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A Level exam results 2026: highlights for computer science

Congratulations to all the teachers and students collecting their A level results today. We hope that all the hard work, dedication and perseverance have paid off and that there is plenty to celebrate.

With the publication of the 2026 A level results, there is certainly much to celebrate within the computing community.

Student numbers are up

The number of students choosing to study A level Computer Science has increased once again. This year, 20,009 students were entered for the qualification, compared with 19,796 in 2025.

This continued growth highlights the increasing popularity of computing and demonstrates the important role the subject plays in preparing young people for a rapidly evolving digital world.

There is also encouraging news regarding female participation. The number of female students entered for A level Computer Science increased by 3% in 2026 (number of females entered for A level Computer Science in 2026 – 3782 vs 3679 in 2025).

While this continues a positive long-term trend, female representation within the subject remains lower than that of male students. Increasing participation among girls remains an important priority, making it essential that schools continue to create inclusive computing experiences that inspire more young women to see computer science as a subject for them.

The free I Belong programme provides practical resources, professional development and evidence-informed guidance to help schools increase girls’ participation in computer science. Sign up today to access support and join a community of educators working to make computing more inclusive.

Student attainment

Student attainment in A level Computer Science has also improved slightly this year. In particular, female students continued to outperform their male counterparts at the highest grade levels.

This year's results show that:

  • A* grades: 7.8% of female students achieved an A* grade, compared with 6.0% of male students.
  • A*–B grades: 52.1% of female students achieved grades between A* and B, compared with 48.1% of male students.
  • A*–C grades: 73.1% of female students achieved grades between A* and C, compared with 70.1% of male students.

These results reflect the hard work and commitment of students and teachers across the country. As interest in computing continues to grow, it is encouraging to see both participation and attainment moving in a positive direction.

To help students build on this success, why not make use of Isaac Computer Science? This platform provides a wealth of free learning materials, practice questions and support for A level Computer Science.

Students can now also book onto our free Student Knowledge Booster sessions for the 2026-27 academic year, delivered live by subject experts via Microsoft Teams and designed to strengthen understanding of key curriculum topics.

Head of Professional Learning at STEM Learning, Steve Clarke, said the following, "Today is a chance to celebrate the achievements of students and thank the teachers, families and wider school communities who have supported them along the way.

It's fantastic to see continued growth in A level Computer Science, improvements in attainment, and encouraging progress in female participation. We are proud of these achievements across the country, and studying Computer Science will have equipped many young people with the knowledge and digital skills to understand, shape and thrive in an increasingly technology driven world."

How can we support you prepare for the new academic year?

With the new academic year just around the corner, the National Centre for Computing Education is here to support you as you prepare for the new term.

Certification and CPD: from subject knowledge to pedagogy, our various certificates are here to support you improve your classroom practice.

Isaac Computer Science: the student-friendly platform is the perfect one-stop shop for GCSE and A level students. Covering content from across all English awarding bodies, the platform has a wealth of subject knowledge, multiple-choice questions, career videos and free to access student booster events. Sign up your students here.

Computing Quality Framework: If you're looking to strengthen computing within your school this academic year, the Computing Quality Framework (CQF) is an excellent place to start. The free online self-review tool enables schools to evaluate their computing provision across a range of areas, including curriculum, leadership, teaching, assessment and enrichment. By completing the framework, you'll gain a clearer understanding of your school's current strengths, identify areas for development, and receive tailored recommendations to help you improve your computing provision. Whether you're beginning your improvement journey or building on existing successes, the CQF can help you plan your next steps with confidence.

Sources:

  1. JCQ Exam Results Data - A level by subject age sex country, 2026, published 13th August 2026