A-level Results Day Warning as 1 in 3 Students Miss out on Careers Support 

More than a third of A-level students are not accessing careers support despite links to greater confidence about their future, reveals new data.  

As thousands of young people prepare to receive their A-level results and make decisions about university, apprenticeships and employment, new findings from early careers experts Prospects at Jisc highlight the value of careers guidance and the challenge of ensuring students engage with it.

New analysis of Prospects Early Careers Survey found that 35% of A-level students did not use their school or college careers service in 2025/26 with students considering apprenticeships least likely to engage (58% accessed their career service compared to 70% opting for university).

Yet students who accessed careers support were notably more confident about their future. Nearly three-quarters (73%) said they were very or fairly certain about their career plans, compared with 63% of those who had not used the service.  

Students who engaged with careers support were also more optimistic about their prospects. Almost two-thirds (63%) felt positive or very positive about their future careers, compared with fewer than half (47%) of those who had not sought careers guidance.  

The findings come at a time when many young people are weighing up important decisions about their next steps. Four in ten A-level students said that choosing the right career path had been one of their biggest challenges over the previous 12 months.

The findings suggest that one reason many students are missing out on support is a lack of awareness about what is available to them. More than a quarter (27%) of students who had not used their careers service said they did not know it existed, while the same proportion said they were unsure how it could help them. A further 17% did not know how to access it.  

Prospects at Jisc also found that young people draw on a wide range of sources when seeking careers information. Industry professionals were rated as the most helpful source of careers advice, followed by careers websites and teachers or lecturers. Careers professionals also scored highly, alongside family members and AI-powered tools.

The findings suggest that while students increasingly use multiple sources of information, they place the greatest value on advice from people with direct industry experience or specialist careers expertise.

Chris Rea, early careers expert for Prospects at Jisc said:

“A-level results day is a pivotal moment for young people as they consider the opportunities available to them. Our research suggests that careers support can play an important role in helping students feel more confident about their future plans, yet too many are missing out on advice and guidance that could help them make informed decisions.

“Whether a student is considering university, an apprenticeship or moving directly into employment, access to good careers guidance can help them explore their options, understand the opportunities available and take their next step with confidence.”