A-level results day 2023: Students compete for university spots

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【Summary】A-level results day in the UK sees a race for university places as grades are expected to be lower due to a return to pre-pandemic grading. The number of students accepted onto UK degree courses is 2.6% lower than last year. Despite concerns of increased competition from international students, places for international students are down compared to last year. Some experts suggest increasing tuition fees for domestic students to reduce reliance on international income.

FutureCar Staff Aug 17, 2023 12:53 AM PT

A-level results day 2023: Students compete for university spots

On Thursday, UK and international students will be competing for spots at top British universities as A-level results are expected to decrease due to a return to pre-pandemic grading. According to initial Ucas figures, the total number of students accepted onto UK degree courses is 2.6% lower compared to the same time last year, with 414,940 students taking up places so far.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan stated that A-level grades would return to "normal" with pre-pandemic grading, which is anticipated to result in lower grades than last year. She emphasized that the grading system will not impact university places and that the access to university remains the same. Keegan also highlighted the importance of maintaining the value of exams and the need to return to the normal grading system.

Contrary to some experts' suggestions that UK students may face more competition from international students this year, Clare Marchant, the chief executive of Ucas, dismissed this notion. She stated that places for international students are slightly down compared to last year. Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students are capped at £9,250 per year, while universities can charge significantly higher fees for international students.

James Kirkup, the director of the Social Market Foundation, called for increased fees for home students to reduce the sector's reliance on international income. He argued that this would prevent universities from becoming overly dependent on geopolitics and UK immigration policy. Last year, the overall entry rate for UK 18-year-olds was 37.5%, with around 13% of placed students being international students.

Leaders in the education sector have warned that this year's cohort of students may face greater disappointment on A-level results day due to higher expectations following record high GCSE results in 2021. Schools Minister Nick Gibb emphasized the need for exam results to return to pre-pandemic levels to maintain the weight and credibility of A-levels. However, he also stated that additional protection is in place this year, with grade boundaries being adjusted if there is evidence of a drop in standards compared to 2019.

As of the day before A-level results day, there were slightly fewer clearing places available compared to last year. This year, there were 22,521 courses with vacancies for undergraduate students living in England on the Ucas clearing website. Disadvantaged students may be particularly impacted by the return to pre-pandemic grading, as they have faced more disruptions due to school closures and the cost-of-living crisis. T-level results will also be received by students in England on Thursday.

In Scotland, the Scottish Qualifications Authority has taken a sensitive approach to grading and modified course assessments this year. The pass rate for exams in Scotland is slightly lower than last year but remains above 2019 levels.