Senior School Subject Combinations in Kenya by Pathway

How Senior School Subject Combinations Work in Kenya

Kenya’s Ministry of Education has approved 571 senior school subject combinations under the Competency Based Education (CBE) framework. Unlike the old 8-4-4 system where learners sat roughly eight generic subjects, every Grade 10, 11, and 12 learner now studies exactly 7 learning areas: four compulsory core subjects that every learner takes regardless of pathway, plus three pathway elective subjects chosen to match the learner’s career direction, assessed strengths, and interests.

The Ministry of Education’s placement portal at selection.education.go.ke displays every approved combination as a group of three listed learning areas with a unique alphanumeric code. Each code links to a “View Schools” function showing which institutions are currently approved and staffed to deliver that exact combination. Always use the live portal — not a WhatsApp group screenshot or a third-party spreadsheet — because school counts and available options are updated in real time.

The 4 Compulsory Core Subjects (Taken by Every Senior School Learner)

Regardless of pathway — STEM, Social Sciences, or Arts & Sports Science — every Grade 10 learner in Kenya studies these four compulsory core subjects:

• English — written and oral communication, literacy, and academic language across all disciplines.
• Kiswahili — or Kenya Sign Language (KSL) for learners who are hearing-impaired, as provided in the KICD curriculum designs.
• Mathematics — Advanced Mathematics for STEM pathway learners; Basic/Applied Mathematics for Social Sciences and Arts & Sports Science learners. This distinction has direct implications for KUCCPS university cluster-point calculations. A learner who selects Basic Mathematics while targeting a Bachelor of Science or Engineering degree will not meet minimum cluster requirements for those programmes at public universities.
• Community Service Learning (CSL) — a non-examinable civic engagement activity tied to the learner’s school and surrounding community.

Physical Education (PE) is also offered to all learners as a non-examinable health activity. ICT is integrated across all tracks. Neither PE nor ICT counts among the three elective subjects selected from the 571 approved combinations — they sit outside the combination entirely.

The 3 Pathways and 7 Official Tracks at a Glance

All 571 CBE subject combinations for Grade 10 sit within one of three pathways and seven specialised tracks. The pathway sets the broad direction; the track narrows it to a discipline family; the combination is the exact three-elective set the learner selects. The table below summarises each pathway, its official tracks, the mathematics variant required, sample elective subjects, and the target career fields they support.

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Pathway	Official Tracks	Mathematics Variant	Sample Elective Learning Areas	Target Career / Degree Fields
STEM	Pure Sciences · Applied Sciences · Technical & Engineering · Career & Technology Studies (CTS)	Advanced Mathematics	Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Agriculture, Computer Science, Home Science, Aviation, Electrical Technology, Metalwork, Woodwork, Power Mechanics, Building & Construction	Medicine, Pharmacy, Engineering, Architecture, Computer Science, Agribusiness, Veterinary Science, Aviation Technology
Social Sciences	Humanities & Business Studies · Languages & Literature	Basic / Applied Mathematics	History & Citizenship, Geography, Business Studies, Economics, Entrepreneurship, CRE / IRE / HRE, French, German, Arabic, Mandarin, Indigenous Languages, Literature in English	Law, Public Administration, Journalism, Diplomacy, Commerce, Business Management, Social Work, Education, Finance
Arts & Sports Science	Performing Arts · Visual Arts · Sports Science	Basic / Applied Mathematics	Fine Art, Graphic Design, Music, Theatre & Film, Sports & Recreation, Athletics, Ball Games, Sports Administration & Fitness	Creative Economy, Film & Media Production, Graphic Design, Performing Arts, Sports Coaching, Sports Administration, Physical Therapy

STEM Subject Combinations for Grade 10

STEM has the widest spread of grade 10 subject combinations in Kenya — covering Pure Sciences, Applied Sciences, Technical & Engineering, and Career & Technology Studies (CTS). All STEM learners take Advanced Mathematics as their compulsory core mathematics variant. This is non-negotiable: Advanced Mathematics is a KUCCPS prerequisite for engineering, medicine, computer science, and all Bachelor of Science degree programmes at Kenyan public universities.

