Guide
What to study after I.Com or FA
For students in, or just finished, I.Com or FA
Updated · By the Career Consultant Pakistan team
The short answer
After I.Com, common routes are BBA, B.Com or BS Commerce, BS Accounting and Finance, economics, and professional qualifications such as CA, ACCA or CMA. After FA, common routes include psychology, English, mass communication and media, international relations, political science, sociology, education, law (LLB), fine arts and design, and business. Choose based on the subjects you enjoy, how you like to work, and the career you can picture.
After I.Com
- Business degrees: BBA, B.Com and BS Commerce cover management, marketing, finance and accounting.
- Accounting and finance: BS Accounting and Finance, or professional qualifications such as Chartered Accountancy (ICAP), ACCA or CMA, which combine study with professional exams and training.
- Economics: Suits students who enjoy understanding how markets and policy work; some programmes need mathematics.
After FA
- Psychology: For students interested in how people think and behave; many careers in this area need further study.
- Media and communication: Mass communication, journalism, digital media and English.
- Law: A five-year LLB, with an admission test. Check the current requirements with the university and the relevant regulator.
- Social sciences: International relations, political science, sociology and education, which can lead to policy, development, teaching and public sector routes.
- Fine arts and design: Often admitted through an aptitude test or portfolio.
- Business: Many business programmes are open to FA students too.
How to choose
Think about the work, not just the degree title. A professional accountancy route, a business degree and a social science degree lead to very different day-to-day work. If you are thinking about the civil service later, remember that it needs a bachelor’s degree first, so choose a subject you will enjoy studying for several years.
Eligibility rules, entry tests, deadlines and accreditation change from year to year and differ between universities. Always confirm them on the official website of the university, board or regulator before you apply.
Common questions
Is CA or BBA better after I.Com?
Neither is better for everyone. CA, ACCA and CMA are professional routes with exams and practical training; a BBA is a broader university degree. The right one depends on how you like to study and the kind of work you want.
Can FA students study business?
Yes, many business programmes accept FA students. Some ask for mathematics or an admission test, so check each programme’s eligibility.
What can I do after FA if I am not sure what I like?
Start by listing the subjects you enjoyed and the kind of work that interests you. A counselling session can help you narrow a long list into a few realistic options.