Choosing the correct JAMB Subject Combination for All Courses is one of the most important steps in securing admission into any Nigerian university, polytechnic, or college of education.
Every year, thousands of candidates lose their admission opportunities; not because they scored low in UTME, but because they selected the wrong combination of subjects or failed to meet the required O'Level or Direct Entry requirements.
Whether you intend to study Engineering, Medicine, Law, Social Sciences, Education, Agriculture, Arts, or Management Sciences, every course has a specific subject combination approved by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Selecting subjects that do not align with your preferred course may lead to disqualification during the admission screening process, even if your UTME score exceeds the required cut off mark.
Direct Entry (DE) applicants also need to understand the qualifications expected by universities. Depending on the institution and course, candidates may need passes in National Diploma (ND), Higher National Diploma (HND), Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE), JUPEB, IJMB, or A-Level in relevant subjects. Meeting the Direct Entry requirements is just as important as having the correct UTME subject combination.
Apart from UTME subjects, universities also consider O'Level results obtained from WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB. Most programmes require at least five credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics, while some courses specify additional compulsory science, arts, or commercial subjects.
Knowing these requirements before registering for JAMB can save candidates from costly mistakes and improve their chances of admission.
We've provided s the approved UTME subject combinations for hundreds of university courses offered across Nigeria. It also highlights the common O'Level requirements and Direct Entry qualifications expected for each programme, making it easier for prospective students to prepare for admission.
What Is JAMB Subject Combination?
A JAMB subject combination refers to the four subjects a candidate registers for during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Every course has a compulsory combination approved by JAMB and accepted by Nigerian universities.
English Language is compulsory for all candidates, while the remaining three subjects depend on the course of study.
For example:
| Course | UTME Subjects |
|---|---|
| Medicine and Surgery | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Law | English, Literature in English, Government, CRS/IRS or Economics |
| Accounting | English, Mathematics, Economics, Commerce or Government |
| Computer Science | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry |
What Is Direct Entry (DE)?
Direct Entry allows qualified candidates to gain admission into 200 Level without writing the regular UTME.
Eligible qualifications include:
- National Diploma (ND)
- Higher National Diploma (HND)
- Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE)
- IJMB
- JUPEB
- Cambridge A-Level
- GCE Advanced Level
- Recognized professional qualifications
Universities determine the acceptable qualifications for each course.
JAMB UTME/DE Subject Combination for All Courses (A to D)
| Course | UTME Subject Combination | Typical Direct Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | English, Mathematics, Economics, Government/Commerce | ND, HND, A-Level, NCE in relevant discipline |
| Actuarial Science | English, Mathematics, Economics, Physics | ND or A-Level in Mathematics-related field |
| Agricultural Economics | English, Chemistry, Biology/Agricultural Science, Mathematics | ND/NCE in Agriculture |
| Agricultural Engineering | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | ND/HND in Agricultural or Mechanical Engineering |
| Agricultural Science | English, Chemistry, Biology/Agricultural Science, Physics | ND/NCE in Agriculture |
| Agricultural Science Education | English, Chemistry, Biology/Agricultural Science, Mathematics | NCE in Agricultural Education |
| Anatomy | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics | A-Level or ND in Biological Sciences |
| Animal Production | English, Chemistry, Biology/Agricultural Science, Physics | ND/NCE in Agriculture |
| Animal Science | English, Chemistry, Biology/Agricultural Science, Physics | ND/NCE in Animal Science |
| Architecture | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | ND/HND in Architecture or Building |
| Automobile Engineering | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | ND/HND in Mechanical or Automobile Engineering |
| Banking and Finance | English, Mathematics, Economics, Government/Commerce | ND/NCE in Finance or Business |
| Biology | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics/Mathematics | A-Level or ND in Biological Sciences |
| Biomedical Engineering | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | ND/HND in Engineering |
| Biotechnology | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics | A-Level or ND in Biological Sciences |
| Botany | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics | ND or A-Level in Biological Sciences |
| Building | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | ND/HND in Building Technology |
| Building Technology | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | ND in Building Technology |
