Key Takeaways
- English is still the most widely studied subject, but its popularity has decreased from 87% to 80% of students between 2010 and 2025.
- Life skills and personal development courses have seen a significant increase in popularity, with 21% of students enrolled in 2025, up from 8% in 2010.
- Maths and science have also seen a slight decline in popularity, while commerce-related subjects and health and physical education have increased in popularity.
- The popularity of subjects varies depending on the year level, with Year 12 students showing different subject preferences compared to overall secondary school students.
Introduction to the Shift in Subject Popularity
English is still the most widely studied subject in secondary schools, but its popularity has slipped from 87% to 80% of students between 2010 and 2025. According to Education Ministry figures, this decline is part of a larger trend of shifting subject popularity among secondary school students. While English remains the most popular subject, other subjects such as life skills and personal development have seen a significant increase in popularity. In fact, one in five secondary school students studied life skills or personal development courses in 2025, with 40% of those being Year 9 students.
The Rise of Life Skills and Personal Development
The growth in popularity of life skills and personal development courses is a notable trend in the data. The percentage of secondary school students enrolled in these courses grew from 8% in 2010 to 21% in 2025, with nearly 68,000 students enrolled. This represents a significant increase in the number of students seeking out courses that focus on developing skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. The fact that 40% of these students are in Year 9 suggests that schools are introducing these courses earlier in the curriculum, recognizing the importance of these skills for students’ future success.
Changes in Core Subjects
While English remains the most popular subject, other core subjects such as maths and science have seen a slight decline in popularity. Maths was studied by 67% of students in 2025, down from 78% in 2010. However, the percentage of students studying maths with statistics or maths with calculus has increased, suggesting that students are becoming more specialized in their maths studies. Science was studied by 52% of students, down from 58% in 2010, but the percentage studying biology, chemistry, and physics has remained relatively constant. These changes suggest that students are becoming more focused in their studies, with some choosing to specialize in specific areas of maths and science.
The Growth of Commerce-Related Subjects
Commerce-related subjects have seen a significant increase in popularity, rising from 5% to 12% of students between 2010 and 2025. This growth is likely due to the increasing recognition of the importance of business and economics in the modern world. With more students choosing to study commerce-related subjects, schools are responding by offering a wider range of courses in this area. The fact that 13% of Year 12 students studied commerce-related subjects in 2025, double the percentage in 2010, suggests that these courses are becoming more popular among older students who are looking to pursue careers in business or economics.
Senior Subject Choices
When looking at the subject choices of Year 12 students, a different picture emerges. At this stage of schooling, students have fewer compulsory courses and are more likely to choose subjects that are linked to tertiary study or potential future areas of work. English remains a popular subject, with 80% of Year 12 students enrolled, but maths and science are also highly popular. A significant proportion of Year 12 students studied at least one science, with 31% studying biology, 27% physics, and 25% chemistry. Commerce-related subjects and economics are also popular among Year 12 students, with 13% and 10% enrolled respectively. These subject choices suggest that Year 12 students are focused on preparing themselves for tertiary study and future careers.
Conclusion
The data on subject popularity among secondary school students reveals a number of trends and shifts in student preferences. While English remains the most widely studied subject, life skills and personal development courses have seen a significant increase in popularity. Maths and science have also seen a slight decline in popularity, while commerce-related subjects and health and physical education have increased in popularity. The subject choices of Year 12 students suggest that they are focused on preparing themselves for tertiary study and future careers, with a strong emphasis on maths, science, and commerce-related subjects. Overall, the data suggests that students are becoming more focused and specialized in their studies, and schools are responding by offering a wider range of courses to meet their needs.