In this post, you’ll discover the JAMB and WAEC subject combinations for Philosophy, along with other requirements.

In addition to that, you’ll find answers to some of the questions you might have in mind regarding obtaining a degree in Philosophy.

Generally, Nigerian universities have similar O’level (WAEC, NECO, etc.) and JAMB UTME requirements for studying Philosophy. Notwithstanding, it’s important to take note of the slight differences before completing your JAMB registration.

The basic requirement for most Nigerian Universities is at least 5 credit passes in O’level, to include English Language and 4 other relevant subjects.

Note: This post covers the requirement for both Philosophy and Philosophy & Religious Studies, as some universities offer it.

Requirements for Studying Philosophy/Philosophy & Religious Studies

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

To be eligible for admission to study Philosophy, you must score at least 5 SSCE credit passes, which must include English Language along with four other subjects.

To put it differently, the NABTEB, NECO or WAEC subject combination for Philosophy is English Language, and four other subjects from Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Religious Studies, Geography, Economics, History, Government, Civic Education, Mathematics, Fine Art or other relevant subjects. Read special consideration to know what subjects your intended university requires.

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

Special considerations for the O’level requirements

• The University of Port Harcourt requires a credit pass in Mathematics.
• Ekiti State University, OOU, UNIBADAN, Lagos State University, Adekunle Ajasin University, Obafemi Awolowo University, Kogi State University, Ambrose Ali University, and IMSU require at least a pass in Mathematics.
• UNIBADAN and UNILAG require 5 ‘O’ credit passes to include English Language and one arts subject.
• OAU requires five “O” level credit passes to include English Language, one Arts subject and a pass in Mathematics.
• The University of Benin requires five O level credit passes or five Merit level passes in T.C. II at not more than two sittings. subjects should include English Language and any two other subjects from Arts or Social Sciences. At least a pass in Mathematics is required.
• Benue State University requires five ‘O’ level credit passes in Social Science including English Language.
• NDU requires five ‘O’ level credit passes in English Language and any other four subjects, two of Arts/Social Science.
• UHIELE requires five O’ level credit passes to include English Language, at least a pass in Mathematics and any two other Arts or Social Science subjects. Candidates MUST be sponsored by a Catholic Diocese.
• BOWEN requires five O level credit passes to include English Language and any two other subjects from Arts, Social Sciences or Science. At least a pass in Mathematics or Physics is required.
• UNIUYO requires a credit pass in one Science subjects and at least a pass in Mathematics.
• EBSU requires
  • For Philosophy five `O` level credits which must include English Lang, Maths, in maximum of two sittings. A pass in two principal subjects at the NCE level, plus three credits at `O` level which must include English Language.
  • For Religion five `O` level credits which was obtained in maximum of two sittings and which must include English Language, Mathematics, and Religious Knowledge A pass in two principal subjects at the NCE.
• FED-LAFIA requires credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Literature in English and any other relevant subjects.
• Adekunle Ajasin University requires credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, one Arts subject and two other relevant subjects.
• UNILAG requires five O/level credit in English Language, Mathematics, one Arts and any two Arts, Social Sciences and Science. Civic Education is also accepted.

JAMB UTME subject combination

In addition to the compulsory Use Of English, candidates who wish to study Philosophy must register for any other three subjects.

Special consideration for JAMB UTME subject combination

• Ambrose Ali University, Adekunle Ajasin University, and OAU require at least one Arts subject.
• BOWEN and SAU require Government or History plus any other Arts subjects.
• UNILAG requires one Arts and any two Arts, Social Sciences or Science.
• EBSU requires Mathematics.
• UNIBADAN requires one Arts subject and any other two subjects from Arts, Social Sciences or Science
• FED-LAFIA Literature in English, CRK/IRS, and any other relevant subjects
• AUGUSTINE requires any three Arts subjects.

Direct Entry Requirement

To gain admission to study Philosophy through Direct Entry, you need to score at least two ‘A’ level passes in courses.

