Improvement noted in the attainment of top grades A* and A in A-level exams in Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, the latest A-level results have been announced, showing a slight increase in top grades compared to last year. Gerry Campbell, the chief executive of the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessments (CCEA), has extended his well wishes to students as they embark on their next steps, wherever they may lead.
According to the results, 8.7% of entries achieved the A grade, compared to 8.2% in 2024. This represents a modest increase, albeit smaller than the growth observed in England. The overall pass rate (A–E) also improved marginally, from 98.5% to 98.7%.
Interestingly, boys have achieved a slightly higher rate of A grades, while girls have a higher rate in achieving overall grades A-E. This trend continues to reflect the gender dynamics in Northern Ireland's education system.
John Trueman, director of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Northern Ireland, has congratulated CCEA for their clear communication and management of the examinations, marking, awarding, and issue of results. He commends the organisation for maintaining a high overall pass rate close to 99%.
In contrast, England experienced a somewhat larger increase in top grades. The percentage of A* and A grades in England rose from 27.6% in 2024 to 28.2% in 2025, marking the second consecutive year of increases and reaching about three percentage points higher than in 2019. Wales saw a slight decrease in top grades in 2025 compared to 2024, with Northern Ireland's top grades remaining almost unchanged.
Minister Paul Givan praised the students' dedication and hard work, and wished them success in their future endeavors. He also acknowledged and paid tribute to teachers in Northern Ireland for their commitment, dedication, and passion.
In other developments, mathematics remains the most popular A-level subject, accounting for one in 10 entries. STEM subjects continue to dominate, with over one-third (37.3%) of entries in these subjects. The total number of A-level entries in Northern Ireland has remained stable with 32,275 entries this year.
Moreover, the number of A* and A grades awarded at A-level has slightly increased. This year, AS level entries are up from 41,180 in 2024 to 43,362, an increase of 5.3%.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn praised the students' results as a testament to their hard work and teachers' dedication. He believes the next generation will shape Northern Ireland's future in various fields, including science, technology, engineering, healthcare, and clean energy.
Gerry Campbell, chief executive of CCEA, congratulated students on their results and recognised their dedication and effort. He also thanked teachers, school leaders, and support staff for their crucial role in helping students reach their potential.
Minister Paul Givan also reassured students who may not have achieved the results they hoped for. He encouraged students still considering their next steps to seek guidance from their school and explore opportunities. Northern Ireland continues to outperform other parts of the UK with nearly 86% of pupils receiving an A* to C grade.
Over 25,000 students in Northern Ireland received their AS and A-level examination results on Thursday. Mr. Trueman welcomes the fact that results this year are broadly similar to those issued in summer 2024. Mr. Benn believes the next generation will shape Northern Ireland's future in various fields, including science, technology, engineering, healthcare, and clean energy.
[1] Source: CCEA [2] Source: Joint Council for Qualifications (England and Wales) [3] Source: Welsh Government (Wales) [4] Source: Department for Education (England) [5] Source: Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)
Education-and-self-development and general-news are relevant to this text as it discusses the latest A-level results in Northern Ireland, their comparison with other regions, and the response from various educational organizations.
The A-level results, alongside general news about the education system, have sparked conversations about the gender dynamics in Northern Ireland's education system, the overall pass rate, and the trends in popular subjects, such as mathematics and STEM. Moreover, these results have been compared to those from other parts of the United Kingdom, making it a topic of education-and-self-development across all regions.
