Natalia Parzygnat & Lucy Woodham
BBC News social team

Sam Perret, 18, smashed his grades (A*AA), getting better results than he thought he would.

Despite coming in at 09:00 to collect his A-level results from Wombourne High School in Staffordshire, he was almost the last to leave.

Sam has gone through clearing and spent 45 minutes on the phone with three universities.

But he is sticking with Loughborough University and will study economics with a placement year.

“It's good to get a degree,” Sam says, adding that he's looking forward to playing rugby.

How is he celebrating his results? Sam said he's going “straight to the pub”.

Emily Holt
Reporting from Manchester

Jessica Pilkington studied BTec Applied Science and received a triple distinction - she's off to study motorsport technology at the University of Greater Manchester.

An F1 fanatic, Jessica wants to pursue a career as a track-side mechanic - the university offers a programme to build your own race car and have the chance to actually race it.

Another student, Daisy Blackmore, says the morning was "very nerve wracking" but was relieved at the outcome.

While she didn't get the exact grades she was after, she still secured her place at her first choice.

She’s off to the University of Chester to study biology, and looking forward to the independence university can offer.

Heron Balisane says he was panicking last night and "could barely sleep".

“I was expecting a bit more for my results. I thought: is there something wrong? But I got into university and that's all that matters," he says.

Hazel Shearing
Education correspondent

Boys have outperformed girls at A-level for the first time since 2018.

28.4% of boys’ grades were awarded an A* or A – compared to 28.2% of girls’ grades.

So boys have a 0.2 percentage point lead. That’s a switch from last year, when they were 0.4 percentage points behind girls.

Some of this could be down to what's been going on across individual subjects.

For example, boys increased their lead over girls in maths - the most popular A-level subject with more than 100,000 entries.

Boys’ performance in maths improved very slightly this year (from 42.5% of entries being marked A* or A last year to 42.6% this year), whereas girls' dipped (from 41.2% last year to 40.2% this year).

Jessica Sherrington
BBC News

Image source, Chester Zoo

But university isn't for everyone - just ask 21-year-old zookeeper, Frazer.

“I applied for three different universities but I didn't want to go, it was just because I felt I had no other option," he says.

Then he spotted what he calls his "dream" apprenticeship in zookeeping at Chester Zoo.

Just one year later, Frazer was working solo in the lions' den.

“They're your responsibility, you're looking after them, and you take a lot of pride in it," he says.

His advice? “Just don't rush it, because it's your life. A job like this is really once in a lifetime, so just go for it.”

Whether university is or isn’t on the cards, don’t panic. There’s more than one way to chase your dream.

Hazel Shearing
Education correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

As we mentioned in our last post, student loans are typically made up of a tuition loan and a maintenance loan for living costs.

The tuition loan varies across the UK, but most people are entitled to it. Maintenance loans are means tested, so the amount you get depends on your family's household income.

Research by the Higher Education Policy Institute published in May 2024, external suggested maintenance loans in England typically only cover about half the cost of living, and even less for students in London.

The Student Loans Company (SLC) says graduates in England who started repaying their loans in the financial year 2024-25 owed an average of £53,000., external

But you do not have to start repaying your loan until you earn a certain amount of money after graduation., external

In England, students starting university in 2025 will see their loans written off after 40 years, regardless of how much they may still owe.

In Wales and Scotland, this happens after 30 years and in Northern Ireland after 25 years.

• Find out more about loans and how to apply in our guide

Hayley Clarke
Education reporter

Let's switch focus now to what comes after your results - and for many that is heading to university. But how much does that cost?

Tuition fees will rise by £285 this year in England and Wales, to £9,535 a year. That’s a 3% increase on the previous yearly fee of £9,250.

The Department for Education first announced the increase in November 2024, saying they were in line with inflation.

Student loans vary according to where in the UK you live, but are typically made up of a loan for tuition fees and a maintenance loan for living costs.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told the BBC earlier today that she wanted young people to have "real and genuine choices about what’s right for them” but recognised the cost of living pressures students have been facing.

She defended the rise in fees, explaining that they had been frozen for seven years and that universities were finding it hard to balance their budgets as a result.

It's been a frantic morning, and we've been receiving lots of questions from across the UK about results day.

Our experts are now answering these live. The panel includes the head of university service Ucas, our education reporter Kristian Johnson and careers adviser Kate Arif.

You can follow along by clicking the Watch live button at the top of this page.

Image source, PA Media

Meanwhile, some of England's other directly-elected mayors have been congratulating students on their results.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan writes on X: "Your hard work, along with the dedication of your teachers, has brought you to this moment. I hope you enjoy celebrating with friends and family."

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram has thanked "teachers, staff, and families who have supported them [students] along the way".

And Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker says it has been great to see "so many smiling faces" this morning, with opportunities to study and work "for everyone".

Image source, PA Media

While we're discussing T-levels, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham says it's important technical or vocational qualifications are given the same weight as A-levels.

"There's always been a snobbery in this country towards technical qualifications, always seen as second class," he tells BBC Radio 5 Live.

He thinks academic and technical education should be seen as equal, and says "it's an age-old problem" people receiving results for BTecs and T-levels feel left out today.

He says these type of qualifications should be better promoted and more easily accessible.

