Academic year 2021/22

A level and other 16 to 18 results

Attainment and retention data for A level and other qualifications by age 16-18 in England. Includes region, institution type, characteristics, and subject.

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• Produced by: Department for Education
• Published: 30 March 2023
• Last updated: 21 November 2023

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• Featured tables

  Featured tables are pre-prepared tables created from a statistical release's data sets. They provide statistics that are regularly requested by users and can be adapted to switch between different categories.

• Data sets: download or create tables

  Data sets present comprehensive open data from which users can create their own tables using the EES table tool or download a zipped CSV file.

• Supporting files

  Supporting files provide an area for teams to supply non-standard files for download by users where required.

• Data dashboards

  Data dashboards provide an alternative route to explore a statistical release's data, presenting key statistics and further insights, often via graphical visualisations.

• Data guidance

  Description of the data sets included in this release, including information on data sources, coverage, quality and any data conventions used.

• Data catalogue

  Alternatively use our data catalogue to search and filter for specific data sets from this release or our entire library, providing full data summaries, data previews and access to API data sets.

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Featured tables

Featured tables are pre-prepared tables created from a statistical release's data sets. They provide statistics that are regularly requested by some users (such as local councils, regional government or government policy teams) and can be adapted to switch between different categories (such as different geographies, time periods or characteristics where available).

8 featured tables

• A level grade combinations

  Student counts for benchmark grade combinations achieved by the end of 16-18 study.

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• Attainment: Percent achieving 2 A levels, by institution type

  Percent of students achieving 2 A levels, for each of the major institution types.

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• Attainment: average point score and result by ethnicity

  Gives the average point score and result for all students in each level 3 cohort by ethnicity in England between 2017/18 and 2021/22

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• Attainment: average point score and result by FSM status

  Shows average result and average point score for students by eligibility for FSM for each level 3 cohort in England between 2017/18 and 2021/22.

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• Attainment: average point score and result by SEN provision

  Average point score and result for all students in each level 3 cohort by SEN provision.

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• Attainment: average point score and result by first language

  Shows the average point score and average result for all students in each level 3 cohort by first language in England between 2017/18 and 2021/22.

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• Attainment: average point score and result by local authority, for Level 3 exam cohorts

  average points score, average result and number of students by local authority of level 3 exam cohorts

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• Average point score (APS) by region

  APS by region for each of the exam cohorts (A level, Applied general, Tech level and Technical certificate)

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Data sets: download or create tables

Data sets present comprehensive open data from which users can create their own tables using the EES table tool or download a zipped CSV file.

29 data sets available for download

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• Attainment and other performance measures - student characteristics

  National

  Attainment metrics for all qualification cohorts, by student characteristics. Student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, disadvantage status, free school meal provision, first language, SEN provision, and KS4 prior attainment.

  • Number of rows: 375
  • Indicators:
    • % achieving 3 A* to A
    • % achieving ≥ 2 A levels
    • % achieving ≥ 2 academic results
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

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• Attainment and other performance measures - institution type and gender

  National

  Attainment metrics for all qualification cohorts, by institution type and student gender.

  • Number of rows: 255
  • Indicators:
    • % achieving 3 A* to A
    • % achieving ≥ 2 A levels
    • % achieving ≥ 2 academic results
  • Filters:
    • Gender
    • Institution
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

  Data set information page
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• Attainment and other performance measures - region and student characteristics

  Local authority, Regional

  Attainment metrics for all qualification cohorts, by region or local authority and student characteristics. Student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, disadvantage status, free school meal provision, first language, SEN provision, and KS4 prior attainment.

  • Number of rows: 43,524
  • Indicators:
    • % achieving 3 A* to A
    • % achieving ≥ 2 A levels
    • % achieving ≥ 2 academic results
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
    • Institution
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

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• Attainment and other performance measures - rurality

  Regional

  Attainment metrics for all qualification cohorts, by rurality.

  • Number of rows: 315
  • Indicators:
    • % achieving 3 A* to A
    • % achieving ≥ 2 A levels
    • % achieving ≥ 2 academic results
  • Filters:
    • Rurality
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

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• Attainment and other performance measures - student characteristics and disadvantage status

  National

  Attainment metrics for all qualification cohorts, by a combination of disadvantage status and other student characteristics. Other student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, first language, SEN provision, and KS4 prior attainment.

