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BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Students across the West excited for future after A-Level success
Students across the West had a day of "nervous excitement" as they collected their A-level results. There were the usual feelings of relief, joy and in some cases disappointment, as students gathered in school halls across the region to find out if they had achieved the grades they had set out UCAS said a record number of students had been accepted into their first-choice university, with 28.3% of all grades being marked at A* or A - up from 27.8% last Pearsall, head teacher of Wellsway School in Keynsham, said: "We're delighted with our students, whatever they achieve, whatever their outcome." Miranda Fay, a Wellsway School student, said she had secured the necessary grades to study medicine at Cambridge in October. She said she had woken up early to check her results online after struggling to sleep."It's been a very long journey, with lots of different hoops you had to jump through to get there, but I'm really, really pleased," she said."It will feel really weird to move away from home, and I've always been at this school. But I'm really ready for it now. I'm excited." Mr Pearsall said results day consisted largely of "nervous excitement", and was a milestone staff looked forward to each year. "It's a point that's tinged with sadness but excitement," he said."We're doing a job and we want those students to be able to move on to what they want to do with their lives. "Part of our role is to enable students to follow their dreams and aspirations for the future. Today is about that."Mr Pearsall said the school's exam results were broadly in line with last year, which he said symbolised "everybody's hard work, determination and resilience". Among the students collecting their results at Devizes School and Sixth Form, Wiltshire, was Amen Akhtar, who said he had breathed a sigh of relief as he realised his place at Exeter University had been secured with an A and two B's."I'm feeling very scared but I'm excited for this next chapter," he him, Hannah Webb said: "I'm nervous, we've had to wait such a long time."The pair laughed and clapped as she discovered her grades of two As and two Ds. At Cheltenham Bournside School in Gloucestershire, falling shy of her expected grades came as a blessing for 19-year-old Amy Sinclair."I did predict that I wouldn't do as well as I was offered at my firm university, but it's all good," she said. "I went through clearing as I didn't want to go to my insurance choice, but I did want to go to Manchester Met."I decided a few months ago I wanted to change and they let me in. I'm very excited."It was a lot of hours of revision but it was worth it," she added. How much does university cost, and is it worth it?How do student loans work and when are they written off?What is an apprenticeship and how much are apprentices paid? Andy Berry, CEO of University Centre Somerset College Group said it was "wonderful" to see students achieving their aims."A-Level results are looking stunning this year. Our offer for higher education right here in Somerset is therefore growing. "I remember leaving school and thinking 'I don't know what I'm going to do', and now we can provide those pathways for young people."
The Independent
3 days ago
- General
- The Independent
A-level results: Record number of UK students accepted onto university courses
A record number of students have been accepted onto university or college courses as 18-year-olds celebrate A-level results day. Hundreds of thousands of pupils across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland discovered their A-level and AS-level results on Thursday morning, with many finding out if they secured a place on a course. New Ucas data shows 255,130 UK 18-year-olds have been accepted into university or college, compared to 243,650 in 2024, marking a rise of almost 5 per cent (4.7 per cent). Overall, the figures show 82 per cent of those holding an offer who received their decision on Thursday morning have been placed on their first choice, the same proportion as last year. In total, Ucas said 439,180 applicants have been accepted, marking an increase of more than 3 per cent (3.1 per cent) on 425,860 last year – the highest number of placed students on results day on record. There has also been an increase in the number of 18-year-olds from the most deprived areas in England, Wales and Northern Ireland gaining a place, it added. It comes after 27.8 per cent of UK A-level entries were awarded an A or A* grade in 2024, up from 27.2 per cent the previous year, marking the highest proportion of entries scoring top grades outside the pandemic-affected years of 2020-22. In 2019 – the last year that summer exams were taken before the pandemic – 25.4 per cent of entries were awarded A or A* grades. The pandemic led to an increase in top A-level and GCSE grades in 2020 and 2021, with results based on teacher assessments instead of exams. Education secretary Bridget Phillipson described exam results day as 'a time for celebration' for young people across the country. She said: 'Whether A-Levels, T-Levels or technical and vocational qualifications, I wish everyone the very best of luck, and offer my heartfelt thanks to the fantastic teachers, staff and parents who've supported them to this milestone. 'Every young person should have the opportunity to achieve and thrive. This government won't stand by and accept the entrenched inequalities that continue to blight the life chances of too many young people, especially those from white working class backgrounds who have long been overlooked. 'We're already taking decisive action and making encouraging progress. With great options from degree apprenticeships and high-quality technical qualifications to traditional university routes, we are giving young people the tools they need to get great jobs, fill talent gaps, and help drive economic growth as part of our Plan for Change.'
