A level results 2022: Live analysis and reaction as students across Wales collect their grades

After years of hard work, pupils across Wales will collect their A level results today. It is expected to be a tough year for students who sat exams for the first time post-pandemic with fewer university places available and grades being lower than they were last year.

Exams were cancelled for two years of the pandemic but returned this year. Students have reported hard exams leaving them in tears. You can read all about that here. The WJEC was forced to apologise on June 8 after set text questions were missed off the A level English language and literature A level. Officials insisted candidates would not be disadvantaged but said they would wait until results day in August to determine what had gone wrong.

Candidates and teachers have also claimed both a maths A level and AS exam included content they were told would not be there and that questions were far harder than pre-Covid papers - there have also been complaints about A level chemistry and music. The education minister responded telling learners "you will be treated fairly". Exam regulator Qualifications Wales has said grade boundaries will be set lower than last year's record high results, which were based on teacher-assessed grades, but will remain higher than pre-pandemic.

Read more:Exam boss warns university entries are 'highly competitive' this year and asks young people to consider other options

It is expected to be a tough year for students, with reports that the number of last-minute courses available at elite Russell Group universities has halved in just two years meaning those who fail to achieve the grades needed for their first-choice course are likely to be disappointed again when they try to find an alternative.

Universities in Wales have already