As part of the SHAPE Observatory, the British Academy provides objective data on the health of SHAPE (Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts for People and the Economy) disciplines.
The first phase of the SHAPE Indicators work provides data on the uptake of SHAPE subjects in the UK in secondary education. In the first instance, data focuses on entries for select qualifications at Levels 2 and 3 in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, such as GCSEs and A levels, as well as select qualifications at Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Levels 5 to 7, such as National 5s, Highers and Advanced Highers.
Given the differences in curricula and qualification structures, data for Scottish qualifications is provided separately from data for other similar qualifications offered in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
This resource provides data on SHAPE subject entries over the past decade and beyond. For Scottish qualifications, data is provided from the academic years in which new or updated versions of these qualifications were assessed for the first time.
The Academy’s Studying SHAPE report complements this resource and provides further analysis on the entry trends for social sciences and humanities subjects in secondary education.
Additional data indicators providing objective information on the health of SHAPE disciplines will continue to be added to this resource. Future phases of the SHAPE Indicators work will provide data on other SHAPE qualifications, and on the impact of SHAPE in research and engagement.
