JUPEB subject combination

JUPEB Subject Combination

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This tool is a guide only. Points, DE slots, difficulty and subject combinations are estimates, and schools can change their requirements in any session. Confirm with the university and your JUPEB centre before you register. FreshNote is not responsible for admission decisions.

JUPEB Subject Combination: The Complete Guide for Every Course

By FreshNote · covers 70 courses

Choosing the wrong JUPEB subject combination is one of the most expensive mistakes a candidate can make. You can score straight A's and still be turned away if your three subjects do not match what the university expects for your course. This guide lists the correct subject combination for every course in the FreshNote planner, explains how points work, and shows you how to choose well.

What is a JUPEB subject combination?

JUPEB (Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board) is a one-session pre-degree programme that gives you direct entry (DE) into 200 level at partner universities. Instead of writing many subjects, you register for three subjects only. Those three subjects are your subject combination, and they must fit the course you want to study.

Each subject slot has a main subject and, for some courses, accepted alternatives. A Law candidate, for example, must take Literature in English and Government, and can choose the third subject from CRS, IRS, Economics or History.

How JUPEB points work

Each subject is graded and every grade carries points. Your total is the sum of your three subjects, so the highest possible score is 15 points.

A5 pointsB4 pointsC3 pointsD2 pointsE1 pointF0 points

Competitive courses such as Medicine, Pharmacy and Law usually need very high totals, while Religious Studies, Education and Philosophy are far more forgiving. Requirements differ by university and by session, so always confirm with your target school.

Quick reference by course group

Course groupTypical combination
Medical and health sciencesBiology, Chemistry, Physics
EngineeringMathematics, Physics, Chemistry
ComputingMathematics, Physics, Chemistry or Economics
Management and accountingEconomics, Accounting, Mathematics
Law, Mass Communication, artsLiterature in English, Government, plus one more
Social sciencesGovernment, Economics, plus one more

Medical and health science courses

Most courses here need Biology, Chemistry and Physics. They are also the most competitive, so aim for the highest grades you can get.

CourseSubject 1Subject 2Subject 3
Medicine and SurgeryBiologyChemistryPhysics
DentistryBiologyChemistryPhysics
PharmacyBiologyChemistryPhysics
NursingBiologyChemistryPhysics
PhysiotherapyBiologyChemistryPhysics
Medical Laboratory ScienceBiologyChemistryPhysics
Radiography and Radiation ScienceBiologyChemistryPhysics
OptometryBiologyChemistryPhysics
AnatomyBiologyChemistryPhysics
PhysiologyBiologyChemistryPhysics
Nutrition and DieteticsBiologyChemistryPhysics or Mathematics
Public HealthBiologyChemistryPhysics or Mathematics
PsychologyBiologyGovernment or EconomicsChemistry or Literature in English
Good to knowNutrition and Public Health give you a little room in the third subject. Psychology suits candidates who prefer a mix of science and social science.

Biological science and agriculture courses

These courses lean on Biology and Chemistry, with Physics or Mathematics as the third subject.

CourseSubject 1Subject 2Subject 3
BiochemistryBiologyChemistryPhysics
MicrobiologyBiologyChemistryPhysics or Mathematics
BiotechnologyBiologyChemistryPhysics or Mathematics
Biological SciencesBiologyChemistryPhysics or Mathematics
AgricultureBiologyChemistryPhysics or Mathematics
Animal ScienceBiologyChemistryPhysics or Mathematics
Food Science and TechnologyBiologyChemistryPhysics or Mathematics
Agricultural EconomicsEconomicsBiology or MathematicsChemistry or Government
Environmental ManagementGeography or BiologyChemistry or EconomicsMathematics or Government

Engineering courses

Engineering needs Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. Architecture is the exception, where Fine Art can replace Chemistry.

CourseSubject 1Subject 2Subject 3
Electrical EngineeringMathematicsPhysicsChemistry
Mechanical EngineeringMathematicsPhysicsChemistry
Civil EngineeringMathematicsPhysicsChemistry
Chemical EngineeringMathematicsPhysicsChemistry
Petroleum EngineeringMathematicsPhysicsChemistry
Agricultural EngineeringMathematicsPhysicsChemistry
Computer EngineeringMathematicsPhysicsChemistry or Economics
ArchitectureMathematicsPhysicsChemistry or Fine Art

Computing and technology courses

Computing courses use Mathematics and Physics, with Chemistry or Economics as the third subject. Information Systems leans toward business, so it uses Economics.