| Business Education | English, Mathematics, Economics, Any Social Science Subject | NCE in Business Education |
| Cell Biology and Genetics | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics | A-Level or ND in Biological Sciences |
| Chemical Engineering | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | ND/HND in Chemical Engineering |
| Chemistry | English, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics | A-Level in Chemistry |
| Civil Law | English, Literature in English, Government, CRS/IRS or Economics | A-Level or Diploma in Law |
| Communication Arts | English, Literature in English, Government, Any Arts or Social Science Subject | ND/NCE in Communication or related field |
| Computer Education | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | NCE in Computer Education |
| Computer Science | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | ND/HND in Computer Science |
| Cooperative and Rural Development | English, Mathematics, Economics, Agricultural Science | ND in Cooperative Studies |
| Counsellor Education | English, Any Three Arts or Social Science Subjects | NCE in Guidance and Counselling |
| Creative Arts | English, Literature in English, Fine Arts, Any Arts Subject | ND/NCE in Fine Arts |
| Criminology | English, Government, Economics, Literature/CRS | ND in Criminology or related discipline |
| Crop Science | English, Chemistry, Biology/Agricultural Science, Physics | ND/NCE in Agriculture |
| Curriculum Studies | English, Three relevant Arts or Science subjects depending on specialisation | NCE in Education |
| Cyber Security Science | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | ND in Computer Science or IT |
JAMB UTME/DE Subject Combination for All Courses (D to H)
| Course | JAMB UTME Subject Combination | Typical Direct Entry (DE) Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Demography and Social Statistics | English, Mathematics, Economics, Geography/Government | ND, HND or A-Level in Statistics, Demography, Economics or related discipline |
| Dentistry | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics | A-Level passes in Biology, Chemistry and Physics or ND/HND in related Medical Sciences |
| Dentistry and Dental Technology | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics | A-Level, ND or HND in Dental Technology or related field |
| Economics | English, Mathematics, Economics, Government/Commerce | ND, HND, NCE or A-Level in Economics or related discipline |
| Early Childhood Education | English, Any three Arts or Social Science subjects | NCE in Early Childhood Education or related Education programme |
| Education and Accounting | English, Mathematics, Economics, Government/Commerce | NCE or ND in Accounting or Business Education |
| Education and Biology | English, Biology, Chemistry, Any other Science subject | NCE in Biology Education or related Science Education |
| Education and Chemistry | English, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics/Biology | NCE in Chemistry Education |
| Education and Economics | English, Mathematics, Economics, Government | NCE in Economics Education |
| Education and English Language | English, Literature in English, Government, CRS/IRS | NCE in English Education |
| Education Foundation | English, Any three Arts or Social Science subjects | NCE in Education |
| Education and French | English, French, Literature in English, Government | NCE in French Education |
| Education and Geography | English, Geography, Any two Social Science or Science subjects | NCE in Geography Education |
| Education and History | English, History/Government, Literature, CRS | NCE in History Education |
| Education and Integrated Science | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics/Mathematics | NCE in Integrated Science |
| Education and Islamic Studies | English, Islamic Studies, Arabic/Government, Literature | NCE in Islamic Studies |
| Education and Mathematics | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry/Economics | NCE in Mathematics Education |
| Education and Music | English, Music, Literature in English, CRS/Government | NCE in Music Education |
| Education and Physics | English, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry | NCE in Physics Education |
| Education and Political Science | English, Government, Economics, Literature | NCE in Political Science Education |
| Education and Social Studies | English, Government, Economics, CRS | NCE in Social Studies |
| Education and Yoruba | English, Yoruba, Literature in English, CRS | NCE in Yoruba Education |
| Education & Introductory Technology | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | NCE in Technical Education |
| Educational Administration | English, Any three Arts or Social Science subjects | NCE in Educational Administration or related Education programme |
| Educational Management | English, Any three Arts or Social Science subjects | NCE in Educational Management |
| Educational Management and Planning | English, Any three Arts or Social Science subjects | NCE or ND in Education |
| Electrical Engineering | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | ND/HND in Electrical Engineering |
| English Language | English, Literature in English, Government, CRS/IRS | A-Level or NCE in English Language |
