Yorkshire students receive A-level results

Lola Ellis and Mitchell Wilkinson-Hoult received their results at Barnsley College

Thousands of students across Yorkshire have received their A-level, T-level, BTec National and other Level 3 results - with more receiving the top A* grade than last year.

Results were released across the UK at 08:00 BST, as the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) said a record number of students had been accepted into their first choice university.

In Yorkshire and the Humber 25.3% of A-level entries were awarded A* - up from 24.6% in 2024.

Among the schools and colleges to report strong results was Barnsley Sixth Form College, which had a 97% overall pass rate and a 100% pass rate in 22 subjects.

Meanwhile at Thirsk School and Sixth-Form College in North Yorkshire, 83% of results in vocational qualifications were the equivalent of an A or A*.

Ken Merry, Principal at York College, said: "For A-levels, our A*s, As and Bs have gone up by 6%, for vocational subjects our distinction grades have gone up by 11.5% so we have done really well.

"Really hard work by students, really hard work by staff, but it has paid off."

Victoria Lindberg, also from York College, said for those who were disappointed with their results, help was at hand.

She said: "It can feel as though you are the first person it has ever happened to or you are the only person.

"Reach out to your local college, reach out to your school, get support from your teachers and the support team as they have lots of experience of supporting people through the clearing process, which is so easy to use now."

Students at schools and colleges across Yorkshire received their results earlier

Among students celebrating at Barnsley College were Lola Ellis and Mitchell Wilkinson-Hoult.

Lola, who studied Spanish, History and English Language and Literature, said: "I got an A in English, an A in History and a B in Spanish, I've got into the University of Manchester to do History and so that's my next step."

She said she felt "absolutely horrific" before she opened her results, but was now looking forward to pursuing a career as a diplomat.

Mitchell said: "I was quite confident that I had achieved what I needed to get into university, I needed BBC and I got ABB, so I'm really happy with that."

He said he wanted to work in human rights, alongside refugees and fighting for women's rights.

"I am going to do Spanish and International Relations at the University of Leeds," he said.

Lita Leikarte studied a BTec Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animation in Leeds

At Leeds City College, Lita Leikarte studied a BTec Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animation.

She was hoping for a triple distinction star (DDD*), which she achieved. It is the highest possible grade, equivalent to achieving three A* grades at A-Level.

Lita said: "I have been studying animation. It is quite a big industry, there is so much you can learn. We have 2D, 3D, concept art, which I enjoy, backgrounds, the list just goes on and on.

"I've made so many great friends that I don't think I could have made if it wasn't at this college, the teachers are really supportive and the courses are fun."

Parsa Nourouzzangani studied A-level Chemistry, Biology and Maths

Parsa Nourouzzangani studied A-level Chemistry, Biology and Maths, and received three A grades.

"I am quite happy with it," he said.

"These letters do not fully represent me, but they are a start.

"These grades do not mean I am better than anybody, it just shows people that it is possible to get these grades.

"I would like to get into dentistry - hopefully in Leeds - and pursue from there."

Prof Shirley Congdon is Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford

Prof Shirley Congdon, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford, was among 85 people manning the phones at the university's clearing call centre in the Richmond Building.

She said: "It's been really busy this morning, we weren't expecting it to be so busy.

"We've had a 20% increase in calls this year compared to last year during the 8am until 11am period."

She said the increase might be down to a "number of reasons" including the university offering professionally-accredited health courses such as nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and radiography.

Students may have got better grades than they expected or changed their minds about which subject they want to study, she said.

Raizana Razeen, a recent graduate from Bradford, was manning the phones

Raizana Razeen, President of Education for the University of Bradford's Students' Union, was also among those on the phones.

The 25-year-old from Bolton recently graduated with a first class degree in nursing and spent part of her studies living at home, a trend which is becoming increasingly common.

She said: "I stayed back home for my first year because studying for a degree can be very stressful.

"Having that support network from your family members or close friends can be great for your mental well-being.

"The cost of living has increased over recent years which means students are more likely to stay back home to cut down the cost but also have that university experience as well."

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