21.3%, and 65.3% respectively. In the 2016 A2 Levels, 10.3% of grades awarded were A*, 42.7% awarded were A*-A, and 70.4% awarded were A*-B, compared with the UK average of 8.5%, 25.7%, and 50.9% respectively. In the 2016 AS Levels, 36.9% of grades awarded were A, and 84.6% awarded were A-C, compared with the UK average of 21.5%, and 60.9% respectively. In the 2016 GCSE examinations, 22.6% of grades awarded were A*, 56.3% awarded were A*-A, and 96.6% awarded were A*-C, compared with the UK average of 6.5%, 20.5%, and 66.9% respectively. In the 2015 A2 Levels, 15.0% of grades awarded were A*, 42.4% awarded were A*-A, and 72.1% awarded were A*-B, compared with the UK average of 8.2%, 25.9%, and 52.8% respectively. In the 2015 AS Levels, 33.6% of grades awarded were A, and 77.5% awarded were A-C, compared with the UK average of 20.2%, and 62.6% respectively. In the 2015 GCSE examinations, 23.8% of grades awarded were A*, 55.3% awarded were A*-A, and 96.1% awarded were A*-C, compared with the UK average of 6.6%, 21.2%, and 69.0% respectively. University places In recent years, almost all sixth form leavers have proceeded to full-time education. The school routinely prepares pupils for places at top Russell Group universities in the UK, including University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College London and University of Durham. From the 2017 sixth form leavers, 84.7% of students proceeded to higher education, 2.0% went to further education, and 11.2% took a gap-year. Methody is the NI hub school for the University of Cambridge higher education + programme and every year the school prepares students for both University of Cambridge and University of Oxford entry. The University of Cambridge student newspaper, Varsity, has previously listed Methodist College Belfast as one of the University of Cambridge's top ten feeder state schools. Music Choirs and instrumental groups There are five choirs in the college: Junior Choir Junior Singers Senior Choir Girls' Choir Chapel Choir There are also several instrumental groups: Junior Orchestra Junior String Quartet Senior Orchestra The Band Jazz Band Irish Traditional Group Recorder Group The choirs have won several competitions: The Chapel Choir has led worship in Westminster Abbey in August 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2013 and 2016 when the Abbey Choir were on holiday, and have performed in several radio and television broadcasts, such as the BBC's Songs of Praise. The Chapel Choir was chosen