| Entrepreneurship | English, Mathematics, Economics, Government/Commerce | ND/HND in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship or related programme |
| Environmental Education | English, Biology, Chemistry, Geography | NCE in Environmental Education |
| Environmental Science | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | ND/HND in Environmental Science |
| Environmental Studies | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | ND/HND in Environmental Studies |
| Estate Management | English, Mathematics, Economics, Physics | ND/HND in Estate Management |
| Family, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences | English, Chemistry, Biology, Agricultural Science/Home Economics | ND or NCE in Home Economics or Nutrition |
| Fine and Applied Arts | English, Fine Arts, Literature in English, Any Arts or Social Science subject | ND/HND in Fine Arts |
| Fine Arts | English, Fine Arts, Literature in English, Any Arts subject | ND/HND in Fine Arts |
| Fisheries and Aquaculture | English, Chemistry, Biology/Agricultural Science, Physics | ND/NCE in Fisheries |
| Food Science and Technology | English, Chemistry, Biology/Agricultural Science, Mathematics/Physics | ND/HND in Food Technology |
| Forestry and Wildlife Management | English, Chemistry, Biology/Agricultural Science, Physics | ND in Forestry or Wildlife Management |
| Gas Engineering | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | ND/HND in Engineering |
| Geography | English, Geography, Mathematics, Any Science or Social Science subject | A-Level or ND in Geography |
| Geology | English, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics | ND or A-Level in Geology or Earth Sciences |
| Geophysics | English, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics | ND/HND or A-Level in Physical Sciences |
| Health and Safety Education | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics | NCE in Health Education |
| Health Education | English, Biology, Chemistry, Any other Science subject | NCE in Health Education |
| History and International Studies | English, Government, History, Literature in English | A-Level or ND in History or International Studies |
| Home Economics and Education | English, Chemistry, Biology, Home Economics/Agricultural Science | NCE in Home Economics |
| Hospitality and Tourism Management | English, Economics, Geography, Government | ND/HND in Hospitality Management |
| Hotel Management and Technology | English, Economics, Geography, Government | ND/HND in Hotel Management |
| Human Kinetics | English, Biology, Any two Science or Social Science subjects | NCE in Physical and Health Education |
| Human Kinetics and Health Education | English, Biology, Chemistry, Any Science or Social Science subject | NCE in Physical and Health Education |
| Human Nutrition and Dietetics | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics | ND/HND in Nutrition, Dietetics or related Health Sciences |
| Human Resource Management | English, Mathematics, Economics, Government | ND/HND in Human Resource Management or Business Administration |
JAMB UTME/DE Subject Combination for All Courses (I to M)
| Course | JAMB UTME Subject Combination | Typical Direct Entry (DE) Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Chemistry | English, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics | A-Level passes in Chemistry and Mathematics or ND/HND in Industrial Chemistry, Chemistry, or related Science programme |
| Industrial Mathematics and Statistics | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry/Economics | ND/HND or A-Level in Mathematics, Statistics, or related discipline |
| Industrial Relations and Personnel Management | English, Mathematics, Economics, Government | ND/HND in Industrial Relations, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field |
| Information Technology | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | ND/HND in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related programme |
| Insurance and Risk Management | English, Mathematics, Economics, Government/Commerce | ND/HND in Insurance, Actuarial Science, Banking and Finance, or Business Administration |
| International Law and Jurisprudence | English, Literature in English, Government, CRS/IRS | A-Level or Diploma in Law or related discipline |
| International Studies and Diplomacy | English, Government, Literature in English, Economics | ND/HND or A-Level in International Relations, Political Science, or related field |
| Land Surveying and Geoinformatics | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | ND/HND in Surveying, Geoinformatics, or related Engineering programme |
| Library Science | English, Literature in English, Any two Arts or Social Science subjects | NCE, ND, or HND in Library and Information Science |
| Linguistics | English, Literature in English, CRS/IRS, Any Nigerian Language, French, or Government | A-Level, ND, or NCE in Linguistics, Languages, or related Arts programme |
| Local Government Administration | English, Government, Economics, Mathematics | ND/HND in Public Administration, Local Government Studies, or related discipline |
| Management Information System | English, Mathematics, Physics, Economics | ND/HND in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field |
