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A-level results: pass rate drops but record numbers win university places A-level results: pass rate drops but record numbers win university places
(about 17 hours later)
Maths has overtaken English for the first time as the most popular A-level, as part of a revival of traditional academic subjects favoured by universities and promoted by Michael Gove's education changes.Maths has overtaken English for the first time as the most popular A-level, as part of a revival of traditional academic subjects favoured by universities and promoted by Michael Gove's education changes.
Exam board officials attributed the shift – which included significant increases in the proportion of students taking chemistry and physics – to "savvy students" aiming to secure places by following the list of subjects promoted by leading universities, as well as being encouraged by government policies.Exam board officials attributed the shift – which included significant increases in the proportion of students taking chemistry and physics – to "savvy students" aiming to secure places by following the list of subjects promoted by leading universities, as well as being encouraged by government policies.
Overall, the proportion of students passing their A-levels dropped for the first time in three decades following the former education secretary's clampdown on exam resits. Results were also affected because tougher subjects flourished while others, such as general studies, have declined in popularity.Overall, the proportion of students passing their A-levels dropped for the first time in three decades following the former education secretary's clampdown on exam resits. Results were also affected because tougher subjects flourished while others, such as general studies, have declined in popularity.
The results triggered record numbers being accepted to university. The admissions service Ucas said that the total number to start this year was likely to top 500,000 for the first time.The results triggered record numbers being accepted to university. The admissions service Ucas said that the total number to start this year was likely to top 500,000 for the first time.
The proportion achieving A* to E dropped from 98.1% to 98% – the first such overall decline in 32 years. About 8.2% of exam entries were awarded an A* – a rise of 0.6 percentage points compared with 2013 and the highest rate since the elite grade was introduced in 2010.The proportion achieving A* to E dropped from 98.1% to 98% – the first such overall decline in 32 years. About 8.2% of exam entries were awarded an A* – a rise of 0.6 percentage points compared with 2013 and the highest rate since the elite grade was introduced in 2010.
Ministers and business leaders applauded the numbers of pupils taking Stem subjects – science, technology, engineering and maths – which rose for the fifth year in succession, but warned that the new-found enthusiasm for the disciplines needed to be channelled into similar subjects at university level in order for Britain to reap the benefits.Ministers and business leaders applauded the numbers of pupils taking Stem subjects – science, technology, engineering and maths – which rose for the fifth year in succession, but warned that the new-found enthusiasm for the disciplines needed to be channelled into similar subjects at university level in order for Britain to reap the benefits.
Sir James Dyson, the engineer and entrepreneur, said that talented students should not be lost to industry.Sir James Dyson, the engineer and entrepreneur, said that talented students should not be lost to industry.
"An uptick in those taking Stem subjects is promising. Less Mickey Mouse, more maths and science. But we mustn't let their problem-solving nous go to waste. It's essential the most talented get into engineering – building the skyscrapers, transport systems and patentable technology we desperately need. We must avoid our engineers being lured into banking – we need our brightest minds to be inventing not gambling," Dyson said."An uptick in those taking Stem subjects is promising. Less Mickey Mouse, more maths and science. But we mustn't let their problem-solving nous go to waste. It's essential the most talented get into engineering – building the skyscrapers, transport systems and patentable technology we desperately need. We must avoid our engineers being lured into banking – we need our brightest minds to be inventing not gambling," Dyson said.
Figures published on results day showed the proportion of pupils taking maths and further maths rose by 1% and 1.5% respectively, continuing the long-term upwards trend in their popularity.Figures published on results day showed the proportion of pupils taking maths and further maths rose by 1% and 1.5% respectively, continuing the long-term upwards trend in their popularity.
The numbers taking English dipped by more than 4%, in part a hangover from the debacle over GCSE English grades in 2012 that caused pupils to drop the subject for A-levels two years later. French was among the subjects that suffered a steep fall in entries, down by 7% year-on-year, but exam board heads said that modern language entries were on the rise at AS-level – courses that make up the first year of A-levels.The numbers taking English dipped by more than 4%, in part a hangover from the debacle over GCSE English grades in 2012 that caused pupils to drop the subject for A-levels two years later. French was among the subjects that suffered a steep fall in entries, down by 7% year-on-year, but exam board heads said that modern language entries were on the rise at AS-level – courses that make up the first year of A-levels.
Other Stem subjects also grew in popularity, with chemistry and physics both up by 3%, and biology the third most popular subject overall.Other Stem subjects also grew in popularity, with chemistry and physics both up by 3%, and biology the third most popular subject overall.
Gove's successor as education secretary, Nicky Morgan, said: "I'm delighted to see more students, especially young women, studying maths and sciences, and teachers having more time to push pupils to achieve the very top grades. This will help them secure the top jobs, regardless of their background, and secure a brighter future."Gove's successor as education secretary, Nicky Morgan, said: "I'm delighted to see more students, especially young women, studying maths and sciences, and teachers having more time to push pupils to achieve the very top grades. This will help them secure the top jobs, regardless of their background, and secure a brighter future."
