Best WAEC Subject Combination for Science Students Seeking Admission (2025)

Choosing the right WAEC subject combination for science students is one of the most important decisions you will make in secondary school. Your subject choices not only determine the courses you can apply for in the university, but they also decide whether your admission will be smooth or difficult.

Every year, thousands of students in Nigeria fail to gain admission into universities and polytechnics because they picked the wrong WAEC subjects. Some students are even denied admission after scoring high in JAMB because their WAEC subject combination did not meet the requirement for their chosen course.

This detailed guide will explain everything you need to know about the best WAEC subject combination for science students seeking admission in 2025. You will learn:

• The core science subjects every student must register.

• Specific subject combinations for medicine, engineering, pharmacy, nursing, computer science, and other courses.

• Common mistakes to avoid when selecting WAEC subjects.

• Tips on how to choose wisely based on your future career goals.

By the end of this guide, you will fully understand how WAEC subject combinations work and be confident in making the right choices.

Why WAEC Subject Combination Matters for Science Students

Many students think they can simply choose any science subjects and later apply for any course in the university. This is not true.

Here are reasons why WAEC subject combination is very important:

1. Admission Requirements – Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education have strict requirements. If your WAEC subjects do not match your course, your application will be rejected.

2. JAMB/WAEC Alignment – JAMB subject combination must match WAEC subject combination. If they do not align, you will face admission problems.

3. Career Path – The subjects you choose in WAEC will guide your future. For example, without Biology, you cannot study Medicine or Nursing.

4. Scholarships and Opportunities – Many scholarship bodies check your WAEC subjects to confirm eligibility.

Core WAEC Subjects for Science Students

Every science student in Nigeria must offer certain compulsory subjects in WAEC. These subjects form the foundation of science-related courses.

The Core Science Subjects

1. English Language – Compulsory for all students; required for admission into any course.

2. Mathematics – Another compulsory subject; essential for all science and technical courses.

3. Biology – Needed for medical and biological sciences.

4. Chemistry – Core subject for medicine, pharmacy, engineering, and all science fields.

5. Physics – Needed for engineering, technology, and physical sciences.

Other Important Subjects

• Further Mathematics – Recommended for engineering, computer science, and technology-related courses.

• Geography – Useful for environmental science, geology, and related fields.

• Agricultural Science – Useful for agriculture-related courses.

• Technical Drawing – Needed for architecture and engineering courses.

Best WAEC Subject Combination for Science Students (General)

If you want a broad subject combination that keeps many options open, the recommended list is:

• English Language

• Mathematics

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Physics

• Agricultural Science or Geography

• Further Mathematics or Technical Drawing

• Civic Education (compulsory by WAEC)

• A trade subject (compulsory by WAEC)

This combination covers medicine, engineering, pharmacy, nursing, computer science, and most science courses.

WAEC Subject Combination for Medicine and Surgery

If your dream is to study Medicine and Surgery, here is the best WAEC subject combination:

• English Language

• Mathematics

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Physics

• Further Mathematics (optional but recommended)

• Civic Education

• A trade subject

• One other science subject (like Agricultural Science or Geography)

Why this works:

• Biology is required for medical science.

• Chemistry and Physics are compulsory.

• English and Mathematics are must-haves.

Without these, you cannot gain admission to study medicine in Nigeria.

WAEC Subject Combination for Nursing

For Nursing/Nursing Science, your WAEC subject combination should include:

• English Language

• Mathematics

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Physics

• Civic Education

• Agricultural Science or Health Science

• A trade subject

• One other subject of choice

Why this works:

• Biology is compulsory since nursing is life-science based.

• Chemistry and Physics are also important.

• Mathematics is needed for calculations in nursing courses.

WAEC Subject Combination for Pharmacy

Pharmacy is another competitive course. The correct subject combination is:

• English Language

• Mathematics

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Physics

• Further Mathematics (optional but very useful)

• Civic Education

• Agricultural Science or Health Science

• A trade subject

Why this works:

• Chemistry is the backbone of Pharmacy.

• Biology and Physics are compulsory.

• Further Mathematics helps with calculations in drug formulations.

