JAMB Subject Combination for All Courses [2025 Updated Guide]

Are you considering applying to a Nigerian university? That’s exciting! But before you jump headfirst into course choices and school preferences, there’s one crucial step you can’t afford to get wrong—your JAMB subject combination. You’d be surprised how many students get disqualified each year just because they didn’t pick the right subjects for their chosen course.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through JAMB subject combinations, why they matter, how to choose them wisely, and what happens if you get it wrong. Let’s help you avoid those costly mistakes and secure your spot in the university of your dreams!

Table of Contents

Brief Overview of JAMB (Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board)

JAMB, short for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, is the body responsible for conducting entrance exams into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. If you’re planning to study any course at a tertiary institution in Nigeria, you’ll need to pass the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME)—and that means registering with JAMB.

But JAMB doesn’t just test you; it also evaluates whether your subject choices align with the course you want to study. That’s where the concept of subject combinations comes into play.

Why Choosing the Correct Jamb Subject Combination Matters

Imagine studying hard, passing your UTME with flying colors, and then getting the heartbreaking news that you’ve been disqualified—not because your score was low, but because you picked the wrong subjects. Ouch.

This happens more often than you’d think. Each course has specific subjects you must write in JAMB. If you don’t choose them, you’re simply not eligible—even if you aced the exam.

Key point: Getting your subject combination right is as important as studying for the exam.

What Happens If You Choose the Wrong Subject Combination?

Choosing the wrong JAMB subject combination is one mistake that could cost you a whole academic year (or more). Here are some of the consequences:

Automatic disqualification from consideration for your chosen course
Rejection by the university during the admission screening process
Wasted effort—especially if you passed your UTME
You may be forced to switch to a different course you didn’t plan for

Bottom line? It pays to do your research upfront.

What is a JAMB Subject Combination?

A JAMB subject combination is the specific set of four subjects you are required to sit for in the UTME, based on the course you wish to study at the university.

One of these subjects is English Language, which is compulsory for all courses—yes, even if you’re planning to study Mathematics or Chemistry!

Let’s break this down further:

How Is It Different from O’Level Subjects?

Your O’Level (WAEC, NECO, or GCE) requires you to take about 8–9 subjects, including Mathematics and English. JAMB, on the other hand, only needs four subjects—but these four must directly align with the course requirements you’re applying for.

Example:

To study Medicine, you typically need:
- English Language
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
But for Law, the combo would usually be:
- English Language
- Literature-in-English
- Government
- CRS/IRS or another arts subject

So even if you did well in all your O’Level subjects, it doesn’t automatically mean your JAMB combo is correct. They serve different purposes.

Why It Matters in the Admission Process

Every university has its departmental requirements based on JAMB’s official brochure. These requirements ensure students have the right background knowledge to succeed in their chosen fields.

If your subject combo doesn’t match, universities won’t even look at your score—they’ll simply move on to candidates who met the criteria.

General Tips for Choosing the Right Subject Combination

Okay, how do you ensure you’re not falling into the wrong combo trap? Here are a few practical tips:

Understand Your Intended Course

Before you pick any subjects, make sure you fully understand the course and which foundational subjects are most relevant to it.

For example:

Engineering courses require a strong background in Mathematics and Physics.
Agricultural Science courses often demand Biology, Chemistry, and Agricultural Science.
Mass Communication would typically expect Literature-in-English and Government.

Don’t guess—do your homework.

Cross-Check With the JAMB Brochure

This is super important. JAMB releases an official brochure every year with detailed information on:

All available courses
Required UTME subject combinations
Specific O’Level requirements
University-specific exceptions

You can access the JAMB brochure online or through the JAMB CBT app. Always confirm from this document before you finalize your choices.

Know That English Language Is Compulsory

Let’s say this louder for the people at the back: English Language is a must for all JAMB candidates. No matter your course or career path, this one is non-negotiable.

So that leaves you with three other subject slots to tailor specifically to your intended course.

