Sta/Medr/05/2026: Consistent performance measures for post-16 learning: Achievement, August 2024 to July 2025

Main points

Overview

Outcomes for general education are broadly in line with 2023/24 figures, while vocational outcomes have increased

Figure 1.1: Summary of achievement measures by academic year, August 2023 to July 2025

Description: 76% of A level learners completed their two-year programme in the 2024/25 academic year. 90% of vocational learners completed their programme. 70% of Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales learners completed the qualification.

[Note 1] The Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales is a two-year qualification that was introduced in September 2023 and awarded for the first time in summer 2025. Outcomes are only available for 2024/25.

General education (A levels)

• Grade outcomes remain higher than pre-pandemic levels, but there was a decrease in the proportion of learners achieving at least three As compared to 2023/24.
• There was a small increase in AS level and A Level completion and a small decrease in the proportion of learners who went onto their second year of A levels in 2024/25.
• Females had better outcomes than males in general education programmes, apart from learners achieving three A*s.
• 52% of female AS learners went on to achieve at least three Cs at A level, compared to 40% of male learners.
• 48% of 16 year old AS learners went on to achieve at least three Cs at A level, compared to 24% of older learners.
• Learners from deprived backgrounds were less likely to complete their A levels and less likely to get high grades if they did.
• Learners from Other ethnic groups were more likely to achieve at least three A Levels in 2024/25. Mixed, Multiple ethnic groups was the only ethnic group to see an increase in achieving at least three As compared to 2023/24.

Vocational education

• Vocational outcomes at all programme levels improved in 2024/25, except for Entry Level which has declined.
• Levels 1 to 3 vocational outcomes are now at or above pre-pandemic figures.
• Success rates for courses undertaken as part of Personal Learning Account programmes vary by subject sector area, from 97% in Retail and Commercial Enterprise to 47% in Information and Communication Technology.
• There was a small increase in learners who did not complete their programme due to ‘Gone into employment’ and ‘Financial reasons’ in 2024/25.
• Vocational learners linked to experiences of deprivation had lower outcomes than those who were not, but the relationship was less strong than in general education.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

• Learners studying general education programmes had higher Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales outcomes than learners studying vocational programmes.