Special considerations and waivers for Direct Entry Students

• OAU requires one of the two ‘A’ levels to be an Art subject.
• IMSU, UNIPORT and EKSU -No Direct Entry.
• OOU and EBSU require at least a pass in Mathematics.
• UNILAG requires Very good passes in three JUPEB/A-LEVEL subjects:
  • Any three of Literature-in-English, Igbo/Yoruba, CRS/IRS, French, History, Economics, Government, Chemistry, Physics, Biology but at least one Arts subject.
  • Related fields with a minimum of 55% average score
  • NCE credit in two (2) teaching subjects one of which must be Arts subjects.
  • Candidates must also satisfy the ‘O’ Level.
• UNIBADAN requires two ‘A’ level passes in one Arts subject and any other Arts/Social Science /Science subject (e.g. Mathematics, Physics etc)
• LASU accepts a pass in Mathematics.
• Ambrose Ali University accepts three (3) A’ level passes with two (2) O’ level credit passes or two (20 A’ level passes with three (3) O’ level credit passes.
• The University of Calabar accepts any two ‘A’ level passes in related discipline.
• UNIBEN accepts:
  • At least two passes in any two subjects at the Advance Level General Certificate in Education (GCE) in one sitting or ion the High School Certificate (HSC) in one sitting
  • An overall credit level pass in the Liberal Arts in the National Certificate in Education (NCE) from a recognized and approved College of Education.
• A first degree in any field of study.
• Upper Credit level passes in ND or HND in Mass Communication.
• BSU accepts NCE/A level passes including Christian Religious Knowledge, African Religion or its equivalent.
• SAU accepts two A’ level subjects to include Government and any other two Arts subjects or credit passes in NCE in Government or History.
• BOWEN accepts two A’ level passes in Philosophy and any other subject.
• UNIUYO required passes at least two A/L GCE subjects or ND or NCE in the cognate discipline at merit level.
• NDU accepts a. A minimum of 2 GCE or relevant subjects (A/L) and three (O/L) subjects including at least a pass in Mathematics. b. The National Certificate in Education (NCE) merit in any Arts or Science subject, especially Mathematics.
• AUGUSTINE accepts NCE & Diploma with credit passes in relevant subjects in addition to 5 Credits in SSCE (or its equivalent).
• AAUA required passes at least two A/L GCE subjects or Diploma in Law, Religious Studies or Philosophy from approved Institutions or NCE at merit level.

JAMB cut off mark for Philosophy

In general, Nigerian Universities allow students to partake in their Post UTME for Philosophy if they score at least 180 in the JAMB UTME.

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

Universities where you can study Philosophy

Philosophy

Based on the JAMB 2018 Brochure, the following Nigerian universities offer Philosophy:

1. Ambrose Alli University
2. Adekunle Ajasin University
3. University of Abuja
4. Akwa Ibom State University of Technology
5. Augustine University
6. University of Benin
7. Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu
8. Bowen University, Iwo
9. Benue State University, Makurdi
10. University of Calabar (UNICAL)
11. Imo Claretian University (ICU)
12. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University
13. Delta State University, Abraka (DELSU)
14. Dominican University Ibadan Oyo State
15. Dominican University Ibadan Oyo State
16. Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki
17. Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State
18. Federal University, Ndifu-Alike, Ebonyi State (FUNAI)
19. Federal University Wukari
20. Fountain University, Oshogbo
21. The University of Ibadan
22. Imo State University, Owerri (IMSU)
23. Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji
24. Kogi State University Anyigba
25. University of Lagos (UNILAG)
26. Madonna University, Okija
27. National Missionary Seminary of St-Paul, Gwagwalada
28. Niger Delta University Yenagoa (NDU)
29. Obafemi Awolowo University
30. Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye
31. University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT)
32. Pope John Major Seminary, Okpun, Awka
33. Samuel Adegboyega University, Ogwa,
34. Spiritan University, Nneochi Abia State
35. Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji
36. The seat of Wisdom Seminary, Owerri
37. Tansian University, Umunya
38. Seminary of All Saints, Uhiele-Ekpoma, Edo State
39. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
40. University of Uyo
41. Veritas University, Abuja.

Philosophy & Religious Studies

The following universities offer Philosophy and Religious Studies:

• Afe Babalola University
• Adekunle Ajasin University
• Dominican University
• Godfrey Okoye University, Ugwuomu-Nike

What is Philosophy all about?

Philosophy is an academic field that studies the general and fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language.

What’s in it for you?

For all of the universities above, after completing the required study year, you’ll obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy.

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 Philosophy.