The arts’ share of A-level entries has shrunk by more than a third since 2010, now accounting for only 10% of total entries, according to figures released today.

It is the sharpest, single-year drop in arts A-level entries since 2021, as analysed by Campaign for the Arts, with the total number of subject entries rising by 2.7% this year, and those for the arts falling by 1.8% to 90,985.

Some of the steepest declines from last year are that of drama, which fell to a record low of 0.8% of all entries (a total of 7,397), while music’s share fell to 0.6% of the total – 5,106 entries.

Although entry numbers have increased by small amounts for some subjects since 2025, such as design and technology (from 10,576 to 10,874), the Campaign for the Arts’ analysis shows most arts subjects still lost ground due to total entries increasing across subjects – with the exception of performing/expressive arts which increased its share of entries.

Commenting on the figures, director of Campaign for the Arts Jack Gamble said: “The deepening decline of arts subjects at A-level shows why the Government must deliver on its pledge to ‘revitalise arts education’. That will require the promised curriculum and assessment changes, but also specialist teachers and sustained investment.

“Without deliberate action to restore the place of the arts in schools, the creative opportunities available to young people will keep narrowing, year after year. It’s high time we started to turn this around.”