CourseSubject 1Subject 2Subject 3
Computer ScienceMathematicsPhysicsChemistry or Economics
Software EngineeringMathematicsPhysicsChemistry or Economics
Information TechnologyMathematicsPhysicsChemistry or Economics
Cyber SecurityMathematicsPhysicsChemistry or Economics
Information SystemsMathematicsEconomicsPhysics or Accounting

Built environment courses

CourseSubject 1Subject 2Subject 3
Quantity SurveyingMathematicsPhysicsChemistry or Economics
Building TechnologyMathematicsPhysicsChemistry
Surveying and GeoinformaticsMathematicsPhysicsChemistry
Estate ManagementEconomicsMathematicsGeography or Government
Urban and Regional PlanningGeographyMathematicsEconomics or Physics

Physical science courses

CourseSubject 1Subject 2Subject 3
PhysicsPhysicsMathematicsChemistry
MathematicsMathematicsPhysicsChemistry or Economics
ChemistryChemistryPhysics or MathematicsBiology or Mathematics
Industrial ChemistryChemistryPhysics or MathematicsBiology or Mathematics
StatisticsMathematicsEconomics or PhysicsGovernment, Chemistry or Geography
GeologyChemistryPhysicsMathematics or Biology
GeographyGeographyEconomics or GovernmentMathematics or Biology

Management, accounting and finance courses

The core is Economics, Accounting and Mathematics. Business Administration and Marketing allow Government in place of Mathematics.

CourseSubject 1Subject 2Subject 3
AccountingEconomicsAccountingMathematics
Banking and FinanceEconomicsAccountingMathematics
Business AdministrationEconomicsAccountingMathematics or Government
MarketingEconomicsAccountingMathematics or Government
Insurance and Actuarial ScienceMathematicsEconomicsAccounting
Human Resource ManagementEconomicsAccounting or GovernmentMathematics or Literature in English
EconomicsEconomicsMathematicsGovernment or Geography

Social science courses

These are built around Government and Economics, with Literature in English, History or another subject as the third.

CourseSubject 1Subject 2Subject 3
Political ScienceGovernmentEconomicsLiterature in English or History
Public AdministrationGovernmentEconomicsLiterature in English or History
International RelationsGovernmentLiterature in EnglishEconomics or History
SociologyGovernmentEconomicsLiterature in English or Geography
Criminology and Security StudiesGovernmentEconomicsLiterature in English or Sociology
Social WorkGovernmentEconomicsLiterature in English or Biology
Library and Information ScienceGovernment or EconomicsLiterature in EnglishMathematics or History

Law, arts and humanities courses

These are anchored on Literature in English and Government.

CourseSubject 1Subject 2Subject 3
LawLiterature in EnglishGovernmentCRS, IRS, Economics or History
Mass CommunicationLiterature in EnglishGovernmentEconomics, CRS or History
English and Literary StudiesLiterature in EnglishGovernmentCRS, IRS or History
LinguisticsLiterature in EnglishGovernmentHistory or CRS
Theatre and Film ArtsLiterature in EnglishGovernmentCRS or History
History and International StudiesHistoryGovernmentLiterature in English
PhilosophyCRS or IRSGovernmentLiterature in English
Religious StudiesCRS or IRSLiterature in EnglishGovernment

Education

Education is the most flexible course. Slot 1 is Literature in English or Mathematics, slot 2 is Government, Economics or Biology, and slot 3 is a subject related to your intended teaching area.

CourseSubject 1Subject 2Subject 3
EducationLiterature in English or MathematicsGovernment, Economics or BiologyA subject related to your teaching area
Good to knowEducation-focused universities may offer only a short list of courses, so check the school's list before you register.

How to choose the right subject combination

  1. Start from your course, not your strength. Pick the course first, then use the tables above to find its combination.
  2. Use alternatives wisely. Where two subjects are allowed in a slot, choose the one you can score higher in.
  3. Check your target university. Not every university offers every course through JUPEB, and some take only a short list.
  4. Know the points you need. Competitive schools such as UNILAG, OAU, UNN and UNIBEN usually need far higher totals than less competitive ones.
  5. Plan a backup course. Related courses often share most of your subjects, so one registration covers both.

Choosing a backup course

You can register only one subject combination, so your backup must overlap with your first choice. These courses share all three subjects:

  • Medicine with Pharmacy, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Medical Laboratory Science, Anatomy or Physiology
  • Electrical Engineering with Mechanical, Civil, Chemical or Petroleum Engineering
  • Computer Science with Software Engineering, Information Technology or Cyber Security
  • Accounting with Banking and Finance
  • Political Science with Public Administration

If a backup shares only two of the three subjects, such as Law and Political Science, decide which one you are preparing for before you register.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Registering a combination that leaves out a compulsory subject for your course.
  • Choosing a high cut-off course without a backup plan.
  • Assuming every university accepts the same alternatives.
  • Waiting until the last minute to confirm the school offers your course through JUPEB.
  • Leaving past questions until close to the exam.

Frequently asked questions

How many subjects do I register for in JUPEB?

Three subjects, chosen to match your intended course.

What is the highest score in JUPEB?

Fifteen points, which means an A in all three subjects.

Can I change my subject combination after registration?

Usually not. Confirm your combination with your JUPEB centre before you register.

Can I study a course whose subjects I did not take?

Universities generally expect the required subjects for the course. Always check the specific school.

Do all universities offer all courses?

No. Some universities, especially smaller private and education-focused ones, offer a limited list of courses.

See the points your course needs

Compare universities, check estimated difficulty and DE slots, and plan a backup choice with the FreshNote JUPEB planner.

Practise past questions

This guide is for general information only. Subject combinations, points and school requirements can change from session to session, so confirm with your university and JUPEB centre before you register. FreshNote is not responsible for admission decisions.