A-level results 2023

T-level results 2023: 1 in 3 students dropped out

Nearly a quarter of students scored top grades this year, with an overall pass rate of 90.5%

Nearly a quarter of students scored top grades this year, with an overall pass rate of 90.5%

17 Aug 2023, 10:19

More from this author

A third of wave two T-level students quit their course during their studies, results data suggests.

T-level results were released to 3,448 students today, a third lower than the 5,210 T-level students the government reported started the two-year course in 2021.

This comes following a damning review of T-levels by Ofsted, published last month, which warned that “many” students left before the end of their course.

Early 2023 data reveals 3119 students, 90.5 per cent of those picking up their results achieved at least a pass in their T-level and 69.2 per cent achieved a merit or above. 

This means those students successfully achieved each individual element that makes up a T-level.

To pass, a student needs to score at least a grade E in the core component, a pass or above in their occupational specialism and met the industry placement requirements.

Students that attempted but don’t achieve all three component requirements count as a partial achievement. This year, 316 students, 9.2 per cent, only partially achieved their T-level. 

This is the second year that T-level results have been awarded, but the first where students’ results are based entirely on formal assessments.

The first cohort of T-level students, awarded their grades this time last year, had their results based partially on teacher-assessed grades.

Almost 1 in 4 achieve top T-level grades

Overall this year, 22.2 per cent of students achieved the top distinction and distinction* (the level above distinction) grades.

Nearly half, 47.1 per cent, achieved a merit and 21.2 per cent scored a pass. 

Source Department for Education

Breakdowns of results by subject and component were not part of the initial data release but will be released by the Department for Education separately.  

According to UCAS, 1,220 T-level students got a higher education place this year.

Added to last year’s completers, there are now 4,477 young people with T-levels on their CVs.

Today’s results are the first for seven new T-levels that were introduced in 2021. Among them are T-levels in health, healthcare science and science.

Those students found themselves at the centre of a “serious” incident last year when exams regulator Ofqual deemed their first-year assessment results invalid.

Other T-levels being awarded for the first time today include digital support services, onsite construction and building services engineering for construction.

The Department for Education was approached for comment.

Latest education roles from

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Romero Catholic Academy Trust

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Ormiston Academies Trust

Principal & Chief Executive

Principal & Chief Executive

Truro & Penwith College

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

London & South East Education Group

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

AI Safety: From DfE Guidance to Classroom Confidence

Darren Coxon, edtech consultant and AI education specialist, working with The National College, explores the DfE’s expectations for AI...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

How accurate spend information is helping schools identify savings

One the biggest issues schools face when it comes to saving money on everyday purchases is a lack of...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Building Character, Increasing Engagement and Growing Leaders: A Whole School Approach

Research increasingly shows that character education is just as important as academic achievement in shaping pupils’ long-term success. Studies...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Educators launch national AI framework to guide schools and colleges

More than 250 schools and colleges across the UK have already enrolled in AiEd Certified, a new certification framework...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

A-level results 2023

A-level results: What is driving the regional attainment gap?

A-level results showed a growing disparity. But what is behind it? Schools Week investigates...

Samantha Booth
A-level results 2023

A-level results 2023: Regional divides ‘uncomfortable’, says Saxton

Ofqual chief regulator says rising north-south attainment 'is picture that needs to be seen' by policymakers

Samantha Booth
A-level results 2023

A-level results 2023: Which subjects saw the biggest drop in top grades?

Top grades in some A-level subjects are still far higher than the pre-Covid benchmark, despite overall drops

Amy Walker
A-level results 2023

A-level results 2023: 7 key trends in England’s data

What did we learn from the data as standards fall back to pre-pandemic?

Samantha Booth

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

One comment