Last reviewed: 18 October 2026
In Grade 9, every learner picks a pathway and a subject combination for senior school. The combination is the three elective subjects they will study from Grade 10 to Grade 12, on top of four core subjects. It shapes which senior schools they can be placed in, and later which university, TVET or career routes are open. This guide explains the rules, using the Ministry of Education’s Guidelines for Implementation of Senior School Education (October 2025) and the official list of combinations. It is current as of October 2026.
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Seven Subjects: Four Core, Three Electives
The Ministry’s guidelines say every senior school learner takes seven subjects:
| Type | Subject | Lessons per week |
|---|---|---|
| Core (all learners) | English | 5 |
| Kiswahili (or Kenyan Sign Language) | 5 | |
| Core Mathematics (STEM) or Essential Mathematics (other pathways) | 5 | |
| Community Service Learning (CSL) | 3 | |
| Electives | Three subjects (the “combination”) | 5 each |
| Support | Physical Education; ICT | 3; 2 |
A week has 40 lessons of 40 minutes each, including a lesson study period and pastoral programme. A learner outside STEM may be allowed to take Core Mathematics if their junior school results show they are ready (MoE guidelines, section 3.1). This matters for careers such as economics or architecture, where university courses often expect stronger mathematics.
Subjects in Each Pathway
| Pathway | Track | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| STEM | Pure Sciences | Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, General Science |
| Applied Sciences | Computer Studies, Home Science, Agriculture | |
| Technical Studies | Aviation, Building Construction, Electricity, Metalwork, Power Mechanics, Woodwork, Media Technology, Marine and Fisheries Technology | |
| Social Sciences | Languages & Literature | Literature in English, Indigenous Languages, Fasihi ya Kiswahili, Sign Language, Arabic, French, German, Mandarin Chinese |
| Humanities & Business Studies | CRE, IRE, HRE, Business Studies, History and Citizenship, Geography | |
| Arts & Sports Science | Arts | Music and Dance, Fine Arts, Theatre and Film |
| Sports Science | Sports and Recreation |
Source: MoE guidelines, Tables 3.2–3.4, citing KICD (2024). Each pathway also lists “complementary” subjects from outside it. STEM can draw in Geography and Business Studies. Social Sciences can draw in Mathematics, Computer Studies and General Science. Arts & Sports can draw in any Social Sciences subject plus Computer Studies, General Science, Mathematics, Business Studies and Media Technology.
The Mixing Rule
The guidelines advise that a learner takes at least two of the three electives from their chosen pathway. So a combination can be three subjects from one pathway, or two from it plus one from another. Where a career genuinely needs one subject from each pathway, the guidelines say that “should be permitted”.
Real Combination Codes
Schools offer specific coded combinations, and learners choose from what a school offers. A few examples from the Ministry’s combination list (selection.education.go.ke):
| Code | Track | Combination |
|---|---|---|
| ST1048 | Pure Sciences | Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| ST1046 | Pure Sciences | Biology, Chemistry, Computer Studies |
| ST2007 | Applied Sciences | Business Studies, Computer Studies, Physics |
| ST2067 | Applied Sciences | Agriculture, Computer Studies, Physics |
| ST3105 | Technical Studies | Geography, Metal Work, Physics |
| SS1001 | Languages & Literature | French, Indigenous Language, Literature in English |
| SS2112 | Humanities & Business | Business Studies, Christian Religious Education, French |
| SS2033 | Humanities & Business | Computer Studies, Geography, Islamic Religious Education |
| AS1021 | Arts | Computer Studies, Fine Arts, Music & Dance |
| AS2031 | Sports | Fasihi ya Kiswahili, Sports & Recreation, Theatre & Film |
The full list has dozens of combinations per track. A school only offers the combinations it has teachers and facilities for, and a senior school must offer at least two pathways. Before you list a school among your 12 choices, confirm on the selection portal that it offers the combination your child wants.
Technical Studies and Dual Certification
One detail many parents miss: learners who take Technical Studies subjects are eligible for dual certification. That means the Kenya Certificate of Basic Education (KCBE) from KNEC at the end of Grade 12, plus an artisan-equivalent certificate from an industrial training institution (MoE guidelines, section 3.1). For a learner aiming at a trade or engineering technician route, that is a real head start.
How to Choose a Combination
- Start from strengths. Look at your child’s results by learning area. Integrated Science and Mathematics strengths point to STEM. Languages and Social Studies point to Social Sciences. Creative Arts & Sports points to Arts & Sports. See how CBC grading works.
- Work back from careers. If your child has a career in mind, check what university or TVET courses usually ask for. Medicine and pharmacy need Biology and Chemistry, so a Pure Sciences combination is the safe route.
- Keep doors open. If your child is undecided, a combination that includes a widely useful subject, such as Computer Studies, Business Studies or Geography, keeps more options alive than three narrow ones.
- Be realistic about schools. Rare combinations such as Aviation or Marine and Fisheries are offered by few schools, which narrows placement options.
- Do not choose for prestige. Biology, Chemistry, Physics is not “better”. It is right for some careers and wrong for others.
Our guide to choosing a senior school pathway walks through these conversations step by step. For a wider look at career options and the job market, the career advice section on JobInKenya is a useful companion.
Sources
- Ministry of Education, Guidelines for Implementation of Senior School Education (October 2025), section 3.1 and Tables 3.1–3.5.
- Ministry of Education, Senior school subject combinations list.