A-Level results day is one of the biggest days of the school year, and one of the most nerve-wracking! Knowing exactly what happens and when can make the morning easier to manage and help calm the nerves. This guide walks you through the key dates and times for A-Level results day 2026, what to have ready, and your options, whatever your results say.
When is A-Level results day 2026?
For England, Wales and Northern Ireland, A-Level results day 2026 is Thursday 13 August.
AS Level results come out on the same day. GCSE results day 2026 follows a week later, on Thursday 20 August. If you're in Scotland, SQA results are issued separately, on Tuesday 4 August 2026.
What time do the A-Level results come out?
Exam boards release results to schools and colleges from 8 am on results day. Most centres open from around 8 am so you can collect your results in person, though some share them through an online portal or by email instead. Exact times vary, so check with your school or college before the day.
One thing worth knowing: your teachers and exam officers receive results the day before, on Wednesday 12 August, but this is a restricted release for staff only.
What time does UCAS update on results day?
If you've applied to university, your UCAS Hub updates from around 8 am on results day.
UCAS shows the status of your offers, not your grades. Your actual results come from your school or college. What you'll see in your Hub is one of the following:
- Unconditional – congratulations, your place is confirmed
- Unsuccessful – you haven't been accepted by your firm or insurance choice, but you can still find a place through Clearing
- Awaiting decision – the university is still deciding, which often means they're considering you even if you've narrowly missed your grades
To check your application status, log in to your . The site is usually very busy on results day morning, so if it's slow to load or hasn't updated yet, don't panic – give it a little time and try again.
Do universities know your results before you?
Yes. Universities and UCAS receive your A-Level results a few days before results day so they can confirm places quickly. That's why your offer status can update at 8 am on the day. Your results are treated as confidential until they're released to you.
Recap: key dates and times
- Thursday 13 August 2026 – A-Level and AS Level results day
- From 8 am – schools and colleges release results to students
- From 8 am – your UCAS Hub updates with the status of your university offers
- From 1 pm – you can add a Clearing choice in your UCAS Hub
What to have ready on results day
A little preparation makes the morning much calmer. Before results day, make sure you have:
- Your UCAS Personal ID and sign-in details
- A charged phone and access to your email
- The conditions of your firm and insurance offers, so you know exactly what you needed
- A shortlist of Clearing courses you'd be happy with, just in case
- A quiet space to make calls, plus a pen and paper for reference numbers
- Your personal statement and GCSE grades to hand, in case a university asks about them on the phone
If there's any chance you'll use Clearing, it's worth browsing courses in advance. You can and .
What happens if you don't meet your offer conditions?
Don’t worry. Thousands of students find a great university place every year without meeting their original offer. Here's what to do, step by step.
- Check your UCAS Hub. You may still have been accepted – universities often confirm students who narrowly miss their grades. You might also be offered a changed course offer, which is an alternative course at the same university.
- Check your insurance choice. If your firm choice hasn't accepted you but you've met your insurance conditions, your place there will be confirmed.
- Use Clearing. Clearing matches students with universities that still have places, and it runs until October. Call universities you're interested in, and only add a Clearing choice in your UCAS Hub once a university has told you they can offer you a place. Our explains exactly how it works.
- Consider a review of marking or resits. If you think a grade is wrong, your school can request a review of marking from the exam board – there's a priority service if a university place depends on the outcome. Resitting in the next exam series is also an option.
How to celebrate results day
However the morning goes, you've finished two years of hard work and that deserves marking. Some ideas:
- Celebrate with friends and family – whether that's a meal out, a party or something low-key
- Take photos – you'll want to remember the day (even the nervous bits)
- Thank your teachers – results day is a big day for them too
- Look ahead – once your place is confirmed, you can start planning accommodation, student finance and Welcome Week
And if the day doesn't go to plan, be kind to yourself. Clearing, resits and alternative routes have led plenty of students to courses they ended up loving.
Ready for results day?
If you're holding an offer from St Mary's, we can't wait to welcome you in September. And if you're still looking for a place, our Clearing team is here to help – browse at St Mary's or browse our .