Pure Sciences Track

The Pure Sciences track targets learners aiming for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, or architecture. Standard STEM subject combinations in this track pair Physics, Chemistry, and Biology with the compulsory Advanced Mathematics. As of a July 2026 portal check, the combination of Biology + Chemistry + Physics (Core Mathematics included as compulsory) showed the widest school availability in Kenya at 2,884 institutions — by far the most accessible STEM combination nationally.

Applied Sciences Track

The Applied Sciences track suits learners drawn to agriculture, computing, nutrition, food science, or home-based sciences. Examples include Agriculture + Biology + Computer Science, or Chemistry + Home Science + Biology. Applied Sciences combinations generally have broader school availability than Technical combinations, making them a practical option for learners in counties where specialist workshop facilities are limited.

Technical & Engineering Track

Technical combinations include specialised practical learning areas: Aviation, Building & Construction, Electrical Technology, Metalwork, Power Mechanics, and Woodwork. These combinations are approved for significantly fewer schools because of the workshop, equipment, and specialist staffing they require. A July 2026 portal check showed only 34 schools offering the Physics + Power Mechanics combination, and only 11 schools nationally offering the Aviation + Biology combination. If a learner’s preferred combination is in this track, run the “View Schools” check on the portal before selecting and prepare at least one backup combination.

Combination Code	Elective Subject 1	Elective Subject 2	Elective Subject 3	Career Direction
See portal	Biology	Chemistry	Physics	Medicine, Surgery, Dentistry, Pharmacy (widest school availability — 2,884 schools, July 2026)
See portal	Biology	Chemistry	Computer Science	Bioinformatics, Medical Technology, Research Sciences, Biomedical Engineering
See portal	Physics	Chemistry	Computer Science	Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, IT, Software Development
See portal	Physics	Chemistry	Mathematics (Adv.)	Pure Mathematics, Actuarial Science, Physics-based Engineering
See portal	Agriculture	Biology	Chemistry	Agribusiness, Veterinary Science, Agricultural Engineering, Environmental Science
See portal	Chemistry	Home Science	Biology	Nutrition & Dietetics, Food Science, Nursing, Public Health
See portal	Agriculture	Computer Science	Biology	Agricultural IT, Precision Farming, Agri-tech, Data Analytics in Agriculture
See portal	Physics	Power Mechanics	Electrical Technology	Electrical Engineering, Automotive Technology, Mechatronics (34 schools, July 2026)
See portal	Aviation	Biology	Physics	Commercial Aviation, Aerospace Engineering, Air Traffic Control (11 schools, July 2026)
See portal	Building & Construction	Physics	Metalwork	Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Architecture (Technical Route)

Social Sciences Subject Combinations for Grade 10

The Social Sciences pathway covers two broad tracks and suits learners with strengths in analysis, communication, enterprise, social research, culture, and public life. Learners in this pathway take Basic/Applied Mathematics as their compulsory mathematics variant. Learners considering law, economics, or business management at university should confirm current KUCCPS cluster-point requirements for their target programme before ruling out any combination — some universities specify particular subjects within this pathway for entry to competitive courses.

Humanities & Business Studies Track

This track supports learners targeting public administration, law, business management, economics, journalism, or social research. Typical social sciences subject combinations draw from History & Citizenship, Geography, Business Studies, Economics, Entrepreneurship, and the three religious education options — CRE, IRE, and HRE. Example combinations include Business Studies + History & Citizenship + Computer Studies, or Geography + Business Studies + Economics. Learners aiming for a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Bachelor of Commerce should confirm the specific KUCCPS cluster subjects required by their target university, as minimum entry requirements vary between institutions.

Languages & Literature Track

This track covers foreign languages (French, German, Arabic, Mandarin), indigenous Kenyan languages, and Literature in English. It suits learners targeting journalism, diplomacy, translation, international relations, creative writing, or language teaching. Before selecting a language combination, confirm that the receiving school has a qualified teacher for that specific language — not all schools listing Social Sciences on the portal have Arabic, Mandarin, or German on their staffing establishment. A learner should not choose a language combination on the assumption that “Social Sciences” schools automatically offer all available languages.

