Understanding KNUST Programs and Their Related SHS Backgrounds

Choosing a course at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is not only about meeting the cutoff point. One of the most important factors is your Senior High School (SHS) background and elective subjects.

Many students focus only on grades, but each university program is built around specific SHS subject combinations. This means your SHS track (General Science, General Arts, Business, Home Economics, Visual Arts, or Technical) plays a major role in determining what you can study.

Below is a simplified and well-organized guide to help you understand how KNUST programs are grouped according to SHS backgrounds and elective requirements.



1. Home Economics Background

Students with Home Economics electives (Food & Nutrition, Management in Living, Biology, Chemistry, etc.) are commonly eligible for:
• Fashion Design
• Hospitality and Tourism Management
• Dietetics
• Human Nutrition
• Disability and Rehabilitation Studies
• Business Administration (Marketing, HR, Accounting, Finance, Logistics)
• Information Technology (with Elective Mathematics)
• Statistics
• Actuarial Science
• Public Administration
• Packaging Technology
• Textile Design and Technology
• Metal Product Design Technology
• Painting and Sculpture
• Publishing Studies
• Integrated Rural Art and Industry

Key idea: Home Economics students can branch into both health-related, business, and creative arts programs, depending on electives.


2. Business Background

Business students (Accounting, Economics, Business Management, Costing, Elective Mathematics) can pursue:
• Agribusiness Management
• Land Economy
• Real Estate
• Economics
• Law (LLB)
• Business Administration (HR, Marketing, Accounting/Finance, Logistics, IT)
• Hospitality and Tourism Management
• Actuarial Science
• Statistics
• Information Technology
• Public Administration
• Creative Arts-related programs (in some cases)
• Publishing Studies
• Packaging Technology
• Fashion, Textile, and Design-related programs

Key idea: Business students have wide access to management, finance, law, and some technical/design programs.


3. General Science Background

Science students have the widest access to medical, engineering, and pure science programs, including:

Medical & Health Sciences
• Medicine (Human Biology)
• Nursing
• Midwifery
• Medical Laboratory Sciences
• Medical Imaging
• Pharmacy (Pharm D)
• Dentistry (BDS – fee-paying only)
• Veterinary Medicine
• Optometry
• Physiotherapy
• Physician Assistantship
• Herbal Medicine

Engineering & Technology
• Civil Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical/Electronic Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering
• Agricultural Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Petroleum & Petrochemical Engineering
• Geological Engineering
• Marine Engineering
• Materials Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Telecommunications Engineering

Science & IT
• Computer Science
• Mathematics
• Statistics
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Environmental Science
• Meteorology & Climate Science
• Biological Sciences
• Food Science & Technology
• Actuarial Science

Key idea: General Science students dominate health, engineering, and pure science fields.


4. General Arts Background

General Arts students typically enter humanities, social sciences, and some planning/design programs:
• History
• Political Studies
• Sociology
• Social Work
• Geography & Rural Development
• English
• French & Francophone Studies
• Linguistics
• Akan Language & Culture
• Media & Communication Studies
• Religious Studies
• Economics
• Development Planning
• Human Settlement Planning
• Architecture
• Quantity Surveying & Construction Economics
• Land Economy
• Real Estate
• Agribusiness Management
• Law (LLB)
• Business Administration (selected areas)
• Hospitality and Tourism Management
• Information Technology (with Elective Maths in some cases)
• Actuarial Science & Statistics (with strong Maths background)

Key idea: Arts students are strongest in law, communication, planning, education, and social sciences.


5. Visual Arts Background

Visual Arts students can enter both creative and technical-design fields such as:
• Painting and Sculpture
• Ceramics Design Technology
• Fashion Design
• Metal Product Design Technology
• Textile Design Technology
• Integrated Rural Art and Industry
• Publishing Studies
• Packaging Technology
• Architecture
• Development Planning
• Landscape Design and Management
• Real Estate
• Human Settlement Planning
• Business Administration (selected programs)
• Information Technology (with Elective Mathematics in some cases)
• Disability and Rehabilitation Studies
• Actuarial Science & Statistics (rare, depending on Maths strength)

Key idea: Visual Arts combines creativity with design, architecture, and planning programs.


6. Technical Background

Technical students are well-positioned for engineering, construction, and applied sciences:
• Civil Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical/Electronic Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering
• Agricultural Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Marine Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering
• Petrochemical Engineering
• Metallurgical Engineering
• Materials Engineering
• Quantity Surveying & Construction Economics
• Construction Technology & Management
• Architecture
• Packaging Technology
• Real Estate
• Land Economy
• Fashion, Textile, and Ceramics Design
• Industrial Engineering
• Telecommunication Engineering

Key idea: Technical students are highly aligned with engineering and construction-related fields.


Before selecting a course at KNUST, remember:
• Cut-off points are not enough
• Your SHS electives determine eligibility
• Some programs require very specific subject combinations (especially Engineering, Medicine, Law, and IT)
• Switching fields is possible but limited without the right background

Your SHS background is the foundation of your university path. Choosing wisely helps you avoid rejection and increases your chances of admission into your preferred program.