Up next in the full guide (which I can continue writing if you’d like), we’d explore:

Common subject combinations for popular courses like Medicine, Law, Engineering, etc.
Mistakes to avoid when selecting your subjects
How to fix a wrong subject combination (e.g., changing your course or doing a JAMB change of subject/institution)

JAMB Subject Combination for Science Courses

If you’re a science lover dreaming of labs, equations, or saving lives, here’s what you need:

a. Medicine and Surgery

Required Subjects: English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics

b. Pharmacy

Required Subjects: English, Chemistry, Biology, Physics

c. Dentistry

Required Subjects: English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics

d. Biochemistry

Required Subjects: English, Chemistry, Biology, Physics

e. Industrial Chemistry

Required Subjects: English, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics

f. Agricultural Science

Required Subjects: English, Biology/Agriculture, Chemistry, Physics/Mathematics

g. Geology

Required Subjects: English, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics

h. Engineering Courses (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, etc.)

Required Subjects: English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry

i. Computer Science

Required Subjects: English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry

j. Physics

Required Subjects: English, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry

k. Psychology (Science-based)

Required Subjects: English, Biology, and any two of Physics, Chemistry, or Economics

JAMB Subject Combination for Social Science Courses

For those who are into people, society, and the economy, these are your go-to combinations:

a. Economics

Required Subjects: English, Mathematics, Economics, and one of Government, Geography, or History

b. Accounting

Required Subjects: English, Mathematics, Economics, and any other Social Science subject

c. Criminology and Security Studies

Required Subjects: English, Government, Economics, and either CRS/IRS or Literature

d. Political Science

Required Subjects: English, Government, History or Economics, and CRS/IRS

e. Law (Social Science route)

Required Subjects: English, Literature, Government, CRS/IRS

f. Geography

Required Subjects: English, Geography, and any two of Economics, Physics, Chemistry, Government

g. Sociology

Required Subjects: English, Government or History, and two Social Science subjects

h. Psychology (Arts/Social Science-based)

Required Subjects: English, Biology, and any two of Economics, Government, or Literature

i. Mass Communication

Required Subjects: English, Literature, Government, and CRS/IRS

j. Business Administration

Required Subjects: English, Mathematics, Economics, and one other Social Science subject

k. Public Administration

Required Subjects: English, Government, Economics, and any other Social Science subject

l. Marketing

Required Subjects: English, Mathematics, Economics, and one of Government or Geography

JAMB Subject Combination for Arts and Humanities Courses

Creative souls, writers, philosophers—this section is your playground:

a. English and Literary Studies

Required Subjects: English, Literature, CRS/IRS, and Government or History

b. Linguistics

Required Subjects: English, Literature, and any two of CRS/IRS, Government, Yoruba/Hausa/Igbo

c. International Relations

Required Subjects: English, Government, History, and CRS/IRS

d. Theatre Arts / Performing Arts

Required Subjects: English, Literature, and any two of CRS/IRS, Fine Arts, or Government

e. Fine and Applied Arts

Required Subjects: English, Fine Arts, and any two from Literature, CRS/IRS, Government

f. Islamic / Arabic Studies

Required Subjects: English, Arabic/Islamic Studies, and any two of CRS/IRS, History, Literature

g. Christian Religious Studies

Required Subjects: English, CRS, and any two from Literature, Government, History

h. History and International Studies

Required Subjects: English, History, and any two from Government, Literature, CRS/IRS

i. Philosophy

Required Subjects: English, CRS/IRS, and any two from Government, Literature, History

j. Religious and Cultural Studies

Required Subjects: English, CRS/IRS, Literature, and History

k. Education Courses (Arts)

Required Subjects: English, subject area (e.g., Literature, CRS, Government), and two relevant Arts subjects

JAMB Subject Combination for Health and Allied Courses

If you’re planning to work in healthcare—but not necessarily as a doctor—check these out:

a. Nursing / Nursing Science

Required Subjects: English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics

b. Medical Laboratory Science

Required Subjects: English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics

c. Physiology

Required Subjects: English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics

d. Anatomy

Required Subjects: English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics

e. Physiotherapy

Required Subjects: English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics

f. Public Health

Required Subjects: English, Biology, Chemistry, and one of Physics or Mathematics

g. Radiography

Required Subjects: English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics

