JAMB, WAEC, and admissions guides for Nigerian students
JAMB 2026 Subject Combinations: Complete List by Course
The JAMB 2026 UTME requires four subjects, and the first one is the same for every candidate: Use of English. Your three other subjects are decided by the course you are applying for. Medicine and Surgery wants Biology, Chemistry, Physics. Law wants Literature in English, Government, and one more arts subject. Engineering wants Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry. The full mapping below is drawn from the JAMB 2026 brochure on jamb.gov.ng and the admission notices of the major federal universities.
Last updated: May 2026 Pick your three non-English subjects to match your first-choice course at your first-choice school. If you cross-register a science combination for an arts course (or the other way round), your score will not be accepted by your school of choice and you will need a Change of Course on JAMB before you can be considered. The brochure entry for each school overrides any general rule on this page; the school’s combination is the binding one.
This guide groups combinations by faculty so you can see at a glance which subjects map to which course. We have also added a section for Engineering’s specific branches, a deeper note on Computer Science and the tech-related programmes, and a complete walk-through of what to do if the combination you registered does not match your dream course.
The compulsory subject: Use of English
Use of English is compulsory for every UTME candidate in 2026, with no exceptions. Even candidates applying for Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, French, Arabic, or any other language degree must sit Use of English. The paper tests comprehension (including questions on the JAMB-recommended novel), lexis and structure, oral forms, and sentence interpretation. It carries the same 100-mark weight as each of the other three subjects, so 25% of your total UTME score is decided here.
Use of English is also the subject candidates underprepare for the most, because it feels familiar from secondary school. The JAMB version is harder: 60 questions in 30 minutes (roughly half a minute per question), with comprehension passages that punish slow readers. Treat Use of English as one of your three serious subjects, not as a sweep-up paper.
Sciences
Science courses cluster around the same three core subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, with Mathematics replacing Biology for the engineering-leaning programmes. Each course below shows the JAMB combination used at the major federal universities; minor variations apply at state and private schools, so always cross-check your specific school’s entry in the JAMB brochure.
Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine: Use of English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics.
Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Optometry: Use of English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics.
Nursing, Anatomy, Physiology, Radiography, Medical Laboratory Science: Use of English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics.
Engineering (all branches): Use of English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry.
Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Cyber Security: Use of English, Mathematics, Physics, and any one of Chemistry, Biology, Agricultural Science, Economics.
Architecture: Use of English, Mathematics, Physics, and one of Chemistry, Geography, Fine Arts.
Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Food Science and Technology: Use of English, Chemistry, Biology or Agricultural Science, and Physics or Mathematics.
Microbiology, Biochemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Geology, Botany, Zoology: Use of English, Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Mathematics.
Mathematics, Statistics, Pure Physics, Pure Chemistry: Use of English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry.
Environmental Sciences (Estate Management, Quantity Surveying, Building): Use of English, Mathematics, Physics, and one of Chemistry, Geography, Economics.
Note the small variations. Computer Science accepts Biology or Economics as the fourth subject at most schools, opening the course to candidates who did not study Chemistry at SS3. Architecture accepts Fine Arts as the fourth subject at some schools, useful for candidates who took Art at WAEC.
Engineering branches in detail
All engineering branches share the same JAMB combination (Use of English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry), so you do not choose a branch at JAMB registration; you choose at the school level. UNILAG, UI, OAU, ABU, UNN, FUTA and most federal schools admit into the Faculty of Engineering first and then split candidates into branches in their second year based on grades and preference. A few schools (notably UNIBEN, UNILORIN) admit directly into a branch, so confirm whether your school is a faculty-first or branch-first admitter.
Civil and Environmental Engineering: structures, water resources, transport. Tends to require Mathematics 250+ in JAMB at top schools.
Mechanical Engineering: thermofluids, design, manufacturing. Equally competitive with civil; petroleum sector employers favour this branch.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering: power systems, control, communications. The most competitive branch at most federal schools.
Chemical and Petroleum Engineering: process design, refining. UI, UNILAG, OAU and UNN admit directly into “Chemical Engineering”; FUPRE specialises in Petroleum Engineering.
Computer Engineering: hardware-software boundary, embedded systems. Often confused with Computer Science; they are different courses with different syllabi.
