A subject area is a broad category of study, typically including several subcategories. In higher education, a subject area may be a major or a concentration within a major. Typically, a student will take one or more courses in a subject area in order to gain an understanding of its breadth and depth.

The traditional four academic subjects, math, English, natural sciences, and social sciences, are but four examples of the many possible subject areas one might study in high school or college. In recent years, some colleges and universities have introduced new subjects, such as cinema and culinary arts, in an effort to provide students with more opportunities and choices.