For the GCE Advanced Level examination, you can select three (3) subjects from within five (5) main subject streams namely Arts, Commerce, Biological Science, Physical Science or Technology. You also have to sit for General English and Common General Test for their A/L examination, but the results of these papers are not considered for University entrance. But those results will also be included in the A/L exam results sheet.
Subjects available for A/L Arts Stream
Art stream is the most popular subject area among the Sri Lankan students. A/L arts stream has about sixty (60) subjects and these are categorized into four different subject areas
- Social Sciences/ Applied Social studies
- Religious and Civilization
- Aesthetics
- Languages
As an art student, you can select subjects from any one of the following areas.
Social Science Subjects
- You should select at least one subject from this subject area/
- If you want, you can select two or all three subjects within this category
- This statement is not valid for those who are following two or three language subjects.
Subjects – Economics, Geography, History (Sri Lankan history and Indian history or European history or World history), Home Economics, Political Sciences, Logic and Scientific method, Accounting or Business Statistics, Agriculture or mathematics (One subject from Technological studies – Civil/ Mechanical or Electrical/ Electronic and Information Technology or Food Technology or Agro technology or Bio-Resource Technology), Communication and Mass media, Information and Communication Technology)
Religious and Civilization Subjects
Buddhism or Buddhist Civilization, Christianity or Christian Culture, Hinduism or Hindu Civilization, Islam or Islam Civilization and Greek & Roman Civilization are the subjects available in this category.
- If you select one religious subject from this category, then you cannot select its civilization subject. For example, If f you select Buddhism, you cannot select Buddhist civilization
Aesthetic Subjects
This category offers art, dancing (Sri Lankan or Indian), music (Oriental music, Carnatic music, or Western music), and drama and theatre (Sinhala, English, or Tamil).
- From these aesthetic subjects you can select one or two subjects.
Language Subjects
The new Educational Reforms have encouraged the students to learn International Languages.
Language subjects are offered in three different categories.
- National languages (Sinhala, Tamil, English)
- Classical Languages (Arabic, Pali, Sanskrit)
- Foreign Languages (Chinese, Malay, French, Russian, Hindi, Japanese).
You can select one or two language subjects from above list
If you want to study three languages for your A/L, the selection should be as follows.
- Sinhala, Tamil, English
- Any three subjects representing National languages and Classical Languages
For example, you can select Sinhala, Pali and Sanskrit
If you select two language subjects, you will be able to select one subject from Social Sciences /Religious and Civilization /Aesthetic as your third subject. For example you can select English, Japanese and Electronic and Information Technology.
However, some subjects may not be available at your school. Having a better understanding of available courses in national Universities will be an added advantage for selecting a subject combination. As a vast array of subjects are available, you can take up innovative and novel subject combinations in keeping with worldwide trends. For example you can select a combination with Mathematics, IT and Economics.
What are high Z Score subjects in the Arts Stream?
Many students ask about high Z-score subjects they should select in order to enter good university courses in this stream such as the Law Faculty. (For 2018/2019 Academic year you need a 1.7 to 1.9 Z Score to enter the Arts faculty)
It is difficult to comment on high Z score subjects as Z scores change from year to year. However many students who are doing subjects such as Logic, Geography, Economics, ICT to get high z scores.
Read more – How Z score is calculated?
Download the Ministry of Education Circular on A/L subject combinations:
Download relevant circular from the Ministry of Higher Education website – GCE Advanced Level Subject Options and Subject Combinations for Selection to University Degree Programs
http://www.moe.gov.lk/english/images/stories/circulars/2009-16s.pdf
You may also like to read:
Choosing A/L Subject Streams After O/Ls
Choosing A/L Subject Streams After O/Ls: A Complete 2023 Guide
Dear I want to do Archeology program in UOK Or USJ ,please advice which subject stream I ve to Select I AL
Thank you
Hi. Sir/madame,
I want to know whether I can do English, Hindi/japanese, and Islamic civilaztion under art stream and get into campus?
mn 1st shy a/l maths kre but second shy mtaarts krnna one..subject selection wla mkk hri methodology ekk tynwada? private applierslata…
Can I do Geography along with bio stream ?
with this you cannot enter bio stream or arts stream courses in University.
Can I do English language along with Political science & Media studies ?
Sir,can I select ICT,Islam and business studies for my 2020 AL Art Stream.
Dear sir/mam is it possible to choose english,french and ict in arts stream?
mata a/l walata karanna oni china. ekata adala syllabus eka kohomada download karaganne…??
Download syllabus from NIE website or here.
https://studentlanka.com/2016/11/24/new-al-syllabuses-from-2017-for-gce-al-2019-biology-physics-chemistry-mathematics/
Iam selecting it and english for language stream wt another subject would be possible
Can’t I select communication and mass media and ICT along with Political science?
I would like to follow any subjects in A/L relative to journalism for newsreading and TV presentation. please be good enough to advice me what are the subjects to be followed.
You can do Media as a subject in arts stream.
Can I select Logics, islam and business studies for my A/L arts stream?
Hello, Can i select Logics, Islam And business studies for my A/L arts stream?
For example sir can i do business studies and ICT only in English medium and accounting seperatly in sinhala medium.according to new syllabus 2017
I think ICT paper comes in both sinhala and English mediums.
Please contact ICT teacher Mr Sandamal Widanagamage for details.
https://www.facebook.com/IctPiyasa/
Sir can i do A/L subject busineess studies in English and ICT ,and only accounting in sihnala according to new syllabus
I want to clarify that i’m willing to do a/l commerce stream privately
Hi if i failed in maths mean so can i be able follow a/l commerce stream if nt which stream do i want to follow?
You can write exam again in Commerce stream.
I want to know what are the most useful subjects to follow in art stream.
Can I do ICT,Western Music and English in the Arts Stream for my A/Ls?
I have chosen ICT, Geography and English literature. Is it a good choice to get score to get university entrance.
I have choosed Business studies,ICT and GRC in Arts stream..Will there be any clash regarding the stream for the subjects which iam gonna follow? Specially,when applying for universities?
I want to Ask if it is possible for me to become a gynecologist with physics because Am offerx Maths Chemistry and biology
You need to do Biology, Physics and Chemistry to be selected for Medicine courses in Sri Lanka.
My subject combinations are business studies,economicsand English literature. ..do I fall under the stream of arts
I have the same problem, did you get any information on choosing BS Econ and English list
I too have the same problem. Someone please clear this out for me. Also, is the Z score high for Literature and Econ?
Dear Sir/madam
My future ambition is to become an ambassador.Can you please suggest me the subjects I should be taking in A/L (art stream).
1. Become a graduate and go to foreign service.
https://studentlanka.com/2013/12/31/open-competitive-examination-for-recruitment-to-sri-lanka-foreign-service/
2. Do politics. Many Sri Lankan Ambassadors are political appointments.
Why is there no english medium statistics syllabus for download. The subject actually exists right? Because I desperately need to study it bu there is a lack of syllabus and teachers.
hello, i have a problame. you said so in the artical that it’s possiable to do social sciences for all 3 chosen subjects. but my school isn’t letting me do so, and i wannna know why is that and where i can do what i desire
Some schools do not offer certain subjects.