Agricultural and Food Engineering: machinery, food processing. Fewer applicants, so cut-offs run 30 to 50 marks lower than core engineering branches.
Mining and Materials Engineering: mineral extraction, metallurgy. Strong route into the solid-minerals sector.
Arts and Humanities
Arts and Humanities courses centre on Literature in English as the second subject, then add Government, History, CRS, IRS, Economics, or a language depending on the course. Most arts combinations are flexible at the third and fourth slot, so candidates have room to play to their strengths. Confirm each school’s brochure entry, especially for joint-degree programmes (e.g. English and Literary Studies, or Religious Studies and Philosophy).
Law: Use of English, Literature in English, Government or History, and one of CRS, IRS, Economics, Geography.
English Language and Literary Studies: Use of English, Literature in English, and any two of Government, History, CRS, IRS, French.
Mass Communication, Journalism: Use of English, Literature in English, Government or History, and any of CRS, IRS, Economics.
History and International Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies: Use of English, Literature in English or History, and any two arts subjects.
Theatre Arts, Music, Fine Arts: Use of English, Literature in English, and any two arts subjects (the school’s brochure entry will tell you whether your specific art form is required).
French, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Arabic: Use of English, Literature in English, the language itself, and any one arts subject.
Linguistics: Use of English, Literature in English, plus a Nigerian language and one arts subject.
Social Sciences and Management
Social Sciences and Management courses lean on Mathematics and Economics, with the third and fourth subject picked from Government, Commerce, Geography, History, or CRS. A core Mathematics requirement runs through the whole faculty; if your O Level Mathematics is weak, the Faculty of Social Sciences will be a tight fit. Several courses below also have an “Accounting” subject path at some schools (UI, UNILAG, OAU) which counts as a science-stream choice.
Accounting, Banking and Finance, Insurance: Use of English, Mathematics, Economics, and one of Government, Commerce, Geography.
Business Administration, Marketing, Management: Use of English, Mathematics, Economics, and one of Government, Commerce, CRS, Geography.
Economics: Use of English, Mathematics, Economics, and one of Government, Geography, Commerce, History.
Political Science, International Relations: Use of English, Government or History, Economics, and one arts or social science subject.
Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work: Use of English, Mathematics or Government, Economics, and one of Biology, CRS, History, Geography.
Psychology: Use of English, Mathematics or Government, Biology or Chemistry, and one of Economics, Government.
Public Administration: Use of English, Government, Economics, and one of Mathematics, Geography, History.
Geography, Urban and Regional Planning: Use of English, Geography, Mathematics, and one of Economics, Biology, Physics.
Education
Education courses follow the subject combination of the subject you intend to teach. The structure is “Education plus X”, where X is the teaching subject, and the JAMB combination matches the subject side. The result is that an Education and Mathematics candidate takes the same UTME combination as a Mathematics candidate, while an Education and English candidate takes the same as English Language. This makes Education courses a useful safety net for candidates whose JAMB score falls just below the cut-off for the pure subject degree.
Education and Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Integrated Science: the science combinations.
Education and English, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, French, Literature, History, CRS, IRS: the arts combinations.
Education and Economics, Geography, Government, Social Studies: the social science combinations.
Educational Foundations, Educational Management, Guidance and Counselling, Early Childhood Education: Use of English plus three arts or social science subjects (flexible, check the school’s brochure).
Adult Education, Special Education: Use of English plus three subjects relevant to the teaching specialisation.
What if your subject combination is wrong
If you registered with a combination that does not match your first-choice course, JAMB will not assign your score to that course on CAPS. The school admission committee cannot consider you for a course you did not register for. This is one of the top three reasons candidates with strong JAMB scores end up on the supplementary list or with no admission at all. The fix is straightforward but time-limited: Change of Course on the JAMB portal during the official change window, usually opens in May or June after the main UTME.
The Change of Course fee is ₦2,500 per change, paid through your JAMB profile. You can change the course, the school, or both. There is no limit on the number of times you can change as long as the window is open. Once the window closes (typically when JAMB publishes the year’s admission policy), no further changes are possible and you are stuck with your last submitted combination. Do not wait until the last week; the portal slows down under load and a missed click can leave you locked out.
