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WAEC Subject Combination for Computer Science 2026
The exact O'Level credits Nigerian universities expect for Computer Science, and where Physics, Chemistry and Biology fit in.
🖥️ The 5 Required WAEC Subjects
Mathematics and Physics are the two non-negotiable subjects. Chemistry and Biology are largely interchangeable — check your target university, as a small number do not require either.
Software Engineering / Information Technology
Offered as a related but distinct degree at several universities, this combination mirrors Computer Science almost exactly.
🏫 What Specific Universities Require
The "Chemistry or Biology" flexibility does not hold at every school. UNILAG accepts either Chemistry or Biology alongside Mathematics and Physics for Computer Science. But at the University of Ibadan (UI), UNIOSUN, FUNAAB and Babcock University, the requirement is Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry together, with no Biology substitute accepted. If Chemistry is a subject you can still register, keeping it in your combination protects your options across a wider range of universities.
If you don't get Computer Science: Software Engineering and Information Technology, offered as related but distinct degrees at several universities, use the same WAEC combination and are common alternatives when Computer Science admission is highly competitive.
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Sittings rule: Your five credits can come from a maximum of two sittings. A strong Mathematics grade matters more here than in most other courses, since it directly feeds into your Post-UTME screening.
🤔 Common Student Questions
Not always. Many universities allow Biology as a substitute, and a smaller number do not insist on either Chemistry or Biology at all. It still pays to have a credit in one of them, since some Post-UTME screenings assume it.
Further Mathematics is not compulsory at most schools, but it is treated as a real advantage. If your school offers it, taking it can strengthen your application and make the mathematical parts of the course noticeably easier.
Yes. Universities accept credits from a combination of WAEC and NECO sittings, provided the total is no more than two sittings and covers all five required subjects at C6 or better.
Physics is one of the two firm requirements for Computer Science, alongside Mathematics. Without it, most universities will not process your application, so you would need to resit Physics at the next WAEC or NECO sitting.
Computer Science is classified as a Science course at almost every Nigerian university, sitting within the Faculty of Science or a dedicated Faculty of Computing. Your JAMB subjects should follow the same science combination as your WAEC subjects.
Yes. UI, along with UNIOSUN, FUNAAB and Babcock University, requires Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry together for Computer Science, without accepting Biology as a substitute. UNILAG is more flexible and accepts either Chemistry or Biology, so the safest combination if you're unsure of your target school is to keep Chemistry rather than drop it for Biology.
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