It is no longer news that many students want to know the list of SHS courses and their career opportunities in Ghana.
We are aware of this since SHS students want to prepare for their future careers, and are eager to know the courses they should study in their final year of high school. However, more extensive study and student interest would help them achieve the most.
Some SHS students would rather work at jobs that pay a lot of money while others wish to pursue self-employment by studying in technical or vocational courses.
It is also important to understand that the courses you take in your senior year of high school can have an impact on your career opportunities. That’s why making choices with knowledge is very important. Therefore, we have listed the SHS courses and their career opportunities that can be acquired in this article.
Table of contents
About SHS in Ghana
SHS is a school for students between the ages of 11 or 12 and 17 or 18. it’s among the two or three oldest classes in a senior high school.
SHS in Ghana has an extensive curriculum that includes every detail from science and math to the arts and humanities. Students who complete these courses will have valuable skills for their careers in the future.
Many students who major in English Language and Literature (ELT) can pursue careers in journalism or teaching.
For instance,Students studying science and technology (SciTech) can also pursue careers in engineering or medicine. Students who study economics can also pursue careers in finance or banking.
Additionally, History majors can pursue careers in politics or law.
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Why Proper Course Selection is Important
Assuming SHS in Ghana offers flexibility in classes to take, planning your courses based on your future goals and objectives can pay great dividends down the line.
- Tailoring Education to Interests: Selecting courses that align with personal interests fosters a passion for learning. When you engage with subjects you enjoy, you are more likely to excel academically and remain motivated throughout your high school journey.
- Building a Well-rounded Skill Set: High school is a time for you to develop a diverse skill set that extends beyond academic knowledge. Choosing a mix of courses can help build critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills – attributes that are valuable in any career path.
- Preparing for Future Projects: Choosing the right courses sets the path for many kinds of future jobs, including going into the workforce straight out of high school, going to college, or researching specialized careers.
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What are the Four(4) Curriculum in Senior High School(SHS)
The SHS curriculum has four tracks:
- Academic (which includes business, science and engineering, humanities and social science, and a general academic strand)
- Technical-vocational-livelihood
- Sports
- Arts and Design.
What are the Courses in SHS in Ghana
Here is the list of SHS Courses in Ghana, you can go through these courses to check for the one that best suits your career opportunities in Ghana.
- Accountancy
- Science
- Technology
- Home Economics
- Food
- Chemistry
- Math
- Business
- Engineering
- General Academic Strand
- Humanities
- Industrial arts
- Media technology
- Physical education
- Physical science
- Visual arts
- Chemistry
- Nutrition
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List of Technical / Vocational Courses in SHS
Since the start of the education reform a few years ago, there has been little to no change in the list of courses taught in Ghana’s SHS/Technical and Vocational Institutes. Also, the list of technical and vocational courses taught at SHS are listed here :
- Applied Electricity
- Auto Mechanic Engineering
- Building Construction Technology
- Carpentry And Joinery
- Catering
- Electrical Installation Work
- Electronics
- Fashion And Design
- General Textiles
- Industrial Mechanics
- Mechanical Engineering Craft Practice
- Metal Work
- Photography
- Plumbing Craft
- Printing Craft
- Welding And Fabrication
- Wood Work
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SHS Courses and Their Electives Offered in Ghana
Some of the courses offered in Ghana’s senior high schools (SHS) are listed in the table below. There are electives and core subjects in any of the courses below.
English language, social studies, integrated science, and elective mathematics make up the core subjects.
| COURSES | ELECTIVE SUBJECT |
| Business | ACCOUNTING, BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, ECONOMICS, PRINCIPLE OF COSTING OR ELECTIVE MATHEMATICS, FRENCH |
| GENERAL ARTS | LITERATURE IN ENGLISH, FRENCH, ECONOMICS, GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, RELIGIOUS STUDIES |
| GENERAL SCIENCE | PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY, ELECTIVE MATHS, BIOLOGY |
| HOME ECONOMICS | MANAGEMENT IN LIVING, FOOD, AND NUTRITION, GENERAL KNOWLEDGE IN ARTS, TEXTILE, ECONOMICS, FRENCH |
| VISUAL ARTS | GENERAL KNOWLEDGE IN ARTS, TEXTILE, GRAPHIC DESIGN, LITERATURE IN ENGLISH, FRENCH, ECONOMICS, BASKETRY, LEATHERWORK, PICTURE MAKING, CERAMICS, AND SCULPTURE |
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What can I do after SHS?
After completing Senior High School (SHS) in Ghana, you have several options to consider for your future. You can pursue higher education at a university, polytechnic, or college to further your academic career.
Alternatively, vocational training programs offer practical skills in fields like plumbing or cosmetology. If you’re inclined towards entrepreneurship, consider starting a business in sectors like agribusiness or technology.
Job opportunities in sectors such as telecommunications and internships can also provide valuable experience.
Studying abroad is another option, offering global exposure and specialized education.
