This post will help you figure out the JAMB and WAEC subject combinations for Nursing/Nursing Science. Furthermore, we’ll provide answers to some of the questions aspiring nurses ask.

Nursing is a health science profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health.

If you intend to become a nurse, one of the first steps to take is to know the basic requirements set by Nigerian universities.

Basically, the O’level (WAEC, NECO, etc.) and JAMB UTME requirements for studying nursing is the same for most Nigerian universities.

Requirements for studying nursing in Nigeria

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

To be eligible for admission to study nursing, you must score at least 5 SSCE credit passes, which must include Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics and English Language.

In other words, the ‘O’ level (NABTEB, NECO or WAEC) subject combination for nursing/nursing science is English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology.

Additionally, your overall grade must not be below five credits in at most 2 sittings combined.

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

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

Special considerations for the ‘O’ level requirements

• Ahmadu Bello University and UNIBADAN do not offer admission through UTME.
• The University of Ibadan requires 5 or 6 ‘O’ level credit passes at one or two sittings to include English Language, Biology/Health Sci, Chemistry, Mathematics and any other one of the following: Economics, Government, Lit-in-English, History, Geography, Physics, (this will be an advantage).
• The University of Nigeria, Nsukka requires not more than two sittings in SSCE or its equivalent.
• AAU requires five ‘O’ Level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Biology and Chemistry at a sitting.
• Niger Delta University requires the credit passes in not more than two sittings.

JAMB UTME subject combination

In addition to the compulsory Use Of English, the JAMB subject combination for nursing is Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

Direct Entry Requirement

Candidates who want to apply for Direct Entry admission into nursing need ‘A’ level passes from Biology/Zoology, Chemistry and Physics plus 3 other ‘O’ level credit passes in Mathematics, Physics and English Language.

Alternatively, NRN or its approved equivalent plus five ‘O’ level credit passes in English Language and one Science subjects from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Human Anatomy, Physiology and Hygiene, Health Science, Further Mathematics and General Science.

Special considerations and waivers for Direct Entry Students

• The University of Nigeria, Nsukka accepts
  • Nurses registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (N&MCN), who also possess UTME requirement
  • Three GCE “A” level certificate with passes in Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry in not more than two sittings plus UTME requirement.
  • First degree holders in related disciplines.
• The University of Jos requires three ‘A’ level and passes in Chemistry, Physics and Biology/Zoology plus ‘O’ level credit passes in Mathematics and English Language.
• Benson Idahosa University and the University of Calabar require NRN or its approved equivalent plus five ‘O’ level credit passes in English Language and one Science subject from the subjects as listed in “Direct Entry Requirement” column plus two years registration nursing of experience.
• The University of Ibadan accepts possession of any one of the following professional qualifications:
  • General Nursing
  • Psychiatric Nursing
  • Mid-Wifely
  • Nursing/Midwife
  • Nursing Admin
  • ‘A’ level passes.
• The University of Ibadan requires two years Post Registration Experience but will give preference to those with more than five years experience and candidates with 1st Degree in health-related disciplines.
• Ahmadu Bello University accepts:
  • ‘A’ Level/IJMB Passes in three subjects in Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Zoology.
  • Registered Nurse (RN) certificate with at least 5 credits in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.
• LAUTECH and OAU accept RN or its equivalent (as approved by Senate) plus ‘O’ level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.
• The University of Port-Harchourt does not accept Direct Entry.
• The University of Ibadan requires 2 A’ level passes in Chemistry, Biology and Physics plus UTME requirements.
• Federal University of Technology, Owerri requires at least ‘A’ level passes not below Grade C in any two of Physics, Chemistry and Biology. It also accepts ND/HND (Upper Credit) in Health-Related Disciplines. Candidates must, in addition, meet UTME ‘O’ Level requirements. It does not accept First Degree or NCE.
• LAUTECH accepts:
  • GCE ‘A’ Level or its approved equivalent with passes in Chemistry, Biology and Physics (or Zoology)
  • Registered Nurse (RN) Certificates(plus UTME requirements)
  • First Degree of LAUTECH approved by Senate in any related courses or profession(plus UTME requirements)may be considered for admission.
• OAU accepts Certificate of Registered Nurse (RN) or SRN. It also accepts HND in Public Health, ND in Environmental Health, Public Health Nursing from West African Health Examination Board in addition to O’ Level requirements.
• Ambrose Ali University accepts
  • Registered Nurse/Midwife RN, RM with one-year post registration experience; as well as RN, RPN or RN, RNA, or RN, RNT for DE admission. They must also satisfy the UTME requirement.
  • A good first degree in related field e.g. Biochemistry, Anatomy, Human Physiology, Health Education, Psychology, Guidance and Counselling.
  • Does not accept a degree in Zoology and Botany for Direct Entry Admissions.
• The University of Benin requires three GCE (A/L) in Biology/Zoology, Chemistry and Physics plus the O’ Level credit in five other subjects including Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English.
• The University of Ilorin requires two A’ level or equivalent in a minimum of two relevant subjects from Biology, Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Physics/Mathematics.
• NDU accepts A. NURSES: Registered Nurses (NRN), Registered Midwives (RM), Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPN) plus five (5) ‘O’ level (GCE, NECO or SSCE) at credit passes in English Language, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology, at not more than two sittings. B. NON-NURSES: B.Sc. (Not lower than Second Class) in relevant fields such as: Biochemistry, Medical Microbiology, Human Nutrition, Medical Laboratory Sciences and any other relevant discipline.
• Ebonyi State University accepts HND, NCE and ND with a minimum of Merit and Upper credit respectively in the relevant fields.
• The University of Lagos requires that:
  • All direct entry candidates satisfy the minimum O/Level requirements.
  • Candidates must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria as RN or RN/RM with at least 2 years post- registration cognate experience.
  • Candidates must have very good passes in three (3) JUPEB subjects: Biology, Chemistry and Physics
  • Candidates must have GCE A/Level subjects or its equivalent in at least two (2) subjects from the following: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Zoology.
  • Candidates with a good degree in any health-related subjects from a recognized University with the minimum entry requirement for the College of Medicine programme may be considered.
  • Without prejudice to all requirements above, the Department may also conduct an interview for prospective candidates.
• AUE – ND must be at the credit level plus the ‘O’ level minimum requirements.

JAMB cut off mark for nursing

For most universities, nursing applicants who score at least 180 in the JAMB UTME can tke part in the post UTME.

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 reserve the right to alter their requirements for studying nursing.