What To Do If You Fail Your A Levels

Failing your A Levels can feel like the end of the world, but it isn’t. Every year, thousands of students find themselves in the same position, and still go on to secure university places, land rewarding jobs, or discover alternative paths they hadn’t considered before. 

The most important thing you can do right now is take a deep breath, gather the facts, and make a plan.

This guide will show you what to do if you fail your A Levels, walking you through each step, giving you the information, timelines, and confidence you need to move forward.

Key Takeaways

• Act fast - deadlines for remarking and Clearing move within days of results day.

• You have more options than you think: Clearing, resits, apprenticeships, foundation years, and gap years are all real paths forward.

• Failing your A Levels does not close the door to university or a successful career.

What Does It Mean to Fail Your A Levels?

Results day didn't go the way you hoped. You're staring at grades that don't match your predictions, and right now it feels like everything has fallen apart. 

Failing A Levels means different things to different people. Technically, failing an A Level is achieving any grade less than an E. However, most students feel like they’ve failed if they haven’t achieved the grades they need for their chosen university course. 

Two distinct situations apply here:

• You received a U grade — a formal fail where no mark was awarded.

• You missed your conditional offer — you received grades, but they fell short of what your university required.

Both feel devastating, but each comes with different options.

Your Options Compared

Before we dig into the detail, here’s a summary of what you can do if you fail your A Levels:

Your Immediate Next Steps

1. Check your Mark Breakdown

Before doing anything else, get your full mark breakdown — not just your grade, but the raw marks for each paper or component. Speak to your exams officer or log in to your school's results portal.

Then compare your marks to the grade boundaries. Exam boards publish these on results day. 

2. Asking for a Grade Review

If your grades are unexpectedly low, especially in subjects you usually perform well in, you may want to request a review of marking. This isn’t the same as a full remark; it’s a re-check to ensure the marking followed the correct process.

Deadlines for reviews are often tight (sometimes within a week of results day), so speak to your school or college immediately to get the process started. Private candidates can contact their exam board directly or the school/college that submitted their entry.

Before you raise a review, be aware that:

• The exam board will review your work for marking errors, which could raise or lower your overall grade, depending on the mark. 

• If the grade stays the same, you may need to pay a fee, so, check with your school or college before requesting a review.

Making an Appeal

If you receive your review, and you still believe there’s an error, you can ask your school or college to appeal your A Level results.

The exam board will review your work again and decide if your mark or grade should change. If you feel the appeal wasn’t handled correctly, you can ask Ofqual to review the process (opens in a new tab). 

3. Call your university directly

If you missed your offer, call your university's admissions team before assuming your place is gone. Many universities accept students who fall slightly short, especially if spaces remain on the course.

Have these ready before your call: 

• UCAS personal ID

• Your exact grades

• A clear reason why you're still a strong candidate

4. Use UCAS Clearing

If your university place has not been secured, UCAS Clearing is your most direct route to starting university this year. Clearing lists available courses at universities across the UK and runs from results day until mid-October. There are over 30,000 courses available in Clearing (opens in a new tab), so there is plenty of choice and valuable options available to you. 

Longer-Term Options

Resitting your A Levels

Resitting is the right move if you need specific grades for a particular course or profession. You can resit at:

• Your original sixth-form

• A different college

• Through an online provider

The advantage is that you already know the content and the exam format. And, by using our A Level exam checklist, you maximise your chances of nailing your grades.

Foundation years

A foundation year is an additional preparatory year offered by many universities for students who haven't met standard entry requirements. You study at the university before progressing onto the full degree. It’s an increasingly popular route into higher education.

Access to HE and BTECs

Access to Higher Education Diplomas (opens in a new tab) are specifically designed for students who want to go to university without traditional A Level qualifications. They are equivalent to three A Levels and accepted by the vast majority of UK universities.

BTECs are coursework-based vocational qualifications. A BTEC Extended Diploma is equivalent to three A Levels and widely accepted by universities. They suit students who perform better through ongoing assessment than high-stakes exams.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are a solid career route. Higher and degree-level apprenticeships are available in sectors like:

• Law

• Engineering

• Finance

• Technology

They offer professional qualifications equivalent to a degree while you earn a salary. 

Gap year

A gap year gives you time to reflect and reapply without pressure. Use it to work, volunteer, travel, or retake your exams. A well-used gap year can strengthen a future university application considerably.

Find out more by looking at our gap year ideas article.

Looking After Yourself

It’s easy to get caught in a spiral of self-doubt after disappointing results. But it’s especially important to take care of your mental wellbeing. 

Start by talking to people you trust, whether that’s family, friends, teachers, or a school counsellor. Sharing your thoughts can help you process the situation and put things into perspective.

Try to limit time on social media in the days after results day, as constant comparisons can fuel anxiety. 

Channel your energy into making a clear, step-by-step plan. Having a written list of actions helps shift your mindset from “I’ve failed” to “Here’s how I’ll move forward.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I go to university if I fail my A Levels? 

Yes. UCAS Clearing, foundation years, Access to HE diplomas, and BTECs all provide recognised routes into higher education without standard A Level grades.

Will universities know I resat my A Levels? 

Yes. Resit grades are visible on your UCAS application. Most universities accept resit grades, but some highly competitive courses may prefer first-sitting results. Always check the entry requirements of your target course.

What if I don't want to go to university at all? 

That's a completely valid choice. Apprenticeships, vocational training, and entering the workforce directly are all credible routes to a successful career. 

Smash Your A Level Resits with Save My Exams

Failing your A Levels doesn’t define your future. Think of it as just changing your route. Many successful people have taken alternative paths after missing their expected grades. Whether you choose Clearing, resits, or a completely different route, you still have the power to shape your next chapter.

If you want support in the run-up to your A Level exam date, or resits, Save My Exams has your back. Our experienced teachers and examiners have developed high-quality, course-specific A Level revision resources designed to help you achieve your potential. 

Explore everything from concise revision notes to exam-style questions and past papers, all tailored to your exact syllabus.

Your grades are only one part of your story. What matters most now is the decisions you make next, and you have more options than you might think.

References

• Gov.uk (opens in a new tab) - Appeal against a GCSE, AS or A Level grade or the result of a qualification (opens in a new tab)

• What is Clearing? Find out when Clearing happens and how it works (opens in a new tab)

• Access to Higher Education (opens in a new tab)