The percentage of top A-level grades has risen for the first time since 2021 across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Overall this year 27.8% of all grades were A* or A – up from 27.2% in 2023.

Students in the three nations received results for A-levels, T-levels and BTec on Thursday morning. Of students applying to university, 82% achieved the grades they needed for their first choice course.