Subjects Combination for All Courses in JAMB

Subjects Combination for All Courses in JAMB

Choosing the correct subject combination for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is one of the most critical decisions a prospective university student in Nigeria must make. A wrong subject choice can disqualify you from gaining admission to your desired course, even if your UTME score is high. In this article, we explain how JAMB subject combinations work, why they matter, and provide a comprehensive (though not exhaustive) breakdown of subject combinations for major fields of study.

Why Subject Combinations Matter

1. Mandatory English Language
   For JAMB UTME, English Language is compulsory for all candidates, regardless of the course they intend to study (Nairaland)
2. Relevance to Course
   In addition to English, JAMB requires three other subjects that are relevant to your intended course of study. These subjects are grouped into general types (Science, Arts, Social Science, etc.). (JAMB News Today 2025)
3. Admission Eligibility
   Universities will check whether the UTME subject combination aligns with their programme requirements. Choosing the wrong combination may lead to disqualification, even if you have the required UTME score. (sparobanks.com)

How JAMB Subject Combinations Are Structured

JAMB publishes approved subject combinations that correspond to different courses. These combinations typically include:

• Compulsory English Language, plus
• Three other subjects relevant to the course.

As JAMB itself states, the subject combination list guides which four subjects you should pick for UTME based on what course you want to study. (JAMB News Today 2025)

Courses are broadly divided into categories like Science, Social Science, Management, Arts, Engineering, Education, etc., and subject combinations are tailored accordingly.

Subject Combinations for Major Course Areas

Here is a breakdown of common courses and their required JAMB UTME subject combinations, based on verified sources. (Note: Always check the latest JAMB brochure or university-specific requirements, as these may change.)

1. Science and Medical Courses

• Medicine & Surgery
  • English Language
  • Biology
  • Physics
  • Chemistry (sparobanks.com)
• Pharmacy, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, Biochemistry, Anatomy, Microbiology, Physiology
  • English
  • Biology
  • Physics
  • Chemistry (JAMB News Today 2025)
• Agricultural Science / Agric-Related Courses
  • Varies depending on specialization:
    • Some use English, Chemistry, Biology (or Agric), and Physics or Mathematics (Nigerian Queries)
    • For Agricultural Engineering: English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry. (Nigerian Queries)
• Engineering (all streams)
  • English Language
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Chemistry (sparobanks.com)
• Computer Science / Information Technology
  • English Language
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • One of Biology / Chemistry / Agricultural Science / Economics / Geography (JAMB News Today 2025)
• Geology
  • English
  • Three out of: Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Biology, Geography (UNN INFO)
• Mathematics / Applied Mathematics / Statistics
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Any two of: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Economics, Agric Science (depending on the university) (UNN INFO)

2. Management, Business, and Social Science Courses

• Accounting / Business Administration / Management / Insurance
  • English Language
  • Mathematics
  • Economics
  • Any other Social Science subject (e.g., Government, Geography)
• Banking & Finance
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • One Social Science subject
  • Any other (fourth) subject (Nairaland)
• Economics
  • English Language
  • Mathematics
  • Economics
  • One more from: Government, History, Geography, Literature-in-English, French, CRS/IRS (Schoolings)
• Public Administration
  • English Language
  • Government
  • Economics
  • One other subject of your choice (Schoolings)
• Demography & Social Statistics
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Economics or Geography
  • One other subject (Schoolings)

3. Arts, Humanities, and Education

• Law
  • English Language
  • Any three subjects from Arts or Social Science (e.g., Literature in English, Government, History, CRS/IRK) (JAMB News Today 2025)
• Psychology / Sociology / Political Science / Criminology
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Economics
  • Another Social Science / Arts subject (schlmag.com)
• Languages, Literature, Fine Arts
  • English Language (plus other relevant arts/social subjects depending on the exact course) (mandynews.com)
• Education Courses
  • Subject combinations depend on whether you are doing Science Education, Arts Education, or Social Science Education. For example, Science Education courses may require English + Mathematics + two science subjects, while Arts Education may require English + two arts/social subjects. (Consult the JAMB brochure or specific university.) (schoolbeginners.com)

Tips for Choosing the Right Subject Combination

1. Always Consult the Official JAMB Brochure
   While many websites summarize subject combinations, the official JAMB brochure is the most reliable source. If possible, download the latest version from JAMB’s official site or authorized partners.
2. Check University-Specific Requirements
   Even if a subject combination is “allowed” by JAMB, each university (and sometimes each department) may have its own more restrictive requirements. Before choosing, check the admissions requirements of all the schools you are applying to.
3. Have a Back-Up Plan
   Pick a first-choice course and then select alternative courses that use the same subject combination. This way, if you don’t make your first choice, you still remain eligible for your backups.
4. Prepare for UTME Subjects
   Once you have fixed your combination, focus your UTME preparation on those four subjects. Using the wrong combination can render your exam useless for your desired course.
5. Re-Check During Registration
   During JAMB registration, when you choose your subjects, make sure to double-check that you didn’t accidentally pick the wrong one. Mistakes at this stage are common and can be costly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming all courses in a faculty (e.g., Science) have the same subject mix. While many do, some specializations (like Agricultural Science, Geology, or Statistics) have distinct combinations.
• Ignoring “any other relevant subject” in combinations. For some courses, JAMB allows flexibility in the fourth subject — but it must still be a subject recognized by JAMB.
• Not verifying changes. Subject combinations may be updated periodically, so relying on old notes (from friends, class seniors) can be risky.

Selecting the correct JAMB subject combination is a foundational step toward securing admission into your desired university course in Nigeria. Because English is mandatory, the real decision rests on choosing the right three additional subjects. These subjects vary significantly by field — for example, Medicine demands Biology, Physics, and Chemistry, while Business Administration requires Mathematics, Economics, and another Social Science.

Use reliable, up-to-date sources such as the JAMB brochure, university admission materials, and reputable educational websites when making your choice. Double-check your selections during registration, and always consider alternative courses that use the same subject combination as your primary choice. With the right combination and preparation, you maximize your chances of getting into the programme you truly want.

References & Further Reading

• JAMB 2026 UTME Subject Combination (including course-specific combinations) (JAMB News Today 2025)
• NigerianQueries / JAMB subject combinations list for science, arts, social science (Nigerian Queries)
• Schoolings.org: List of JAMB CBT courses and their UTME subject combinations (Schoolings)
• SchlMag: Courses and 2025 JAMB UTME subject combinations (schlmag.com)