Choosing the right A-Level Subject Combination
Senior Four results are out, and many parents and students are now looking for admission letters to enrol to S.5. According to UNEB, in 2024, a total of 364,469 candidates registered for the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations, with 361,695 actually sitting for the exams. Out of this number, about one third will choose to proceed to A-level, another one third will branch to post-UCE certificate-awarding institutions, while the rest will simply fall off (dropout or join business).
For those proceeding to A-level, it is a requirement that one chooses their subject combination, right on the day of admission, or soon thereafter. Since 2012, A-level students have to study 3 principal subjects (each earning 6 points), and two subsidiary subjects. The subsidiary subjects include General Paper, and either Subsidiary ICT or Subsidiary Mathematics, depending on one’s chosen subject combinations. Unlike principal subjects where one can obtain up to 6 points, passing a subsidiary subject earns only 1 point. This makes it unappealing to most students.
In Uganda, A-Level subject combinations are categorized into Science, and Arts, and sometimes, Business options, each opening different career paths. For instance, students who aspire to become doctors, engineers, or scientists should consider science combinations such as PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics), or BCM (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics). BCM is very popular these days.
Those interested in social sciences, law, or journalism may opt for arts combinations like HEG (History, Economics, Geography) or HEL (History, Economics, Literature). Meanwhile, business-oriented students can take MEG (Mathematics, Economics, Geography) or PEM (Physics, Economics, Mathematics) to prepare for careers in finance, accounting, or entrepreneurship.
While selecting a subject combination, it is important to note two things. Firstly, does the subjects combination you have chosen take you to the desired study programme at university? And most importantly, have you passed those chosen subject sufficiently at O-level?
Most university programmes specify at least two subjects as “essential”, and the other are categorized as “relevant” and “desirable”. Please check university call for applications for details about this.
Pleas note that you should only select course where you have obtained at least a “A”, “B” and “C” grades. Please do not force your child to do combinations where they got “D” or “E”, which in the old curriculum grading would be P7, P8, F9.
Some of the common subject combinations in A-level including the following.
A. Science Subject Combinations
PCM – Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
PCB – Physics Chemistry Biology
BCM – Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics
BCA – Biology, Chemistry, Agriculture
PEM – Physics, Economics, Mathematics
PEntM – Physics, Entrepreneurship, Mathematics
MEntE – Mathematics, Entrepreneurship, Economics
MEntA – Mathematics, Entrepreneurship, Art
MEG – Mathematics, Economics, Geography
BAG – Biology, Agriculture, Geography
PAM – Physics, Agriculture, Mathematics
PCA – Physics, Chemistry, Agriculture
BCG – Biology, Chemistry, Geography
B. Arts/Humanities
HEG – History, Economics, Geography
HEntG – History, Entrepreneurship, Geography
HEL – History, Economics, Literature
HEntL – History, Entrepreneurship, Literature
HEntD – History, Entrepreneurship, Divinity
HLD – History, Literature, Divinity
HLL – History, Lango, Literature
LED – Literature, Economics, Divinity
DEG – Divinity, Economics, Geography
LEA – Literature, Economics, Art
GEA – Geography, Economics, Art
HLL – History, Lango, Literature
LLD – Lango, Literature, Divinity
LLG – Lango, Literature, Geography
HGL – History, Geography, Literature
C. Hybrid subject combination
PEE – Physics, Economics, Entrepreneurship
GEA – Geography, Economics, Agriculture
GEntA – Geography, Entrepreneurship, Agriculture
PAM – Physics, Art, Mathematics
MEA – Mathematics, Economics, Agriculture
MAG – Mathematics, Agriculture, Geography
The subject combinations above are not exhaustive, include only principal subjects. As a said earlier, currently in A-level, a student must offer three principal subjects, and two subjects, one of which of General Paper. The other second subsidiary, Subsidiary ICT or Subsidiary Maths, largely depends on the principal subjects chosen. As a rule, UNEB has provided guidelines to follow when choosing the second subsidiary subject, between Sub-ICT and Sub-Maths.
• All students offering Principal Mathematics must do Sub-ICT.
• All students offering combinations that include Economics, but without Principal Mathematics must do Sub-Maths.
• All students offering science combinations without Principal Mathematics (e.g. PCB, BAG, GCB, BCA) must do Sub-Maths.
• Students outside the above categories are free to choose between Sub-ICT & Sub-Maths.
A good subject combination is one that takes care of your passions, and future aspirations, such as university course, as well as personality and career fit. Hence, choosing the right combination ensures that you meet university entry requirements and develop the necessary skills for your desired profession.
Therefore, careful planning, guidance, and alignment with your interests and strengths are key when selecting A-Level subjects. Above, choose what you can pass.