JAMB Subject Combinations for All Courses in Nigerian Universities (2026)

How JAMB subject combinations work — the rules every applicant must know

JAMB requires every UTME candidate to sit four subjects. One of those four must always be Use of English — it is mandatory for every course in every Nigerian university. The remaining three subjects are chosen based on your intended course of study, and they must align with JAMB's approved combination for that course.

The most common mistake applicants make is choosing subjects based on what they are confident in rather than what their target course requires. A student who is strong in Economics and weak in Physics but wants to study Engineering cannot swap out Physics — the combination is not negotiable. JAMB and your target university will reject an application that uses the wrong combination, regardless of your score.

• Use of English is mandatory for every course — it counts as one of your four subjects regardless of course
• Your three additional subjects must match the JAMB-approved combination for your course
• Different universities sometimes specify additional requirements beyond JAMB's general list — always check the institution-specific requirements too
• Changing subjects after registration is difficult and may require additional fees and approval — choose carefully on first registration

Science and engineering subject combinations

Most science and engineering courses require Mathematics and Physics as two of your three non-English subjects, with the third varying by course. The common exceptions are biological sciences and agriculture, which often substitute Chemistry for Physics or include Biology as a required subject.

• Engineering (all types — Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical): English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry
• Computer Science / Information Technology: English, Mathematics, Physics, and one of Chemistry / Economics / Biology (confirm per institution)
• Architecture: English, Mathematics, Physics, and one of Fine Art / Technical Drawing / Geography / Chemistry
• Building / Quantity Surveying: English, Mathematics, Physics, and one of Chemistry / Fine Art / Economics
• Statistics / Mathematics: English, Mathematics, Physics, and one of Chemistry / Economics / Biology
• Geology / Geophysics: English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry
• Agricultural Science / Agronomy: English, Biology or Agriculture Science, Chemistry, and one of Physics / Mathematics / Economics
• Food Science / Nutrition: English, Biology or Agriculture Science, Chemistry, and one of Physics / Mathematics / Economics
• Biochemistry: English, Biology, Chemistry, and one of Physics / Mathematics
• Microbiology / Botany / Zoology: English, Biology, Chemistry, and one of Physics / Mathematics / Agricultural Science

Medicine, pharmacy, and health science combinations

Health sciences are among the most strictly controlled courses in terms of JAMB subject requirements. Medicine, Pharmacy, and Nursing all require Biology, Chemistry, and Physics — no substitutions are accepted at most institutions, and any deviation typically leads to automatic disqualification regardless of score.

• Medicine and Surgery (MBBS): English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics — no substitutions accepted
• Pharmacy: English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
• Nursing Science: English, Biology, Chemistry, and one of Physics / Mathematics
• Medical Laboratory Science: English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
• Physiotherapy: English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
• Radiology / Radiography: English, Biology, Physics, Chemistry
• Dentistry: English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
• Veterinary Medicine: English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
• Public Health / Community Health: English, Biology, Chemistry, and one of Physics / Mathematics

Social sciences, management, and commercial courses

Social science combinations are generally more flexible than science courses, but Mathematics and Economics appear frequently as anchors. The key error in this category is students taking Government or Literature when their target course requires Mathematics — always confirm before registering.

• Economics / Economics and Statistics: English, Mathematics, Economics, and one of Government / Geography / Commerce / Accounting
• Accounting / Financial Management: English, Mathematics, Economics or Commerce, and one of Government / Geography
• Business Administration / Management: English, Mathematics or Commerce, Economics, and one of Government / Accounting / Geography
• Banking and Finance: English, Mathematics, Economics, and one of Government / Commerce / Accounting
• Sociology / Social Work: English, one of Economics / Government / CRK / IRK, one of Biology / Geography, and any relevant subject
• Psychology: English, Biology or one of Economics / Government, Mathematics, and one relevant subject
• Political Science / Public Administration: English, Government or History, Economics, and one of Geography / Literature / CRK / IRK
• Mass Communication / Journalism: English, Literature or Government or History, and two relevant social science subjects
• Geography / Environmental Science: English, Geography, Mathematics, and one of Economics / Government / Physics

Law, humanities, and education combinations

Law remains one of the most sought-after courses in Nigerian universities. Most institutions require Literature in English as one of the three non-English subjects. Education degrees combine English with the subjects relevant to the teaching discipline — an Education/Mathematics student uses Math subjects, an Education/English student uses arts subjects.

• Law (LLB): English, Literature in English, Government or History, and one of Economics / CRK / IRK / Yoruba / Igbo / Hausa
• English Language / Linguistics: English, Literature in English, one other arts or social science subject, and one more
• History / International Relations: English, History or Government, Literature or Economics, and one relevant subject
• Philosophy / Religious Studies: English, Literature or CRK or IRK, History or Government, and one relevant subject
• Fine and Applied Arts: English, Fine Art, and two of: Literature / CRK / IRK / Government / any relevant subject
• Music: English, Music, and two relevant arts or social science subjects
• Theatre Arts / Performing Arts: English, Literature, and two relevant arts subjects
• Education + Subject combinations: English, the core subject being studied, and two relevant subjects for that discipline (e.g. Education/Mathematics requires English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or one other science subject)
• Library Science / Information Management: English, and three relevant arts or social science subjects

How to confirm your exact combination before JAMB registration

The subject combinations listed in this guide reflect the standard JAMB requirements as of 2026. However, individual universities sometimes add institution-specific requirements or accept slight variations. Before completing your UTME registration, confirm your exact combination using three steps.

First, visit jamb.gov.ng and navigate to the JAMB CAPS portal or the UTME brochure download section. The brochure lists every course at every institution with the exact approved subjects. Second, check the specific institution's post-UTME or admission requirements page on their official website. Third, ask at the JAMB CBT centre during registration — the staff can pull up the approved combination for any course on the system before you finalise.

Students repeating UTME can also buy past JAMB textbooks and course material packs from verified sellers on CampusPlug — students who took the exam in previous years often sell their preparation materials at reasonable prices just after the exam season ends.