Number of top A-level grades in Northern Ireland falls

There has been another fall in the number of A-level entries in Northern Ireland awarded top A* and A grades in 2023.

But the proportion of top grades is still higher than pre-pandemic.

About 37.5% of A-level entries have been awarded A* or A grades in 2023 - compared to 44% in 2022 and a record 51% in 2021.

In another development, biology has replaced maths as the most popular A-level subject in Northern Ireland.

Overall, results are expected to be closer to pre-pandemic standards in 2024.

In 2020 and 2021, schools calculated grades for their pupils after summer exams were cancelled due to the pandemic.

As a result, students taking A-levels this year did not sit GCSE exams in 2021.

About 26,000 pupils received their A-level and AS-level grades on Thursday, as well as those getting results for vocational qualifications, such as BTecs.

Almost nine in every 10 AS and A-level entries in Northern Ireland are made through the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) exams board.

However some pupils take some A-levels through English and Welsh exams boards.

In Northern Ireland in 2023, 37.5% of A-level entries were awarded A* or A, while 11.6% of entries were awarded the top A* grade.

At AS-level, a third of entries (33.5%) got the top A grade.

For Sean Óg Robinson it has been a particularly difficult year after he failed his AS-Levels, which left him with difficult choices.

"I was basically doing two years in one, it was so stressful," he told BBC News NI as he received his results at Malone Integrated College in Belfast.

"I also had a lot of personal changes as I was having a child.

"I was up to my eyeballs, up to all hours and waking up early, but it was all worth it."

He changed subjects and got the grades he needed - an A, C and C - securing a place on a course in event management.

Meanwhile, Keela Hughes was the first student to get her results at Malone Integrated.

She said waiting over the past few weeks was hell but it paid off.

She secured an A* and two Bs, allowing her to move to Keele in England to study midwifery.

"I have been worrying all summer and now I just can't wait to tell my mum," she said.

Cousins Shenna Gordon and Sophie Deegan got welcome news at Assumption Grammar School in Ballynahinch, County Down.

"I'm over the moon with my results. I got in to go and study actuary at Queens," Shenna said.

"I did maths, physics and chemistry and I got what I needed - I'm chuffed that I get to go and spend the next seven years with this one," Sophie added.

For the first time in almost a decade, maths was not the most popular A-level subject.

Biology was the subject with the most overall entries, followed by maths, health and social care, business studies and history.

CCEA had said A-level and AS grades would be lower than 2022, but higher than before the pandemic, to take account of disruption pupils faced earlier in their school career.

That is what has happened.

For the first time in almost a decade, maths was not the most popular A-level subject.

Biology was the subject with the most overall entries, followed by maths, health and social care, business studies and history.

CCEA had said A-level and AS grades would be lower than 2022, but higher than before the pandemic, to take account of disruption pupils faced earlier in their school career.

That is what has happened.

Pupils will receive GCSE results on Thursday 24 August.

CCEA will operate a results helpline from Thursday on 028 9026 1260.

There will also be a dedicated 2023 results day area on CCEA's website.

The Department for the Economy's careers service is also operating an online advice service or by telephoning 0300 200 7820.

In a statement the chief executive of CCEA, Gerry Campbell, offered congratulations to the students receiving results.

"These young people are to be praised and admired for the resilience and hard work they have demonstrated throughout their studies," he said.