Arts & Sports Science Subject Combinations for Grade 10

The Arts & Sports Science pathway is for learners whose demonstrated strengths sit in creative production, visual design, performance, or athletic development. Like Social Sciences, learners take Basic/Applied Mathematics as their core mathematics variant. The pathway divides into three tracks, each with distinct facility and staffing requirements that must be confirmed with the receiving school before finalising a combination.

Performing Arts Track

Combinations in this track centre on Music, Theatre & Film, or Dance and Movement. They suit learners targeting careers in film production, music performance, acting, directing, or arts education. Supporting electives from languages or humanities can be paired alongside the core performing arts subject. Confirm the school has functioning performance spaces, music equipment, and specialist staff — not just a drama club listed on the school website.

Visual Arts Track

Fine Art and Graphic Design anchor visual arts combinations for Grade 10. These support careers in graphic design, illustration, advertising, interior design, and the growing creative economy. Schools offering this track should have functional art studios and specialist art teachers. A school’s general “Arts” label on the portal does not confirm that a specific visual arts combination is delivered — always use “View Schools” for the exact combination code.

Sports Science Track

Sports Science combinations pair Sports & Recreation with supporting learning areas such as General Science or Computer Studies. An example combination listed in the official portal is Sports & Recreation + General Science + Computer Studies. This track targets careers in sports coaching, sports administration, physical therapy, and fitness management. Always verify that a school has the relevant coaching facilities, programme accreditation, and specialist physical education staff — a school’s general reputation in sport is not confirmation that the formal CBE combination is being delivered.

Pathway	Track	Sample Elective Combination	Target Career / Degree
Social Sciences	Humanities & Business	Business Studies · History & Citizenship · Economics	Business Administration, Commerce, Financial Management, Public Administration
Social Sciences	Humanities & Business	Business Studies · History & Citizenship · Computer Studies	Business IT, Information Management, FinTech, Digital Commerce
Social Sciences	Humanities & Business	Business Studies · Economics · Entrepreneurship	Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Finance, Law (Business Entry)
Social Sciences	Humanities & Business	Geography · History & Citizenship · CRE/IRE/HRE	Education (Arts), Social Work, Theology, Public Service, Sociology
Social Sciences	Humanities & Business	History & Citizenship · Geography · Business Studies	Law (LLB entry), Diplomacy, Political Science, Public Administration
Social Sciences	Languages & Literature	French · Literature in English · History & Citizenship	Journalism, Diplomacy, International Relations, Translation, Creative Writing
Social Sciences	Languages & Literature	Arabic · History & Citizenship · CRE/IRE/HRE	Islamic Studies, Arabic Translation, Diplomacy, Theology
Arts & Sports	Performing Arts	Music · Theatre & Film · Literature in English	Performing Arts, Film Production, Music Education, Media Studies
Arts & Sports	Visual Arts	Fine Art · Graphic Design · Computer Studies	Graphic Design, Digital Advertising, Illustration, Creative Economy
Arts & Sports	Sports Science	Sports & Recreation · General Science · Computer Studies	Sports Coaching, Physical Therapy, Sports Administration, Fitness Management

Understanding Grade 10 Subject Combination Codes on the Portal

Every one of the 571 approved CBE combinations on selection.education.go.ke carries a unique alphanumeric code assigned by the Ministry of Education. Learners and parents encounter these grade 10 subject combination codes throughout the selection and placement process. Here is how they work in practice:

• Each code is unique to one specific three-subject group within its pathway and track. Two combinations that share two subjects but differ in the third carry different codes — never assume they are interchangeable.
• The code drives the “View Schools” filter. When you select a combination code on the portal, the system returns only those institutions currently approved and staffed to deliver that exact combination. The pathway label alone does not trigger this filter.
• Record the exact code and all three subject names when shortlisting. Combinations with overlapping subject names can have distinct codes — noting the code prevents confusion during the submission window.
• KUCCPS university alignment: The combination code determines which examinable learning areas the learner sits at the end of Grade 12. Those subjects feed directly into KUCCPS cluster-point calculations for degree programme entry. Confirm that the subjects attached to your chosen code satisfy the minimum KUCCPS cluster for the target university course before submitting.
• The official PDF lists all codes. Download the full list from selection.education.go.ke — Subject Combinations PDF as a reference, then verify against the live portal for current school counts during your actual selection window.