  • Number of rows: 420
  • Indicators:
    • % achieving 3 A* to A
    • % achieving ≥ 2 A levels
    • % achieving ≥ 2 academic results
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
    • Characteristic disadvantage
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

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• Attainment and other performance measures - disadvantage status as a percentage of cohort

  National

  Attainment metrics, by disadvantage status as a percentage of each exam cohort.

  • Number of rows: 20
  • Indicators:
    • Number of A level students
    • Number of applied general students
    • Number of tech level students
  • Filters:
    • Disadvantage status
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

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• Attainment and other performance measures - prior attainment as a percentage of cohort

  National

  Attainment metrics, by KS4 prior attainment as a percentage of each exam cohort.

  • Number of rows: 25
  • Indicators:
    • Number of A level students
    • Number of applied general students
    • Number of tech level students
  • Filters:
    • Prior attainment
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

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• Entries and Results - A level and AS by subject and student characteristics (single academic year)

  National

  A level and AS level entries by grade achieved, subject and student characteristics. Student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, disadvantage status, free school meal provision, first language, SEN provision, and KS4 prior attainment. Includes entries in the current exam year for 16-18 students, after discounting. Includes pending awards.

  • Number of rows: 81,750
  • Indicators:
    • Exam entries
    • Number at grade A*.
    • Number at grade A.
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
    • Qualification
    • Subject
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

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• Entries and Results - A level and AS by institution type and gender (single academic year)

  National

  A level and AS level entries by grade achieved, institution type and student gender. Includes entries in the current exam year for 16-18 students, after discounting. Includes pending awards.

  • Number of rows: 510
  • Indicators:
    • Exam entries
    • Number at grade A*.
    • Number at grade A.
  • Filters:
    • Gender
    • Institution
    • Qualification
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

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• Entries and Results - A level and AS by region and subject (single academic year)

  Local authority, Regional

  A level and AS level entries by grade achieved, subject and region or local authority Includes entries in the current exam year for 16-18 students, after discounting. Includes pending awards.

  • Number of rows: 350,108
  • Indicators:
    • Exam entries
    • Number at grade A*.
    • Number at grade A.
  • Filters:
    • Institution
    • Qualification
    • Subject
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

  Data set information page
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• Student counts and Results - A level by subject and student characteristics (end of 16-18 study)

  National

  A level student counts by grade achieved, subject and student characteristics. Student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, disadvantage status, free school meal provision, first language, SEN provision, and KS4 prior attainment. Includes students triggered for inclusion in performance tables who completed A levels during 16-18 study, after discounting of exams.

  • Number of rows: 40,125
  • Indicators:
    • Number at grade A*.
    • Number at grade A.
    • Number at grade B.
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
    • Subject
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

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• Student counts and Results - A level by institution type and gender (end of 16-18 study)

  National

  A level student counts by grade achieved, institution type and student gender. Includes students triggered for inclusion in performance tables who completed A levels during 16-18 study, after discounting of exams.

  • Number of rows: 255
  • Indicators:
    • Number at grade A*.
    • Number at grade A.
    • Number at grade B.
  • Filters:
    • Gender
    • Institution
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

  Data set information page
  Create table

• Student counts and Results - A level by region and subject (end of 16-18 study)

  Local authority, Regional

  A level student counts by grade achieved, subject and region or local authority. Includes students triggered for inclusion in performance tables who completed A levels during 16-18 study, after discounting of exams.

  • Number of rows: 171,842
  • Indicators:
    • Number at grade A*.
    • Number at grade A.
    • Number at grade B.
  • Filters:
    • Institution
    • Subject
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

  Data set information page
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• Student counts grade combinations - A level by student characteristics

  National

  A level grade combinations achieved, by student characteristics. Student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, disadvantage status, free school meal provision, first language, SEN provision, and KS4 prior attainment.

  • Number of rows: 375
  • Indicators:
    • 168+ UCAS Tariff Points (A*A*A* or equivalent/higher)
    • 144+ UCAS Tariff Points (AAA or equivalent/higher)
    • 120+ UCAS Tariff Points (BBB or equivalent/higher)
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

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• Entries - vocational qualifications by subject and student characteristics (single academic year)

  National

  Vocational qualification entries, by Ofqual subject area and student characteristics. Student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, disadvantage status, free school meal provision, first language, SEN provision, and KS4 prior attainment. Includes entries in the current exam year for 16-18 students, after discounting. Includes pending awards.

