Here’s a comprehensive blog post on JAMB UTME Combination for 2026/2027 — what it means, why it’s important, how to choose the right subjects, and tips to avoid mistakes:
JAMB UTME Subject Combination 2026/2027: What You Need to Know
Every year, thousands of students in Nigeria prepare for the UTME (Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination), hoping to gain admission into universities, polytechnics, or colleges of education. One of the most crucial decisions you’ll make during registration is your UTME subject combination — the four subjects you choose to write. Choosing wrong can cost you admission opportunities, even if your score is high.
Here’s a full guide to subject combinations for 2026/2027, and how to pick wisely.
What Is “Subject Combination”?
- When you register for UTME, you must choose four subjects.
- These include English Language (compulsory for everyone), plus three others chosen based on the course you want to study.
- The right combination aligns with your intended course’s requirements (for example, Medicine needs Biology, Chemistry, Physics; Arts might need Literature, History, etc.).
Why the Right Combination Matters
- Admission eligibility: Universities require specific subject combinations. If you write the wrong subjects, you might be disqualified, no matter how high your JAMB score.
- O’Level subject requirements: Aside from UTME, your SSCE/WAEC/NECO results must show you passed some core subjects. Even with perfect UTME subjects, weak O’Level could block you.
- Direct Entry vs UTME: If using Direct Entry (ND, NCE, HND, or JUPEB), they also check whether your prior credentials include required subjects.
Sample Subject Combinations (2026/2027)
🔍 Official JAMB UTME Subject Combinations (2026/2027) for Various Courses
| Course | Required Subjects |
|---|---|
| Medicine & Surgery | English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Pharmacy | English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Computer Science | English Language, Mathematics, Physics, plus one of Biology / Chemistry / Agric Science / Economics / Geography |
| Electrical / Electronics Engineering | English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry |
| Civil Engineering | English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry |
| Chemical Engineering | English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry |
| Biological Sciences / Biochemistry / Microbiology | English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Mathematics | English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry |
| Accounting and Finance | Use of English; Mathematics; Economics; plus any Social Science subject |
| Estate Management | English; Mathematics; Economics; Any other subject |
| Fisheries | English; Chemistry; Biology or Agric Science; Any other Science subject |
| Dentistry | English; Chemistry; Biology; Any other Science subject |
| Crop Production and Science | English; Chemistry; Biology or Agriculture; Mathematics or Physics |
| Accounting / Accountancy | English Language, Mathematics, Economics + any one Social Science Subject |
| Education & Chemistry | English + Chemistry + any two from Biology / Physics / Mathematics |
| Education & Yoruba | English + Yoruba + Literature in English + any other Arts or Social Science subject |
| Course | Subject Combination |
|---|---|
| Anatomy | Use of English, Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry or Physics |
| Medical Laboratory Sciences | Use of English, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology |
| Pharmacy | Use of English, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry |
| Physiology | Use of English, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry |
| Physiotherapy | Use of English, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry |
| Radiography | Use of English, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry |
| Veterinary Medicine | Use of English, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry |
| Industrial Chemistry | Use of English, Chemistry, Mathematics and any of Physics / Biology / Agricultural Science |
| Biological Sciences | Use of English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics or Mathematics |
| Geology | Use of English, Geography, and any two Science subjects |
| Quantity Surveying | Use of English, Physics, Mathematics, and any of Chemistry, Geography, Art, Biology or Economics |
| [21/09, 05:15] ChatGPT: | Urban and Regional Planning |
| Law | Use of English, Literature‑in‑English, Government / CRS, and another Arts / Social Science subject |
| Music | Use of English, Music, one other Arts subject plus any other Arts or Social Science subject |
| Linguistics | Use of English, any two relevant Arts subjects, and a fourth subject depending on school requirements |
| Education & Biology | Use of English, Biology and two other subjects from Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics |
| Education & Chemistry | Use of English, Chemistry and two subjects chosen from Physics, Biology and Mathematics |
| Marketing | Use of English, Mathematics, Economics plus one other Social Science subject |
| Banking and Finance | Use of English, Mathematics, one Social Science subject + any other subject |
| Public Administration | Use of English, Government, Economics and any other subject |
| Course | JAMB Subject Combination |
|---|---|
| Accounting and Finance | Use of English; Mathematics; Economics; plus any Social Science subject |
| Agricultural Sciences | Use of English; Chemistry; Biology/Agriculture; and either Physics or Mathematics |
| Architecture | Use of English; Physics; Mathematics; and any of Chemistry, Geography, Art, Biology or Economics |
