Maths, humanities and foreign languages should be compulsory for A-level pupils, report claims
- Report claims widening the curriculum could create more ‘adaptable’ employees
- Pupils currently take only three or four subjects, but should be taking up to six
- Author Dr Gabrial Roberts said success of IB, EPQ shows students can do more
Studying humanities, maths and foreign languages should be made compulsory for A-level pupils, a report claims.
The paper said widening the breadth of the curriculum could create more ‘adaptable’ employees in the workplace and improve their numeracy skills.
The Higher Education Policy Institute adds that modern humanities face ‘real challenges’ around enrolment, graduate employment and funding.
Report author Dr Gabriel Roberts said that post-16 qualifications should be overhauled to tackle the problem.
Currently, pupils take only three or four A-level subjects.
Studying humanities, maths and foreign languages should be made compulsory for A-level pupils, a report claims (stock image)
But Mr Roberts argued they should be required to study more subjects – much like the International Baccalaureate (IB) which requires pupils to take six including a language, a humanities subject and maths.
The paper added the move could boost the number of those applying for humanities courses at university.
Mr Roberts said: ‘A-levels are strikingly narrow by international standards. The success of the IB and the Extended Project Qualification shows pupils can handle greater breadth than A-levels offer.
‘The growing popularity of interdisciplinary degrees should also tell us something about the kind of education that many young people want. There is a strong case for change.’
On his proposal to require A-level students to study maths alongside a humanities subject until the end of compulsory schooling, report author Dr Roberts said it ‘would improve the numerical abilities of humanities graduates which might have positive effects on their careers.’
The report highlights that the modern humanities at UK universities face real challenges relating to enrolment, graduate employment and funding.
Between 1961/62 and 2019/20, the proportion of UK students studying humanities subjects fell from around 28 per cent to approximately 8 per cent of all students, according to the paper.
It adds: ‘The employment prospects of humanities graduates are weaker than those of graduates in some other areas, but the picture is mixed.’
Dr Roberts said: ‘Requiring pupils to continue a foreign language until the end of school might stem the decline in applicants for Modern Languages courses at university and lessen the social exclusivity of Classics and Modern Languages courses at leading universities.
‘It would also address the long-term shortage of linguistic skills identified by employers, have wider benefits for pupils’ educational attainment and help compensate for the loss of international links likely to result from Brexit.’
The report highlights that the modern humanities at UK universities face real challenges relating to enrolment, graduate employment and funding (file photo, students receive their A Level results)
Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi), said: ‘It is often said there is a ‘crisis in the humanities’ and there are certainly some big challenges for the humanities in relation to student numbers, funding and curricula. We must discuss, debate and deal with them.
‘Nonetheless, the ‘crisis’ narrative is too simplistic and too pessimistic. The true picture is more nuanced, more interesting and more positive, whether we look at teaching, course design or research.
Eleanor Busby, PA Education Correspondent’Moreover, the lively current debates on issues like statues and decolonising the curriculum prove that most people know we can only fully understand our society when the humanities thrive.’
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