One of the most common reasons students are denied admission in Nigeria is using the wrong WAEC subject combination. Each course in Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education has its specific subject requirements—and these must be fulfilled starting with your WAEC (O’Level) exams.
In this guide, you’ll find the full list of approved WAEC subject combinations for all major disciplines: Art, Science, and Commercial. This is especially useful for WAEC, NECO, GCE, and JAMB aspirants.
Compulsory WAEC Subjects for All Candidates
Regardless of your field, every student must take the following core subjects:
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English Language
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Mathematics
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Civic Education
These are mandatory for all WAEC candidates and required for most courses.
WAEC Subject Combination for Science Courses
Here’s the approved subject group for major science-related courses:
| Science Course | Approved Subject Combination |
|---|---|
| Medicine & Surgery | English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Nursing/Nursing Science | English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Pharmacy | English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Engineering (All Types) | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics/Technical Drawing |
| Computer Science | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry/Biology, Economics |
| Agricultural Science | English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Agricultural Science |
| Microbiology | English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Biochemistry | English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Architecture | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Technical Drawing |
| Physics | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics |
| Chemistry | English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology |
| Biology | English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Food Science & Tech | English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Agricultural Science |
WAEC Subject Combination for Commercial Courses
These are suitable for candidates planning careers in business, finance, or management:
| Commercial Course | Approved Subject Combination |
|---|---|
| Accounting | English, Mathematics, Economics, Commerce, Financial Accounting |
| Business Administration | English, Mathematics, Economics, Commerce, Government |
| Banking & Finance | English, Mathematics, Economics, Commerce, Accounting |
| Marketing | English, Mathematics, Economics, Commerce, Marketing |
| Insurance | English, Mathematics, Economics, Accounting, Commerce |
| Economics | English, Mathematics, Economics, Government, Commerce |
| Actuarial Science | English, Mathematics, Economics, Further Math, Statistics |
| Office & Information Mgt | English, Mathematics, Economics, Commerce, Typing/Computer Studies |
| Public Administration | English, Mathematics, Government, Economics, CRS/IRS |
| Human Resource Management | English, Mathematics, Economics, Commerce, Government |
WAEC Subject Combination for Art Courses
Ideal for candidates pursuing arts, law, social science, or humanities disciplines:
| Art Course | Approved Subject Combination |
|---|---|
| Law | English, Literature in English, Government, CRS/IRS, Economics |
| Mass Communication | English, Literature in English, Government, CRS/IRS, Economics |
| Political Science | English, Government, CRS/IRS, Literature in English, Economics |
| Sociology | English, Government, CRS/IRS, Economics, Literature |
| English & Literary Studies | English, Literature in English, Government, CRS/IRS, History |
| Philosophy | English, Literature in English, CRS/IRS, Government, Economics |
| History & International Studies | English, History, Literature, Government, CRS/IRS |
| Theatre Arts | English, Literature in English, CRS/IRS, Government, Fine Arts |
| Linguistics | English, Literature in English, CRS/IRS, Government, Igbo/Yoruba/Hausa |
| Fine & Applied Arts | English, Fine Art, CRS/IRS, Government, Literature |
| Music | English, Music, Literature, CRS/IRS, Government |
| Christian Religious Studies | English, CRS, Government, Literature, History |
| Islamic Studies | English, IRS, Government, Arabic, Literature |
General Rules for Choosing the Right WAEC Subjects
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Start with your career goal or course of interest
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Choose subjects related to the course (as listed above)
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Avoid irrelevant subject combinations (e.g., combining Physics with History for Law)
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Take at least 5 relevant subjects including English and Mathematics
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Make sure your subject combo matches JAMB subject requirements as well
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Choosing subjects based on what friends pick
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Ignoring Mathematics, even when it’s required for Business or Science courses
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Taking only Art-related subjects for courses like Economics or Mass Communication that need Mathematics
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Submitting awaiting results without uploading them to JAMB Portal
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I use Commerce instead of Economics in WAEC?
No, Economics is preferred, especially for Business, Banking, and Accounting-related courses.
Q2: Is Mathematics compulsory for all courses?
Yes, almost all courses require at least a credit in Mathematics, except for a few in the arts.
Q3: Can I combine WAEC and NECO results for admission?
Yes, most Nigerian universities accept two sittings, such as WAEC + NECO or WAEC + WAEC.
Q4: Do I need Further Mathematics for Engineering?
While not compulsory, it is highly recommended and adds an edge for Engineering and Computer Science applicants.
Q5: Can I study Law without Literature in English?
No. Literature in English is a mandatory subject for Law in both WAEC and JAMB.
Q6: What is the minimum number of subjects required in WAEC?
You must sit for at least 8–9 subjects, and pass a minimum of 5 relevant subjects including English and Mathematics.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the correct WAEC subject combination is your first step to securing university admission in Nigeria. Whether you're going into Science, Commercial, or Arts, following the approved subject lists ensures you meet both WAEC and JAMB requirements.
