The release of the A-level results for 2025 has brought to light some interesting trends in student performance and subject popularity. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic in recent years, this year’s results show a marginal increase in the number of top grades achieved by students across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The percentage of students achieving A* grades saw a slight increase of 0.4% from the previous year, reaching 9.3%. Moreover, the number of students achieving A*-A grades also saw an increase of 0.6% compared to last year, reaching 27.8%. This increase in top grades is a positive indicator of student performance across these regions.
Overall Pass Rate
However, despite the increase in top grades, the overall pass rate (graded A*-E) was 97.2%, a slight decrease from 97.3% in the previous year. This figure is also below the 2019 pass rate of 97.6%, marking it as the lowest pass rate since 2008. The return to pre-pandemic grading methods this year may have contributed to this decline in the overall pass rate.
Subject Popularity and Changes
While the top ten most popular subjects remained the same, there were noticeable changes in the entry numbers for certain subjects. STEM subjects, in particular, saw a surge in popularity this year. Further Maths experienced the largest increase in entries at 19.9%, while Maths remained the most popular subject for the 11th consecutive year. Physics and Computer Science also saw significant increases in entries, reflecting a growing interest in these fields.
There were small improvements in regional inequalities in terms of A*-A grades, with London emerging as the highest-performing area, displacing the South East. The West Midlands and the North East saw the biggest increases in top grades, indicating progress in addressing regional disparities. However, the East Midlands showed the least growth in top grades among regions in England.
The number of disadvantaged students securing a place at universities reached a record high this year, with 27,600 pupils accepting a place, up 7% from the previous year. Despite this increase, the gap between the most deprived and least deprived groups in accessing university education remains significant. Students from the least deprived groups are still around two and a half times more likely to secure a university place compared to their counterparts from the most deprived groups.
The 2025 A-level results highlight both positive and concerning trends in student performance and access to university education. While the increase in top grades and the popularity of STEM subjects are positive indicators, the persistent regional and socio-economic disparities in educational outcomes underscore the need for continued efforts to ensure equitable access to high-quality education for all students.
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