JAMB Subject Combination for Education Courses

Future teachers and educationists, here’s your section:

a. Education and English

Required Subjects: English, Literature, and two other Arts subject

b. Education and Mathematics

Required Subjects: English, Mathematics, Physics, or any other Science subject

c. Education and Biology

Required Subjects: English, Biology, and two other Science subjects

d. Education and Economics

Required Subjects: English, Economics, Mathematics, and one other Social Science subject

e. Education and Geography

Required Subjects: English, Geography, and two other Social Science subject

f. Early Childhood Education

Required Subjects: English and any three Arts or Social Science subject.

g. Guidance and Counselling

Required Subjects: English and any three subjects from Arts, Science, or Social Sciences

JAMB Subject Combination for Technology and Engineering Courses

Love machines, gadgets, and innovation? You’re in the right lane.

a. Civil Engineering

Required Subjects: English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry

b. Electrical/Electronics Engineering

Required Subjects: English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry

c. Mechanical Engineering

Required Subjects: English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry

d. Software Engineering

Required Subjects: English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry

e. Information Technology

Required Subjects: English, Mathematics, Physics, and any other relevant subject

f. Architecture

Required Subjects: English, Mathematics, Physics, and one of Fine Arts or Geography

g. Industrial Design

Required Subjects: English, Fine Arts, Mathematics, and one of Physics or Chemistry

h. Mechatronics Engineering

Required Subjects: English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry

JAMB Subject Combination for Agricultural Courses

Whether it’s feeding the nation or researching crops, these are your combos:

a. Agricultural Economics

Required Subjects: English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology/Agric

b. Animal Science

Required Subjects: English, Biology/Agric, Chemistry, and one of Physics or Mathematics

c. Crop Production

Required Subjects: English, Biology/Agric, Chemistry, and one of Physics or Mathematics

d. Soil Science

Required Subjects: English, Biology/Agric, Chemistry, and Physics

e. Agricultural Extension

Required Subjects: English, Biology/Agric, Chemistry, and one Social Science subject

f. Food Science and Technology

Required Subjects: English, Chemistry, Biology, and Physics or Mathematics

g. Fisheries and Aquaculture

Required Subjects: English, Biology/Agric, Chemistry, and one other Science subject

JAMB Subject Combination for Environmental and Management Courses

Into sustainable living, buildings, or geography? This is your area:

a. Environmental Management

Required Subjects: English, Biology, Chemistry, and one other subject (Maths or Geography)

b. Urban and Regional Planning

Required Subjects: English, Mathematics, Geography, and one other subject

c. Estate Management

Required Subjects: English, Mathematics, Economics, and one of Physics, Chemistry, or Geography

d. Building Technology

Required Subjects: English, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry

e. Geography and Environmental Studies

Required Subjects: English, Geography, and two other relevant subject

f. Quantity Surveying

Required Subjects: English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry

Final Tips

Double-check with your school of choice—some institutions might have specific requirements.
Don’t mix up Arts with Science subjects if your course doesn’t support it.
Make your choices wisely—JAMB doesn’t forgive carelessness!

Need help choosing between two courses or unsure about your preferred path? I’m here to help. Just ask away!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Let’s be real—JAMB subject mistakes can cost you a full year. Here’s what you want to steer clear of:

Choosing subjects just because they’re “easy”
Assuming similar-sounding courses have the same combo
Ignoring your university’s specific requirements
Forgetting that English is compulsory for everyone

Helpful Tools and Resources

Not sure about something? Here’s where to look:

JAMB Brochure Online
JAMB CAPS Portal – to monitor admission
University websites – for departmental requirements
School counselors – often underrated, but super helpful!

Conclusion

Selecting the right JAMB subject combination isn’t just another step—it’s the foundation of your university admission journey. Get it right, and you’re already halfway in. Get it wrong, and it could cost you time, money, and peace of mind.

So take your time, consult official resources, ask for help if you need it, and most importantly—go after the course that truly excites you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I change my subject combination after registration?

Yes, but only before JAMB registration closes. Once the portal shuts, you’re locked in.

What if I pick the wrong subject?

Unfortunately, it could disqualify you from getting admitted to your desired course.

Can I use the same subject combination for multiple courses?

In many cases, yes—but it depends on how closely related the courses are. Always double-check.

What’s the difference between JAMB and WAEC subject requirements?

WAEC is your O’Level qualification. JAMB is your entrance exam. Schools consider both when offering admission.