The Stage

14 Aug 2025

Number of A-level drama students plummets by 52% in 15 years – report

by Matthew Hemley

The number of students studying drama at A level has plummeted by 52% since 2010, according to research by Campaign for the Arts.

The campaign body’s analysis of 2025’s A-level results reveals that the number of students sitting all arts subjects dropped by 29% compared with 2010 (31% since 2010 as a percentage of the total number of A levels sat), reaching the lowest recorded level in 15 years.

The steepest long-term declines are seen in performing arts subjects, where the proportion of entries has more than halved since 2010.