ASE offers our congratulations to all students who have now received their A-Level, AS-Level, Scottish Highers and Nationals, and BTec or equivalent vocational or technical Level 3 qualifications. We recognise the huge efforts of our members – science teachers, leaders and technicians – in supporting and preparing students for their assessments. We wish all those embarking on the next stage of their careers the very best of luck. 

ASE's Chair, David Allen, had these additional words for students, 'The resilience and hard work you've shown in your studies are what truly matter. If your results weren't what you hoped for, please remember that your potential isn't always defined by a grade. Your passion for science, the other subjects you have studied and the skills you've gained are invaluable and will open many exciting doors for your future. Keep your curiosity alive—your journey is just beginning!' 

What’s made the news…

The main headlines reported through UK include:

• The proportion of candidates receiving top A level grades has risen for the second year in a row and remains higher than before the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Slightly fewer A levels were taken this year, with 814,335 entries compared to last year’s 816,890, despite an increase in the number of 18-year-olds in 2025. Now in their fourth year of being awarded, over 11,909 students have received their T Levels. This is a 61.4% increase on 2024.
• There is a 0.8 percentage point difference in achievement of A* grades between male and female students in 2025; in 2024 9.5% entries from males and 9.1% entries from females were awarded these top grades.
• Acceptance rates at universities through UCAS are up 3.1% on last year - the highest number of placed students on results day on record, with a 4.5% increase in first choice acceptances
• There has been an increase in the number of 18-year-olds from the most deprived areas in England, Wales and Northern Ireland gaining a place (up between 5.3-6.4% for Quintile 1).
• Higher Education subjects with the largest growth in students are engineering and technology (up 12.5% on last year), mathematical sciences (up 10.5%) and law (up 10.4%).
• There is concern expressed by teaching unions at the continued decrease in some subjects, notably languages and arts subjects, with worries about availability of options due to funding cuts, and continued viability of these programmes unless the government considers how funding rates are affecting A level choices and does more to champion languages and arts subjects.  
• Regional differences in attainment are still evident, with London increasing its lead on A/A* grading from 2024 by 0.7%. All bar one English region saw an increase in % achieving A* to E (North East stayed the same).

Performance of science subjects

There is some positive news in terms of student choice of STEM subjects, and a notable increase in Physics entries. As noted above and below, there continue to be differences in attainment and in subject selection across gender and regionally, which need to be addressed, and we will continue to advocate on these issues. ASE offers support to schools to tackle inclusion as well as support with key skills such as practical work, and SEND education. 

• 2025 results reflect the continued strong interest in STEM subjects. Over 110,000 students took A level mathematics, just under 20,000 entered for further mathematics and over 15,000 took Core Maths. There is also growth in the numbers of students taking economics, as well as those taking physics and chemistry.  
• Biology (3rd), Chemistry (4th) and Physics (6th) all continue in the top 10 of A level subjects by entry number, with Physics climbing to the sixth most popular from ninth last year. Maths continues at the top.
• Biology saw a 4% drop in entries from 2024, though still the 3rd most popular subject, this continues from a slight drop in 2024.
• Physics entries have seen an increase of 4.3% (up 1,843 entries) and Chemistry by 1.5%, continuing growth seen in the last couple of years.
• AS level entry levels have dropped across all sciences
• Science practical endorsement pass rate is 98.5% across the three sciences
• Physics is placed second from bottom for female subject choice

https://www.jcq.org.uk/examination-results/2025-level3-results/

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ofqual-chief-regulator-affirms-rigorous-grading-standards?utm_source=LinkedIn_OfqualResults25&utm_medium=LinkedIn_OfqualResults25&utm_campaign=Results2025

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/qualification-results-in-england-summer-2025?utm_source=GQ_SR_emailsOfqualResults25&utm_medium=GQ_SR_emailsOfqualResults25&utm_campaign=Results2025