| Marine Engineering | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | ND/HND in Marine, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering |
| Marketing | English, Mathematics, Economics, Government/Commerce | ND/HND in Marketing, Business Administration, or related programme |
| Mass Communication | English, Literature in English, Government, Economics/CRS | ND/HND or A-Level in Mass Communication, Journalism, or related discipline |
| Mathematics | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry/Economics | A-Level or ND in Mathematics or related Science programme |
| Mechanical and Production Engineering | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | ND/HND in Mechanical Engineering or related Engineering discipline |
| Mechanical Engineering | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | ND/HND in Mechanical Engineering |
| Media and Communication Studies | English, Literature in English, Government, Economics | ND/HND in Mass Communication, Journalism, or related discipline |
| Mechatronics Engineering | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | ND/HND in Mechatronics, Mechanical, Electrical, or related Engineering programme |
| Medical Biochemistry | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics | A-Level or ND/HND in Biochemistry, Medical Laboratory Science, or related Health Science |
| Medical Laboratory Science | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics | A-Level or ND/HND in Medical Laboratory Technology or related Health Science |
| Medicine and Surgery | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics | A-Level passes in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics or a relevant ND/HND accepted by the institution |
| Metallurgical Engineering | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | ND/HND in Metallurgical, Mechanical, or Materials Engineering |
| Microbiology | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics | A-Level or ND/HND in Microbiology, Biological Sciences, or related programme |
JAMB UTME/DE Subject Combination for All Courses (N to R)
| Course | JAMB UTME Subject Combination | Typical Direct Entry (DE) Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Science | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics | A-Level passes in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics or ND/HND in Nursing or related Health Science (subject to university requirements) |
| Peace and Conflict Resolution | English, Government, Economics, Literature in English | ND, HND, NCE, or A-Level in Peace Studies, Political Science, or related discipline |
| Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution | English, Government, Economics, Literature in English | ND, HND, NCE, or A-Level in Peace Studies, International Relations, or related field |
| Petroleum and Petrochemical Sciences | English, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics | ND/HND or A-Level in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related Science discipline |
| Petroleum Engineering | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | ND/HND in Petroleum, Mechanical, Chemical, or related Engineering programme |
| Pharmacy | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics | A-Level passes in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics or ND/HND in Pharmacy Technician or related Health Science accepted by the institution |
| Philosophy | English, Government, CRS/IRS, Literature in English | A-Level, ND, or NCE in Philosophy, Religious Studies, or related Arts discipline |
| Physical and Health Education | English, Biology, Any two Science or Social Science subjects | NCE in Physical and Health Education or related Education programme |
| Physics | English, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry | A-Level or ND/HND in Physics or related Physical Sciences |
| Physiology | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics | A-Level or ND/HND in Biological Sciences or related Health Science |
| Physiotherapy | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics | A-Level or ND/HND in Physiotherapy, Anatomy, or related Medical Science (where accepted) |
| Plant Science | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics/Agricultural Science | ND/HND or A-Level in Plant Science, Botany, or Agricultural Science |
| Political Science | English, Government, Economics, Literature in English | ND, HND, NCE, or A-Level in Political Science or related Social Science discipline |
| Private Law | English, Literature in English, Government, CRS/IRS | A-Level, Diploma in Law, or related qualification accepted by the institution |
| Project Management | English, Mathematics, Economics, Physics | ND/HND in Project Management, Business Administration, or related field |
| Psychology | English, Biology, Government, Any Social Science or Science subject | ND, HND, NCE, or A-Level in Psychology, Social Work, or related discipline |
| Psychology Education | English, Biology, Any two Arts, Science, or Social Science subjects relevant to Education | NCE in Psychology Education or related Education programme |
| Public Administration | English, Government, Economics, Mathematics | ND/HND in Public Administration, Local Government Administration, or related discipline |
| Public and Community Health | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics | ND/HND in Community Health, Public Health, or related Health Science |