How School Availability Affects Your Subject Combination Choice

The Ministry portal does not show the same number of schools for every subject combination. Availability varies sharply because institutions differ in staffing, laboratories, workshops, studios, sports facilities, and approved programmes. A combination may be approved nationally but offered by only a handful of schools within a learner’s county.

School category (C1 National, C2 Extra-County, C3 County/Sub-County) determines the learner’s placement tier — but category alone does not confirm that a specific combination is offered at a given school. Use our guides to understand the school landscape — C1 National Schools, C2 Schools, and C3 Schools — then return to the portal to verify the combination code for each school on your shortlist.

What to Do When Your Preferred Combination Shows No Schools

• Confirm the spelling and wording of the combination matches exactly what is shown on the portal — even minor differences mean a different code.
• Remove an overly narrow geographic or category filter and search again with broader settings.
• Compare a backup combination that still supports the learner’s career direction — there is usually more than one combination route to a given degree programme.
• Ask the Junior School head or Class Teacher to review the available options with the learner using the official portal, not a peer’s screenshot.
• Download and cross-reference the official Ministry PDF alongside the live portal — the PDF lists all 571 combinations with their tracks and pathway groupings.
• Never share the learner’s NEMIS UPI number, index number, or OTP verification code with a third-party “agent” offering to find school vacancies outside the official system.

Step-by-Step: How to Choose Your Subject Combination and Find Schools

1. Identify the learner’s pathway first. Review KJSEA assessment performance, class teacher feedback, and career interests across Grade 7, 8, and 9. STEM is not automatically the “safest” or “most prestigious” option — it is the right pathway only where the learner has genuine aptitude and sustained interest in science or technical disciplines.
2. Narrow to a specific track. Within STEM, decide between Pure Sciences, Applied Sciences, or Technical & Engineering. Within Social Sciences, decide between Humanities & Business or Languages & Literature. Within Arts, decide between Performing Arts, Visual Arts, or Sports Science.
3. Open the official combination browser. Go to selection.education.go.ke/pathways and browse combinations within the chosen track. Note the exact three learning areas and the combination code for each shortlisted option.
4. Click “View Schools” for each shortlisted code. Apply filters for county, gender preference, and boarding or day status. Record the number of schools shown and note which are C1, C2, or C3.
5. Verify the Mathematics variant. STEM combinations require Advanced Mathematics — confirm this is reflected in the code’s full learning-area list. Social Sciences and Arts learners take Basic/Applied Mathematics. A learner targeting engineering or medicine who selects Basic Mathematics at this stage will not meet KUCCPS entry requirements for those programmes.
6. Shortlist at least two realistic backup combinations. Specialist technical combinations (Aviation, Power Mechanics) or rare language combinations may return very few schools in the learner’s county. A backup combination prevents last-minute selection pressure.
7. Review the school fit beyond the combination. Confirm programme delivery capability, learner support, distance, boarding or day status, gender, and school category. The receiving school’s timetable should confirm all seven learning areas — the four compulsory core subjects plus the three electives in the selected combination code.
8. Complete the official Grade 10 placement submission. Follow the verified steps in our Grade 10 School Selection Portal guide and submit only through the authorised Ministry system at selection.education.go.ke. Do not submit through any unofficial third-party website or agent.
9. Save the submission confirmation. Print or screenshot the final confirmation generated by the portal. Do not share the learner’s full name, index number, NEMIS UPI, or selection details in public WhatsApp groups or on social media.

