JAMB Subject Combination for Political Science
The JAMB UTME subject combination for Political Science is Use of English and Government or History, plus two more. See the options and how to confirm.
ExamPadi Editorial · Updated · 6 min read
Political Science studies power, government and public policy, and its UTME set is flexible. The set listed for the 2026 UTME is:
Use of English and either Government or History, plus two optional subjects.
BusinessDay lists Economics, Geography and Literature in English as the options. Myschoolnews agrees on the shape (English, Government or History, plus two others) but does not name the others. We could not open the JAMB brochure, so confirm on IBASS.
The combination at a glance
| Slot | Subject | Why it matters for the course |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Use of English | Compulsory for every candidate |
| 2 | Government or History | One of the two is compulsory; Government is the closest fit |
| 3 | Optional subject 1 | BusinessDay: Economics, Geography or Literature in English |
| 4 | Optional subject 2 | From the same BusinessDay list; Myschoolnews does not name it |
What the sources say
BusinessDay lists Use of English and Government or History as compulsory and lets you choose two from Economics, Geography and Literature in English. Myschoolnews says compulsory English, Government or History, and two other subjects. The two do not conflict, but only BusinessDay names the options. If your school lists another subject, trust the school's page and the brochure over any press summary.
Choosing your options
If you take Government, you are preparing in the subject closest to the course. Economics is a natural second choice because policy and markets overlap, while Literature in English and Geography suit other strengths. Choose the two options in which you can score highest. If you are also thinking about International Relations or Law, compare their lists, since the sets overlap but are not identical.
O'level requirements
O'level requirements vary by school and we did not find a verifiable national list for Political Science. Read the department's admission page for the credits required, usually including English, and check whether Government or History is demanded.
Avoid the usual mistakes
A wrong combination can cost you a whole year, so protect yourself:
- Write down your subjects before you go to the registration centre, and read them back to the officer.
- Do not swap subjects because an agent or a friend says it is fine. Only JAMB's brochure and the institution can tell you what is allowed.
- Check your slip and keep a copy of it.
- Test every choice. If your second choice is a different course, check that the same four subjects satisfy it as well. Our JAMB subject combination guide explains how to compare choices, and changing your course explains what can be corrected later.
Confirm it before you pay
Before you register, run this short check:
- Open JAMB's brochure on jamb.gov.ng and find the entry for the exact course name your school uses.
- Open the admission page of each university on your list, and note any extra requirement, such as a particular O'level grade or a post-UTME screening.
- If a press list, a blog or an agent disagrees with either, follow the brochure and the school, and ask the school in writing if the difference matters.
- Keep a screenshot or copy of the entry you relied on.
This takes less than an hour and removes one of the most common avoidable errors in registration. When we call a list a press summary, we mean it: we are reporting what the outlet printed, not what we read in the brochure.
How to prepare
- Government (or History): learn key concepts, constitutions and political systems, and practise definitions.
- Your two options: choose early, then give each steady time.
- Use of English: read newspapers and practise comprehension, which also helps your other subjects.
- Current affairs reading helps you understand examples in the questions.
Finish with timed four-subject papers.
What about the score?
The combination only gets you through the first door. For the score, read our cut-off mark for Political Science page, which separates JAMB's national minimum from each school's own figure, and the general guide to the JAMB score needed for admission. The UTME is computer-based, with four subjects, two hours and a score out of 400. The proposed 2027 dates are provisional, so follow the JAMB 2027 UTME date and timetable page.
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 Government free on ExamPadi, then add the other three subjects.
Practise with real past questions and worked answers
Practise JAMB Government freeFrequently asked questions
What is the JAMB subject combination for Political Science?
Use of English and either Government or History, plus two optional subjects, according to BusinessDay and Myschoolnews.
Which optional subjects are allowed?
BusinessDay lists Economics, Geography and Literature in English. Myschoolnews does not name them.
Can I take both Government and History?
The sources describe Government or History as one slot. Ask your target school if you want to take both.
Where do I confirm the official combination?
In JAMB's brochure on jamb.gov.ng (IBASS) and on the admission page of the university you choose.