Ofqual Chief Regulator affirms rigorous grading standards
Students receiving results today can have full confidence in the value of their grades, Ofqual's Chief Regulator has said.
As students across England this morning opened just over 1.1 million results, Sir Ian Bauckham affirmed the importance of their achievements for their own prospects and national prosperity.
Sir Ian said: 鈥淪tandards have been maintained for another year, with grades determined by students鈥� performance in exams using exam boards鈥� strict marking and grading processes.鈥�
Slightly fewer A levels were taken this year, with 814,335 entries compared to last year鈥檚 816,890, despite an increase in the number of 18-year-olds in 2025.聽
鈥淭his may be a sign that young people are making different choices about what types of qualification suit them, which then has an impact on A level outcomes,鈥� added Sir Ian.
鈥淎 levels remain a valued and well-recognised qualification in the UK and globally.鈥�
This year shows a further increase in the number of students completing T Level qualifications, up from 7,421 in 2024 to 11,909聽this year. T Level courses provide high quality and rigorous occupation-specific training for level 3 students.
鈥淏ritain鈥檚 economic future depends on a skilled and knowledgeable workforce. All types of qualifications open doors of opportunity to students to contribute towards Britain鈥檚 economy,鈥� added Sir Ian.
鈥淲hether students are using their results to continue in education or move into the workplace, they can be confident that they have qualifications that will stand them in good stead for their future.鈥�
For more on today鈥檚 results, please see:
Infographics: Level 3 and A level results 2025
Statistical release: Qualification results in England: summer 2025