A-level results day 2024: When will I get my grades? (2024)

For students, parents and teachers all across England and Wales, A-level results day is tinged with excitement and nerves in equal measure.

It can be a day of joy and triumph, with good grades handing students the keys to the university or career of their choice.

But it can also be a highly stressful time if results don’t go to plan.

Here is everything you need to know from clearing and Ucas points to grade boundaries.

When will I get my grades?

On Thursday, students in England, Northern Ireland and Wales will open their A-level results.

Students in Scotland, which has a different qualification system, already received theirs on Aug 6.

Many students will arrive at their schools, often accompanied by equally nervous parents or relatives, where teachers will be waiting to congratulate – or console – them on their results.

Others will be waiting by their computers or phones, urgently refreshing their inbox as they wait for an email containing their grades.

This year has seen the highest number of A-level entries of all time, with 825,390 submitted by schools and colleges in England to exam boards.

Maths is the most popular exam that has been taken this year – as has been the case for the last decade – with 101,230 entries this summer, far higher than any other subject.

Psychology is the next most popular with 78,015 entries and biology is third with 68,870.

When do the results come out?

There are around 2,000 schools in England with sixth forms that will release their results on Thursday morning.

You may be able to access your results online but this will depend on the school or college so it is best to check with them in advance if this is an option.

You should be able to see if you have been accepted to your first choice university on the Ucas portal from around 8am.

However, don’t worry if you can’t see your confirmation at this time as it can take universities up to 24 hours to confirm your place.

What time do we get the results?

The most eager of students can find out their results at 8am, but schools will often stay open until around 11am for those who want to arrive later.

Students should check on their school’s website or social media to see how they can collect their results.

You can also arrange to receive your results by email or post.

If you can’t be there in person, you can nominate someone to collect them on your behalf, such as a parent, family member or a friend.

They will need to bring a completed permission slip and a signed letter of consent from you.

How many Ucas points are in an A-level?

Many universities will require students to achieve a certain number of Ucas points if they are to receive their place.

Each grade is worth a certain number of Ucas points, and these are added together to form an overall number.

For example, Bournemouth University gives offers based on Ucas points, with their English course requiring 104-120 points from a minimum of two A-levels.

Kingston University in London also uses the same method.

However, other universities will give grade specific offers, such as the University of Birmingham and University of Oxford.

There is not a set number of points for an A-level as points are based on the grade achieved.

Can you retake A-levels?

Yes, if they are unhappy with their grades. There are three options available for this – students can either retake them at school, resit them at a college or sixth form or choose to take the exams online as a private candidate.

They will have to pay the course and exam fees for any A-levels that they choose to resit.

College course fees can range from £1,500 to £9,000 per subject. Exam prices start at around £175 per subject but can cost upwards of £400.

Students will usually have to wait a year before being able to retake, resitting the exams in either May or June, as resits take place at the same time as the exams for those sitting their A-levels for the first time.

A-level grade boundaries

Each exam is graded on a scale from A* to E. Grade boundaries, which show the minimum number of marks required for a grade, are decided by examiners and published on results day.

Grade boundaries are decided through a process called awarding and vary each year.

Senior examiners will compare scripts from this year’s exam series with that of previous years.

The reason why grade boundaries are not the same every year is because they are set to reflect the difficulty of the exam.

You can find out the grade boundaries for your subject by going to the exam board’s site.

It is worth being aware of the grade boundaries of your subject in case you are considering getting your grades reviewed.

For example, if you are one mark off from the next grade, it may be worth discussing with your school about getting a remark.

This year, A-level grading is finally set to return to pre-pandemic levels, after years of inflation.

The proportion of A*s and As is expected to fall to 25.4 per cent – down from 36.4 per cent in 2022.

What if you don’t get accepted to your first-choice university

There are many options available to students who don’t get into their chosen university, such as taking a gap year.

However, if students still want to go to university, they can use clearing, a system by Ucas whereby students can apply for a course at universities that still have places to fill. Clearing is available this year now up until Oct 21.

It is available to those who do not meet the conditions of their offer on A-level results day, as well as those who did not receive any offers.

Students who have changed their mind about what or where they wish to study, and also those who have applied outside the normal application window, can also use the clearing process through Ucas.

Applicants will be able to add a clearing choice from 1pm on results day.