If even the Change of Course window passes and your combination is wrong, your final option is to settle for the best course that accepts your registered combination at a school you can still get into. Examples: a Medicine aspirant who registered with a non-science combination might pivot to Nursing, Public Health, or Anatomy where the subject requirement is softer. A Law aspirant who registered with a science combination is largely out of luck for the year; the realistic move is to register again for the next JAMB cycle with the correct combination.
How to verify your combination
The JAMB brochure is the single source of truth. There are two ways to read it: the e-brochure on jamb.gov.ng (free, searchable) or the printable PDF JAMB releases each year. Use the e-brochure during registration so you cross-check in real time; print the PDF later for reference. Do not rely on a forwarded WhatsApp list or a blog summary, including this page, for the binding word; we are accurate to the best of our knowledge but the brochure entry for your specific school is the only authoritative source.
Open the JAMB e-brochure on jamb.gov.ng or the JAMB e-brochure app on Android.
Search for your first-choice school by name.
Find your course under that school. The brochure lists the JAMB subject combination accepted for that course at that school.
Cross-check the same course at your second-choice school, since combinations can differ slightly between schools.
If you spot a mismatch with your registered combination, take note of the difference and plan a Change of Course as soon as the window opens.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pick five subjects in JAMB?
No. JAMB UTME is exactly four subjects, one of which must be Use of English. The four-subject format has been stable for over a decade and JAMB has shown no intention of changing it. Candidates sometimes confuse the four-subject UTME with the five-subject O Level requirement; these are separate things. You sit four subjects in UTME and you need credits in at least five subjects at O Level.
Does the combination on my JAMB result need to match my O Level result?
Yes, your O Level credits should include the same core subjects required by your course. Many candidates fail the screening verification stage because their JAMB subjects do not match their WAEC or NECO credits. For example, a Medicine candidate who took Biology, Chemistry, Physics in JAMB but does not have a credit in O Level Physics will be filtered out at the verification stage no matter how high the JAMB score. Align your O Level subjects with the JAMB combination from the start.
I picked the wrong combination. Can I really fix it?
Yes, through Change of Course on the JAMB portal during the official window. The fee is ₦2,500 per change and the window typically opens in May or June after the main UTME. The catch is that the new combination is constrained by the subjects you actually sat in UTME, so you cannot magically add a subject you did not write. Within those bounds, you can move from Medicine to Pharmacy, from Law to Mass Communication, or from Engineering to a Physical Science. Use the Change of Course window to bring your registration into alignment with what your JAMB score and the cut-off actually allow.
Where do I find the official JAMB brochure?
The JAMB e-brochure is on jamb.gov.ng and is also published as a printable PDF each cycle. The Android e-brochure app is updated yearly and is the most convenient way to check combinations on the go. Use the e-brochure or PDF rather than blog summaries (including ours) when the stakes are high. We aim for accuracy but the JAMB brochure entry is the only binding authority; any difference between this page and the brochure is decided in favour of the brochure.
Why is Use of English compulsory for every candidate?
Every Nigerian university teaches in English (with the marginal exception of some language and theology programmes), so JAMB treats functional English as a baseline screening test. Use of English is therefore tested in every UTME, regardless of your first-choice course or school. The 100-mark Use of English score is folded into your total UTME score along with the three other subjects, which means a candidate strong in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry but weak in Use of English will lose marks that the strongest sciences cannot recover. Treat Use of English seriously even if you “feel comfortable” with English from school.
Are JAMB subject combinations the same at every school?
The major combinations are stable across schools, but small variations exist, especially for Computer Science, Architecture, and joint degree programmes. UNILAG and UI may accept slightly different fourth subjects than a smaller private university for the same course. Always read the brochure entry for your first-choice school, then cross-check your second choice. If your two choices accept different combinations, sit the combination accepted by both (or the one accepted by your first choice, since first choice gets first look on CAPS).
Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, official 2026 brochure; JAMB e-brochure Android app; school admission portals (UNILAG, UI, OAU, UNN, ABU, FUTA); admission notices of leading state and private universities.
Lagos-based education writer covering JAMB, WAEC and NECO, and tertiary admissions across Nigeria. Chinedu tracks cut-off marks, admission lists, and school portal updates so students and parents do not have to.
