Which A-Level subjects grew or shrank the most in 2026, and which saw the biggest swings in top grades - the notable movers versus 2025.
On a consistent four-board basis, Accounting grew fastest by percentage among subjects with 2,000+ entries (+18.6%), while Philosophy fell most (-12.1%).
The A-Level subjects whose entries changed most between 2025 and 2026 (subjects with at least 2,000 entries, so small subjects don’t distort the picture), and the biggest movers in the A*–A rate.
| Subject | 2025 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting | 2,388 | 2,831 | +18.6% |
| Art & Design: Three-Dimensional Design | 2,342 | 2,657 | +13.5% |
| Politics | 20,765 | 23,352 | +12.5% |
| Law | 14,285 | 15,869 | +11.1% |
| Economics | 41,930 | 46,257 | +10.3% |
| Further Mathematics | 18,566 | 20,150 | +8.5% |
| Art & Design: Textile Design | 3,399 | 3,641 | +7.1% |
| History | 41,074 | 43,171 | +5.1% |
| Biology | 65,979 | 68,560 | +3.9% |
| English Language | 12,550 | 13,022 | +3.8% |
| Subject | 2025 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | 3,834 | 3,371 | -12.1% |
| Drama & Theatre | 7,599 | 6,826 | -10.2% |
| Classical Civilisation | 4,123 | 3,751 | -9.0% |
| English Literature | 35,179 | 33,094 | -5.9% |
| Music | 3,624 | 3,413 | -5.8% |
| Art & Design: Fine Art | 13,400 | 12,962 | -3.3% |
| Art & Design: Graphic Communication | 5,307 | 5,132 | -3.3% |
| Media Studies | 14,660 | 14,186 | -3.2% |
| Religious Studies | 14,361 | 13,943 | -2.9% |
| Physical Education | 12,167 | 11,839 | -2.7% |
| Subject | 2025 | 2026 | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Education | 17.2% | 18.9% | +1.7 |
| Philosophy | 22.2% | 23.0% | +0.8 |
| Psychology | 19.4% | 19.9% | +0.5 |
| Environmental Science | 12.9% | 13.3% | +0.4 |
| Art & Design: Graphic Communication | 33.2% | 33.5% | +0.3 |
| Mathematics | 41.8% | 42.1% | +0.3 |
| Computer Science | 24.9% | 25.1% | +0.2 |
| Further Mathematics | 58.4% | 58.6% | +0.2 |
| Subject | 2025 | 2026 | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|---|
| German | 47.6% | 45.7% | -1.9 |
| Spanish | 36.8% | 35.0% | -1.8 |
| Politics | 28.9% | 27.3% | -1.6 |
| Art & Design: Textile Design | 38.4% | 36.9% | -1.5 |
| Accounting | 13.6% | 12.2% | -1.4 |
| Film Studies | 16.7% | 15.6% | -1.1 |
| Business | 16.6% | 15.6% | -1.0 |
| Art & Design: Art, Craft & Design | 36.9% | 36.0% | -0.9 |
Entry figures in the change tables are the four exam boards’ totals for both years, a consistent basis for measuring change. A change in the A*–A rate reflects that year’s cohort and paper; it does not by itself mean a subject got easier or harder.
A change in entries cannot tell us how much reflects student demand versus changes in provision. And a change in the A*–A rate does not by itself mean a paper was easier or harder, or that teaching improved – see why boundaries change.
tutor2u Insights are timely analysis of official results data. Figures are based on JCQ’s 2026 results-day tables and may be revised as post-results changes are processed; they use the same figures as the interactive Explorer. A higher top-grade rate does not mean a subject is easier, and entry numbers reflect what students entered, not only what they would have chosen. See how to read this data.
Last checked August 2026. This is a plain-English summary of official guidance; always check the linked Ofqual, JCQ and exam-board pages for the definitive rules, which can change.
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