A level results show more doing maths and sciences than ever before
Elizabeth Truss comments on the rise in the number of students taking A levels in subjects like maths and the sciences.
Science student looking at test tubes
A level results published today by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) show there has been a big rise in the number and proportion of young people taking A levels in maths, physics, chemistry and biology – subjects that are highly valued by employers and universities.
There are more students doing maths, further maths, physics, chemistry and biology at A level than ever before – both in terms of number of entries and as a percentage of the cohort.
Education Minister Elizabeth Truss said:
It is extremely encouraging that there has been such a significant rise in the number of students taking A levels in subjects like maths and the sciences.
These subjects are not just fascinating and worth studying for their own sake – they are also the ones which open up modern, high-tech careers and are most in demand by employers and universities. This is good for the economy and will help the UK compete.
Background information
| A level entries as a percentage of cohort (England) | 2001 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | % change 2010-2013 |
| Biology | 7.9 | 7.7 | 8.4 | 8.5 | 8.8 | 14.3 |
| Chemistry | 5.5 | 5.9 | 6.6 | 6.8 | 7.3 | 23.7 |
| Physics | 4.6 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 5 | 22 |
| Mathematics | 10.1 | 10.4 | 11.6 | 11.8 | 12.4 | 19.2 |
| Business studies | 5.7 | 4.3 | 4.1 | 4 | 3.9 | -9.3 |
| General studies | 14.6 | 6.9 | 6.2 | 5.3 | 4.8 | -30.4 |
| Law | 1.5 | 2.1 | 2 | 1.9 | 1.8 | -14.3 |
| Media / Film / TV studies | 2.5 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.1 | -10.9 |
| Drama / Performing / Expressive arts | 2.3 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 2.5 | 2.3 | -17.9 |
Source: JCQ figures for all entries and ONS population estimates for those with academic age 17 in each year
JCQ’s figures for UK entries show that from 2012 to 2013:
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maths entries up 2.7% (from 85,714 in 2012 to 88,060 in 2013)
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further maths entries up 4.5% (from 13,223 to 13,821)
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biology entries up 1.4% (from 63,074 to 63,939)
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chemistry entries up 5.2% (from 49,234 to 51,818)
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physics entries up 3.1% (from 34,509 to 35,569)
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general studies entries down 11.2% (from 35,558 to 31,562)
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media / film / TV studies entries down 9.3% (from 32,111 to 29,112)
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drama / performing / expressive arts down 9.0% (from 18,291 to 16,646)
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law down 4.8% (from 13,154 to 12,523)
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business studies entries down 3.1% (from 28,567 to 27,673)
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