Thousands of students across the North West are deciding on what to do next as they receive their A level results.
Research by the Sutton Trust suggests that young people are less likely to think that getting a degree is important in order to do well in life.
The number of students in the North West gaining top grades at A Level is UP slightly.
With 24.6% of pupil getting A* and A grades, but like the rest of the country the overall pass rate is slightly down, with 97.6% students in England receiving A*-E grades, down 0.3%.
The exams have changed this year, relying only on a final exam and not course work.
Figures suggest there has been a fall in the number of students accepted on degree courses at UK universities.
Research by the Sutton Trust suggests that young people are less likely to think that getting a degree is important in order to do well in life.
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