Official 2026 JAMB Subject Combinations for All Courses: A Guide for Parents and Students
This is to let you know that in Every year, thousands of Nigerian students register for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) with the hope of gaining admission into higher institutions. Unfortunately, many students lose their admission opportunities not because they failed JAMB but because they chose the wrong subject combination.
This is why parents and guardians must take an active role in their child’s JAMB preparation. Many students do not read the JAMB brochure or syllabus. Some rely on friends or assumptions, while others simply pick subjects they like. This mistake can cost them admission.
This article explains why JAMB subject combinations matter, highlights important rules, and provides the official 2026 JAMB subject combinations for all courses in Nigerian universities.
Why JAMB Subject Combination Is Very Important
Choosing the correct JAMB subject combination is compulsory. Even if a student scores very high in UTME, a wrong subject combination can automatically disqualify them during admission screening.
- JAMB does not correct subject mistakes after the exam.
- Universities strictly follow JAMB-approved combinations.
- Wrong subjects can lead to loss of admission.
- Many students rewrite JAMB because of subject errors.
Parents should not assume their child understands everything. A simple discussion before registration can save years of regret.
Important JAMB Rules Parents and Students Must Know
- Use of English is compulsory for all courses.
- Each course requires four subjects including English.
- Science courses usually require Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- Arts and Social Science courses require relevant subjects.
- Always confirm combinations using the latest JAMB brochure.
2026 JAMB Subject Combinations for All Courses
Management, Business & Social Science Courses
- Accountancy: English, Mathematics, Economics, and one Social Science subject
- Business Administration / Management: English, Mathematics, Economics, and another Social Science subject
- Banking and Finance: English, Mathematics, one Social Science subject, and any other subject
- Marketing: English, Mathematics, Economics, and one relevant subject
- Insurance: English, Mathematics, Economics, and one other subject
- Economics: English, Mathematics, Economics, and one of Government, History, Geography, Literature, CRK/IRK
- Political Science: English, Government or History, and two Arts or Social Science subjects
- International Relations: English, Economics, Literature, and Government/History/Geography
- Sociology / Sociology & Anthropology: English and three Arts or Social Science subjects
- Criminology and Security Studies: English, Economics, Government, and one relevant subject
Law, Arts & Humanities
- Law: English, Literature in English, Economics, and one Art subject
- Civil Law: English and any three Arts or Social Science subjects
- English Language: English, Literature in English, and two Arts or Social Science subjects
- History and International Studies: English, History/Government, and two Arts or Social Science subjects
- Theatre Arts: English, Literature in English, and two relevant subjects
- Mass Communication: English and three Arts or Social Science subjects
- Philosophy: English, Government, and two other subjects
- Religious Studies: English, CRS/IRS, and two other subjects
- Arabic and Islamic Studies: English, Arabic, and two Arts or Social Science subjects
Science & Medical Courses
- Medicine and Surgery: English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
- Nursing: English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
- Pharmacy: English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
- Medical Laboratory Science: English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
- Physiology / Anatomy / Physiotherapy: English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
- Microbiology: English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics or Mathematics
- Biochemistry: English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
- Zoology: English, Biology, and two of Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics
Engineering & Technology
- Civil / Mechanical / Electrical / Chemical Engineering: English, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry
- Computer Science: English, Mathematics, Physics, and one of Biology, Chemistry, Economics, or Geography
- Computer Engineering: English, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry
- Petroleum and Gas Engineering: English, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry
- Marine Engineering: English, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry
Agriculture & Environmental Sciences
- Agriculture: English, Chemistry, Biology/Agricultural Science, and Physics or Mathematics
- Agricultural Economics: English, Chemistry, Biology/Agricultural Science, and Mathematics
- Veterinary Medicine: English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
- Forestry / Fisheries / Soil Science: English, Chemistry, Biology/Agriculture, and Mathematics or Physics
- Urban and Regional Planning: English, Mathematics, Geography, and one other science subject
- Estate Management / Quantity Surveying / Building: English, Mathematics, Physics, and one relevant subject
Advice to Parents
Parents, please do not leave JAMB subject selection entirely to your child. Many students are intelligent but uninformed. Sit with them, confirm their intended course, and cross-check the subject combination before registration.
A few minutes of guidance today can prevent years of disappointment tomorrow. Before clicking “submit” on the JAMB portal, ensure the course and subject combination are correct.
Correct subject combination is the foundation of admission success.
