Maths was the most popular subject, up 10% on last year with 107,427 pupils taking the A level. Next on the list were psychology, biology, chemistry and history, showing a trend towards more STEM subjects as arts fell to eighth slot, and languages were banished from the top 10.

The number achieving the highest grade A* mark was 9.3%, up by 0.4% on last year, while those receiving grade A and above were 27.6%, up slightly from 26.5% in 2023.

It was the first year the entire UK had returned to pre-pandemic grading standards.

Results at grade C and above were 76.0% compared with 75.4%, slightly better than pre-pandemic, reflecting a return to normal after pass rates rose during covid to a high of 88.2% when exams did not take place.

Now decisions need to be taken about what career paths to take, and while hundreds of thousands of students will have the grades they want to pursue particular courses at university, others may be wondering about alternatives such as apprenticeships and clearing options.

A poll of young people by the Association of Accounting Technicians found that 59% still think they need to go to university to get the job they want, including 48.6% of young people who want to do a professional job.

The reality is that the accounting profession has moved with the times and now offers a huge range of apprenticeships. With a continuing staff shortage, increasingly firms are taking on school leavers, banishing the idea that accountancy is just for graduates.

Sarah Beale, CEO of the Association of Accounting Technicians, a qualified chartered accountant who started her career with the equivalent of an apprenticeship, said: ‘There remains a misconception that you need a university education in order to pursue a professional career, but we are starting to see a shift in perception around apprenticeships.   

‘I think young people recognise the breadth of options now available to them. It’s about finding the right fit. Getting on-the-job experience at 16 or 18 rather than waiting for your 20s can be a huge head-start.

‘Apprenticeships are now a first-choice route for many school leavers who could attend university if they want to, but with more than 600 different apprenticeship routes now available there are many more who could benefit from this pathway into a professional career.’

A survey by Grant Thornton earlier this month found that while there is a growing recognition of the benefits a school leaver apprenticeship can offer, fewer of the young people surveyed had received good advice about this career path (57%) compared to a university degree (63%).

Almost one in five (19%) did not believe they had received good careers advice about a school leaver apprenticeship.

Though the perception of the benefits of a school leaver apprenticeship is found to be improving, most of the young people surveyed still felt pressure to go to university, with parents and teachers noted as the top sources.

Richard Waite, people and culture director and head of resourcing at Grant Thornton, said: ‘University is a very beneficial route for many young people, and always will be, but it is encouraging to see growing recognition that this is not the only option and that school leaver apprenticeships can also offer strong career prospects.

It is especially encouraging to see the evolving views of parents who, as our research shows, hold considerable sway over their children’s post-school decisions.

‘The opportunity to get paid while gaining a professional qualification and incur no student debt are two of the main reasons both parents and young people would consider the apprenticeship route.’

Grant Thornton, like many accountancy firms, hires a mix of graduates and school leavers but stressed that there is still limited awareness about non-graduate opportunities.  

‘As a firm we actively hire both graduates and school leaver apprentices and have long championed the benefits of both routes. But as many young people and parents are still not aware that firms such as ours offer an apprenticeship programme, and many young people are not receiving good careers advice about the apprenticeship route, there is clearly more work to be done.

‘Employers have a key role to play here, working with education providers in their local community to ensure that young people and their parents are provided with good advice, at the right time, about the different routes available to them after leaving school so they can make the right choice for them.’

One of Grant Thornton’s second year associates, Francesca Blake-Jones, joined the firm on the school leaver apprenticeship programme.

‘My college at the time was very pro university and so I did a lot of research myself to narrow down the type of apprenticeship I would be interested in,’ said Blake-Jones. 

‘I personally didn’t see the value in going to university and amassing debt when there was such a great alternative. The ability to earn a salary, build practical experience and gain professional qualifications equivalent to a masters, made the choice very straightforward.’

Accountancy apprenticeships are increasingly viewed as a viable alternative to the traditional graduate entry approach. Last year, 22% of new CIMA members in the UK had qualified under the apprenticeship route – a 5% increase from the previous year.

Paul Turner, vice president – UK & Ireland at AICPA & CIMA, said: ‘Studying for a degree is a great personal and professional choice to make. However, this route is not for everyone.

‘The CIMA apprenticeships programme enables candidates to gain a globally recognised professional qualification, while getting finance industry experience, developing practical skills, and earning a salary.

‘Employers are certainly not dropping their standards by taking on CIMA apprentices. Instead, they are making a strategic investment in the future of their organisations by ensuring that they have the right talent in place to drive innovation, business growth, and long-term success.’