JAMB Subject Combination for Nursing (Nursing Science)
The JAMB UTME subject combination for Nursing is Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. See what to check, common mistakes and how to prepare.
ExamPadi Editorial · Updated · 6 min read
Nursing is one of the courses where the right UTME subjects are non-negotiable. The combination listed for the 2026 UTME is:
Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
BusinessDay lists the four as compulsory for Nursing, and Myschoolnews, which attributes its list to JAMB, gives the same set. We could not open the JAMB brochure itself, so confirm the combination there and with your chosen institution before you register.
The combination at a glance
| Slot | Subject | What it supports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Use of English | Compulsory for all UTME candidates; communication is central to nursing |
| 2 | Biology | Human body, health and disease |
| 3 | Chemistry | Body chemistry, medicines and lab work |
| 4 | Physics | Measurement, energy and equipment used in care |
The exam format is the same for everyone. It is computer-based, you register for four subjects, and it is scored out of 400.
University or college of nursing?
Nursing can be studied in more than one kind of institution, and JAMB treats them separately in its minimum scores. At its policy meeting on 11 May 2026, reported by Legit.ng, JAMB set 150 for universities and 150 for colleges of nursing, with 100 for polytechnics. For comparison, Nairametrics reported that in 2025 the figure for colleges of nursing sciences was 140.
Those are national minimums, not what a particular school will ask for. Each institution sets its own admission standard on top of that, and you should read its notice before choosing. Our cut-off mark for Nursing page explains the gap between the national floor and school-level figures.
Common combination mistakes
Myschoolnews notes that wrong combinations are a leading cause of disqualification, so slow down at the registration stage.
- Dropping Physics because it feels hard. If the combination lists it, you need it.
- Choosing a "similar" subject. Do not swap Biology for Agricultural Science, or Chemistry for Mathematics, unless the brochure explicitly allows it.
- Letting the centre decide for you. Registration staff may type in what you say. If you say the wrong thing, the system will record the wrong thing.
- Not rechecking the slip. Compare it line by line with your written list.
If your plans change later, read how changing your course works, because a different course may require a different subject combination.
O'level requirements
Alongside UTME subjects, institutions set O'level requirements. For Nursing, expect the sciences plus English and Mathematics to feature, but the exact subjects, number of credits and sittings allowed are the institution's decision. Read the admission requirements on the website of every school you apply to. We do not give a universal rule because we could not source one.
After the UTME: screening
Many universities run a post-UTME screening after the UTME. For nursing-specific preparation, see our guide on post-UTME for Nursing. Dates vary by school and have not been announced for 2027.
How to prepare the four subjects
The proposed 2027 UTME window is 15 to 25 March 2027, 137 days from 29 October 2026. It is a proposal, not a confirmed date. A simple plan:
- Biology is your anchor. Cover the whole syllabus once, then drill topics you miss.
- Do not neglect Physics. Many nursing candidates leave it last. Give it regular short sessions.
- Use of English needs steady practice in comprehension, lexis and structure, and oral forms.
- Practise under time pressure in the last six weeks with full four-subject papers.
For tips on scoring higher in general, read how to score 300 in JAMB.
Topic areas to cover in each subject
Use the official JAMB syllabus as your checklist. As a rough guide, broad areas you are likely to meet are:
| Subject | Broad areas to expect (confirm in the syllabus) |
|---|---|
| Biology | Cells and tissues, nutrition, transport, reproduction, genetics, ecology and health |
| Chemistry | Atomic structure and bonding, acids, bases and salts, rates of reaction, organic chemistry |
| Physics | Mechanics, heat, waves and light, electricity, modern physics |
| Use of English | Comprehension, vocabulary and structure, summary, oral forms |
A sample weekly split
This is advice, not an official plan.
| Day | Focus |
|---|---|
| Monday | Biology topic work |
| Tuesday | Chemistry topic work |
| Wednesday | Physics topic work |
| Thursday | Use of English and review |
| Friday | Mixed, timed questions across all four |
| Saturday | A longer paper and an error-log review |
| Sunday | Rest |
Questions to ask a nursing school before you apply
- Which UTME subjects and minimum score does it require for the current session?
- What O'level subjects and grades are needed, and how many sittings does it accept?
- Does it run a post-UTME screening, and when?
- What is the application route: JAMB's system, the school's own portal, or both?
- Is the programme accredited by the relevant professional body? Ask the school for proof and look it up through official channels.
A note on the practical side of the course
Nursing involves long hours, clinical placements and care of real people, so the course is demanding in ways that a score does not capture. The exam gets you a seat; the programme asks for stamina, compassion and discipline. If you can, talk to a practising nurse or a current student before you decide, and let that conversation shape your choice of school.
ExamPadi has 46,182 practice questions across JAMB, WAEC, NECO and NABTEB, with a timed CBT mode. Free practice is available, with a Pro tier, on Android, iOS, web and Windows.
Practise JAMB Chemistry on ExamPadi, and add Biology, Physics and Use of English to cover your full combination.
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Practise JAMB Chemistry freeFrequently asked questions
What is the JAMB subject combination for Nursing?
Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, according to guides to JAMB's 2026 combinations.
Is the nursing combination the same as Medicine?
In the 2026 guides we checked, yes. Both list Use of English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry. Individual institutions can still set extra requirements.
Do colleges of nursing use the UTME?
JAMB set a separate minimum score for colleges of nursing in its 2026 policy meeting, which indicates they admit through JAMB as well. Check each college's own admission notice.
Should I choose the university or a college of nursing?
That depends on the qualification you want and what each institution offers. Compare their requirements and accreditation details on their official sites.