Every year, some candidates score well in the UTME but still miss admission because they wrote the wrong subject combination. Universities check that your four UTME subjects match the requirements for your course. If they don’t, you can’t be admitted into that course, however high your score.
Use English Language plus three other subjects. The table below shows the usual combinations for popular courses. Requirements can differ slightly between universities, so always confirm in the JAMB brochure for your chosen school before you register.
Science and health courses
| Course | Usual UTME subjects |
|---|---|
| Medicine and Surgery | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Dentistry | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Pharmacy | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Nursing Science | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Medical Laboratory Science | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Physiotherapy | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Radiography | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Microbiology / Biochemistry | English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics or Mathematics |
Engineering, computing and physical sciences
| Course | Usual UTME subjects |
|---|---|
| All Engineering courses | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry |
| Computer Science / Software Engineering | English, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry or Biology (some schools accept Economics or Geography) |
| Architecture | English, Mathematics, Physics, and one of Chemistry, Geography, Fine Art or Technical Drawing |
| Estate Management / Quantity Surveying | English, Mathematics, Economics, and one other subject |
| Industrial Chemistry | English, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics or Biology |
Social sciences and management
| Course | Usual UTME subjects |
|---|---|
| Accounting | English, Mathematics, Economics, and one other social science or arts subject |
| Banking and Finance | English, Mathematics, Economics, and one other subject |
| Business Administration | English, Mathematics, Economics, and one other subject |
| Economics | English, Mathematics, Economics, and one other social science or arts subject |
| Political Science | English, Government, and any two social science or arts subjects |
| Mass Communication | English, Literature in English, and any two arts or social science subjects (Government or Economics is common) |
| Psychology | English, Biology or Mathematics, and two other subjects |
Law and the arts
| Course | Usual UTME subjects |
|---|---|
| Law | English, Literature in English, and any two arts or social science subjects |
| English Language | English, Literature in English, and two other arts or social science subjects |
| History and International Studies | English, History or Government, and two other arts or social science subjects |
| Theatre Arts | English, Literature in English, and two other arts subjects |
Tips for choosing your subjects
- Check your O’Level too. Universities also require credit passes in specific O’Level subjects. Mathematics is compulsory at O’Level for most courses, even Law and Mass Communication.
- Use the official brochure. The JAMB brochure lists each university’s special requirements for every course.
- Pick subjects you are strong in when the course allows a free choice for the fourth subject.
- Don’t change subjects after registration without good reason. Correction windows are limited and may cost money.
More courses and their usual combinations
| Course | Usual UTME subjects |
|---|---|
| Agriculture / Animal Science | English, Chemistry, Biology or Agricultural Science, and Physics or Mathematics |
| Geology | English, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics or Biology |
| Statistics / Mathematics | English, Mathematics, and two of Physics, Chemistry or Economics |
| Public Administration | English, Government or Economics, and two other social science or arts subjects |
| Sociology | English and any three social science or arts subjects |
| Education (science subjects) | English plus three subjects matching the teaching subject (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Physics for Education Biology) |
| Veterinary Medicine | English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics |
| Optometry | English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics |
O’Level requirements matter just as much
Your UTME subjects are only half the story. Universities also check that you have credit passes in the right O’Level subjects. For example, science and health courses usually need credits in English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, while Law and Mass Communication need English, Literature and Mathematics among their five credits.
If you’re combining WAEC and NECO results, read how two sittings work.
How to check the official requirements
- Open the JAMB brochure for the current year.
- Search for your course, then find your chosen university in the list.
- Read the UTME subject requirement and any special conditions.
- Check the O’Level requirements in the same entry.
Wrong subjects? What to do
- Choose a related course that accepts your current subjects through a change of course.
- Consider Direct Entry through JUPEB or IJMB, where the A’Level subjects you take can open the right course.
- Register the correct subjects in the next UTME.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mathematics compulsory for Law in UTME?
Not usually in the UTME, but most universities require a credit in O’Level Mathematics for Law.
Can I study Computer Science with Biology instead of Chemistry?
Many universities accept Biology or Chemistry as the fourth subject for Computer Science, but some insist on Chemistry. Confirm in the brochure for your chosen school.
What happens if I wrote the wrong combination?
You can apply for a change of course to one that matches your subjects when JAMB opens the change of course window.