| Public and International Law | English, Literature in English, Government, CRS/IRS | A-Level or Diploma in Law or related Legal Studies |
| Public Health Technology | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics | ND/HND in Public Health Technology, Environmental Health, or related Health Science |
| Quantity Surveying | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | ND/HND in Quantity Surveying, Building Technology, or Civil Engineering |
| Radiography | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics | A-Level or ND/HND in Radiography or Medical Imaging Sciences |
| Radiology | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics | Radiology is generally studied as a postgraduate medical specialty. Where listed as an undergraduate programme by an institution, the usual UTME combination is English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. DE requirements vary by institution. |
| Religious Studies | English, CRS/IRS, Literature in English, Government | A-Level, NCE, or ND in Religious Studies or related discipline |
JAMB UTME/DE Subject Combination for All Courses (S to Z)
| Course | JAMB UTME Subject Combination | Typical Direct Entry (DE) Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Science Education | English, Relevant teaching subject(s) depending on specialisation (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics) | NCE in Science Education or relevant teaching subject |
| Secretarial Administration and Education | English, Mathematics, Economics, Government/Commerce | NCE or ND in Secretarial Administration or Business Education |
| Secretarial Education | English, Mathematics, Economics, Government/Commerce | NCE in Secretarial Education or related Business Education programme |
| Sharia/Islamic Law | English, Islamic Studies, Literature in English, Government/Arabic | A-Level or Diploma in Islamic Law or related discipline |
| Social Work | English, Government, Economics, CRS/IRS | ND, HND, NCE, or A-Level in Social Work, Sociology, or related Social Science |
| Sociology and Anthropology | English, Government, Economics, CRS/IRS | ND, HND, NCE, or A-Level in Sociology, Anthropology, or related Social Science |
| Soil Science | English, Chemistry, Biology/Agricultural Science, Physics | ND/HND or A-Level in Agricultural Science or Soil Science |
| Software Engineering | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | ND/HND in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Information Technology |
| Special Education | English, Any three Arts, Science, or Social Science subjects relevant to the chosen specialization | NCE in Special Education |
| Statistics | English, Mathematics, Physics, Economics/Chemistry | A-Level or ND in Statistics, Mathematics, or related programme |
| Taxation | English, Mathematics, Economics, Government/Commerce | ND/HND in Taxation, Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration |
| Theatre Arts | English, Literature in English, Government, Any Arts subject | A-Level, ND, or NCE in Theatre Arts or Performing Arts |
| Tourism Studies | English, Geography, Economics, Government | ND/HND in Tourism, Hospitality, or related discipline |
| Transport Management | English, Mathematics, Economics, Geography | ND/HND in Transport Management, Logistics, or related programme |
| Urban and Regional Planning | English, Mathematics, Geography, Physics | ND/HND in Urban and Regional Planning, Architecture, or related field |
| Vocational and Technical Education | English, Mathematics, Physics/Chemistry, Any relevant vocational subject | NCE in Technical Education |
| Vocational Education | English, Any three subjects relevant to the area of specialisation | NCE in Vocational Education |
| Zoology | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics | A-Level or ND/HND in Zoology, Biological Sciences, or related discipline |
How to Select the Correct JAMB Subject Combination
Choosing the right UTME subjects is an important step in the admission process. The following can help you avoid errors that may affect your eligibility.
1. Decide on Your Preferred Course
Start by choosing the programme you intend to study. Your course determines which UTME subjects you are expected to register for.
2. Confirm the Approved UTME Subjects
Before completing your registration, check the latest JAMB brochure or your preferred university's admission requirements to ensure you have selected the correct subject combination. Avoid relying on outdated information.
3. Review Your O'Level Qualifications
Confirm that you have the required five credit passes in the relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics where necessary. Some universities may also specify the maximum number of sittings they accept.
4. Verify Direct Entry Eligibility
Candidates applying through Direct Entry should ensure their ND, HND, NCE, IJMB, JUPEB, or A-Level qualification satisfies the admission requirements of their chosen course and institution.
5. Check Your Preferred University's Admission Policy
While JAMB provides the standard UTME subject combinations, individual universities may have additional requirements. Always review your chosen institution's admission guidelines before submitting your application.
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