Discover the JAMB and WAEC subject combinations for Architecture, plus answers to some of the questions aspiring Architects ask.

Architecture is a popular and highly competitive course of study. The term ‘Architecture’ refers to both the process and the product of planning, designing, and constructing buildings or any other structures.

If you intend to study architecture in Nigeria, one of the first steps to take is to know the basic requirements set by the various Nigerian universities that offer the course.

The O’level (WAEC, NECO, etc.) and JAMB UTME requirements for studying architecture are the same for most Nigerian universities. However, some of those universities have special consideration, which is very important that you take note of.

Requirements for studying architecture in Nigeria

O’ level subject combination (WAEC, NECO, etc.)

To be eligible for admission to study architecture, you must score at least five (5) SSCE credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and one other relevant subject.

That is, the ‘O’ level (NABTEB, NECO or WAEC) subject combination for architecture is English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and one other subject.

The relevant subject can be taken from any of the following:

• Fine Art
• Geography or Wood Work
• Biology,
• Economics
• Technical Drawing
• Further Mathematics
• Introduction to Building Construction
• Bricklaying/Block laying
• Concreting, Wall, Floors and Ceiling Finishing
• Joinery
• Carpentry
• Decorative Painting
• Lining
• Sign and Design
• Wall Hanging
• Colour Mixing/Matching and Glazing
• Ceramics
• Graphics Design
• Graphic Printing
• Basic Electricity.

Your overall grade must not be below five credits gotten in not more than 2 sittings combined.

Read special consideration to know whether your intended school offers waivers.

See also: List of all the Nigerian Universities that offer architecture.

Special considerations for the O’ level requirements

• AAU and ABSU – Chemistry not compulsory.
• ABSU requires five ‘O’ level credit passes including English Language, Physics and  Mathematics, plus any two of Geography, Fine Arts, Technical Drawing, Wood/Metal Work, Biology, Chemistry, Economics.
• ABU requires Physics and Mathematics plus any one of the following subjects:  Geography, Fine Arts, Biology, Chemistry, Economics, and Technical Drawing.
• BAUCHI requires five (5) ‘O’ Level credit passes in Mathematics, English Language, Physics and any two (2) from of Chemistry, Technical Drawing, Fine Art, Geography, Economics, Building Construction and Land Surveying.
• BELLS requires five (5) ‘O’ Level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, and any two (2) from the following: Chemistry, Biology, Technical Drawing/Fine Arts, Geography, Economics, Building Construction and Land Surveying.
• CALEB same as in Building Technology.
• COOU accepts ‘O’ Level pass in English Language.
• CUAB requires five (5) ‘O’ Level credit passes including English Language, Mathematics, Physics and any other two (2) subjects from Chemistry, Economics, Fine Arts, Geography, Biology, Technical Drawing, Building Construction and Land Surveying.
• FUTA requires five (5) SSC credit passes or its equivalent at a maximum of two (2) sittings in the following subjects:    English Language, Mathematics, Physics and any two subjects from the following:  Economics, Chemistry, Technical Drawing, Fine Art and Geography.
• FUTO requires at least five (5) ‘O’ Level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and any one of Fine Arts, Technical Drawing, Geography, Economics and Biology at not more than two (2) sittings.
• JABU requires five (5) ‘O’ Level credit passes in English Language, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry and any of Geography, Fine Arts, Woodwork, Technical Drawing, Biology or Economics plus ND upper credit in relevant programmes.
• The University of Jos accepts five (5) ‘O’ Level credit passes which must include English Language, Mathematics, Physics,    Technical Drawing or five (5) Arts or Applied Arts and one (1) of History, Economics, Geography and Chemistry.
• The University of Lagos requires Five O/Level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Fine Arts or Technical Drawing and any one of  Economics, Geography, Chemistry, Biology, Painting and Decoration/Building Construction.
• LAUTECH accepts ‘O’ Level credit pass in Technical      Drawing or Fine Arts in lieu of Biology.
• MAUTY requires Five (5) SSC credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, and any  Two of Chemistry,  Fine Art, Visual Art, Geography, Economics, Technical Drawing, Further. Mathematics.
• RENAISSANCE requires five (5) ‘O’ Level credit passes including English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Geography/Technical Drawing at not more than two (2) sittings.
• RSUST requires Five (5) WASC/GCE/SSCE/NECO ‘O’ level credit passes in Physics, English Language, Mathematics and any two (2) subjects from Geography, Technical Drawing, Further Mathematics, Fine Arts, Chemistry.
• UNIOSUN requires five (5) ‘O’ Level credit passes including English Language, Mathematics and Physics and any two (2) from Technical Drawing, Chemistry, Geography, Fine Arts, Economics and at least ‘O’ Level pass in Chemistry.
• The University of Nigeria, Nsukka requires ‘O’ Level credit passes in Mathematics, English Language, Physics and any two (2) of  Technical Drawing, Building Construction, Woodwork, Fine Art, Geography and Economics.
• LCITY requires ‘O’ Level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Geography and any other two (2) subjects.
• OAU requires five (5) ‘O’ Level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Physics and two (2) other subjects from Fine Arts or Technical Drawing, Economics, Geography, Chemistry, Biology or Agricultural Science.
• BUK requires five (5) SSCE credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Physics and any other two subjects from the following: Chemistry, Technical Drawing, Fine Art, Geography, Economics and/or Building Construction.
• University of Ilorin requires five (5) credits in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Technical Drawing/Fine Art and any other subject from the following: Geography, Building construction, Land Surveying, Further Mathematics.
• KASU requires Five ‘O’ level credit passes to include English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and any of Economics and  Technical Drawing.

