ICS vs I.Com vs FA: Which Intermediate Group Is Right for You?
Pick ICS if you want computing and software careers, I.Com if you want accounting, banking or business, and FA if you prefer humanities, languages and social sciences. All three are two-year FBISE intermediate programmes open to Matric students.
Side-by-side comparison
| ICS | I.Com | FA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Computer science and maths | Accounting, economics, commerce | Humanities and social sciences |
| Main electives | Computer Science, Mathematics, plus Physics or Statistics | Accounting, Economics, Commerce, Business Maths (Part I); Accounting, Commercial Geography, Banking, Business Statistics (Part II) | Three electives, one from each of three groups |
| Good next steps | BS CS, Software Engineering, IT, AI | ADC, BBA, B.Com, accounting | Social sciences, education, media, law |
ICS: for future programmers and IT professionals
ICS combines Computer Science with Mathematics and either Physics or Statistics, or as General Science with Economics and Statistics. It is the most direct route into BS Computer Science, Software Engineering and IT degrees.
I.Com: for business, banking and accounting
I.Com teaches the language of business: accounts, economics, banking and statistics. It leads naturally into the Associate Degree in Commerce, BBA and professional accounting routes.
FA: the widest choice of subjects
FA lets you build your own combination, from psychology and English literature to economics and fine arts. At RCCS a subject runs when 10 or more students choose it, and you can take only two of Statistics, Economics and Mathematics.
A quick way to decide
- Love computers and logic? ICS
- Interested in money, business and how markets work? I.Com
- Enjoy reading, writing and understanding people? FA
Frequently asked questions
Can an I.Com student do BBA?
Yes. I.Com is a common route into BBA and other business degrees, subject to the university’s merit criteria. RCCS BBA requires at least 50% in HSSC.
Can an FA student study computer science?
It depends on the university and on whether you studied Mathematics. Check each university’s requirements before choosing your FA electives.
Does FA include maths?
It can. Mathematics, Statistics and Economics are options in FA, and FA General Science combines all three.
Related pages
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147-C, Murree Road, Near Marir Chowk, Saddar, Rawalpindi · 051-4252629 · 0332-5333617