After your last A Level exam is done and dusted, you can breathe a sigh of relief. But it won’t be long before you’re thinking ahead to results day.
Here, we’ll explain all you need to know about A Level results day – from when A Level results come out, to what happens on the day and how you can prepare.
When do A Level results come out in 2025?
A Level results day is on Thursday 14th August 2025.
Usually, A Level results are released at 8am. However, your school may not open for you to collect your results in-person until later.
This means that, if you’ve got a conditional offer for uni, you can often log into UCAS to see if you’ve got in before you actually collect your A Level results.
How to prepare for A Level results day?
As the A Level results date gets closer, it’s easy to get anxious. There’s nothing worse than sitting around waiting for something that’s out of your control.
But it’s not all out of your hands, as there are some things you can do to help you prepare.
Here are some top tips.
1. Research courses through clearing
If your grades are lower (or higher!) than you were expecting, you could consider applying for an alternative course through clearing.
Doing some initial research now can help to give you focus if you end up in this situation on results day.
Take a look at what options are currently available (although bear in mind that many unis won’t release details until results day). And think about what kinds of courses and universities you might be interested in.
2. Gather the info you’ll need
If you do end up searching for places through clearing, you’ll need to have some info handy.
Gathering it now will save you time and stress if the need arises on results day. So, make sure to make a note of…
- Your UCAS ID number
- Your UCAS log in details
- Phone numbers for unis you’ve applied for or would like to consider
- Your personal statement (in case you’re asked about it by unis during clearing)
If you want to apply for a uni through clearing, you’ll also need your UCAS clearing number, but you won’t be able to access this unless you’re eligible for clearing.
3. Get some interview practice
It can be a good idea to think about what you might say in an interview situation, in preparation for any clearing phone calls you end up having to make.
Sometimes, clearing phone calls can involve little more than just confirming your grades.
But some courses will want to assess your suitability in more detail.
The clearing phone call is the perfect time to tell them all about you, why you’re interested in this course, and why you’re the right fit.
So, doing some preparation work can make all the difference.
Brush up on your personal statement, prepare some answers to common questions you might come across, and do some research into unis you might be interested in applying to through clearing, so that you can sound enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
4. Make sure your details are up to date
Perhaps most importantly, make sure that your contact details are up to date in UCAS, so that you won’t miss any important updates on results day.
It’s also important to make sure you’ll be available on results day, as UCAS won’t be able to speak to anyone else about your application details.
If you know you won’t be available, choose someone you trust and give them nominated access to discuss your application on your behalf.
What happens on A Level results day?
A Level results day can look a little different depending on your college or sixth form, and whether or not you’re planning on picking up your results in-person.
Usually, A Level results are available for students to collect from 8am on results day.
However, not all sixth forms or colleges will open that early.
So, often, you’ll be able to log into UCAS to see whether your conditional university offer has been confirmed or rejected before it’s time to collect your results.
Even if you see that you’ve been rejected from your top-choice uni, don’t be tempted to stay at home and skip results day.
Picking up your results in-person is really important if at all possible, as then you’ll be able to start accessing support from your college or sixth form, to help guide you through your next steps.
Top tip: If your UCAS hasn’t been updated with a decision from your top-choice uni, don’t panic. There are a number of reasons why your place might not be confirmed yet, so picking up your results in-person should be your first port of call.
What happens if I can’t be at A Level results day?
As we’ve touched upon already, we’d recommend being there in-person for A Level results day if at all possible.
This is because you’ll be able to more easily access the support available to you from your sixth form or college if things haven’t gone the way you hoped.
That said, if you really can’t be there for whatever reason, there are other ways you can collect your results:
- Your sixth form or college may have an online portal where you can view your results
- Some sixth forms or colleges will send results out to students by email or post
- You can usually nominate someone to collect your results on your behalf
Ask your college or sixth form what your options are if you can’t be there in-person, and make sure you arrange for an alternative way to collect your results.
What to do when you get your A Level results?
So, A Level results day is here and you’ve collected your results. But what happens next?
If you’ve got in
If you’ve got into your first or second-choice university, congratulations!
Once your uni place has been confirmed, there’s nothing pressing you need to do. Rather, your chosen uni will send you details of the next steps.
On the other hand, if you’ve changed your mind, that’s okay too. You can still decline your place and shop around for other courses and unis through clearing.
If you haven’t got in
If you’ve failed your A Levels and you’ve been rejected from your first and second-choice unis, don’t panic. It might feel like the end of the world right now, but life will go on, we promise!
Here’s what to do.
1. Speak to the uni
If you’ve missed the requirements for your conditional offer, your first-choice or second-choice uni may still let you in.
The first step is to get on the phone with them and explain the situation.
If lots of students have missed out on the grades they need, the university may relax the entry requirements to fill up the spaces on your course.
2. Consider a remark
If you’re surprised by your results or you only just missed the grades you need, it might be a good idea to get a paper remarked.
This comes at a price, and there’s always a chance that your grades could drop rather than going up. But it could be worth it for a chance to get into your dream uni.
Just make sure to keep in touch with the university so they know you’re in the process of getting your paper remarked and when you’re expecting the result.
3. Apply for clearing
Clearing is a process that matches applicants to university places that are yet to be filled.
In this way, it can open the door to many opportunities. Especially as many unis will accept students through clearing who didn’t quite reach the grade requirements for certain courses – meaning you could even get accepted to study at a uni that you thought was out of your league!
You can use UCAS’ clearing search tool to see what places are available and start applying.
4. Retake your A Levels
If you’ve missed out on your preferred courses and you’re not willing to compromise, you could opt to resit an A Level or two next year.
This would mean waiting a year and reapplying for your chosen course. So, you’d need to be prepared to wait – and to put in the hard work to improve your A Level grades (an A Level tutor can help!).
Plus, bear in mind that A Level resits come at a cost.
However, if you have a dream uni and course, it could be worth it!
Find a tutor to support you on A Level results day
If A Level results day is looming and you’re worried about what the day might bring, you don’t have to worry alone.
Our handpicked A Level tutors will be right by your side and happy to provide you with advice and guidance.
Fingers crossed, this A Level results day brings happy news. But if things don’t go your way, it’s not the end of the world.
Together, we can help you to get the results you need and the future you’ve dreamed of.
FAQs
What time of day are A Level results released?
A Level results are usually released at 8am. However, not all colleges or sixth forms will open this early for students to pick up their results in-person.
How many people get 3 A*s?
In 2024, 4,135 students took three A Levels and got all A*s, according to data from Ofqual.
What percentage is an A* in A Level?
Grade boundaries tend to vary from year to year, based on how difficult students have found an exam paper – and are usually only published once that year’s results have been released.