SHS Career Job Opportunities in Ghana
The job opportunities and Career studies listed below are available to students of any of the respective courses.
Career Job Opportunities for Business Courses
Students who enrolled in senior high school business classes have a higher chance of being accepted into colleges where they can pursue any business-related major. These student groups are probably going to end up in the business administration faculty and the law and business studies schools at the University of Ghana Business School.
Business students can pursue careers as accountants, financial analysts, bank managers, cashiers, business advisers, investment managers, auditors, instructors, and even chief executive officers.
However, in order to get admitted and pursue business at the senior high school level, you need to be proficient in subjects pertaining to mathematics and statistics.
Career Job Opportunities for General Arts Students
The University of Ghana, Legon may admit students studying general art to its law and arts faculties. Acceptance to these faculties is indeed highly selective. Students who score between six and twelve have a higher chance of being accepted.
Additionally, a large number of students with a background in the general arts are accepted by Cape Coast University and KNUST’s College of Art and Social Sciences. A student’s chances of admission are higher if their WASSCE aggregate is between 6 and 15.
A student with a strong background in the arts can pursue careers in linguistics, nursing, teaching, accountancy, communication, editing (for media outlets and publishing organizations), and other professions.
Career Job Opportunities for General Science Students
Students who score high in the SHS Courses like Integrated Science, Mathematics, and English Language sections of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination are more likely to succeed overall (WASSCE).
One can be admitted to the University of Ghana, Legon’s College of Health Sciences, College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences, and Faculty of Engineering Science after completing senior high school and earning a decent grade in the general science course.
A science student may pursue careers as a physician, nurse, doctor, pharmacist, or lab technician. They can also pursue jobs in electrical, chemical, and computer science engineering fields. Students studying general science have greater options.
Home Economics Career Job Opportunities in Ghana
Admission to the Department of Vocational and Technical Education at the tertiary level requires passes in Management in Living and two other elective areas related to the preferred option.
Professional educators can find careers at SHS and other workplaces such as matrons and schoolteachers.
Furthermore, graduates work as restaurant managers, caterers, and dietitians. Among other things, the curriculum comprises housekeeping, cooking, pastry and food preservation, and handicrafts like cleaning and sewing.
Career Job Opportunities for Visual Arts Students
A student choosing to major in creative arts can work in the fields of painting, sculpting, drawing, printing, or filmmaking ( compared to writing and music).
The Department of Integrated Rural Art and Industry at KNUST or other universities may welcome students with backgrounds in home economics and visual arts.
The following electives must be selected by visual arts students: Excellent understanding of the arts, including painting, drawing, graphic design, textiles, sculpture, and leatherworking.
Which Course Has More Job Opportunities in Ghana?
In Ghana, certain courses tend to offer more job opportunities due to the country’s economic landscape and development needs.
Fields like Information Technology (IT) and Computer Science are in high demand as businesses increasingly rely on digital solutions. Engineering, particularly in civil, electrical, and mechanical fields, also offers strong job prospects due to ongoing infrastructure projects.
Additionally, Healthcare-related courses, such as nursing and pharmacy, are equally in demand given the growing healthcare sector. Business-related courses, including accounting, finance, and marketing, continue to provide ample opportunities as Ghana’s economy grows.
Choosing a course that aligns with your interests and the needs of the job market can significantly enhance your career prospects in Ghana.
Is ICT a Course in SHS?
Yes, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a course you will find in Senior High Schools (SHS) in many educational systems.
In SHS, ICT is typically introduced as a core subject or elective, depending on the curriculum. This course is designed to equip students with essential digital literacy skills, such as basic computer operations, software applications, internet usage, and an introduction to programming.
The ICT course in SHS provides a foundation for students who wish to pursue further studies in computer science, software engineering, or other technology-related fields. By learning ICT, students are better prepared for the demands of the modern workforce, where digital competence is increasingly important.
FAQs
PRESEC Legon is the best in science in Ghana.
Languages, Literature, Communication, Mathematics, Philosophy, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences are the Courses in SHS.
Electives are courses or subjects that students can choose to study based on their personal interests or career goals.
Applied courses are courses that all SHS students will take.
Engineering is a very broad category. Electrical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Computer Engineer, Civil Engineer etc. If you don’t have any specific engineering career in mind now. You can go to any SHS that offers General Science. After that, you can do any engineering program at the tertiary.
Conclusion
It’s worth noting that the senior high school curriculum isn’t all that crucial. The reason is that a student may take a course in, for example, general science in high school but then attend university and study business-related subjects.
All that matters at Senior High School is your seriousness. Make an effort to study hard and pass your WASSCE. Passing the WASSCE will ensure that you have a proper course to study at the tertiary level.
I hope you found this helpful post. If you have any queries, please leave them in the comments section below, and we will answer them.
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Reference
- sirboatengonline.com – SHS Courses and Their Job Opportunities in Ghana
- Ghanahighschools.com –SHS Courses Offered
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