A-Level results have fallen to the lowest level for the first time in over a decade

This year’s A-Level results have shown that students achieving top grades have fallen compared to previous years.

The Joint Council for Qualifications revealed that 25.5% of students got an A grade or higher, making it the lowest level since 2007 - when that figure was 25.3%.

25.5% of girls received A to A* grades, with 25.4% of boys receiving those same grades. This means that girls have reclaimed the lead from boys this year.

The overall pass rate is the same as last year however, staying at 97.6% for students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Read more: GCSE and A-Level exam retakes: Everything you need to know about resits

As a result of this, The University and College Admissions Service (UCAS) has said there’s been a slight dip in the number of students being accepted onto degree courses.

If students have done worse than they expected and they didn’t get the grades needed to go to their chosen University, they are then able to seek places through UCAS’ clearing system which is expected to be very busy again this year.

UCAS anticipates that 70,000 students will get a place on their desired course through clearing this year, with a record 638,000 applications already being put in from 18-year-olds across the UK.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said of the news: 'Of course, the minds of thousands of young people getting their results will soon turn to the next chapter in their lives, whether that's a place at one of our world-class universities, earning on an apprenticeship or entering the world of work'.

'Exam boards and regulators do work to maintain standards over time, meaning that A-Level pass rates and grade percentages don’t change very much on a yearly basis.'