When is A Level results day 2022? What time do exam grades come out in England, Wales, NI and UCAS Hub details

Students across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are receiving their A Level exam results, with two-thirds getting their first-choice university or college.

Exams returned this year for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic with pupils expected to get some leniency when it comes to grades after dealing with years of disruption.

The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) has said its “grading approach” will “provide a safety net”.

How many students got their first choice on A Level results day 2022?

Clare Marchant, Ucas chief executive, told the Today programme: “Congratulations to all young people receiving their A Level results today.

“We do know that two-thirds of those students that applied to UK higher education have got their first choice ... which is absolutely brilliant.”

While the Education Secretary James Cleverly said the “majority” of students getting their A Level results will get their first choice university place, and are not being crowded out by a deferred cohort.

The number of students accepted on to UK degree courses fell this year, but was still the second highest number on record.

A total of 425,830 people have had places confirmed – down 2% on the same point last year, according to Ucas.

Gap narrowing between advantaged and disadvantaged in A Level results

Ms Marchant continued: “We also know that the gap is narrowing between those most advantaged and those most disadvantaged going to university, so nearly 47,000 disadvantaged students got into UK higher education university or college.

“There were record numbers applying from disadvantaged backgrounds, so that was a good start when we saw those numbers coming through.

“As a proportion the gap has also changed as well. I talk to teachers and advisors on a day-in-day-out basis and they have gone really beyond realms in terms of supporting those students.

“They have worked really hard, particularly with those that have had the most challenging time over the last two years.”

When is A Level results day 2022?

A-Level results day will be announced today, Thursday 18 August.

The date is the same for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In Scotland, results were announced on Tuesday 9 August as the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) are published the same day as the Scottish Qualifications Certificate.

What time should I pick up my A Level results?

Exam boards will release their results after 8am.

Students will need to find out the opening times from their schools or colleges to see when they are able to collect their results.

Ucas directly receives your A Level results and will update your Ucas Hub to reflect this.

If you are in Scotland and registered for MySQA you will receive a text or email on results day to let you know your results are available online.

How have A Levels been marked this year?

This is the first year that A Levels exams have been carried out as normal since the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, students are still dealing with the disruption they experienced in the last two years.

Examiners have been asked to offer students more leniency in grading to take this into account.

Speaking about the grading system, Ofqual chief regulator Dr Jo Saxton said: “Our grading approach will recognise the disruption experienced by students taking exams in 2022.

“It will provide a safety net for those who might otherwise just miss out on a higher grade, while taking a step back to normal.”

Ofqual have confirmed that this year’s grade boundaries will be set between pre-pandemic levels and last year’s teacher’s assessment that was used for grading.

Boundaries may be relaxed in some cases, but the exam regulator does not predict grade inflation to rise to the levels seen in 2021.

What are the different exam boards?

Depending on where you are based and what subject you take, your exam results can come from a variety of different educational boards, with each publishing their results independently.

Here is a full list of the different exam boards:

What time does Ucas Hub update?

Ucas Hub is the place to go to find out if you have been accepted onto a university course.

In the days running up to results day the hub will be frozen, so you cannot make any changes.

Ucas Hub will update on results day at 8am, but as so many people are logging on, there can sometimes be delays.

It’s important to remember that your A Level results will not show up in Ucas Hub.

After your results have been processed by Ucas and a decision has been made by your university choices you will be able to see changes to your UCAS Hub.

You will be given one of the following offers:

If you are not accepted by the course you want you are eligible to enter clearing and explore further options.