What can you study at university after S6 in Rwanda? Courses by A-Level combination

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What subjects will S6 students be studying at University as per their A Level pathway? One of the major questions students ask after doing Senior 6 is:

What can I go on to study at university?

Your A-Level pathway will enable you to narrow down the University programmes and career areas that suit your subjects. The admission requirements are however, may vary between different universities or programmes.

Below is a straightforward explanation of some of the University fields you may want to consider based on your pathway.

Pathway 1: Mathematics and Sciences.

The Mathematics and Sciences pathway is designed for students who are interested in science, technology, health, engineering, agriculture, economics, and related areas.

Stream 1: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology

Students taking this combination can consider university programmes such as:

Medicine and Surgery
Pharmacy
Dentistry
Nursing
Medical Laboratory Sciences
Biomedical Sciences
Environmental Health
Veterinary Medicine
Agriculture
Agricultural Engineering
Civil Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Computer Engineering
Information Technology
Computer Science
Software Engineering
Biotechnology
Food Science and Technology

This stream is particularly beneficial for students aiming for careers in Health Sciences, Engineering, Agriculture, Technology, and Natural Sciences.

STREAM 2: Mathematics, Economics, Geography and Physics

Students in this stream may be interested in studying in subjects such as mathematics, business, economics, geography, technology and planning.

Prospective university courses might be:

Economics
Business Administration
Finance
Accounting
Banking and Finance
Statistics
Data Science
Logistics & Transport Management
Geography
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Urban and Regional Planning
Environmental Planning
Land Management
Real Estate
Development Studies

This stream may be suitable for students with business and financial interests, data, geography, planning, logistics and economics interests.

2: Arts and Humanities Pathway

The Arts and Humanities pathway is for learners who are interested in society and culture, communication, education, law, history and human behaviour.

Students might think about college fields of:

Education
Law
History
Geography
Psychology
Sociology
Political Science
Public Administration
International Relations
Development Studies
Journalism and Communication
Social Work
Human Resource Management
Governance
Community Development

There are opportunities for jobs in education, government offices, non-government organisations, media, administration, research and social services through these programmes.

3. Languages Pathway

The Languages pathway is appropriate for students who have a love of learning and using languages. It also offers communication, education, tourism, diplomacy and translation opportunities.

The following are potential areas of study at university:

Languages and Linguistics
English
French
Kinyarwanda
Kiswahili
Translation and Interpretation
Journalism and Communication
Education
International Relations
Diplomacy
Tourism Management
Hospitality Management
Public Relations
Media and Communication

Teaching, journalism, translation, diplomacy, tourism, media and communication are the areas that can by students with good language and communication skills, be in such a way as to offer opportunities.

What about Professional and TVET Courses?

Not all students need to pursue a college course. Students may also have the option to pursue professional and technical programmes like:

Teacher Training
Accounting
ICT
Business
Hospitality
Construction
Automotive Technology
Agriculture
Electronics
Other TVET programmes

These programmes can offer hands-on training, which can be applied in the workplace or in starting a business.

Select a course based on a combination of subjects and other factors.

It is crucial that your A-Level pathway is your pathway, but it is not the only pathway you should have in mind when making your university programme choice.

Think about:

The subjects of which you have a strong mark.
Your interests and talents
The career path you envision (if any)
The skills that you would like to acquire.
Employment opportunities.
The University's admission standards

From the beginning, you can choose between academic and practical training. At the beginning you can opt for academic learning or practical learning.

For instance, if a student likes Maths and Technology, then they might like studying Computer Science or Engineering and if they like Communication and Languages, they might like studying Journalism, Education, Translation or International Relations.

Inquire about the requirements for admission to the university.

Always read the particular requirements of the university and programme you wish to apply for before you apply. There are some programmes that may have specific subjects or grades, even though they may still be suitable for your pathway.

The Higher Education Council (HEC) gives the nation some direction on who is eligible to go to higher education and the specific programme requirements are posted by the individual universities.

As conclusion

Senior 6 is not the end of the education. It's the first step in the decision of career direction that can influence future career.

There are numerous opportunities for university and potential professional career in all subject areas, including Mathematics and Sciences, Arts and Humanities, and Languages.

Don't rush to make your choice, know your strengths, look up the programmes you want to study in, and see what the requirements are.