JAMB Subject Combination for Veterinary Medicine 2026/2027 – Complete Admission Guide

Choosing Veterinary Medicine as a course of study is an excellent decision if you are passionate about animal health, medicine, research, and the overall well-being of animals and livestock. But to secure admission into any Nigerian university offering Veterinary Medicine, one of the most critical steps is selecting the correct JAMB subject combination. Every year, thousands of students lose admission opportunities simply because they choose the wrong subjects during UTME registration.

This article provides a well-detailed explanation of the official JAMB subject combination for Veterinary Medicine, the O’level requirements, Direct Entry criteria, university-specific conditions, and expert tips to help you stand out during admission.

Veterinary Medicine as a Course

Veterinary Medicine is a professional and highly respected field that focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases in animals. It integrates biology, chemistry, medicine, surgery, pharmacology, pathology, and public health.

Veterinarians play essential roles in:

• Livestock health and food safety

• Public health and zoonotic disease control

• Wildlife protection and conservation

• Research and scientific innovations

• Pet care and animal welfare

In Nigeria, Veterinary Medicine is typically a 6-year professional degree program leading to the award of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).

Because of its scientific nature, the course requires strong foundations in the sciences, especially Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. This is why JAMB’s subject requirements are strictly science-oriented.

Official JAMB Subject Combination for Veterinary Medicine

To study Veterinary Medicine in any accredited Nigerian university, the official JAMB subject combination is:

1. English Language (Compulsory for all courses)

2. Biology

3. Chemistry

4. Physics

This combination is the same across all universities that offer Veterinary Medicine. Since it is a science-heavy course, JAMB does not accept any arts or commercial subjects in this combination.

Why These Subjects Are Required

• Biology: Veterinary Medicine is heavily grounded in the study of animals, anatomy, physiology, and biological processes.

• Chemistry: Essential for understanding pharmacology, biochemistry, and medical diagnostics.

• Physics: Required for imaging techniques (like X-rays), surgical equipment, medical technology, and analytical reasoning.

• English: Needed for communication, documentation, and examination purposes.

Selecting any subject outside these four automatically disqualifies your application for Veterinary Medicine during admission.

O’Level (WAEC, NECO, or GCE) Requirements for Veterinary Medicine

In addition to passing the correct JAMB subjects, candidates must also have at least five (5) O’level credits, obtained in not more than two sittings.

Required O’level Subjects

You must have credit passes in:

• English Language

• Mathematics

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Physics

Additional Acceptable Subjects

While not compulsory, the following subjects can strengthen your transcript:

• Agricultural Science

• Further Mathematics

• Geography

However, they cannot replace the core five science subjects listed above.

Direct Entry Requirements for Veterinary Medicine

If you intend to gain admission through Direct Entry (DE), the requirements include:

1. A-level passes (GCE/IJMB/JUPEB) in:

• Biology/Zoology

• Chemistry

• Physics

2. ND or HND holders with Upper Credit in related fields such as:

• Animal Health

• Animal Science

• Science Laboratory Technology (SLT)

• Agricultural Technology

3. NCE holders with strong grades in science education.

Even for DE applicants, universities may still require credit passes in the core O’level science subjects.

Universities That Offer Veterinary Medicine in Nigeria

Many reputable universities in Nigeria offer Veterinary Medicine, and each may have slight variations in their admission requirements. Some top Nigerian universities offering the course include:

• University of Ibadan (UI)

• Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria

• University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)

• Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB)

• University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID)

• University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)

• Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUSOK)

• University of Jos (UNIJOS)

• Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU)

• Bayero University Kano (BUK)

Although the required JAMB subjects remain the same, the cut-off marks and O’level combinations may slightly differ.

JAMB Cut-off Mark for Veterinary Medicine

The general JAMB cut-off mark for Veterinary Medicine is:

180–200 (Minimum JAMB Requirement)

However, to stand a better chance of admission into highly competitive universities, aim for:

250 and above.

Medical-related courses are highly competitive, so high JAMB scores give you an edge.

Post-UTME Requirements for Veterinary Medicine

Most universities conduct screening exercises or written exams for admission into Veterinary Medicine. Requirements typically include:

• JAMB slip

• O’level results

• Post-UTME score

• Birth certificate

• Local government identification

The Post-UTME score often carries significant weight, combined with your JAMB score, to determine your final aggregate.

Why Veterinary Medicine Is a Competitive Course

Veterinary Medicine is gaining more popularity in Nigeria every year due to:

• Growing interest in animal health and welfare

• Increasing demand for veterinarians in livestock production

• More opportunities in private pet care

• Rising awareness of zoonotic diseases

This increased demand means students must work harder and choose the correct JAMB subjects to avoid automatic disqualification.

Common Mistakes Students Make When Choosing Subjects for Veterinary Medicine

Many students fail to secure admission because they make avoidable mistakes like:

1. Choosing Agricultural Science instead of Biology.

JAMB requires Biology, not Agric Science.

2. Replacing Physics with Mathematics.

Math is important but not part of the UTME subject combination.

3. Selecting four core science subjects plus English (five subjects).

JAMB requires only four subjects.

4. Choosing the wrong O’level subject combinations.

5. Registering wrong subject combinations due to poor guidance.

Always consult the JAMB brochure before choosing a course.

Career Opportunities in Veterinary Medicine

Studying Veterinary Medicine opens doors to numerous career possibilities including:

1. Clinical Veterinarian

Diagnosing and treating animals in private clinics or hospitals.

2. Livestock Production Specialist

Working in farms, ranches, and agro-industries.

3. Veterinary Surgeon

Performing surgeries on animals.

4. Public Health Officer

Preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases.

5. Research Scientist

Working in universities, research institutes, and laboratories.

6. Wildlife Conservationist

Protecting wild animals and ecosystems.

7. Veterinary Consultant

Offering expert services to private and government institutions.

Tips to Boost Your Admission Chances for Veterinary Medicine

To increase your chances of gaining admission, consider the following:

1. Aim for at Least 250 and Above in JAMB

High-cutoff courses demand very strong UTME scores.

2. Score High in Post-UTME

Some universities weigh Post-UTME more than JAMB.

3. Get the Correct Subject Combination

Choosing wrong subjects leads to automatic disqualification.

4. Ensure All O’level Credits Are Complete

Science subjects must all be present.

5. Apply to Less Competitive Schools

If your score is not very high, consider universities with lower competition.

6. Use One Sitting Result if Possible

Some universities prefer it, although two sittings are allowed.

Read Also: JAMB Subject Combination for Statistics 2026/2027 – Complete Admission Guide

The correct JAMB subject combination for Veterinary Medicine is:

• English Language

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Physics

Along with this, you must have the required O’level credits, meet the cut-off mark, and perform well in Post-UTME to secure admission. Veterinary Medicine is a highly promising and fulfilling career path, and choosing the right subjects is the first major step toward achieving your goal.