A-level results 2015

13 August 2015

Commenting on this year’s A-levels results, Dr Wendy Piatt, Director General of the Russell Group, said:

“Congratulations to all A-level students on their well-deserved grades. We wish you the best of luck in your future studies and careers.”

Clearing and Adjustment

“We know that this can be a nerve-wracking time and there are always some students who miss their offer or who exceed expectations. It’s important to stay calm and remember that all our universities have people on hand to help, as do UCAS. Some of our universities have places to offer to students who have done better than expected, and some have places for highly-qualified students who just missed out on their first choice.”

Facilitating subjects

“An increase in the number of students taking facilitating subjects at A-level is welcome news. These subjects open doors for students because they are commonly required by our universities.

“Our universities have made concerted efforts over the last few years to spread the word to students that with the right grades in the right subjects a place at a Russell Group university is well within their grasp. Our student guide Informed Choices provides advice on the best subject combinations for a wide range of Russell Group university courses and the choices which will maximise your chances on getting on your preferred course.”

Maths and Further Maths

“We welcome the increase in students taking maths and further maths. Russell Group universities require maths at A-level or AS-level, and sometimes further maths, for many of our STEM degree courses. It is vital to the future prospects of young people, and the success of UK business, that we encourage greater numbers to study maths and science at A-level and beyond.”

Modern Foreign Languages

“It is worrying to see a slight drop-off in the number of students taking modern foreign languages at AS- level. If the UK is to engage fully with the wider world in business, diplomacy and academia we need more young people studying languages.”

Notes to Editors

1. For information about Clearing and Adjustment places at our universities students should visit universities' websites or go to the UCAS website. Students can also speak directly to a UCAS expert on Twitter or Facebook. Experienced careers advisers are also ready to discuss the range of options open to students on the Exam Results Helpline, which is funded by the Department for Education, on 0808 100 8000.
2. Facilitating subjects at A-level are English literature, maths, physics, chemistry, biology, history, geography and modern and classical languages. These are subjects that are required more often than others by Russell Group universities.
3. Our guide Informed Choices, first published in 2011, is put together in collaboration with the Heads of Admission at the 24 Russell Group universities and includes advice on the best subject combinations for a wide range of university courses as well as advice on the best choices for students if they don’t know what they want to study after school and need to keep their options open. It can be found on our website here.

Related case studies

Informed Choices

Informed Choices brings together guidance from admissions teams at Russell Group universities to give pupils clear information about the subjects they should consider if they are hoping to progress to a competitive university.

Read more >

New £40m Nottingham campus to provide a springboard into business for graduates

A new city centre campus will provide a pathway into business for University of Nottingham graduates.

Read more >