Exeter College students on Thursday (August 13) celebrated an ‘exceptional’ results day with a record 99.67 per cent A Level pass rate, above the national average of 97.89 per cent.
Some 89 per cent of learners achieved A*-C, more than 10 per cent ahead of the national average of 78 per cent and surpassed the national average for Grammar Schools for the first time in the college’s history.
The college said 63 per cent of learners achieved the high grades of A*-B, well ahead of the national average of 56 per cent.
College T Levels learners achieved a ‘phenomenal record’ pass rate of 98.3 per cent, and with 98.5 per cent of vocational learners passing their full qualification.
Standout subjects include Graphic Design, where 87 per cent of learners achieved a high A*-B grade, with more than half achieving A* or A. Other excellent results included 76 per cent of Geology learners achieving A*-B, three-quarters of Classics learners receiving an A*-B grade and 71 per cent of Economics learners also achieving high grades, with nearly a third achieving A* or A.
Some 69 per cent of Chemistry learners achieved A*-B – 44 per cent accomplished A* or A. More than two-thirds of Biology students received A*-B grade. In Sociology 65 per cent of learners achieved A*-B, while nearly a fifth of all Law learners achieved A*.
Exeter College’s 2025/26 Level 3 results:
- 99.67 per cent A Level pass rate
- 98.3 per cent T Level pass rate
- 88.8 per cent A Level A*-C grade
- 62.76 per cent high A Level A*-B grade
- 89.82 per cent AS Level pass rate
Exeter College said there were standout successes in several subjects of nationally recognised AS Level qualifications, including Spanish and German, both resulting in 100 per cent of learners passing.
Almost three-quarters of Drama students achieved the high A-B grades. Another standout subject was Art and Design (Film and Video), with 64 per cent of learners achieving A-B grades.
In addition, around 2,500 learners received their Level 3 results, ready to go onto university, apprenticeships, or directly into employment.
Student Zak Flanagan studied A Levels in Maths, Physics and Geography at Exeter College, receiving three A*s. He is going on to study Earth Science at Oxford University.
Jack Marsden, who studied a T Level in Business Management and Administration, received a distinction and will be going on to complete a Level 4 Apprenticeship with the Met Office.
Mia Price studied BTEC Applied Science at Exeter College and received a triple distinction. She is taking a gap year to go travelling before studying Veterinary Physiotherapy at university.
John Laramy, Exeter and North Devon Colleges group principal, praised the ‘stunning’ results, saying the class of 2026 had ‘set a high bar for those that follow’, congratulating students’ efforts.
Billie Stokes, Exeter College assistant principal, said: “The best part about Exeter College is the learners. Every single one of them work so hard, and I’m so proud to see that hard work and dedication paying off in this year’s results. They should all be proud of their achievements and can look forward to a bright future in whatever they choose to do next.”