But Jayne Hall, Institution of Engineering and Technology policy adviser, noted that only 21% of students who studied physics at A-level were women. "Currently, female students effectively rule themselves out of an engineering career at age 14 by not studying maths and physics. We must change this so that students can make informed subject choices," Hall said.But Jayne Hall, Institution of Engineering and Technology policy adviser, noted that only 21% of students who studied physics at A-level were women. "Currently, female students effectively rule themselves out of an engineering career at age 14 by not studying maths and physics. We must change this so that students can make informed subject choices," Hall said.
Mark Dawe, chief executive of the OCR examination board, said that students were increasingly thinking about which subjects would help them in their careers.Mark Dawe, chief executive of the OCR examination board, said that students were increasingly thinking about which subjects would help them in their careers.
"Students are savvy young people now. They are actually looking and saying: 'Which A-levels are going to help me get into university?' I think that's the trend we've seen over time, that savviness increasing year-on-year," Dawe said."Students are savvy young people now. They are actually looking and saying: 'Which A-levels are going to help me get into university?' I think that's the trend we've seen over time, that savviness increasing year-on-year," Dawe said.
The trend towards academic subjects and away from the likes of general studies – where entries dropped by 24% this year – appears to have boosted the numbers being accepted for undergraduate places .The trend towards academic subjects and away from the likes of general studies – where entries dropped by 24% this year – appears to have boosted the numbers being accepted for undergraduate places .
Ucas said that more students from disadvantaged backgrounds had won places at university on results day than ever before. Its figures showed an 8% rise in the number of students accepted from disadvantaged areas. Overall, 20,000 students from this group will be taking up places later this year, a rise of 1,400 over last year.Ucas said that more students from disadvantaged backgrounds had won places at university on results day than ever before. Its figures showed an 8% rise in the number of students accepted from disadvantaged areas. Overall, 20,000 students from this group will be taking up places later this year, a rise of 1,400 over last year.
Professor Les Ebdon, head of the Office for Fair Access to higher education, said the Ucas figures were "fantastic news".Professor Les Ebdon, head of the Office for Fair Access to higher education, said the Ucas figures were "fantastic news".
"Many more students from disadvantaged backgrounds will now benefit from the life-changing opportunities that higher education can offer," Ebdon said."Many more students from disadvantaged backgrounds will now benefit from the life-changing opportunities that higher education can offer," Ebdon said.
"I will be interested in further analysis in due course, particularly to see whether more students are winning places at highly selective universities, where the participation gap remains much too high.""I will be interested in further analysis in due course, particularly to see whether more students are winning places at highly selective universities, where the participation gap remains much too high."
In Wales, the percentage of pupils who gained A* grades rose from 6% in 2013 to 6.7%. But the proportion of students in the principality achieving A* to E grades fell slightly, from 97.6% to 97.5%, as they did elsewhere in the UK. In Wales, the percentage of pupils who gained A* grades rose from 6% in 2013 to 6.7%. But the proportion of students there achieving A* to E grades fell slightly, from 97.6% to 97.5%, as they did elsewhere in the UK.
"I was very pleased to see the progress our students are making in achieving the higher grades, particularly in key subjects such as physics, history and chemistry, which all showed improved A*-A pass rates compared to last year," said Huw Lewis, the education minister for Wales."I was very pleased to see the progress our students are making in achieving the higher grades, particularly in key subjects such as physics, history and chemistry, which all showed improved A*-A pass rates compared to last year," said Huw Lewis, the education minister for Wales.
Students in Northern Ireland produced some of the best results in the country, outperforming their English and Welsh counterparts in the proportion of A grades they were awarded. Nearly 30% of students scored A or A*, whereas across the UK only 26% attained these grades.Students in Northern Ireland produced some of the best results in the country, outperforming their English and Welsh counterparts in the proportion of A grades they were awarded. Nearly 30% of students scored A or A*, whereas across the UK only 26% attained these grades.
The gender gap of women achieving stronger results than men remains, but the gap this year was just 0.5 percentage points at A grade, while men managed to achieve 8.5% of A* awards compared with 7.9% for women.The gender gap of women achieving stronger results than men remains, but the gap this year was just 0.5 percentage points at A grade, while men managed to achieve 8.5% of A* awards compared with 7.9% for women.
Another policy promoted by Gove as education secretary also received a much-needed boost. The London Academy of Excellence in Stratford, east London – the first free school in England to see its sixth formers sit A-levels – had 40% of its pupils receive at least AAB grades in three facilitating subjects, making it instantly one of the best state sixth-form colleges in the country.Another policy promoted by Gove as education secretary also received a much-needed boost. The London Academy of Excellence in Stratford, east London – the first free school in England to see its sixth formers sit A-levels – had 40% of its pupils receive at least AAB grades in three facilitating subjects, making it instantly one of the best state sixth-form colleges in the country.
• This article was amended on 15 August 2014. An earlier version referred to Wales as "the principality", in contravention of the Guardian style guide.