  • Number of rows: 39,375
  • Indicators:
    • Exam entries
    • Exam passes
    • Percent of exam passes
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
    • Exam cohort
    • Ofqual subject area
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

  Data set information page
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• Student counts - vocational qualifications by subject and student characteristics (end of 16-18 study)

  National

  Vocational qualification student counts, by Ofqual subject area and student characteristics. Student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, disadvantage status, free school meal provision, first language, SEN provision, and KS4 prior attainment. Includes students triggered for inclusion in performance tables who completed A levels during 16-18 study, after discounting of exams.

  • Number of rows: 39,375
  • Indicators:
    • Number of students
    • Number of students achieving a pass
    • Percent of students achieving a pass
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
    • Exam cohort
    • Ofqual subject area
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

  Data set information page
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• English and Maths - below level 3 entries by student characteristics

  National

  Entries and passes for below level 3 English and maths, by qualification type and student characteristics. Student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, disadvantage status, free school meal provision, first language, SEN provision, and KS4 prior attainment. Includes entries in the current exam year for 16-18 students, after discounting. Includes pending awards.

  • Number of rows: 11,250
  • Indicators:
    • Number of entries
    • Number of passes
    • Proportion of cohort achieving a pass at level
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
    • Qualification
    • Subject
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

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• English and Maths - below level 3 entries by institution type

  National

  Entries and passes for below level 3 English and maths, by qualification type, institution type and student gender. Includes entries in the current exam year for 16-18 students, after discounting. Includes pending awards.

  • Number of rows: 2,550
  • Indicators:
    • Number of entries
    • Number of passes
    • Proportion of cohort achieving a pass at level
  • Filters:
    • Institution
    • Qualification
    • Subject
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

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• Maths and science - subject combinations by student characteristics

  National

  Number of students entered for combinations of STEM A levels during 16-18 study, by student characteristics. Student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, disadvantage status, free school meal provision, first language, SEN provision, and KS4 prior attainment.

  • Number of rows: 23,250
  • Indicators:
    • Number of students
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
    • Combination of STEM subject A levels entered
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

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• Maths and science entries - percent entered by student characteristics

  National

  Percent of students entered for A levels in STEM subjects during 16-18 study, by student characteristics. Student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, disadvantage status, free school meal provision, first language, SEN provision, and KS4 prior attainment.

  • Number of rows: 375
  • Indicators:
    • Number of students
    • Percent entered for 1 or more STEM subjects
    • Percent entered for 2 or more STEM subjects
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

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• Maths and science entries - percent entered by region

  Local authority, Regional

  Percent of students entered for A levels in STEM subjects during 16-18 study, by region or local authority.

  • Number of rows: 803
  • Indicators:
    • Number of students
    • Percent entered for 1 or more STEM subjects
    • Percent entered for 2 or more STEM subjects
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

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• Retention - institution type and gender

  National

  Retention metrics for all qualification cohorts, by institution type and gender.

  • Number of rows: 900
  • Indicators:
    • % retained
    • % retained and assessed
    • % returned and retained for a second year
  • Filters:
    • Cohort
    • Gender
    • Institution type
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

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• Retention - prior attainment as a percentage of cohort

  National

  Retention cohorts by institution type and prior attainment, as a percentage of each qualification cohort.

  • Number of rows: 100
  • Indicators:
    • Number of students
    • Percentage of students
  • Filters:
    • Cohort
    • Prior attainment
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

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• Retention - region

  Local authority, Regional

  Retention metrics for all qualification cohorts, by region or local authority.

  • Number of rows: 4,030
  • Indicators:
    • % retained
    • % retained and assessed
    • % returned and retained for a second year
  • Filters:
    • Cohort
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

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• Retention - student characteristics

  National

  Retention metrics for all qualification cohorts, by student characteristics. Student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, disadvantage status, free school meal provision, first language, KS4 prior attainment and SEN provision.

  • Number of rows: 1,850
  • Indicators:
    • % retained
    • % retained and assessed
    • % returned and retained for a second year
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
    • Cohort
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

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• Retention - student characteristics and disadvantage status

  National

  Retention metrics for all qualification cohorts, by a combination of disadvantage status and other student characteristics. Other student characteristics include gender, ethnicity (major groupings), free school meal provision, first language, KS4 prior attainment and SEN provision (major groupings).

