Fewer students studying humanities, particularly languages, could put the UK at a major disadvantage in a post-Brexit world, according to the British Academy.
Its new analysis of the impact of A-level choices on university-level study, published today, points to a decline in A-level entries in modern languages, English, history and geography, with similar trends seen in undergraduate and postgraduate numbers.
Historian Professor Sir David Cannadine, president of the British Academy, said: “We are concerned that the decline in students studying humanities subjects at A level is already having an impact on the skills of the future workforce, especially when it comes to foreign languages.
“In an age of shifting diplomatic alignments, and with Brexit around the corner, our lack of language skills could put the UK at a major disadvantage when forging global connections.”
The analysis comes on A-level results day, when thousands of students were due to hear whether they had got the grades needed for their chosen courses.
But the British Academy warns that fewer students studying humanities subjects threatens the future of these subjects at university level.
According to provisional entry data, the number of students taking German A level in England this year is down 16 per cent on 2017, while entries for French fell by 8 per cent in the same period.
Entries for English subjects have declined by 9 per cent and there has been a drop in entries for religious studies by 23 per cent since last year.
While entries for Spanish and other modern languages have increased in recent years, this is not enough to reverse the steady decline in the number of students leaving school with foreign language skills, the analysis reveals.
And the British Academy warns that trends at A level are having a knock-on effect on higher education, with modern languages departments closed in at least 10 universities in the past decade, and a further nine significantly downsized.
It adds that as well as skills from science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects, insights from the arts, humanities and social sciences are vital to “future-proof” the workforce in a time of rapid change. The academy says that studying these subjects helps students to develop sought-after characteristics such as communication skills, research skills and the ability to work independently.
“The skills developed by studying humanities and social science subjects at A level and at university will be essential as we negotiate the challenges the UK faces, from AI to an ageing society and sustainable development,” Sir David added. “We will need people with insights from law, philosophy, politics and history, as well as from Britain’s outstanding STEM sector.
“The young people receiving their A-level results today are the problem-solvers of tomorrow. It is vital that our education system provides them with opportunities to develop a broad range of skills and interests.”
The call came after headteachers warned that funding cuts were hampering their ability to offer subjects such as music and languages at A level.
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “We reformed A levels after universities told us they were failing to prepare students for higher education. These changes will ensure students have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed both in further study and in the workplace.
“English was the second most popular subject at A Level last year and the proportion of entries for modern foreign languages remained broadly stable. We are clear that humanities subjects are a valuable part of a broad and balanced curriculum and help to make up the core academic subjects that help students keep their options open.
“We have taken a number of steps to encourage take up of these subjects. Geography, history and languages are part of our English Baccalaureate and we are establishing a national centre of excellence in modern foreign languages to drive up standards. Alongside that 5,000 pupils will be on track to be fluent in Mandarin by 2020 thanks to our Mandarin Excellence Programme.”