How to Change Your Pathway or Track in Grade 10

CBE policy allows a learner to request a pathway or combination change within the first term of Grade 10, subject to the receiving school’s approved provision, available class capacity, and the school head’s approval. The process below outlines the standard procedure:

1. Confirm the new combination is available at the current school. Use the portal’s “View Schools” function for the new combination code before approaching the school head. If the school does not appear in the results, a school transfer will also be required.
2. Submit a written change request to the school head. The letter should state the current pathway and combination, the requested new pathway or combination and code, and the reason for the change. The class teacher and the Head of Department for both the current and new subjects must be informed.
3. Await the school’s formal approval. If the new combination is offered at the current school and space is available in the relevant class, the school head can approve the change internally. The approved change is recorded in the school’s official registers.
4. Notify the Sub-County Director of Education (SCDE) if a school transfer is involved. A formal letter and supporting documents — including the original placement record and the reason for transfer — are submitted to the SCDE office for recording and approval. Keep copies of all correspondence.
5. Do not delay past the end of Term 1. A pathway change after the first term disrupts the learner’s assessment sequence for internal KJSEA assessments carried forward into Grade 11. The later the change, the more difficult it becomes to formalise without gaps in the learner’s academic record.

Not all schools can accommodate a pathway change — particularly for technical, visual arts, or language combinations that require dedicated workshops, studios, or specialist teachers. Always verify availability at the destination before initiating any transfer paperwork.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selecting a Subject Combination

• Dropping Chemistry when targeting health sciences. Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry, and Clinical Medicine at Kenyan universities all specify Chemistry as a compulsory KUCCPS cluster subject. A learner who selects a combination without Chemistry locks themselves out of all these programmes before Grade 12 is even complete.
• Selecting Basic Mathematics when targeting engineering or BSc degrees. Advanced Mathematics is a KUCCPS cluster prerequisite for Bachelor of Science, Engineering, Architecture, Actuarial Science, and Computing programmes. Choosing Basic/Applied Mathematics because it “seems easier” makes those degree programmes unreachable, regardless of how strong the learner’s other subjects are.
• Choosing a combination the school does not actually offer. A school may carry a general “STEM pathway” label on the portal without offering every STEM combination. Always run the “View Schools” check for the exact combination code — not the pathway label — before selecting that school.
• Treating the three portal electives as the complete timetable. The three elective subjects in a combination are not the learner’s entire programme. The full seven-learning-area timetable includes four compulsory core subjects plus PE and ICT. Confirm the full programme with the receiving school before arrival.
• Using an old screenshot instead of the live portal. School counts and available combinations are updated on the portal. A screenshot from a previous year or even a previous month may show schools that have since updated their programmes.
• Ignoring the practical demands of technical, arts, and sports combinations. Aviation, Electrical Technology, Fine Art, and Sports Science combinations require sustained hands-on practical work in specialised facilities. Learners who are not genuinely prepared for that workload often struggle through all three Senior School years.
• Submitting without a backup combination shortlisted. A learner with only one preferred combination available at three schools nationally has very little margin during competitive Grade 10 placement. Always have at least one realistic alternative.

Official Contacts — Ministry of Education & KICD

For queries on Grade 10 subject combinations, school placement, KICD curriculum designs, or NEMIS UPI numbers, contact the relevant official body directly:

Body	Contact / Portal	What to Use It For
Ministry of Education (MOE)	Jogoo House B, Harambee Avenue, P.O. Box 30040-00100 Nairobi education.go.ke	Senior School placement policy, school categorisation, official circulars
Grade 10 Selection Portal	selection.education.go.ke/pathways	Browse all 571 combinations, view codes, run “View Schools” for each option
MOE Combinations PDF	Official Subject Combinations PDF	Offline reference for all combination codes, tracks, and pathway groupings
Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD)	kicd.ac.ke | info@kicd.ac.ke | +254 (020) 374 9900 Desai Road, Off Murang’a Road, Nairobi	Curriculum designs, official learning outcomes, and content for each learning area by track
Kenya Education Cloud (KEC)	kec.ac.ke	KICD-approved digital learning materials for Grade 10 subjects
NEMIS Portal	nemis.education.go.ke	Learner UPI number verification — required for Grade 10 placement submission

Frequently Asked Questions

How many subjects does a Grade 10 learner take under CBE Senior School?