JAMB subject combination for Architecture

In addition to the compulsory Use Of English, the JAMB subject combination for architecture is Physics, Mathematics, and any of Chemistry, Geography, Art, Biology and Economics.

Waivers for UTME subject combination

• Abia State University requires Mathematics as UTME requirement.
• CALEB requires ‘O’ Level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Physics and Economics, Geography, Biology and Chemistry, Fine Arts and Technical Drawing.
• CRUTECH requires ‘O’ Level credit passes in Mathematics, Economics and any one of Accounting, Commerce and Government.
• Federal University of Technology Akure requires Mathematics, Physics and any one of Chemistry, Geography or Technical Drawing.
• Federal University of Technology, Owerri requires Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
• The University of Lagos requires English Language, Mathematics, Physics and any one of Chemistry, Geography, Economics, Biology, Fine Arts.
• Obafemi Awolowo University requires Mathematics, Physics and one subject from Chemistry, Economics, Geography and Technical Drawing.
• Olabisi Onabanjo University requires Mathematics and any two (2) of Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Fine Arts, Economics and Geography.
• RSUST requires Mathematics, Physics and any other subject from Chemistry, Geography, Fine Arts.
• UNIOSUN requires Mathematics, Physics and any one of Chemistry, Geography or Technical Drawing.
• University of Nigeria, Nsukka requires Mathematics, Physics and one other subject.
• Bayero University, Kano requires Mathematics, Physics, any one of the following: Chemistry, Geography, Technical Drawing.
• University of Ilorin requires Mathematics, Physics and any one of the following: Fine Arts, Technical Drawing, Geography, and Building Construction. 
• MAUTY requires Physics, Mathematics, and any of Chemistry, Geography, Art, Biology and Economics.
• Ahmadu Bello University requires Physics and Mathematics plus any one of the following subjects:  Geography, Fine Arts, Biology, Chemistry, Economics, and Technical Drawing.
• KASU requires Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

Direct Entry Requirements for architecture

Candidates who want to apply for Direct Entry admission to study architecture need two (2) ‘A’ Level passes chosen from Mathematics or Physics and Chemistry, Geography or Fine Arts or ND/HND upper credits in a relevant field.

