Chronicle EditorIn our article last week, we assisted learners on how to choose the right combination as they proceed to A level.
This week we continue on the same subject giving advice to learners and parents on choosing A Level subject combination as well as addressing some frequently asked questions parents and learners have when it comes to choosing these combinations.
Is it ok or necessary to do 5 or more subjects at A level?
Learners and parents please understand that it is not necessary to do more than three subjects at A Level.
First you need to know the kind of career you would like to do and then do research on the subjects required for you to get to that career.
The career you want is the one that determines the subjects that you are supposed to do.
In most cases only 2 to 3 A Level subjects are sufficient.
The goal after High school is to proceed to university and minimum entry requirements for universities is two A Level passes.
Therefore, it is not necessary to do a collection of subjects.
Lack of career guidance causes many learners to take up a lot of subjects at A Level.
Doing many subjects has negative impacts on the individual.
These effects include, reducing time and chances of focusing on what is really linked to your career, minimising time for leisure, spirituality and emotional growth.
This makes it difficult to achieve the goal of education, which is building a balanced and rounded person.
Doing fewer subjects greatly assists learners to maximize their points since they will be devoting all their time and effort to lesser subjects.
Below we highlight a few programmes offered by different universities, the entry requirements as well as the possible careers opportunities to show learners that only 3 A level subjects are sufficient at A level.
1) Programme
-Bachelor of engineering (hons) in industrial electronics degree
– Bachelor of engineering (hons) in computer engineering degree
Entry requirements
– “A” Level passes in Mathematics and Physics
Possible careers
l-Computer and software Engineering, IT, Computer Analyst, Programming, Cyber Security etc.
2) Programme
-Visual Arts Design and Technology (VAD)
Entry requirements
-At least 2A Level passes including any one of the following subjects-ART, Technical Graphics and design, design and Technology, Theatre Arts
Possible careers
-graphic designing, painting, modelling, acting, photography,
– sculpture, dancing, music,
– drawing etc.
3) Programme
– Bachelor of commerce honors Degree in accounting and Finance
Entry requirements
– 5 O level passes including English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject and
– At least 2 A level passes preferably in Accounting, Economics, Management of Business, Geography and Mathematics
Possible careers
– Accountancy, banking and finance, Audit and Risk Management
– Entrepreneurship, purchasing and supply, economics, Marketing,
-Business Management, risk Management, Project
-Management, etc.
4) Programme
-Bachelor of Social Sciences Honors degree in Geography and Population studies
Entry requirements
– 5 O Level passes including English Language, Geography and Mathematics
– And 2 A Level passes one of which must be Geography
Possible careers
– Population studies, meteorology,
– Geologists, , environmentalists etc.
What is meant by narrow subject combinations?
A narrow subject combination means doing A Level subject that are similar and have almost the same content.
For example, one may be doing a combination of Pure Mathematics, Statistics, Mechanical Mathematics, Further Mathematics and/or Additional Mathematics.
Looking at the above-mentioned subjects, basically its one subject-Mathematics and hence will not give a learner the diversification needed for a university placement.
To add diversification to subject combinations, a learner can choose one type of Mathematics and add other subjects that are not Mathematics like Chemistry, Physics, Geography etc.
Different scholarships that are offered also look at diversification in a subject combination.
It is not about the number of subjects that one is doing but what matters is how one picks his/her subject combination.
Three subjects if chosen well and carefully are enough for diversity.
This article is prepared and presented in the interest of providing free career guidance and counselling to all people who value education and training as a critical cornerstone to success in life.
Alternatively, write to: [email protected] or WhatsApp 0715749431 or 0774143564 or visit our campus for free career guidance and counselling at Number 52 Fort street between 3rd and 4th avenue, Bulawayo
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