Thousands of students across the UK will receive their GCSE results on Thursday, August 20, 2026, after exams concluded in June.
The results will determine next steps for many, as students in England must continue in education or training until age 18. Options include A Levels, T Levels, vocational courses like BTECs, or apprenticeships.
When and How to Get Results
Results slips can be collected from schools from 8:00am onwards, and most exam boards release grade boundaries on their websites at the same time. Students unable to collect in person can arrange for results to be sent by email or post, or nominate someone else to collect with a signed letter and photo ID, though school rules may vary.
This year, students can also access results online via the Education Record app, which stores results digitally for future use in job or university applications. Pupils will still attend school on results day to receive their results in person, with the app becoming available later.
Grading Systems Across the UK
GCSEs in England have been graded on a 9 to 1 scale since 2017, starting with English literature and maths, and fully rolled out by 2019. Wales still uses letter-based grading, while Northern Ireland uses a combination of both.
Education Record App Trial and Impact
The Education Record app was trialled last summer in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. Hathershaw College in Oldham has been trialling the app since spring 2024. The app is part of a government drive to overhaul public sector technology, and the government has suggested it will cut bureaucracy and save schools and colleges up to £30 million per year once fully rolled out.
