14/8/25

Today marks a proud moment for Cardiff as students across the city receive their A-Level and AS Level results. Once again, Cardiff's performance stands out, with outcomes exceeding the Welsh average.
 
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According to provisional WJEC GCE results, 36.3% of Cardiff's A-Level grades are A* to A, compared to 29.5% across Wales. 98.6% of entries achieved A* to E grades, while 82.8% secured A* to C, against 77.2% nationally.

Vocational qualifications, including WJEC and Made-for-Wales awards, have been assessed using pre-pandemic standards. Results are higher than those in 2019 pre-pandemic and before the Wales qualification system made adaptations, giving consideration to the disruption learners had experienced. They are very slightly below 2024 results - which marked the final step in transition back to pre-pandemic arrangements in the Wales qualification system. This reflects a consistent trend across Wales.

This year, Cardiff students are among the first in Wales to receive the Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales. Introduced in 2023, this qualification replaces the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and is equivalent to an A-Level. It emphasizes practical skills and is widely recognised by universities and employers.

Cllr Sarah Merry, Cardiff Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, said: “Congratulations to all students receiving their results today. Your dedication and hard work is commendable. It’s encouraging to see Cardiff’s continued academic progress, with results surpassing the Welsh average once again and that performance across the city this year has continued to rise for 2025.

“As our young people embark on the next stage of their journey, whether in higher education, employment, or training - we wish them every success. I would also like to offer a heartfelt thank you to our schools, teachers, and support staff for their unwavering commitment to student success.

 “For any pupils unsure about their next steps, a wealth of information on education, employment, training and other opportunities is available on the What’s Next platform www.whatsnextcardiff.co.uk  ”

What’s Next is an online platform for 16 to 24-year-olds that pulls together useful information all in one place that will help young people decide their next steps, making it quicker and easier to find out about available options for the future.

Students exploring their next steps can visit the What's Next platform at www.whatsnextcardiff.co.uk. This resource offers comprehensive information on education, training, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities.

The platform has developed by the Cardiff Commitment - the Council initiative that brings together the public, private and third sectors in partnership, with schools and education providers, to connect children and young people to the vast range of opportunities available in education, training and the world of work.

The site includes information on going to college, university, preparing for work, internship, traineeship and volunteering opportunities, jobs and apprenticeships and even information on starting a new business.

*Please note: All statistics are provisional and based on WJEC GCE A and AS results only.

As in previous years, the WJEC are not releasing all Wales figures for WJEC results only. All Wales figures for all boards are, however, being made available. Since the WJEC does not release the all boards figures by LA or by school, it is not now possible to make any valid comparisons of LA figures against national trends.