Daily Mail
06-08-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Cash-strapped universities will take students who missed A-level grades
Cash-strapped universities are set to usher in students who miss their grades on A-level results day next week, the boss of Ucas has said. Jo Saxton said a 'record number' of students are likely to get their first choice place, even including those that 'near-missed' their grades. It is thought universities are desperate to fill places this year to boost their coffers amid a financial crisis in the sector. Other admissions experts said it will be a 'buyers' market' as universities 'compete' to hoover up students. Hundreds of thousands of sixth formers will receive their A-level grades next week, and find out if they have secured their first-choice university place. Historically, those who missed the grades in their offer would be rejected – but this year many will likely be kept on due to universities wanting to guarantee income. Dr Saxton, head of official admissions body Ucas, said: 'I would anticipate a record number of 18-year-olds will wake up with confirmation, quite possibly even where they are near-misses.' Universities have been hit by a fall in international students, who pay much higher fees, due to changes in visa rules. Dr Saxton said universities have now 'fallen back in love' with standard applicants due to 'uncertainty' around whether overseas students, including many postgraduates, will turn up. She added: 'It's a really good year to be a UK-domiciled 18-year-old that wants to go to one of our world-class universities. 'A couple of the directors of admissions and vice-chancellors have talked about recognising that a three-year undergraduate student is stability for your teaching and learning, for your university community, for your financial planning.' She said many universities had tried to 'pin down' students early this year so they could organise logistics such as accommodation and facilities. Anyone rejected from their first and second choice can enter Clearing, which matches unplaced students with unfilled places. Yesterday, a PA Media analysis showed 17 Russell Group universities entering Clearing this year, one less than last year. In addition, the number of courses available at these universities fell to 3,630 from 3,892 at the same point last year. It is thought this is due to universities deciding to hold on to the students they've given offers to, even if they miss their grades. Ucas figures released last month revealed that the number of offers made to prospective undergraduate students from universities and colleges has reached a record high this year. Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi), said: 'The financial plight of universities makes them very keen to fill their courses and they will be falling over themselves to sign up good potential students.' Lee Elliot Major, professor of social mobility at the University of Exeter, said: 'This year is shaping up to be a buyer's market in admissions, with many universities competing to recruit more home students.' Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK, added: 'It's certainly competitive between universities. 'From an applicant point of view, that's a really good thing as it means you've got lots of choice.' A Department for Education (DfE) spokesman said: 'While universities are independent from government and responsible for their own admissions decisions, it is essential that quality is maintained and that the students they admit are likely to succeed. 'Students deserve high-quality teaching, fair admissions and a clear path to good jobs, whether through a degree or technical route. 'Apprenticeship starts, participation and achievements are all on the rise, helping more people gain the skills they need.'
Forbes
10-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
University Of Michigan To Offer Early Decision Option To Upcoming Applicants
The University of Michigan will not be offering an Early Decision option for applicants in the ... More upcoming admissions cycle. In doing so, the university can secure committed enrollments at an earlier stage. The University of Michigan has announced it will offer an Early Decision (ED) option to high school students applying to the school in the coming application cycle, a move that secures enrollments for the university at an earlier stage. By introducing an Early Decision choice, the University of Michigan is giving academically strong students who are committed to the school a more focused opportunity to express that interest while also improving their odds of admission. Up until now, students could only apply Early Action (EA) or regular decision to Michigan both of which are non-binding. 'The introduction of Early Decision at U-M allows high-achieving students to affirm their commitment to the university earlier in the application process and enjoy peace of mind during the rest of their senior year of high school,' Laurie McCauley, provost and executive vice president of academic affairs, said in the university's announcement. Through the ED option, high school seniors must apply by November 1 and then will receive an admission decision by late December. Accepted ED students must withdraw applications to other schools. Students who apply EA will get their admissions decisions by late January and they are able to weigh all the regular decisions offers they may have received. The University of Michigan has experienced a significant amount of volatility since the start of the year, across a broad variety of fronts. In March, Michigan eliminated its central diversity, equity and inclusion infrastructure, one of the most prominent initiatives of its type in the higher education sector. While a number of universities had similarly dismantled their DEI programs and removed corresponding language from their websites under scrutiny from the Trump administration, Michigan's efforts had been high-profile as well as expensive. According to reporting from The New York Times, the university had invested nearly $250 million on DEI initiatives. After the Trump administration cut federal funding to universities, the University of Michigan, along with many other schools, must contend with severe financial constraints. There were already staff cuts at the university following the DEI program closure In addition, the number of international students on U.S. campuses is generally expected to decline, due volatile student visa policies and heightened screening of these students' social media activity. While though the issuance of new visas has resumed after a temporary pause, the generally unwelcoming environment may result in international students seeking their degrees elsewhere. was temporarily halted in June, of generally unwelcoming rhetoric will likely result in fewer international students coming to campus this fall, so universities that have historically hosted large numbers of global cohorts may suffer financial losses in that area as well. The University of Michigan, along with many other universities, are suffering a severe financial constraints after federal funding cuts announced earlier this year. s. There has been volatility in leadership as well.
