New research by NSEAD indicates there has been an overall decline in art, craft and design qualification completions in the last five years. The research combines completion numbers published by Ofqual and JQC, for level 2 and 3 Art and Design GCSE/GCEs and Craft, Creative Arts and Design vocational qualifications (England, Northern Ireland and Wales). The combined completion numbers for art, craft and design have significantly decreased.
Findings from the NSEAD Survey Report 2015-16, published 9 February 2016, indicated that in the last five years many vocational art and design courses have closed and there has been a decrease in time allocated for art and design across all phases.The reduction in volume completions for Art and Design GCSE/GCEs and Craft, Creative Arts and Design vocational qualifications are symptomatic of both course closures and the decrease in time allocated for art and design across all phases.
Key findings include:
The fall in Craft, Creative Arts and Design level 2 completions is very significant and is far greater than the increase in GCSE Art and Design numbers.
Overall, when GCSE and Level 2 Art and Design/Craft, Creative Arts and Design vocational qualifications are combined there has been an overall reduction of 13,311 art, craft and design completions (all qualifications).
When GCE (AS/A-Level) and level 3 Art and Design/Craft, Creative Arts and Design vocational qualifications are combined there has been an overall reduction of 15,501 completions.
Note: The dramatic decline in Craft, Creative Arts and Design completions is not following trends in other sectors.
Read GCSE and GCS art and design; Craft, Creative Arts and Design vocational completions (9.2) 2010-15 here
The fall in vocational completions for Craft, Creative Arts and Design, evidenced between 2010/11 and 2014/15, is far greater and more marked than for all other sectors (combined). More information and trends for Craft, Creative Arts and Design vocational completions (9.2) 2010-15 can be downloaded here.