Founded in 1882, the Independent Society of Musicians (ISM) is the UK’s largest representative non-union body for musicians, dedicated to promoting the importance of music and supporting those in music professions.

The ISM’s analysis of the 2025 A-level (for 16 to 18-year-olds in the final two years of secondary school) music results, published by the Joint Council for Qualifications, shows that the slight uptick seen in 2024 has not continued, and entries have fallen.

The UK has seen a decrease in music entries of 1.8% in the last year. For the third year in a row, fewer than 5,000 students took A-level music.

The data also shows that while there has been a slight increase in music entries in Wales and Northern Ireland since 2024, there has been a 2.7% decrease in entries in England.

In all, entries in England have fallen 44.8% since 2010, when A-level music students numbered around 10,000.

 

(Image courtesy: ISM)

 

Responding to this, the ISM states that it hopes the government will follow through on plans to reform accountability and to improve music education across the country.

“Congratulations to all young people receiving their exam results today and thank you to all their music teachers,” noted ISM Chief Executive Deborah Annetts. “It is disappointing that the small increase in entries last year has not continued this year. The ISM believes that all pupils should have access to music education in schools and our research shows that too many are still being denied the opportunity to pursue this beyond Key Stage 4, which is reflected in the decline in A-level entries since 2010.

“When the Curriculum and Assessment Review publishes its final report this autumn, it is vital the government takes the opportunity to deliver on its warm words about music education and reforms the Progress 8 and English Baccalaureate accountability measures,” Annetts added. “I would encourage all classroom music teachers in England to complete our latest survey and share their experiences.”