Madeleine Lake
Live reporter

Image source, Reuters

Students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland tore open their results today to find out their next steps.

For some it's a place at university, with a record number of 18-year-olds securing their top choice institution.

For others it's been a difficult day with many feeling uncertain of what comes next, but options such as gap years, clearing and other routes have opened up alternative paths.

T-levels - an alternative to A-levels which mix in classroom learning with on-the-job training - continue to grow in popularity. Almost 20,000 students received these qualifications today with a pass rate of 92.6%.

It's been a day of emotional stories. One student who was brought up in the care system has landed a place at Oxford. While another live streamed her 35,000 followers to say she's a step closer to becoming a doctor.

One student is looking at a wilder career, and plans to become a zoo keeper.

Clearing has been talked about, not just for those who didn't meet their grades, but those who have decided to change their minds. You can read about how it works here.

We're ending our live coverage for today, but you can read our key takeaways from results day here.

Madeleine Lake
Live reporter

I remember the feeling of dread I felt when I logged into Ucas in 2019 to see both my firm and insurance offers gone, and replaced with a "you're in clearing" message.

The place and accommodation I planned for at Edinburgh University had also gone along with it too. While others celebrated around me, I had no idea on my next steps.

Ironically, my A-levels were BBC - the acronym for the place I work right now. It was a stark difference from my predicted grades of A*AB.

I ended up taking not one, but two gap years. It was in these years that I gained the life experience that shaped my next steps.

I poured pints in Wetherspoons, worked abroad, and freelanced for student magazines.

I eventually decided that journalism was what I wanted to do. Had I gone to uni earlier I would have done a different course. I didn't have high enough grades to meet the entry criteria, so I did a foundation year.

I was 21, older than my peers but determined to succeed. I applied to the BBC advanced journalism apprenticeship, and fortunately secured a place.

If I could give advice to anyone who is feeling lost, it's that you're going to be OK, and that your grades don't define who you are.

Rejection was the best thing that ever happened to me, because it led me to the future I'd hoped for, even if at the time I didn't know it.

Emaan Warraich
BBC News

Image source, Emaan Warraich

I remember getting my A-level results during the Covid pandemic in 2020 and, unfortunately, not getting the grades I needed for my first-choice university.

Like many students, I decided to take a gap year so I could resit one of my subjects and reapply. But during that year, I spent a lot of time researching apprenticeships and eventually applied for a journalism one with the BBC.

In the end, I chose the apprenticeship route instead of going to university. At 19, I joined the BBC's politics team as an apprentice journalist, gaining hands-on experience whilst learning on the job.

Nearly five years on, I'm so glad I took the apprenticeship route. It gave me valuable experience, helped me develop as a journalist and opened doors I might not otherwise have had.

Looking back, not getting the results I wanted felt devastating at the time, but it led me to an opportunity that ultimately shaped my career.

Alex Taylor
Education reporter

We've heard a lot today about the different routes available to young people beyond higher education as they look to forge a career.

This follows an increased emphasis on technical qualifications in recent years, including T-levels - which jumped by 65% this year at a pass rate of over 90%.

Sir Ian Bauckman, the chief regulator of Ofqual, says that while there's been an overall increase in entries for vocational qualifications across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, figures show a slight dip in England itself.

Sir Ian told the BBC that T-levels - which focus on understanding one industry and include a mix of classroom study and hands-on experience - had seen another significant rise.

"Students are having a broader range of subjects to choose from [within T-levels] and that is attracting a broader range of students to the qualification," he said.

This means we will likely see "continued increases" in vocational courses over the coming years.

The government wants to see at least 10% of young people enrol in higher technical courses or apprenticeships by 2040 - nearly double the current level. It follows concern that more than a million 16-24 year-olds are not in education, employment or training (Neet).

Mairead Nolan
Digital Programmes Content and Events Manager, Sutton Trust

Some of you on social media have been asking what Ucas points are worth, and how they work

Comparing Ucas points across different qualifications can sometimes be confusing, as BTECs, T Levels and A-levels are graded differently. To check how many Ucas points a specific qualification is worth use the Ucas Tariff Point Calculator., external

If your qualification is not listed on the calculator, please refer to the '2026 Tariff Tables' document linked on this webpage: Ucas Tariff Points – what are they and how do they work?, external. The number of Ucas points awarded will depend on the qualification and grade achieved.

Diana Bird
Executive Principal, Leeds City College

Yes it's still a pass. A grade D is worth 24 Ucas points and a grade E is worth 16 Ucas points.

Emaan Warraich
BBC News

While most students were waiting until results day to learn their next steps, more than 2,000 applicants to the University of Surrey received text messages on Wednesday - a day early - confirming whether they had secured a place.

This broke the Ucas embargo, a strict period before exam results days, when universities and Ucas receive grades early but institutions cannot discuss decisions with applicants or advisers.

A spokesperson for the University of Surrey said a results-day text message was sent at the wrong time to some offer holders: "The information and recipients were correct, but the message was sent at 8:10pm on Wednesday rather than 8:10am on Thursday."

The university apologised, self-reported to Ucas and created a dedicated line for people who received the messages in error.

A Ucas spokesperson said any student holding an offer from the university, and with any concerns, should contact the university directly.

Alex Taylor
Education reporter

William Hopkins from Wales says he hopes to join the Army or Royal Marines as an officer after picking up his results today.

He's been studying for a BTec in Uniformed Protective Services alongside his A-levels and achieved the 70 overall Ucas points he needed to follow in the footsteps of other family members.

