A-Level cohort faces unexpected rejections after surge in top grades

Students have faced unexpected rejections and deferrals from their desired university courses this year, after a rise in the number achieving top A-Level grades.

As reported by the BBC on 12 August, the percentage of the A-Level cohort across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland achieving A*s and As had risen to 28.5%, up from 28.3% last year. This is a fall from 2022 figures, though the percentage has been rising steadily since 2023.

With more students achieving top grades in A-Level this year, universities have been less lenient towards applicants who have narrowly missed their offers. In previous years, these students would still have gained a place; this year, some have been rejected instead.

As a result, a record number of applicants have found themselves in clearing. According to the  UCAS’s statistical release for 2026, there was an 11% increase in the number of students free to be placed into clearing.

Due to higher numbers of students meeting the required grades for their course, Cardiff University has asked some students who accepted a place on either its midwifery or diagnostic radiography and imaging programmes to defer their place to 2027, or lose their place.

In response to WalesOnline’s inquiries about this decision, Cardiff University said: “It is important to be clear that Cardiff University has not over-offered places. As with all universities, offers are made based on detailed modelling of applicant behaviour and historical acceptance patterns.”

This year, an exceptionally high number of applicants met the conditions of their offers and accepted places, resulting in demand exceeding the number of commissioned places available

Cardiff University

They continued: “This year, an exceptionally high number of applicants met the conditions of their offers and accepted places, resulting in demand exceeding the number of commissioned places available. This has been an extremely difficult decision. We explored every possible option and held extensive discussions to avoid activating the University’s oversubscription policy. All affected applicants are guaranteed entry in 2027 for their preferred subject choice.”

Katy Phillips, a progress tutor manager at St Brendan’s Sixth Form College said the deferred students had been offered a 2027 place and a £750 bursary.

I am just concerned about how disruptive and disappointing this has been for a number of students who should have been celebrating today

Katy Phillips, progress tutor manager at St Brendan’s Sixth Form College

She added: “I am aware that judging the number of students who would meet their grades is difficult, and thus universities do over-offer, but I am just concerned about how disruptive and disappointing this has been for a number of students who should have been celebrating today, having achieved the grades for their offer, only to be told that actually they need to figure out something else to do with their life until autumn 2027.”