Summary

  • A-level results for the top grades are the best since 2009 in Wales

  • The proportion of A* and A grades is 25% - 2.7% higher than 2016

  • This year sees results for 14 reformed A-level courses for the first time

  • Overall, the number of entries - 35,530 - is 6% lower than in 2016 and 8% lower than 2015

  1. Goodbye and good luckpublished at 12:01 British Summer Time 17 August 2017

    That brings our live coverage of today's A-level results to an end. Thanks for joining us.

    Our full report on the results is here.

  2. Double celebrationpublished at 12:00 British Summer Time 17 August 2017

    Coleg Gwent tweets

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  3. Your first day and freshers weekpublished at 11:55 British Summer Time 17 August 2017

    University of South Wales tweets

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  4. The bigger picturepublished at 11:52 British Summer Time 17 August 2017

    Wales has closed the gap with the rest of the UK for the top grades and is ahead of all northern and Midland regions of England at A*-A.

    But for A* to C grades it is still behind all regions of England, apart from the West Midlands and East Midlands.

  5. From Merthyr to Oxfordpublished at 11:49 British Summer Time 17 August 2017

    Aspiring barrister Megan Howells, from Penyard, Merthyr Tydfil, achieved two A*s in law and English, and two As in history and Welsh Bacc.

    She will be accepting her place to study law at The Queen’s College at the University of Oxford.

    “When I started Year 12 I was thinking about places like Bristol as I thought Oxford and Cambridge were out of reach and I didn’t think I would be good enough to get in," she said.

    "But over the course of the year I felt more and more confident, and when I received three As and a B in my AS exams I began to believe that I could aim for Oxbridge."

    Megan HowellsImage source, Seren Network
  6. What to know your options?published at 11:44 British Summer Time 17 August 2017

    Careers Wales tweets

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  7. A picture of successpublished at 11:39 British Summer Time 17 August 2017

    Sioned from Ysgol Penweddig in Aberystwyth got an A and two Bs and is heading to Cardiff University in September to study English Literature.

    Sioned from Ysgol Penweddig in Aberystwyth
  8. 'Emotional day'published at 11:36 British Summer Time 17 August 2017

    St David's College, in Llandudno, tweets

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  9. Cardiff duo heading statesidepublished at 11:28 British Summer Time 17 August 2017

    Eighteen-year-old friends Tom Burr and Ben Roberts, from Bishop of Llandaff high school, are off to prestigious American Ivy League universities after receiving top grades in their A-levels.

    Tom, who is flying to America tomorrow ahead of the new academic year at Harvard, said: "I’m travelling there on my own, but my family will be visiting in October, so I hope I’ve packed everything I’m going to need."

    Ben, who is heading to Princeton, added: “I’ll be taking part in one of Princeton’s gap year programmes this year, and will travel to Senegal with six other people from across the globe to support community-based initiatives there."

    Tom Burr and Ben RobertsImage source, Seren Network
  10. Trio off to Cambridge Universitypublished at 11:22 British Summer Time 17 August 2017

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  11. 'Heartening' results in Gwyneddpublished at 11:15 British Summer Time 17 August 2017

    Garem Jackson, head of education for Gwynedd Council, said: "The students and their teachers are to be congratulated warmly on their success.

    "The percentage achieving grades A*-E across all subjects was very heartening again this year.

    "The percentage achieving a grade A or better [25.5%] is higher than the figure for Wales [25.0%], and it is pleasing that the percentage gaining A*-E grades is 100% across the majority of subjects and this reflects the support and guidance provided for our young people."

  12. Thought about jabs?published at 11:09 British Summer Time 17 August 2017

    Public Health Wales tells students heading to university to get a meningitis jab.

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  13. Education Secretary meets studentspublished at 11:05 British Summer Time 17 August 2017

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  14. Need to talk?published at 10:59 British Summer Time 17 August 2017

    Samaritans Cymru says its ready to support students who are having a hard time today.

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  15. Swansea students elatedpublished at 10:54 British Summer Time 17 August 2017

    These students at Ffynone House School in Swansea are clearly thrilled with their results.

    Vicky Baker (R) hugs Abu Latif after receiving their AS Level results at Ffynone House School in SwanseaImage source, Matthew Horwood
    Adam Frangakas-Williams (L) and Daniel Davies receive their A Level results at Ffynone House School in SwanseaImage source, Matthew Horwood
  16. Students choosing foreign universitiespublished at 10:50 British Summer Time 17 August 2017

    Phil McTague, the head teacher at Ysgol Eirias, in Colwyn Bay, says he wonders if the drop in students applying to British universities is because some are opting to study abroad.

    "We've got students who are off to Maastricht in the Netherlands and Trinity in Dublin.

    "For some, it's not any more expensive to study abroad when you factor in the fees they would have to pay here in the UK."

    Phil McTague
  17. Bangor University's library staff are eager to meet the new undergradspublished at 10:44 British Summer Time 17 August 2017

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  18. Some students are more laid back than others...published at 10:38 British Summer Time 17 August 2017

    Results still waiting to be collected at Ysgol Penweddig in Abersytwyth.

    Results waiting for collection
  19. Glyndwr University has some advice on clearingpublished at 10:34 British Summer Time 17 August 2017

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  20. The A team: students in Neath celebratepublished at 10:29 British Summer Time 17 August 2017

    Amy Davies, Rebecca Penney and Amy Davies from Neath Port Talbot College got nine A*s and an A between them

    Rebecca, who got four A*s and is off to Cardiff University to study pharmacy said: "It still hasn't sunk in. I've been so nervous these past few weeks. I feel so happy and a massive sense of relief. I worked hard but didn't expect 4 A*s."

    L-R: Amy Davies, Rebecca Penney and Amy Davies
    Image caption,

    L-R: Amy Davies, Rebecca Penney and Amy Davies got nine A stars and As between them