Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to provide additional support to students who do not reach their required university grades.

The department will continue to work closely with the higher education (HE) sector to support the 2022 intake of students to ensure they can go on to their next step in life following A level and T Level Results day on 18 August.

The department, in collaboration with Ofqual, has put in place a package of measures in place to ensure that students can take their exams fairly to recognise the disruption that this year’s students have faced. In addition, this summer Ofqual will ask exam boards to set grade boundaries in a way that avoids disadvantaging some students who might otherwise have just missed out on a higher grade. This means that overall, 2022 results are likely to be higher than in 2019, but lower than we saw in 2021. This package of adaptations, combined with Ofqual’s approach to grading, provides unprecedented support to maximise fairness and help students reach their potential.

If students do not get the grades they need, their preferred HE provider may still offer them a place. In the first instance, I encourage students to talk to their school or college, or to their preferred university, who may be able to offer some flexibility. Students can also seek advice from the Exam Results Helpline run by the National Careers Service. Just as they do in any normal year, UCAS will help thousands of students to find places through Clearing if you need or choose to explore other options once students have received their grades.

While HE opens many doors for those who study at this level, it is by no means the right option for everyone, including those with the highest grades. There are several options available for students, including Post 16 and 18 technical options, including Traineeships, T Levels, Apprenticeships, Kickstart and Higher Technical Qualifications.