Special considerations and waivers for Direct Entry Students

• Rivers State University of Science and Technology accepts Admission to Year II. HND (Lower Credit) in the appropriate discipline. OND/ND (Upper Credit) in relevant discipline. At least two (2) ‘A’ level passes at GCE in Physics and Mathematics. In addition, all such candidates above must also satisfy the U.M.E. entry requirements. Admission into Year Ill. HND (Upper Credit) in the appropriate discipline.
• Ambrose Ali University accepts ND/HND upper credit in relevant programmes into 200 and 300 level respectively plus UTME requirements.
• Ambrose Ali University, UNIJOS, LAUTECH & UNIUYO require ND/HND upper credit in Architecture or other relevant qualifications, plus the UTME requirements. UYO accepts HND lower credit. DELSU requires ‘A’ Level passes in either Mathematics or Physics.
• Abia State University accepts ND/ HND in relevant programmes plus the UTME requirements.
• ABU accepts
  • two (2) ‘A’ level/ IJMB passes which must include Physics and Mathematics.
  • HND in Architecture with at least Lower Credit from an accredited institution.
• BAUCHI
  •  requires two (2) ‘A’ Level passes or equivalents in Mathematics, Physics and any of Chemistry, Technical Drawing, Fine Arts, Geography, Economics, Building Construction and Land Surveying. 
  • accepts ND/HND upper credit in Architecture.
• BELLS accepts
  • two (2) ‘A’ Level passes from Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.
  • ND/HND upper credit in Architecture. 
  • may consider ND/HND lower credit.
• CALEB accepts ND credit in Architecture or Science related programmes plus the UTME requirements.
• COOU accepts ND/HND lower credit in Architecture.
• CUAB accepts
  • ‘A’ Level/IJMB passes in Mathematics and Physics or and any other subject indicated above. 
  • ND/ HND credit in Architecture or allied programme can be considered for admission into the appropriate level.
• FUTA accepts
  • GCE Advanced level pass at not less than credit level in Cambridge International Examination (CIE), Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) examination or its equivalent in at least two (2) of the following:  Mathematics, Physics, Geography, Chemistry and Economics; or  
  • National Diploma (ND) in Architecture or related disciplines with at least Upper Credit level Pass from NBTE accredited institutions, or
  • Any other equivalent qualifications.
• FUTO requires
  • At least three ‘A’ level passes not below Grade C in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.
  • ND/HND at Upper Credit level in Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Geology, Environmental Sciences or Engineering.
  • First Degree in Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Geology, Environmental Sciences or Engineering.
  • Very good passes in three JUPEB subjects namely Mathematics, Physics and   Chemistry. It does not accept NCE. Candidates must, in addition, meet the ‘O’ Level requirements.
• Imo State University – requires ‘A’ Level passes in Mathematics and Physics and accepts NCE credit in relevant subjects.
• JABU accepts five (5) ‘O’ Level credit passes in relevant subjects plus ND  upper credit.
• Kano State University of Science and Technology runs the programmes for a four (4) year duration for UTME and a three (3) year duration for DE at the moment. May consider HND upper credit or degree (Third Class) in Architectural Technology for special admission into 300 level.
• University of Lagos requires Very good passes in JUPEB/A’ Level subjects: Mathematics, Physics and Visual Arts. A minimum of lower credit in HND/ND in Architecture with good credit in the assessment of Architectural Portfolio into 200 level.
• LAUTECH accepts
  • ‘A’ Level passes in two (2) subjects and any of Physics, Chemistry, Geography, Fine Arts and Mathematics 
  • ND/HND upper credit in Architecture may be considered for admission into 200 level.
• MAUTY accepts ND/HND Minimum of Lower credits in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying and any other relevant field.
• Federal University of Technology Minna accepts candidates who have undergone an accredited course in Architecture in any of the approved Colleges of Technology or Polytechnics in addition to the UTME requirements.
• Obafemi Awolowo University requires three (3) ‘A’ Level passes chosen from Mathematics, and two (2) other subjects from Physics, Economics and Technical Drawing.
• UNN accepts
  • ND upper credit in Architectural Technology or Building Technology plus the UTME requirements.
  • A’ level, HSC or equivalent passes in Mathematics and Physics, and any other subject plus UTME requirements.
• OAU requires
  • ‘A’ Level passes in Mathematics, Physics and any other subject.
  • OND/HND in Architecture with a minimum of upper credit.
• Bayero University Kano requires two (2) ‘A’ Level passes in Physics and Mathematics, and any one of the following: Geography, Economics, Technical Drawing or Fine Art.
• University of Ilorin – A Candidate who fulfils the requirements of UTME and in addition holds a HND Certificate in Architectural Technology from a recognized and NBTE accredited Polytechnic or College of Technology and a passed at Upper/Lower credit level may be considered for admission into the programme at 200 level.
• Kaduna State University accepts Two ‘A’ Level passes in Mathematics/ Physics and chemistry.ND/HND Lower Credit in a related field and IJMB 7 points and above in addition to ‘O’ Level requirement

JAMB cut off mark for architecture

For most universities, architecture applicants who score at least 180 in the JAMB UTME can take part in the post UTME. Take note that universities reserve the right to raise or reduce their cut off mark for architecture.

Read also: Jamb cut off mark for Polytechnics, Universities & Colleges of Education

Frequently asked questions

Final note

We advise you to check the latest JAMB brochure for more information, as the universities can change their requirements for studying architecture when they so desire.