Deflation hits grades but vast majority secure university place
Almost eight out of 10 young university applicants have gained a place at their first-choice university despite a fall in the number of top grades awarded to students.
Ucas, the university applications service, said that 79 per cent of UK 18-year-old applicants receiving results today gained a place at their first-choice institution, down marginally from 81 per cent last year but up significantly from 74 per cent in 2019, the last pre-pandemic year.
Predicted grade deflation
In England, the exams regulator Ofqual had planned to bring the proportion of top grades awarded in 2023 back in line with pre-Covid levels after a spike in 2020 and 2021 when grades were based on teacher assessment. In Northern Ireland and Wales, grades were expected to fall to a point between 2022 and 2019 levels—a similar approach to that taken in Scotland, where results were announced earlier this month.
Across the UK, the proportion of A or A* grades awarded this year was 27.2 per cent, down from 36.4 per cent last year but marginally up on 25.4 per cent in 2019.
In England, the proportion of A and A* grades was down from 35.9 per cent in 2022 to 26.5 per cent this year, while in Wales it fell from 40.9 to 34.0 per cent, and in Northern Ireland from 44.0 per cent to 37.5 per cent.
The 2023 results show that 12 per cent of school leavers who applied to university were placed at their insurance choice, compared with 14 per cent in 2019 and 11 per cent in 2022. Some 9 per cent of applicants have not been placed at their first or insurance choice and are now in clearing, up from 7 per cent last year but down from 12 per cent in 2019.
Fall in poorer students
In total, some 414,940 applicants across all demographics have gained a place at university or college, down 2.6 per cent on 2022 but up 1.5 per cent on 2019. For UK 18-year-olds, 230,600 have been accepted, a decline from 238,090 in 2022 (down 3.1 per cent) but up on 199,370 on 2019 (a 15.7 per cent rise).
However, the number of 18-year-olds from the most disadvantaged backgrounds in the UK to be accepted fell from 26,440 last year to 25,760 in 2023, which means that for every disadvantaged student, 2.30 advantaged students progress to higher education compared to 2.29 last year.
Meanwhile, the number of international students accepted fell from 52,440 to 51,210 year-on-year, with China (11,630 acceptances in 2023 compared to 13,180 in 2022), India (4,780 compared to 4,050) and Hong Kong (3,050 compared to 3,420) the top three sending countries.
Challenges in widening participation
Ucas chief executive, Clare Marchant, said she was “delighted to see more than 200,000 UK 18-year-olds have secured their first choice, which is testament to their hard work and commitment to progress to higher education”.
“However, today’s data shows that challenges in widening participation to the most disadvantaged students still persist,” she added.
“This demonstrates that we all need to continue the efforts to ensure the most disadvantaged individuals in society are able to benefit from life-changing opportunities in higher education and training, particularly as the 18-year-old population grows.”
‘A momentous day’
Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK, said students had faced “multiple challenges to their education” over the last few years, and that “they, their friends and their families should be feeling immensely proud of all that they have achieved”.
“For those who are setting out on the journey towards university today, it is a momentous day,” Stern said. “For me, my time at university was the best of my life. I know that it will open up opportunities for thousands of students.
“For those who are still finalising their plans through Clearing, please remember that there is lots of good impartial advice available via Ucas, online, on social media and through their phone lines. Universities are also on hand to support you.”
Response from the sector
Gillian Keegan, education secretary:
“I’m incredibly proud of all students receiving their results today. For many, this will have been the first set of formal exams they have ever taken, having faced unprecedented circumstances in the years building up to this summer.
“I know young people will have risen to the challenge, and thousands will get the results they need to take hold of their future, whether at university, through an apprenticeship or in the world of work. There are more options than ever before and a huge amount of support available, whether pupils get the results they wanted or not.
"Congratulations to each and every young person taking their next step and thank you to the teachers who helped them get there.”
Jeremy Miles, minister for education, Welsh government:
“I want to wish a big congratulations to everyone receiving their results today. It’s a huge day for you, the culmination of years of hard work, and I hope today is a reward for all your efforts.
“We know what a challenging time this has been. Our aim in providing extra support this year was to make sure the exams were fair, despite the difficulties you’ve faced.
“For anyone who didn’t quite get the results you wanted, or you’re unsure of your next steps, don’t be too disappointed and don’t be too hard on yourself. There are lots of options open to you, including university clearing, apprenticeships, maybe starting your own business. Careers Wales is a great place to start for advice and your school or college will be there to support you too.”
Rachel Hewitt, chief executive of MillionPlus:
“As has been echoed across the sector, it is important that anyone who perhaps has not achieved the grades they hoped for should take a breath and remember that plenty of options remain open, with hundreds of courses at excellent universities around the country available through clearing.
“That demand for higher education remains strong is to be welcomed but it is troubling to see that the number of people applying to study nursing or teaching in particular are down significantly. The country is already short of these vital public service professionals; the fact that prospective students are turning their backs on these subjects for a variety of reasons should concern the government. Action is required and soon to ensure that these courses remain attractive and to maintain a healthy pipeline of skilled trainees into these professions.”
Hollie Chandler, interim director of policy at the Russell Group:
“Grade boundaries returning to 2019 levels has meant we have returned to a more normal admissions cycle, so we are pleased to see almost 80 per cent of 18-year-old UK applicants that have had a decision made regarding their application today have been placed with their first choice university, up on 2019 and the pre-pandemic trend.
“Over the coming days admissions teams at our universities will be working hard to place more students onto courses, looking at individual circumstances and attainment to ensure admissions decisions are fair and that students are set up for success.”
Vanessa Wilson, chief executive of the University Alliance:
“It’s fantastic news that 91 per cent of applicants have been placed at one of their chosen universities this year. On such a nerve-wracking day, it’s reassuring for so many students to get the outcome they deserve for their hard work. This cohort of students has had a particularly difficult time, and they should be immensely proud of all they have achieved.
“For those that didn’t get the places they wanted, it is not the end of your university journey this year. Though clearing can feel like a stressful option, university admissions teams are on hand to make the process as easy as possible – and it can be a wonderful way of finding new avenues for your higher education journey.”
John Blake, director for fair access and participation at the Office for Students:
“A huge congratulations to each and every student receiving their qualification results today. The past few years have been challenging for all students, who have worked incredibly hard throughout their studies.
“We will be closely reviewing the outcomes and destinations of students to ensure that universities and colleges continue to meet our regulatory expectations, and do all they can to ensure those who want to benefit from higher education have equal opportunities to do so.”
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders:
“The proportion of students achieving the top A-level grades has fallen sharply this year, not as a result of underperformance, but because the grading system has been adjusted in the wake of the pandemic so that the distribution of grades in England is similar to 2019.
“This adjustment is a return to normality after the pandemic which necessitated the use of different approaches to grading.
“Whatever the rationale, however, it will feel like a bruising experience for many students, as well as schools and colleges which will have seen a sharp dip in top grades compared to the past three years.
“Everything possible too must be done to support these students. Universities must ensure their welfare systems provide the emotional and academic support some will require. The government must ensure employers are fully aware of the changes to grading standards.”
Richard Boffey, Head of AccessHE at London Higher:
“We congratulate students on their remarkable achievements and are proud to see 29.3 per cent of London students receiving an A or A* today. It is encouraging that overall numbers progressing to higher education continue to be highest in London, considering 2.3 million graduates will be needed to fill roles by 2035 in the capital.”