This year’s achievements are a testament to the determination, talent and hard work of students and staff alike, with standout successes across all qualifications.
Derby College Group is one of the biggest education providers of A-levels, T Levels and BTECs in the region, and is immensely proud of its students’ efforts, recognising these results as a vital stepping stone towards their future aspirations and broader contributions to society.
A-level highlights
The majority of A-level students have secured the grades needed to progress to their first choice university, reflecting both their hard work and the quality of teaching at DCG.
- 347 A-level students achieved results this year, an increase of 6% on last year, across a broad range of 26 subjects.
- A 97% pass rate was achieved.
- In Law, Psychology, Business and English Language, nearly half of students achieved A*-B.
- Over three quarters of Film Studies students achieved A*-B.
- Nearly two-thirds of French and Spanish students achieved A*-B.
- Excellent results were also recorded in Media, Economics and English Literature, with Economics returning to the curriculum this year and nearly half of students achieving A*-B.
- Criminology remained the most popular subject, taken by over a third of all A Level students, with nearly a third achieving A*-B.
- 86 students completed Core Maths or an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
Completing Core Maths or an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) alongside A Levels gives students a real head start, sharpening the independent research, critical thinking and time management skills that universities and employers consistently look for, and helping them stand out when applying for competitive courses and roles.
T Level triumphs
- 152 T Level students completed their courses this year, up from 85 last year, across eight subjects, up from seven. A quarter achieved a Distinction (equivalent to three A grades at A Level), with 80% achieving Merit or above.
- Six of the eight subjects achieved a 100% pass rate.
- In Engineering, 90% of students achieved a Distinction.
- In Digital and in Early Years, 57% of students achieved a Distinction.
- Education and Early Years T Level students excelled, with 60% achieving a Distinction, a course well oversubscribed for the next academic year.
BTEC brilliance
There is also a broad range of vocational and technical qualifications at Level 3.
- 1022 students received Level 3 BTEC results this year, up from 950 last year, with almost half achieving a Distinction.
- Science and Business: over 90% achieved a Distinction.
- Health and Social Care and Music Performance: 75% achieved a Distinction.
- Public Services: 86% achieved a Distinction.
- Visitor Economy: 65% achieved a Distinction.
- Plumbing and Electrical: 100% pass rate.
These vocational qualifications provide a practical, career-focused route into employment, apprenticeships or higher education, a proven stepping stone to future success.
Across every qualification, this year’s results reflect months of dedication from DCG’s students and staff, and give young people right across Derby and Derbyshire the platform they need to move forward with confidence, whether that is on to university, into an apprenticeship, or straight into skilled employment.
For many, today is not just an academic milestone; it is the start of the next chapter in their lives, and DCG will continue to support them well beyond results day as they take those next steps.
Celebrating futures
Heather Kelly, Deputy CEO of Derby College Group, said: “These results are a brilliant reflection of the hard work, ambition and resilience shown by our students this year, and of the dedication of our staff who support them every step of the way.
“Whether they are moving on to university, an apprenticeship or straight into employment, our students leave DCG with the skills, confidence and qualifications to build a future they can be proud of. We wish every one of them the very best for what comes next.”
