Nearly 836,000 A Level results were issued to students in England this summer, taken by 320,505 students in 57 different subjects.  The entry figures reflect the continuing increasing population of 18 year-olds. 

Overall outcomes
Overall, A Level outcomes are stable, with small changes largely driven by subject entry patterns. The very small rise in the proportion of students achieving A* or A at A Level overall (from 28.2% in 2025 to 28.3% this year) has been largely driven by a small increase in those grades in maths (from 41.6% in 2025 to 42.1% this year). The popularity of maths at A Level means outcomes have a significant effect on national trends.

Unchanged from last year, on average 18 year-old students took 2.6 A Levels in 2026. Two-thirds of students (193,275) took 3 subjects this year.  Around 5% (14,975) took 4 A Levels.  Only 2.5% of 18 year-old students (7,245) achieved an A* grade in every subject they took.  

Subject popularity 
Maths was once again the subject studied by more students than any other (107,300 entries), accounting for about one in eight of all A Level results – increasing in size as a proportion of entries. Further maths A Level also saw growth this year.  After maths, the most commonly-taken A Level subjects were the same as last year - psychology (76,100 entries) and biology (68,005 entries). Chemistry (61,050 entries) and economics (45,915 entries) complete this year’s top five.

Our summary of the entries for this summer provides more information on subject take-up.

Gender patterns and subject choice
Males taking A Levels continue to achieve slightly more A/A*s than females taking A Levels.  However, there is variation at subject level where the difference disappears or is reversed.   The high proportion of males taking maths A Level and the high grades achieved for maths in 2026 contribute to the pattern of more A/A*s for males overall.  Thousands more females take A Levels with female entries accounting for 53% of all A Level entries this year.

Regional patterns 
The gap between the regions with the highest and lowest percentage of A/A* grades grew slightly this year.  32.7% of students in London achieved grade A/A* (up from 32.1% last year) whilst 23.1% of students from both the North East (up from 22.9% last year) and the East Midlands (down from 23.8% last year) achieved the highest grades.

Progression to Higher Education
On results day, a record 262,820 UK 18-year-olds had been accepted onto a university or college undergraduate place reflecting the population growth for this age group.  Whilst more students were accepted, the proportion who got their first choice of higher education institution slightly decreased - 79% of UK 18-year-olds who were holding an offer have been placed on their first choice of university or college compared to 82% last year. Another 13% were placed at their insurance choice compared to 11% last year.

UCAS figures show that engineering and technology, social sciences and law are increasing in popularity.  

Around 27,000 courses were available in clearing on results day.  Clearing is increasingly used not only by students who didn't get the grades they wanted but also by applicants who want to "trade up" or change their mind or perhaps live closer to home.


A full breakdown of grades achieved is available on the JCQ website.  Further statistical information is available from Ofqual including interactive visualisations of outcomes.