"I've enjoyed it, but I've never been really academic and I never really enjoyed school that much," he says. "I've always enjoyed new things and testing my limits."

Regardless of how things pan out, he's confident about the future.

"Even if I don't get into the Army I know I will land on my feet somewhere else," he says.

Chrissa Beaumont
Director of Marketing, Nottingham Trent University

If you are holding either a "confirmed firm" or an insurance offer then you can’t enter clearing or accept a place through clearing.

First release yourself from your current offer via the Ucas hub - you can then explore as many universities as you wish before accepting the offer of your choice.

Kate Arif
Careers Adviser, National Careers Service

We’ve been asked: “If I resit my exams, do I have to wait for next year? Or can I resit later this year?"

Resits will take place in line with A-level exams, so prepare to take resits the following May or June.

Daniel Logan
BBC News NI

Some students are thinking outside the box when it comes to their future plans.

Jack Brannigan, a student at St Patrick's Academy Dungannon, is off to Derby to do a degree apprenticeship for Rolls Royce.

The hope is that he’ll be able to work for them after the apprenticeship, but “we'll have to see", says Jack.

Aliyah Rafferty, also from St Patrick's Academy, says professional cycling is her plan for the future.

Having done Maths, Biology and PE, she applied for physiotherapy, “but I think I'm going to defer and take a year out”.

“The plan is Australia for the winter, and I want to become a professional cyclist. Fingers crossed," she adds.

Kim Eccleston
Head of Universities and Colleges, UCAS

A question sent in to us which our panel of experts have answered

If you’re holding an unconditional offer, your place is guaranteed regardless of the grades you receive.

So even if your results are lower than expected, your place will still be there, provided you accepted the offer.

Diana Bird
Executive Principal, Leeds City College

Another question from our BBC News YouTube account

Universities accept students who have completed T-levels the same way they do with A-level students.

These practical qualifications are the equivalent of three A-levels and carry Ucas points, which means you can progress to university if that’s the route you want to take.

Other routes T-level students consider are apprenticeships or skilled employment.

Madeleine Lake
Live reporter

Image source, Phoebe Illksey

Phoebe Harker went on TikTok live this morning to tell her 35,000 followers that her dream has come true.

She's been documenting her journey for the last few years throughout mocks, UKCAT Exams, and says achieving A*A*A* has been "the best day of her life".

Her dream of studying medicine started during work experience, when she saw the impact doctors could have on patients in their most challenging moments.

Phoebe logged the hours of her study this year, and says she did more than 600 - which brought a lot of stress. As exams grew closer she would spend up to eight hours studying some days, she says.

"I've worked so hard, it's been such a long process, every step has been a hurdle but my hard work has paid off," Phoebe tells me.

She says upon opening her results, she first thought of her grandmother, Peggy, who lived with her until she died two months before Phoebe started her A-levels.

"She was the first person I told everything to, she was kind-hearted and selfless," Phoebe says.

She says her grandmother would tell her friends that Phoebe would become a doctor, and she was "proud of everything" she did.

Kim Eccleston
Head of Universities and Colleges, Ucas

Another question submitted to us from our BBC News TikTok account.

If Ucas has emailed you to confirm that you have been accepted onto your chosen course, you do not need to do anything else on the Ucas website.

Keep an eye out for emails from your university or college though, as they will be in touch with information about enrolment and starting your course.

Chrissa Beaumont
Director of Marketing, Nottingham Trent University

No – spaces on courses are only available for this upcoming term, starting in September 2026.

If students want to delay their entry by a year, most universities will advise to wait and apply through Ucas with all other students applying for September 2027.

Kim Eccleston
Head of Universities and Colleges, Ucas

If you’ve secured a place at university but are thinking about taking a gap year, the first step is to contact the university and ask whether they’ll allow you to defer your place.

If they agree, you can usually start your course the following year instead.

If they can’t offer a deferral and you still want to take a gap year, you may need to submit a new application for the following admissions cycle.

Diana Bird
Executive Principal, Leeds City College

Another question now from our BBC News YouTube account.

Grade boundaries for every exam change slightly every year and are set after all exams have been marked and reviewed by examiners.

They depend on the perceived difficulty of the paper.

Exam boards review previous papers and compare with current ones to make sure there is consistency.

So for example, if the current papers are found to be more difficult than previous years, the grade boundaries will be lowered and vice versa.

This is to make sure that the grade a student gets this year is the same as they would have got if they had taken the exam the previous year.

Mairead Nolan
Digital Programmes Content and Events Manager, Sutton Trust

Some of you have been asking if a degree is more important than experience

This really depends on your career goals. Some professions, such as medicine, architecture, law and engineering will require a degree.

However, there are many careers where experience, skills and apprenticeships can be just as valuable, and sometimes even preferred by employers.

If you have a particular career in mind, it's important to do your research and check whether a degree is required before making your decision.

Our experts are answering your questions on everything from clearing to student loans, and getting exam papers re-marked.

We've already had a few responses, which you can catch up on below, but stay with us for more:

• For anyone considering getting their paper re-marked, one of our experts explains these requests need to be coordinated through your school and college - and could lead to your mark going down, staying the same or going up
• What about clearing? Clearing is an option if you don't yet have a confirmed university place or if you've changed your mind about your course or the institution you want to study at. There's more on that in this post
• But, to get through to clearing you would need to reject your insurance offer, a clearing adviser at Kingston University says, so make sure you only do this if you no longer want this place
• Once you have your university place confirmed, you might start considering next steps - including applying for a student loan. Our education reporter has spelt out what you might be eligible for and how you would repay it