WAEC Subject Combination for Engineering

Engineering requires a strong background in mathematics and physical sciences. The correct WAEC subject combination includes:

• English Language

• Mathematics

• Physics

• Chemistry

• Further Mathematics

• Technical Drawing (highly recommended)

• Civic Education

• A trade subject

• One other science subject (like Geography or Biology)

Why this works:

• Mathematics and Physics are compulsory.

• Chemistry is essential for all engineering courses.

• Further Mathematics and Technical Drawing give you an edge.

WAEC Subject Combination for Computer Science

Computer Science requires logical and mathematical strength. The correct WAEC subject combination is:

• English Language

• Mathematics

• Physics

• Chemistry

• Further Mathematics

• Civic Education

• A trade subject

• Economics (optional but useful for IT/business-related fields)

• Biology or Geography

Why this works:

• Mathematics is compulsory.

• Physics strengthens programming logic.

• Chemistry is also required in many universities.

• Further Mathematics gives you advanced problem-solving skills.

WAEC Subject Combination for Agriculture and Related Courses

For students interested in Agriculture, Food Science, or Animal Science, the subject combination is:

• English Language

• Mathematics

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Agricultural Science

• Physics

• Civic Education

• A trade subject

• Geography or Economics

Why this works:

• Agricultural Science and Biology are compulsory.

• Chemistry is needed for food and soil sciences.

• Physics strengthens your science foundation.

Common Mistakes Students Make When Choosing WAEC Subjects

1. Ignoring Core Subjects – Some students skip Physics or Chemistry, making them ineligible for top courses.

2. Mixing Arts and Science Carelessly – Choosing Literature or Government instead of Biology or Chemistry can block admission into science courses.

3. Not Considering JAMB Alignment – Your WAEC and JAMB subjects must align.

4. Listening to Wrong Advice – Many students pick subjects because their friends did, not because it suits their career path.

Tips for Choosing the Best WAEC Subject Combination

• Know your career goal early. Decide on your future profession before picking subjects.

• Keep options open. Even if you are not yet sure, choose subjects that allow flexibility.

• Consult teachers and counselors. They can guide you based on experience.

• Check university admission brochures. JAMB and university brochures list specific requirements.

Summary Table: Best WAEC Subject Combinations for Science Courses

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best WAEC subject combination for all science students?

The general combination is English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, plus Civic Education, a trade subject, and two other science-related subjects.

2. Can I study medicine without Physics in WAEC?

No. Physics is compulsory for Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, and most science courses.

3. Is Further Mathematics compulsory for engineering?

Not compulsory but highly recommended. It strengthens your admission chances.

4. Can I replace Biology with Agricultural Science in WAEC?

No. Biology is compulsory for Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and other life sciences.

5. Is English compulsory for science courses?

Yes. Without English, you cannot gain admission into any university course in Nigeria.

6. What happens if I choose wrong WAEC subjects?

You may score high in JAMB but still be denied admission because of subject mismatch.

7. Can I combine WAEC and NECO results for admission?

Yes. Most universities in Nigeria accept two sittings, but some competitive courses like Medicine require one sitting.

8. Do I need Economics for Computer Science?

Not compulsory but useful for IT, management, and business-oriented fields.

9. Which science course requires Geography?

Environmental Science, Geology, and Surveying often require Geography.

10. Can I gain admission into Pharmacy without Chemistry?

No. Chemistry is the most important subject for Pharmacy.

11. Is Civic Education compulsory in WAEC?

Yes. WAEC makes Civic Education compulsory for all candidates.

12. Can a science student take Literature in English?

Yes, but it should be in addition to the core science subjects, not as a replacement.

Conclusion: Make the Right Choice Today

Your WAEC subject combination is the foundation of your future career. For science students, the compulsory subjects are English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Beyond these, your optional subjects should match your dream course, whether it is Medicine, Engineering, Nursing, Pharmacy, Computer Science, or Agriculture.

The best advice is to plan early, choose wisely, and double-check university requirements before finalizing your WAEC subjects. With the right subject combination, you will not only gain admission smoothly but also build a strong foundation for success in your chosen career.