Software development and coding is the most popular career path for today’s A Level students, a survey by FutureLearn shows.

On the day that UK A-Level students find out their grades, the survey revealed 23 per cent wanted to pursue a career in code, quickly followed by medicine with 22 per cent of the vote, while law and marketing were tied in third with a 16 per cent share.

However, financial issues brought on by the rising cost of living and tuition fees could be putting the brakes on some students’ ambitions. Half of those going to university in the autumn expressed concern about covering basic financial requirements. Just over two-thirds were worried about paying back fees.

On the plus side, 83 per cent were confident about job opportunities after graduating, while half said a degree could win them more interesting work and 45 per cent thought it could help improve their work-life balance.

Kathryn Skelton at FutureLearn said: "Career aspirations relating to coding are in line with what we see. Courses in medicine, forensic science and dentistry are also popular; Sheffield’s Discover Dentistry course - a favourite with A-level students - runs again in the autumn too.”