A-Level results LIVE: Students face anxious wait for 2026 exam grades at 8am

A-Level results LIVE: Students face anxious wait for 2026 exam grades at 8am Hundreds of thousands of students across the UK are set to receive their A-level and BTec results this morning as the cost of university remains in the spotlight Hundreds of thousands of students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will receive their A-Level, BTec and T-level results this morning. Most schools and colleges are set to open their doors at 8am on Thursday, August 13 for students to pick up their physical results slips, however students may already be able to view their university application status via an online portal prior to this. It is expected that a record number of students will find out if they have secured their first choice of university this year as by the end of June around 41% of UK 18-year-olds had applied to university. As the results come in and the cost of universities has been in the spotlight, the chief of Universities UK, which represents more than 140 vice-chancellors, urged pupils to not "let politicians make your decision for you". Last year, the proportion of students getting top A-level results reached a record high, with schools likely facing pressure to continue to produce these outcomes. In 2025 28.3% of all grades across England, Wales and Northern Ireland came in at A* or A. Follow our live blog for further updates as results day takes place. Christy Cormac, assistant director of student recruitment and lifecycle events at the University of Bristol said that preparation is key. "Get as organised as you can, try not to panic, and prepare to be positively surprised," he says. Being prepped with a contingency plan will help if results do not go as expected. Cormac added: "Many universities might publish a list of courses that might be in clearing the day before. "So do your research, perhaps have a short list of four or five universities that you might be keen or encouraged to apply for if the results don't go as expected." The Department for Education estimates that around 58,000 18-year-olds in England will get no results today because they have dropped out of education and training. However, some of these will already be working. Undergraduate tuition fees in England and Wales are rising for a second year running. Students that start in September will have to pay £9,790 a year. At 8am today the UCAS hub will also update, presenting students with their offers. They will appear as follows: - Unconditional/placed: The place is theirs → green light. - Conditional/pending: The university hasn't decided yet. No movement by mid-morning → ring them. Remember, if you’ve met your conditions they will accept you. - Unsuccessful – placed at insurance: missed firm uni → met their insurance offer. - Unplaced – Clearing available: A Clearing number appears → student calls universities to request a ‘verbal offer’. Students will need to accept the offer they have been given. This then locks in their place at the institution of choice. It is believed another record number of students are expected to find out they have secured a place at their first choice of university today. Last results day the proportion of students getting top A-level results sat at a record high, with 28.3% of all grades across England, Wales and Northern Ireland marked at A* or A. Universities have been in the spotlight recently, as Andy Burnham has placed more emphasis on technical education. Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK, said she felt "people talking [university] down" may "put off" potential students from the least-advantaged backgrounds. Stern urged pupils to "make the right decision for you", adding: "Don't let politicians make your decision for you." Most schools and colleges will be open from 8am for students to collect their results in person. UCAS are also expected to update application status' at this time. However, some university places may not be confirmed until mid morning. Hundreds of thousands of students will receive their results today, whether that be for A-Levels or BTecs. Every summer around 40% of 18-year-olds in England receive A-levels. BTec National, Cambridge Technical, Cambridge Advanced National and T-level results will also be released today for around 250,000 exams. Welcome to our live coverage of results day. We will be bringing you the latest news from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland as students collect their A-Level results.