A Level Results Day

A Level Results Day: a parent's guide

A Level Results Day is a milestone that months of hard work lead up to, and it can be tense — especially when a university place is on the line. This guide explains what happens on the day, how UCAS confirmation and Clearing work, and practical steps parents can take to support their child whatever the results bring.

By Henry Lin, Founder of TutorDex · Published 14 September 2026 · Updated 14 September 2026

When is A Level Results Day?

A Level Results Day is normally the third Thursday in August and falls on the same day as AS and T Level results. In 2026 it is Thursday 13 August. Results for vocational and technical qualifications, such as BTECs, are released on or before the same date.

The date changes each year, so always check UCAS or your child's school for the current year's date.

What happens on the day

Collecting results

Most students collect their results in person from their school or college, usually from around 8am. Opening times vary, so it is worth checking the specific arrangements. If your child cannot attend, contact the school in advance to ask whether results can be sent by post, released online, or collected by you on their behalf.

UCAS Hub updates

If your child has applied through UCAS, their application status updates on UCAS Hub from around 8:15am. That means they may find out whether their place is confirmed before they have collected their grades. Their actual exam results do not appear in the Hub — those come from the school or exam board.

UCAS terms explained

A few UCAS terms are worth knowing before the day:

  • Conditional offer: a place offered on condition that your child meets specific entry requirements.
  • Unconditional offer: a place your child has secured without conditions.
  • Firm choice: the university your child will attend if they meet the requirements.
  • Insurance choice: a backup, usually with lower entry requirements, used if they miss the firm choice conditions.

What the UCAS Hub statuses mean

On Results Day, UCAS Hub may show one of the following:

  • Unconditional: the place at a firm or insurance choice is confirmed.
  • Unsuccessful: the conditions of the offers were not met, and your child is now eligible for Clearing.
  • Unconditional Changed Course: the conditions were not met, but a similar course with lower entry requirements has been offered — sometimes with a deferred start date.

If your child meets their offer

If your child accepts their firm offer, UCAS handles the confirmation and they will receive written confirmation from the university or college. It is then worth thinking ahead: accommodation, student finance, and any reading or preparation for the course.

If your child misses their offer

Missed grades are not the end of the road. There are several options:

  • Contact the university: if your child narrowly missed the grades, it can be worth calling the admissions team directly. Universities are not obliged to change their decision, but sometimes they will.
  • Consider a review of marking (a "remark"): if a grade is close to the boundary, your child can ask the school about a review. Deadlines apply, so act quickly.
  • Enter Clearing: Clearing matches applicants without a place to courses that still have vacancies.
  • Reapply next year: your child can take a gap year, gain work experience, or resit exams and reapply.

If your child does better than expected

If grades are higher than expected, your child can look at courses with higher entry requirements through Clearing. They should contact the universities they are interested in and confirm a new place before declining their existing offer, because declining an offer cancels the place.

What is UCAS Clearing?

Clearing is how applicants who do not hold a place find courses with vacancies. It opens in early July and closes in mid-October, and the vast majority of vacancies appear on Results Day. A very large number of students are accepted through Clearing every year, and it is not limited to unpopular courses — plenty of strong universities list popular subjects.

A student is eligible for Clearing if they applied after the main deadline, received no offers (or none they wanted), missed the conditions of their firm and insurance offers, or declined their firm place. On Results Day, UCAS Hub will show a unique Clearing number if they are eligible.

How Clearing works

  • Use the UCAS Clearing search to find courses with vacancies, and note the universities' Clearing hotline numbers.
  • Call with the Clearing number and UCAS ID, and discuss the course directly with admissions staff.
  • If offered a place informally, add it as a Clearing choice in UCAS Hub.
  • You can enquire with several universities, but you can only add one Clearing choice at a time. To change, your child must ask the university to release them first.
  • Only add a Clearing choice once the university or college has confirmed it is happy to accept them.

Clearing does not carry an extra fee — the original UCAS application fee covers it.

Cambridge International A Levels

Students taking Cambridge International (CAIE) AS and A Levels usually receive their results a couple of days before the main UK date. In 2026 that is Tuesday 11 August. Even though the grades arrive earlier, UK universities are under an admissions embargo and cannot confirm decisions until the main Results Day, so there may be a short wait between knowing the grades and knowing the outcome.

Practical tips for Results Day

  • Research beforehand. Before the day, look at a few Clearing courses your child would genuinely consider, and write down the hotline numbers.
  • Get organised. Have the UCAS ID, a copy of the personal statement, a pen and paper, and a charged phone ready.
  • Let your child make the calls. Admissions staff want to speak to the applicant, so encourage your child to lead the conversation and get comfortable on the phone.
  • Stay calm. Remaining level-headed, and hiding any disappointment, helps your child think clearly.
  • Seek expert help. Schools, colleges, tutors and careers advisers can help, and the National Careers Service offers an exam results helpline on 0800 100 900.
  • Keep other options open. A gap year, an apprenticeship, or a different course can be the right path. Try not to rush a decision.
  • Mark the moment. Whatever the outcome, your child has worked hard — plan something to recognise it.

Frequently asked questions

When is A Level Results Day?
It is normally the third Thursday in August, on the same day as AS and T Level results. In 2026 it falls on Thursday 13 August. The date changes each year, so check UCAS for the current date.
What time do A Level results come out?
Many schools and colleges release results from around 8am, but opening times vary. Your child should check the specific arrangements with their school or college.
What time does UCAS Hub update?
UCAS Hub usually updates application statuses from around 8:15am on Results Day. Exam results themselves do not appear in the Hub — those come from the school or exam board.
Can my child appeal their A Level results?
Yes. If your child believes there has been a marking error, they should speak to their school or college first. Schools can request a review of marking, and there are deadlines, so act quickly.
Can you apply through Clearing before Results Day?
No. Clearing places are confirmed once universities know which applicants have met their offer conditions, so the bulk of vacancies appear on Results Day.
Can you apply to more than one university through Clearing?
Your child can contact several universities, but they can only add one Clearing choice at a time in UCAS Hub. To switch, they must ask the university to release them first.
What if my child gets no offers through Clearing?
They can consider a gap year, work experience, resitting exams, or an apprenticeship, and reapply next year. It is worth speaking to a school, college or careers adviser before making a decision.
Does UCAS Clearing cost extra?
No. Clearing does not carry an additional charge; the original UCAS application fee covers the process.

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