  • Number of rows: 2,100
  • Indicators:
    • % retained
    • % retained and assessed
    • % returned and retained for a second year
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
    • Characteristic disadvantage
    • Cohort
  • Time period: 2017/18 to 2021/22

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• Retention - cohort time series

  National

  Retention metrics (% only) for all qualification cohorts, since measures were introduced.

  • Number of rows: 35
  • Indicators:
    • % retained
    • % retained and assessed
    • % returned and retained for a second year
  • Filters:
    • Cohort
  • Time period: 2015/16 to 2021/22

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• Time-series - APS per entry by institution type

  National

  Attainment (APS per entry) data for all level 3 qualification cohorts. Data for applied general and tech level cohorts starts in 2015/16 (when these cohorts were first defined in this statistical release, and school and college data). Data for the A level cohort starts in 2012/13.

  • Number of rows: 1,197
  • Indicators:
    • APS per entry
    • Average result
    • Number of students
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
    • Institution
    • Qualification
  • Time period: 2012/13 to 2021/22

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• Time-series - A level subject entries and grade by gender

  National

  Data for A level entries and grades for individual subjects from 1995/96. Coverage of data is all students in England aged 16-18, entires/grades within the academic year stated (where 2022 means 2021/22)

  • Number of rows: 3,141
  • Indicators:
    • Exam entries
    • Percent achieving grade A*
    • Percent achieving grade A* - A
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
    • Subject
  • Time period: 1995/96 to 2021/22

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Supporting files

Supporting files provide an area for teams to supply non-standard files for download by users where required.

3 supporting data files

• A level and other 16 to 18 results 2021-22 (provisional)

  Provisional results (November 2022) for A level and other 16 to 18 results 2021-22

  Download (zip, 21 Mb)

• KS5 transition matrices

  Transition matrices data used for visualising the progress of pupils aged 16 to 18 from key stage 4 (KS4) to key stage 5 (KS5).

  Download (csv, 1 Mb)

• KS5 transition matrices notes

  Instructions to accompany the transition matrices data

  Download (docx, 34 Kb)

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Data dashboards

Data dashboards provide an alternative route to explore a statistical release's data, presenting key statistics and further insights, often via graphical visualisations.

Access the 16 to 18 time series attainment and single year entry dashboard (opens in new tab)

This dashboard allows users to explore time series data for 16 to 18 qualifications in England. It brings together figures compiled from the current and previous versions of the ‘A level and other 16 to 18 results’, with focus on headline attainment measures and subject entries data.

Access the 16-18 Transition Matrices dashboard (opens in new tab)

Transition matrices (TM) are a useful tool to help visualise the progression from different groups of attainment at key stage 4 (KS4) to outcomes achieved during 16 to 18 for a range of different subjects. 

Note that the 16 to 18 outcomes here will also be impacted by the different process to award grades in 2022, which is likely to impact the relationship between outcomes and KS4 prior attainment in 2021/22 for subjects.

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Data guidance

Description of the data sets included in this release, including information on data sources, coverage, quality and any data conventions used.

Description

This document describes the data included in the ‘A level and other 16 to 18 results: 2022/23’ National Statistics release's underlying data files.  The statistical publication complements the 16-18 school and college performance tables. This data is released under the terms of the Open Government License (opens in new tab) and is intended to meet at least 3 stars for Open Data (opens in new tab).

The publication methodology, available on the publication report, should be referenced alongside this data. It provides information on the data sources, their coverage and quality as well as explaining methodology used in producing the data.

Coverage

This release provides information on A level and other 16-18 results in:

• Students who have completed their 16-18 phase of education
• Students who have entered an approved qualification in the reporting year

Approved qualifications are those that are eligible for reporting in the 16-18 school and college performance tables, listed in the 16 to 18 qualifications, discount codes and point scores (opens in new tab).

The information is based on data collected via awarding organisations, the school census, and the Individualised Learner Record.

File formats and conventions

Rounding 

This dataset has not had rounding applied. 

Suppression is applied to protect the disclosure of personal information or characteristics.

Conventions 

The following convention is used throughout the underlying data. 

‘z’ Not applicable.

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Contact us

If you have a specific enquiry about A level and other 16 to 18 results statistics and data:

Attainment statistics team

Email: Attainment.STATISTICS@education.gov.uk
Contact name: John Shale

Press office

If you have a media enquiry:

Telephone: 020 7783 8300

Public enquiries

If you have a general enquiry about the Department for Education (DfE) or education:

Phone: 0370 000 2288

Opening times

Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5.30pm (closed on bank holidays)