JAMB Subject Combination for Nursing, Pharmacy and Other Health Sciences

By JAMB Advisor Editorial · 11 Nov 2026

Health science courses are popular because they lead to clear careers. Most of them share the same UTME subjects, which makes planning easier — but O'Level and accreditation rules need attention.

UTME subject combination

For Nursing Science, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Science, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Optometry, Dentistry and most allied health courses:

Use of English (compulsory)
Biology
Chemistry
Physics

A few programmes (for example, some Public Health or Human Nutrition programmes) may accept Mathematics or another subject instead of Physics at particular universities. Biology, Chemistry and Physics is the safe combination.

O'Level requirements

Five credits usually including:

English Language
Mathematics
Biology
Chemistry
Physics

Many universities require one sitting for clinical health courses such as Nursing, Pharmacy and Dentistry. Check this before you rely on combined results.

Course-by-course notes

Nursing Science (B.NSc): A university degree leading to registration with the nursing and midwifery council after training. Different from hospital-based schools of nursing, which have their own entrance process.
Pharmacy (B.Pharm / Pharm.D): Long programme with heavy chemistry content. Places are limited by accreditation.
Medical Laboratory Science: Trains laboratory scientists for diagnostics. Accreditation by the professional council matters for practising.
Physiotherapy: Offered at fewer universities than Nursing; competition varies.
Radiography, Optometry, Dentistry: Offered at a limited number of universities; check which schools have them before choosing.

For every health course, choose an accredited programme. Graduates of unaccredited programmes may be unable to register with the professional council and do their internship.

Admission realities

Health courses are among the most competitive in every university. Use your score realistically: compare schools, consider your catchment area, and prepare for Post-UTME screening, which often tests Biology, Chemistry, Physics and English.

Back-up courses with the same subjects

Biochemistry, Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology
Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Public Health
Biology, Chemistry, Biotechnology

Next steps

Check each course in the subject checker, browse schools in the institutions directory, and confirm on the official JAMB brochure.