A-level results day 2016 sees record number of passes - meaning more students than ever get university place

Students from Victoria College in Belfast receiving their results

A-level students have achieved a record number of passes this year, meaning more will be going to university than ever.
The chief executive of Ucas has said Mary Curnock Cook said 424,000 students will be offered their first or second choice of degree course.
She told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "It's 424,000 placed - the highest ever on A-level results day.
"It's up 3% on last year."
"It does mean that young people now are something like 4% more likely to be going to university because, although the population was down a bit this year we've actually seen a rise in the numbers, so that's really good news."

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However the government has warned that universities could face losing their fees if they do not maintain good standards.
As part of a drive to "wipe out mediocre teaching", Universities Minister Jo Johnson outlined a plan that includes allowing the best institutions to raise fees in line with inflation, while penalising those with flagging standards.

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Universities have been warned they will have to maintain standards to get their fees

Mr Johnson also announced the creation of a new watchdog tasked with rooting out inequality in the system, with universities forced to publish data on their students' backgrounds.
The proposals were first tabled in a White Paper in May, although the minister gave more detail in an article for The Telegraph as the next crop of school leavers received their A-level results.

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It's a nervous morning for young people across the country

"Anyone making the big investment in their future that comes with a degree has a right to expect big returns on it, whichever institution they attend. Graduates earn, on average, £9,500 a year more than non-graduates, and will pick up life skills, friendships and confidence that will benefit them for life," Mr Johnson said.
"But there is an unacceptable patchiness that requires our attention and, if we are to make sure our university system retains its world-leading status, we simply cannot stand still.

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More students will be going to university than ever

"In my past year as Universities Minister I've seen our higher education system at its best, driving innovation, nurturing debate and helping everyone, whatever their background, go as far as their talents will take them.
"However, I've also seen troubling signs that the system is falling short of its potential and failing to deliver what students, employers and taxpayers require from it. That's why this year I have set out important reforms to the higher education system."