| Biochemistry | Use of English; Biology; Physics; Chemistry |
| Business Administration | Use of English; Economics; Mathematics; and one other Social Science subject |
| Chemical Engineering / Petroleum Engineering | Use of English; Mathematics; Physics; Chemistry |
| Civil Engineering | Use of English; Mathematics; Physics; Chemistry |
| Computer Engineering and Information Technologies | Use of English; Mathematics; Physics; Chemistry |
| Computer Science | Use of English; Mathematics; Physics; and one of Biology, Chemistry, Agricultural Science, Economics, or Geography |
| Economics | Use of English; Mathematics; Government; Economics |
| Electrical Engineering | Use of English; Mathematics; Physics; Chemistry |
| Estate Management | Use of English; Geography; sometimes Economics; and another subject depending on school |
| Geology | Use of English; any three of Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Biology, and Geography |
| Law | Use of English; Literature in English; Government or CRS/IRS; and another Arts/Social Science subject |
| Mass Communication | Use of English; Government/CRS/IRS; Literature in English; and Economics or another Social Science subject |
| Medical Laboratory Sciences | Use of English; Physics; Chemistry; Biology |
| Medicine & Surgery | Use of English; Biology; Physics; Chemistry |
| Nursing | Use of English; Biology; Physics; Chemistry |
| Pharmacy | Use of English; Biology; Physics; Chemistry |
| Theatre Arts | Use of English; Literature in English; two other Arts or Social Science relevant subjects |
| Course | JAMB Subject Combination |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Economics | English, Chemistry, Biology/Agricultural Science, and Mathematics or Physics |
| Agricultural Extension | English, Chemistry, Biology/Agricultural Science plus Mathematics or Physics |
| Agronomy | English, Chemistry, Biology or Agriculture and Physics or Mathematics |
| Anatomy | English, Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry or Physics |
| Animal Production & Science | English, Chemistry, Biology/Agricultural Science and Physics or Mathematics |
| Architecture | English, Physics, Mathematics, and one of Chemistry, Geography, Art, Biology or Economics |
| Biological Sciences | English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics or Mathematics |
| Botany | English, Biology, Chemistry and any other Science subject |
| Building | English, Physics, Mathematics, and any of Chemistry, Geography, Art, Biology or Economics |
| Chemistry | English, Chemistry and two of Physics, Biology and Mathematics |
| Marine Engineering | English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry |
| [21/09, 05:22] ChatGPT: | Mechanical Engineering |
| Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry |
| Production and Industrial Engineering | English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry |
| Pure and Applied Mathematics | English, Mathematics, Physics and Biology or Agricultural Science or Chemistry or Geography |
| Soil Science | English, Chemistry, Biology or Agricultural Science plus Mathematics or Physics |
| Structural Engineering | English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry |
| Surveying & Geoinformatics | English, Physics, Mathematics, and any of Chemistry, Geography, Art, Biology and Economics |
| System Engineering | English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry |
| Veterinary Medicine | English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry |
- Decide Your Course First
Pick what you want to study (Engineering, Accounting, Education, etc.), then look up the subject combination for that course.
- Check O’Level Requirements
Even if you select UTME subjects correctly, you’ll also need credit passes in relevant O’Level subjects (e.g. Mathematics, English, etc.). Do this early. - Use Official JAMB Materials
Refer to the JAMB Brochure or the official JAMB website’s subject combination page to avoid wrong information. - Avoid “Just Choose Anything” Mentality
Don’t pick subjects simply because friends did, or because they seem “easy” — the wrong combination can block you later.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Registering the wrong subjects for your chosen course.
- Choosing subjects outside your strength, leading to weak performance.
- Not meeting O’Level subject credit requirements.
- Waiting until the last moment to check combinations and finding it hard to change.
What’s New / Key Updates (2026/2027)
- JAMB has released new combos in its 2025/2026 brochure.
- Under some courses like Education, there’s flexibility in choosing relevant science or arts subjects depending on your background.
- The cut-off marks and the minimum aggregate are still largely dependent on which university and course you apply to.
Final Tips
- Use the official JAMB Subject Combination Checker Tools offered by JAMB or trusted portals.
- Double-check before clicking “submit” during UTME registration — mistakes on that form are hard to correct.
- Strengthen your weak O’Level subjects early so you’re not disqualified later.
- Always have backup courses in mind in case your preferred course’s cut-off is very high.
Choosing the right subject combination is a big step on your UTME journey. Do it carefully, align with your course, and combine it with strong O’Level performance — success will follow. Best of luck in your 2025/2026 UTME!
Citations:
- JAMB News Today 2026: jamb-gov.org/subject-combination/
- JAMB News Today 2026 jamb-gov.org/subject-combination-for-education-and-chemistry/
- JAMB News Today 2026: jamb-gov.org/subject-combination-for-education-and-yoruba/
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