Figures published for Level 3 Results Day (13 August) show a record 262,820 UK 18-year-olds have been accepted compared with 255,130 last year (+3%).
This growth is being driven by a rising number of UK 18-year-olds in the population with the entry rate for this age group (the percentage of the population entering higher education) flat at 31.6% (32.0% last year).
In total, 228,990 UK 18-year-olds have been accepted at their first (UCAS ‘firm’) choice of university or college, up from 226,580 last year (+1%) while 31,770 have been placed at their insurance choice today, from 26,330 (+21%).
This means that 79% of 18-year-olds from England, Wales and Northern Ireland who were holding an offer and received their decision this morning have been placed on their first (UCAS’ firm) choice of university or college – compared to 82% last year. Another 13% are placed at their insurance choice compared to 11% last year.
Other key points from today’s release include:
- Overall, 446,690 applicants (all ages, all domiciles) have been accepted – a record high.
- The number of UK 18-year-olds gaining a place from the most disadvantaged backgrounds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is up across the nations – 37,300 students have been accepted from IMD Quintile 1 (+4% on 2025) while 1,450 students have been accepted from WIMD Quintile 1 (+15%) and 1,090 from NIMDM Quintile 1 (+3%).
- Overall, 48,900 UK mature applicants (aged 21+) have been accepted, a decline on 50,880 last year (-4%).
- The number of international students who have applied via UCAS and been accepted has risen by 2% – from 52,640 last year to 53,740 this year. UCAS data does only reflect a partial view of undergraduate international admissions.
- The top three subjects with the largest growth in acceptances are engineering and technology with 34,100 placed applicants (+14% on last year) followed by social sciences with 48,840 placed applicants (+6%) and then law with 28,590 placed applicants (+5%).
- There is sustained interest in nursing this year, with 18,350 applicants placed on nursing courses compared to 18,300 last year (+50).
Dr Jo Saxton CBE, UCAS Chief Executive, said:
“Today’s school leavers were just starting secondary school when the pandemic interrupted their education. Given the significant disruption they faced at such a formative stage of their learning, it is wonderful to see so many young people getting a place at university or college. I’m delighted to see them backing themselves and choosing to invest in their education.
“For those who haven’t got the grades they need, are reconsidering their plans, or haven’t applied yet but are thinking of doing so, I’d encourage them to explore the wide range of choices on offer in Clearing – with over 26,000 courses available there are plenty of options. UCAS’ dedicated advisers are also here to offer support on the phones, social media or via the UCAS website.”
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ENDS
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UCAS
UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, is an independent charity, and the UK's shared admissions service for higher education.
UCAS’ services support young people making post-18 choices, as well as mature learners, by providing information, advice, and guidance to inspire and facilitate educational progression to university, college, or an apprenticeship.
UCAS manages almost three million applications, from around 700,000 people each year, for full-time undergraduate courses at over 380 universities and colleges across the UK.
UCAS is committed to delivering a first-class service to all our beneficiaries — they're at the heart of everything we do.