compared with last year.
Dr Jo Saxton CBE, Chief Executive of Ucas celebrated the results, reflecting on how these students would have been impacted by COVID 19.
'This year's students were just 13 when the pandemic hit, and their secondary schooling was turned upside down."
"It's great to see these applicants securing a university place in record numbers, seeking more education, and investing in their futures. I am equally delighted to see how universities across the country have responded to their ambition."
'For any student who didn't quite get the grades they were hoping for, or even those still yet to apply, there are plenty of options in clearing with around 27,000 available courses."
'Ucas experts are also available on the phones, on social media and on the Ucas website, to help all those deciding on the next step that's right for them.'
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