STUDENTS FROM Northern Ireland have again outscored their equivalents in England and Wales.
Results published yesterday show nearly 10 per cent of the 12,000 students who sat A-level papers in June scored the new top grade of A*.
More than one-third — 35 per cent — scored either a grade A or A* while nearly 85 per cent achieved passes ranging from a grade A to grade C.
The overall marks show a small improvement over those awarded in 2009. The failure rate, where grades below a grade E were awarded, was just 1.9 per cent.
Maths and science subjects, particularly biology, attracted the largest numbers of exam candidates.
The new A* grade was introduced following complaints that too many A-level candidates were achieving grade A marks, thus making it difficult to identify the very best pupils.
The results were hailed by Stormont ministers, teachers and the body which oversees the examinations system. Many pupils received their results by e-mail and text in addition to the traditional letter through the post.
Competition for university places at Queen’s in Belfast or at the various campuses of the University of Ulster is intense. Both universities have reported rises in applications of up to 10 per cent.
Last year the University of Ulster was fined nearly £700,000 (€850,000) for admitting more students than were permitted under government guidelines. Magee college in Derry, a constituent part of the University of Ulster this year has reported a jump in application for places of nearly 20 per cent. Overall the university has received nearly 33,000 applications for just 4,900 places.
Queen’s University has reported that some 20,600 applications have been received for 3,478 places.
Referring to those disappointed with their A-level grades or who may have failed to win a university place education minister Caitriona Ruane said: “Some of you will not get the results you were hoping for today and I would urge you not to worry.
“There are so many options open to you to either continue on in pursuing your career of choice or maybe to rethink your plans and try something totally new. There are different pathways to take you where you want to go and you should take good advice and study all your options before making a decision.”
Also yesterday, social development minister Alex Attwood said he planned to publish proposals to counter harmful drinking levels, especially among the young who are celebrating results.
“I want to introduce minimum pricing for alcohol in clubs, pubs and supermarkets but also, on a larger scale, I want to target those retailers who sell alcohol below cost price in order to encourage higher footfall and therefore generate sales,” he said.
“Selling alcohol at minimal prices encourages people to drink irresponsibly, with damaging knock-on effects on themselves and in society.” Legislative proposals will “piggy-back” on the Justice Bill which comes before the Assembly in the autumn.