The proportion of A-level entries in traditional academic subjects has fallen slightly this year, after rising for several years.

A-level results published today show that 51.1 per cent of entries were in the so-called “facilitating subjects”, those most commonly favoured by elite universities.

These are maths, sciences, humanities, languages and English literature.

The figure is down from 51.2 per cent last year after rising from 50.4 per cent in 2014 in the wake of a government drive to increase the number of pupils studying traditional academic subjects through the introduction of the English Baccalaureate measure at GCSE.

Joy for university hopefuls

Despite the slight drop, the number of students given university places has today reached its highest level on record.

Figures from the university admissions service Ucas show that 424,000 students had been placed in UK higher education institutions by midnight, up 3 per cent on last year.  

Maths was the most popular A-level subject this year, representing 11 per cent of entries. English was in second place, followed by biology, psychology and history.

Computing had the biggest rise in A-level entries this year, with entries up 16 per cent. Entries in economics rose by 6.6 per cent and those in sociology rose 5.3 per cent. The biggest declines came in general studies, which fell by 35 per cent, and performing and expressive arts, which fell by 15.3 per cent.

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