5 successful people who thrived without A-Levels

As thousands receive their A-level results, many young people will see that poor grades aren’t the be all and end all as they sail through clearing or choose a different path, just as these incredibly rich and famous people did.

Jo Fairley

It’s hard to believe that one of the UK’s leading entrepreneurs has no A-Levels whatsoever. The former editor of Cosmopolitan magazine left school at 16 and went on to create Green & Black’s which is now a £100m worldwide chocolate brand.

Sir Alan Sugar

The business magnate and star of The Apprentice left school at 16 and immediately began selling electrical goods out of the back of his van.

Considering he has his own show, advises the government and runs a very successful multi-million pound business, he has certainly made a success of himself without any A-levels.

Jon Snow

No, we’re not talking about the immortal Game of Thrones hero, although the character has definitely won the hearts of fans without any education at all.

Believe it or not, newsreader Jon Snow managed to fail English at A-Level and even received a D and an E in Economics and Law. He subsequently studied law at Liverpool University despite failing the subject as an 18-year-old – although a sit-in protest resulted in him not graduating either.

Sir Richard Branson

Business magnate, investor and philanthropist Richard Branson decided to create his own record company straight out of school rather than take A-level exams and as his net worth of $5bn suggests, success is certainly possible without the grades.

Guy Ritchie

The director and filmmaker was actually expelled from Stanbridge Earls School at 15 which just goes to show you don’t need grades to make quality films like Snatch, Sherlock Holmes and King Arthur.

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close