"We're as proud of A-level students getting other results today, but it all needs to be recognised," he says.

Hazel Shearing
Education correspondent

Fewer students took A-levels this year, but there’s been another increase in the number taking T-levels in England.

T-levels were first introduced in September 2020 and this is the fourth year of results. More schools and colleges are offering them, and there are more T-level courses to choose from.

A total of 11,909 students received T-level grades today – up from 7,435 last year.

The dropout remains high, though – and some students take longer than the standard two-years to complete the course.

11,724 students getting T-levels today started their course two years ago. That’s 72.9% of the 16,081 students who started the course. The pass rate was 91.4%. That’s similar to last year, when it was 91.6%.

If we don’t get our firm choice, is it worth ringing the university and asking anyway?published at 10:59 British Summer Time 14 August

10:59 BST 14 August

Charlotte O'Regan
Senior Schools Engagement Manager, Sutton Trust

It can be so disappointing to open your results and not get the grades you wanted but there are lots of options if you are willing to be open-minded.

Yes, it is worth phoning the university as it may have flexibility. Make sure to have all your details with you including your grades and Ucas details. Have a pen and paper ready and maybe a second set of ears to listen to the information. They may provide a lot of information and that can be a lot to take on board.

Meanwhile, to give you as many options as possible, make sure to talk to your teachers and to consider clearing as well.

More on how the clearing process works now.

Clearing might be your best bet if:

• you haven't received an offer for a university place which you want to accept
• you didn't get the grades to get in
• you've declined the offer from your first choice uni

Clearing has been open since 5 July, but you'll only be able to select a choice on Ucas from 13:00 today.

How do you apply?

You can't accept a clearing offer before you've declined any others you've got, but that shouldn't stop you calling up universities to see what's out there.

Universities will usually make you an offer over the phone, which should then be followed by an emailed confirmation with a clearing number.

If you're happy, you can then go on to log your clearing details on Ucas.

Can I go through clearing if I miss the grade requirements?published at 10:54 British Summer Time 14 August

10:54 BST 14 August

Kate Arif
Careers Adviser, National Careers Service

A BBC News Instagram follower asks "Can I apply to courses in clearing if I miss the grade requirements for them?"

Clearing is a great option if you miss your grade requirements and many students will enter university via this route, so you are not alone. You may have to accept a different university to the one you wanted but lots of universities have spaces they are trying to fill.

All the information about clearing is available on the UCAS website., external

Emma Vardy
BBC News, reporting from Liverpool

In Liverpool, Liberty Oyeyenebo received a D*D*M - two distinctions and a merit - after being predicted three merits, and says he is "happy" to have secured his spot in university.

Liberty, who opted not to do A-levels, says he is "keeping his options open" and doesn't know what will come after university for him yet.

Faith says she got A*AB in her psychology, criminology and sociology A-levels.

"I was very very nervous [this morning] - I kept refreshing Ucas to make sure I got into my uni of choice", she says, adding that she has secured a place at Lancaster University to study psychology.

She adds that she initially didn't want to go to university after hearing how expensive it is, but explains that with bursaries and government help she thinks she "will be OK".

There's been a wide range of emotions expressed today as results came in.

We've been out speaking to students, to hear how they're feeling now they have a guide for the next stage of life:

Áine O Donnell
BBC Newsbeat

Image source, bb

BBC Newsbeat has been chatting to Kelsey who works as a probation officer in Milton Keynes. The 28-year-old actually failed her A-levels, and got into university through clearing.

"I think there's a lot of pressure on young people to know what they want to do straight away," she says.

"It's important to remember that pressure doesn't have to be there."

Kelsey reckons people "should be looking into" jobs like hers if they want to make a difference.

“I was really angry and lost as a child and one of the main reasons I came into this role was because I wanted to give the guidance that I didn't have when I was younger.

“I think it’s a really good career If you want something worthwhile and positive for yourself and fulfilling."

Image source, Getty Images

And the message we've all been waiting for - Jeremy Clarkson's annual results day post.

In characteristic "Clarkson style", he writes on X: "If your A level results are disappointing, don’t worry.

"I got a C and two Us and here I am today, installing lights for a helicopter landing pad in my garden."

The TV presenter is well known for posting on results day about his successes in life despite achieving poor grades.

Imogen James
Live reporter

It's a "message of good luck" from Tiktoker and influencer Max Balegde.

He says "even if you don't do well, it is not the end of the world".

Watch more of his words of advice below.

Results today are all about England, Wales and Northern Ireland - but what about Scotland, I hear you ask?

Scottish students haven't received their results today because they have a different education system to the rest of the UK.

They have Higher and Advanced Highers rather than A-levels. The results for these came out on 5 August.

It was good news, too. The pass rate for exams rose slightly on last year, according to the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

Ucas said a record number of young Scots had been offered university or college places.

• You can read more about how Scottish students did in our article

Bethan Lewis
BBC Wales education correspondent

Wales’s overall A-level results don’t show the big year-on-year changes we’ve been used to since 2020 and are broadly in line with 2024.

The return to “normal” exam arrangements has been more gradual than in England, with virtually all the extra support measures for students dropped last year.

This year, there were 10.5% of the highest A* grades - up slightly on last year - while 29.5% were A* and A compared with 29.9% in 2024.