5 student stories you need to know this week: 15th August

This week we've been braving the heatwave to get all our A-level results day content ready for the big day. But while we've been keeping cool, the world of education and graduate careers hasn't stopped moving. Here are five stories you actually need to know

1. Record-breaking A-level results

Almost 30% of A-level entries in England got an A or A* - the highest ever. Amazing news if you're celebrating, but for future uni applicants, it could mean extra competition for the most popular courses.

And yes, the grade inflation chatter has already started, but don't let that overshadow your achievements: your hard work still counts.

Follow the story at The Guardian.

2. Graduate job market cools - but not for STEM

Fresh data from our very own Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ»ÆƬ Luminate shows that graduate employment is dipping slightly - 59% of graduates are in full-time roles, and 6% are unemployed.

Humanities and creative arts jobs are feeling the squeeze, but STEM fields like artificial intelligence (AI), green tech, and healthcare analytics are still booming. Building a mix of technical and soft skills is the top way to keep your options open. Discover what skills employers want.

Read the full graduate labour market update.

3. UK government identifies top skills to future-proof your career

The government has identified key growth sectors - like tech, engineering, social care, and construction - that will see the most job opportunities by 2030.

Many new roles will need Level 2-3 qualifications (A-levels or apprenticeships), while others require higher-level skills. This means that if you're planning your career or university path, focusing on these growing sectors could boost your employability.

It's also a reminder that the right training and qualifications will be key to standing out in the future job market.

Discover the details at GOV.UK.

4. Language learning in crisis

Fewer students in the UK are choosing to study languages. In 2024, only 3% of A-levels were in modern or classical languages, Welsh, or Irish. At the same time, schools are struggling to recruit enough language teachers, and university language courses have seen a 20% drop in enrolments over the past five years.

If you've ever considered a language degree, now might be the perfect time - with fewer people applying, there's less competition than ever. Explore what you can do with a modern languages degree.

Read more from the Higher Education Policy Institute.

5. AI marking is coming

Some universities are testing AI-assisted marking for large first-year classes. The goal? Faster and fairer feedback. The risk? A bit of bias and less human judgment.

If you're applying in 2026, AI could change how assessments are handled. It might sound a little worrying, but it could also mean getting your marks back quicker. It also means originality and citations are more important than ever.

Explore the findings from Times Higher Education.

What are students reading this week?

From career sectors to expert networking tips, we've got it all. See what advice your peers are searching for most.

Find out more

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