A Grade 10, 11, and 12 learner takes 7 learning areas: four compulsory core subjects (English, Kiswahili or Kenya Sign Language, Mathematics, and Community Service Learning) plus three pathway elective subjects chosen from one of 571 approved combinations. Physical Education and ICT are also offered as non-examinable activities and do not count as part of the seven examinable learning areas.

Is Mathematics compulsory in Senior School for all pathways?

Yes. Mathematics is a compulsory core subject for every Senior School learner across all three pathways. The variant differs by pathway: STEM learners take Advanced Mathematics; Social Sciences and Arts & Sports Science learners take Basic/Applied Mathematics. Choosing the wrong variant has direct consequences for university KUCCPS cluster-point eligibility, so confirm the mathematics requirement for the learner’s target degree programme before finalising a combination.

Can a learner study Medicine without Physics in the CBE subject combination?

Most Kenyan universities that offer Medicine, Surgery, or Pharmacy through KUCCPS specify Biology, Chemistry, and Physics as the standard minimum cluster subjects. Selecting a combination that excludes Physics may reduce or eliminate eligibility for these programmes. Before finalising a combination, cross-reference the KUCCPS minimum cluster requirements for the specific degree programme at the target university, as requirements can vary by institution.

What are the STEM subject combinations in Kenya for Grade 10?

STEM subject combinations in Kenya are the approved sets of three elective learning areas within the STEM pathway, organised under Pure Sciences, Applied Sciences, Technical & Engineering, and Career & Technology Studies (CTS) tracks. All STEM learners additionally take Advanced Mathematics as a compulsory core subject. Common STEM subject combinations include Biology + Chemistry + Physics (Pure Sciences), Agriculture + Biology + Chemistry (Applied Sciences), and Physics + Power Mechanics + Electrical Technology (Technical). All 571 combinations with their current codes are listed at selection.education.go.ke/pathways.

What do the grade 10 subject combination codes on the portal mean?

Each of the 571 approved combinations carries a unique alphanumeric code assigned by the Ministry of Education on the Grade 10 selection portal. The code identifies the exact three-elective group within its track and pathway, links to the “View Schools” availability filter, and is the reference the system uses during placement submission. Always record the exact code alongside the three subject names — combinations with overlapping subjects can have distinct codes. The full list of codes is available in the official Ministry PDF.

Can a learner switch pathways after being placed in Grade 10?

Yes, within the first term of Grade 10. The learner and parent submit a written request to the school head, stating the current and requested new combination. If the new combination is approved at the current school and class space is available, the change is processed internally. If the school does not offer the new combination, a school transfer request goes through the Sub-County Director of Education. Pathway changes after Term 1 become progressively harder to formalise and may disrupt the learner’s internal assessment continuity for KJSEA records.

Does every C1 National School offer all STEM combinations?

No. C1 National Schools generally offer a wider range of combinations than county or sub-county schools, but not all 571. Highly specialised technical combinations such as Aviation, Power Mechanics, and Woodwork are approved only at specific institutions regardless of school category. Always use the “View Schools” function on the official portal for the exact combination code before including any school on a selection list.

Related Senior School Guides on Teachers Kenya Hub

• Senior School CBE Pathways in Kenya — compare all three pathways and seven tracks in detail before settling on a combination.
• Grade 10 School Selection Portal Guide (selection.education.go.ke) — step-by-step walkthrough of the full official placement process.
• KJSEA Placement Results & Grade 10 Admission Letters — how to check your KJSEA placement and download your school calling letter.
• C1 National Senior Schools in Kenya — current verified list of C1 National and Special Needs Senior Secondary Schools.
• Grade 10 KICD Curriculum Designs — official learning outcomes and content for each learning area by pathway and track.

Official Sources

• Ministry of Education, Subject Combinations for Senior Schools — Official PDF, checked 28 July 2026.
• Ministry of Education, Grade 10 Selection System — Pathways & Subject Combinations Browser, checked 28 July 2026.
• Ministry of Education, About the Grade 10 Selection System, checked 28 July 2026.
• Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, Grade Ten Curriculum Designs — Official KICD Page, checked 28 July 2026.
• Ministry of Education, education.go.ke — Official Ministry Website.