Hundreds of thousands of students at FE colleges and schools around the country have been receiving their A-level results today.

Figures from university admissions service Ucas show that a record total of 424,000 students have been placed in UK higher education institutions so far - an increase of 3 per cent from last year.

Twins Leena and Neesha both in to study at @Bruneluni on the same course @CitynIslington #alevelresults pic.twitter.com/KgETjoEuRn

- Will Martin (@willmartie) August 18, 2016

The most popular A-level subject this year was maths, covering 11 per cent of all entries, followed by English, biology, psychology and history.

.@CitynIslington‘s Abdirahman got two A*s & an A. ‘It’s a complete surprise. I’m going to tell my parents in person’ pic.twitter.com/PlQApivWe1

- Will Martin (@willmartie) August 18, 2016

The proportion of A-level entries being awarded an A or A* grade went down slightly from 25.9 per cent last year to 25.8 per cent - the fifth year in a row that it has fallen. Overall, 98.1 per cent of all entries received a pass grade of A* to E, which is unchanged from last year.

Lots of smiles and anxious giggles at @CitynIslington as the first #alevelresults are handed out pic.twitter.com/i3WWEGmA3E

- TES Further Ed (@tesfenews) August 18, 2016

Bill Watkin, chief executive of the Sixth-Form Colleges Association, said: “Many congratulations to all students who received their examination results today. It looks like sixth-form colleges will celebrate another year of outstanding success.

“This year’s results underline just how important sixth-form colleges are to the education landscape and how effective they are in helping young people progress to higher education or employment. For many years, sixth-form colleges have outperformed school and academy sixth forms while educating more disadvantaged students and receiving less funding.”

Well done @CitynIslington‘s Naeem, who got A*AB & will read chemistry at @ucl. He hopes to become a rocket engineer pic.twitter.com/AoPvVKKCVd

- TES Further Ed (@tesfenews) August 18, 2016

‘Just as valuable as an honours degree’

Martin Doel, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, added: “Congratulations to all students receiving their A-level results today. While many young people will now be considering going to a university or negotiating the clearing process, it is important to remember there are other more affordable education and training routes available which can lead directly to a career.

“Traditional three-year full-time university degrees have a vitally important role but it is crucial that young people are aware that further education colleges also offer a wide range of higher level technical and professional education, including apprenticeships and part-time study options.

“Not only are tuition fees less at a college, living and travelling costs are also much lower because it’s possible to stay at home. A higher apprenticeship in aerospace engineering can be just as valuable to the individual and the nation as an honours degree.”

Coverage of A-level results day from City and Islington College in London

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