← All packsMake the Grade 1: Fields of Study
How school and university subjects are grouped: subject, science, the hard sciences, social science, the humanities and STEM. A short list pack, no text, meant to sort out terms that are easy to confuse when you talk about what you study. B1-C1.
English6 wordsB1educationminisubjectsvocabularymade by a person
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subject[ˈsʌbdʒɪkt]
School or university disciplines that students study as part of their education.
Synonymsdiscipline
ExamplesWhich subjects are you taking next year?
Word tagsnouneducationA2
science[ˈsaɪəns]
The study of the natural world through observation, experiments and evidence.
ExamplesHe is very good at science, especially chemistry.
Word tagsnounsubjectsA2
hard sciences[hɑːd ˈsaɪənsɪz]
Subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics.
Synonymsnatural sciences
ExamplesThe hard sciences rely heavily on maths and lab work.
Word tagsphrasesubjectsC1
social science[ˈsəʊʃl ˈsaɪəns]
The study of people, society and how societies function.
Synonymssocial studies
ExamplesPsychology is usually counted as a social science.
Word tagsphrasesubjectsB2
humanities[hjuˈmænətiz]
The study of subjects such as history, literature, languages, philosophy and art.
Synonymsliberal arts
ExamplesAt university she chose the humanities over the sciences.
Word tagsnounsubjectsB2
STEM[stem]
The subjects that involve mathematics, technology, engineering and scientific disciplines.
ExamplesThe government wants more girls to take up STEM subjects.
Word tagsnounsubjectsabbreviationB2