A-Level Results in Northern Ireland: Students Celebrate Achievements and Embrace Future Opportunities

Students across Northern Ireland have received their A-Level results, marking a significant milestone in their educational journeys. This year, 30.4% of entries achieved A* or A grades, a slight increase from 30.3% in 2024. Notably, 8.7% of entries were awarded the top A* grade, up from 8.2% the previous year. Overall, 98.7% of students achieved grades A* to E, reflecting the region's strong academic performance. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/northern-ireland-alevel-alevels-england-wales-b1242893.html?utm_source=openai))

Among the 25,000 students receiving results, many have shared their aspirations and next steps. Harry, a student from Bangor Academy, is set to join the Red Bull Formula 1 team in Milton Keynes. He secured two As and a C in his A-Levels and expressed excitement about working on Formula 1 cars and potentially attending races in the coming years. Harry studied engineering, IT, and applied science, aligning his education with his career goals.

At St Mary's College in Londonderry, deputy head girl Caitlin is embarking on a dental nursing apprenticeship in the city. She discovered her interest in dental nursing a few months ago and hopes to progress to dental hygiene or explore other specialties in the future.

Fabiha, another student, passed her ICT and health and social care exams and plans to pursue a career in midwifery, a long-held passion. She attributes her caregiving nature to her large family and is eager to begin her studies in midwifery.

Rachel from Parkhall Integrated College in Antrim achieved two A*s and a C and is heading to Ulster University's Magee campus to study cinematic arts. She expressed satisfaction with her results and is looking forward to her university experience, though she admitted to some nervousness about commuting by train.

Harrison, also from Parkhall Integrated College, described the anticipation of opening his results as "stomach-turning." He achieved three Bs and is set to study mathematics at Liverpool John Moores University. Reflecting on his results, he expressed contentment and stated he wouldn't change a thing about his final year.

Max from Bangor Academy received a distinction in double award science BTec and a C in music. He described his reaction to his results as overwhelming and shared his passion for music, hoping to be part of a band and pursue singing and piano. Max also expressed a desire to return to Bangor Academy as a teacher in the future.

Education Minister Paul Givan congratulated all students on their achievements, highlighting Northern Ireland's strong performance compared to other parts of the UK. He noted that nearly 86% of pupils in the region received A* to C grades, while the figures for England and Wales were just under 78%. Minister Givan praised the dedication of pupils, teachers, and families, describing the results as a "tremendous tribute" to young people. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/northern-ireland-alevel-alevels-england-wales-b1242893.html?utm_source=openai))

For students who did not receive the results they hoped for, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University, Prof Paul Seawright, emphasized that there are plenty of options available. He advised students to "slow down – don't panic – clearing is open, and there are plenty of opportunities to explore." Prof Seawright encouraged students to consider similar subjects or joint courses and to act quickly to secure university places and accommodation.

Mathematics remains the most popular A-Level subject in Northern Ireland, with over one in ten students taking it. The top five most popular subjects also include biology, health and social care, history, and business studies. More than a third of A-Levels taken in the region are in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects, reflecting a strong interest in these fields. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/northern-ireland-alevel-alevels-england-wales-b1242893.html?utm_source=openai))

As students celebrate their achievements and plan their next steps, the support from educational institutions and the community continues to play a vital role in guiding them toward successful futures.