Mass Communication is a broad communication course that covers how information is created, packaged and shared through different media platforms.
The programme is commonly associated with areas such as journalism, broadcasting, public relations, advertising, media production and digital communication.
Some universities also offer related programmes such as Communication Arts, Communication and Language Arts, Communication Studies, Strategic Communication, or Development and Communication Studies.
These courses are closely related, but their admission requirements are not always identical. For example, Communication and Language Arts may place more emphasis on Literature in English and other Arts subjects than the general Mass Communication requirement.
This guide explains the JAMB subject combination for Mass Communication for the 2027/2028 admission session, together with the requirements candidates should know for Communication and Language Arts and similar programmes.
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JAMB Subject Combination for Mass Communication 2027/2028
The general JAMB UTME subject combination for Mass Communication is:
| Subject | Requirement |
|---|---|
| English Language | Compulsory |
| Arts or Social Science Subject | Required |
| Arts or Social Science Subject | Required |
| Arts or Social Science Subject | Required |
Your four UTME subjects should therefore be:
English Language and any three Arts or Social Science subjects.
Possible supporting subjects may include Literature in English, Government, Economics, CRS/IRS, History, Geography and other relevant Arts or Social Science subjects accepted by the university.
For Communication and Language Arts, the general UTME pattern is also English Language and three Arts or Social Science subjects.
However, some universities specify particular subjects. This means a combination accepted for Mass Communication in one institution may not necessarily match the requirement for Communication and Language Arts in another.
Candidates should therefore pay attention to the exact course title and the subject combination required by their chosen university.
O’Level Requirements for Mass Communication
For Mass Communication, the general O’Level requirement is five SSC credit passes, including:
- English Language
- Four other relevant Arts or Social Science subjects
A simple breakdown is shown below:
| O’Level Subject | Requirement |
|---|---|
| English Language | Credit required |
| Arts/Social Science subjects | Four additional credits |
Some universities may also require or give particular importance to Literature in English, Mathematics, Government or Economics.
O’Level Requirements for Communication and Language Arts
Communication and Language Arts generally requires five SSC credit passes or equivalent, including:
- English Language
- Literature in English
- Other relevant subjects from Arts, Social Sciences or Sciences
At the University of Ibadan, candidates need five O’Level credits at one sitting or six credits at two sittings, including English Language and Literature in English, with the remaining subjects drawn from Arts, Social Sciences or Sciences.
This means Literature in English is especially important for candidates applying for Communication and Language Arts, even though the general Mass Communication entry can be broader.
Candidates should therefore avoid using the O’Level requirements of Mass Communication automatically for Communication and Language Arts.
Direct Entry Requirements for Mass Communication
For Mass Communication, the general Direct Entry requirement is:
- Two A’Level passes in Arts or Social Science subjects.
Some universities also accept qualifications such as ND, HND or NCE in Mass Communication or closely related programmes.
A simple summary is shown below:
| Qualification | General Requirement |
|---|---|
| A’Level | Two passes in Arts or Social Science subjects |
| ND | Accepted by some universities in Mass Communication or related programmes |
| HND | May be accepted by some institutions in relevant fields |
| NCE | Considered by some universities where the subjects are relevant |
The exact grade required can vary. For example, some institutions may insist on Upper Credit for ND, while others may accept different minimum grades.
Direct Entry Requirements for Communication and Language Arts
For Communication and Language Arts, the general Direct Entry requirement is:
- Two A’Level passes or equivalent in Arts or Social Science subjects.
The University of Ibadan also accepts:
- Two A’Level passes including Literature in English and one other Arts or Social Science subject.
- ND Upper Credit in Mass Communication, together with the required O’Level credit in Literature in English.
This makes Literature in English particularly important for candidates using the Direct Entry route into Communication and Language Arts.
Candidates applying through ND, HND, NCE, JUPEB or IJMB should check whether the qualification is accepted specifically for the communication programme offered by their chosen university.
JAMB Subject Combination and Admission Requirements for Mass Communication at a Glance
| Admission Category | General Requirement |
|---|---|
| JAMB UTME Subjects | English Language and any three Arts or Social Science subjects |
| O’Level Requirement | Five SSC credit passes |
| Key O’Level Subject | English Language |
| Direct Entry | Two A’Level passes in Arts or Social Science subjects |
| Other Direct Entry Routes | Relevant ND, HND or NCE qualifications may be accepted by some universities |
Special Consideration and University-Specific Requirements
Mass Communication requirements can vary considerably from one university to another, especially in the treatment of Literature in English, Mathematics, Government and Economics.
Some examples include:
- AAUA requires O’Level credits including English Language, Literature in English and Mathematics, together with two other Arts or Social Science subjects.
- CRUTECH requires credits in English Language, Mathematics, Literature in English, Government and another Arts or Social Science subject.
- ESUT requires Economics at O’Level and accepts either History or Government under its stated conditions.
- Wellspring University accepts a pass in Mathematics where the candidate has the required five O’Level credits including English Language, Government or History, and Literature in English.
- University of Ibadan requires English Language and Literature in English for Communication and Language Arts, with the remaining credits drawn from Arts, Social Sciences or Sciences.
- University of Uyo accepts D7 in Mathematics for Communication Arts.
The UTME subjects can also differ. While the general Mass Communication entry allows any three Arts or Social Science subjects, some universities prescribe particular combinations.
Candidates should therefore check the exact requirement attached to the programme name offered by their preferred institution. Mass Communication, Communication Arts and Communication and Language Arts should not be treated as having identical admission conditions.
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Mass Communication and Related Courses
Mass Communication is closely connected to several communication-focused programmes, but universities may organise them differently and apply different admission requirements.
Related courses include:
- Communication Arts
- Communication and Language Arts
- Communication Studies
- Strategic Communication
- Development and Communication Studies
- Public Relations
- Advertising
- Journalism
- Broadcasting
- Media and Communication Studies
Some of these programmes are broader than Mass Communication, while others concentrate on a particular area such as public relations, advertising, language or development communication.
Core Focus Areas
- Journalism and News Writing: Gathering, verifying and presenting information for print, broadcast and digital audiences.
- Broadcasting: Producing and presenting content for radio, television and other electronic media.
- Public Relations: Managing communication between organisations and their audiences.
- Advertising: Developing persuasive messages and campaigns for products, services or organisations.
- Digital Communication: Creating and distributing content through websites, social media and other online platforms.
- Media Production: Developing audio, video and other communication materials for different audiences.
How Mass Communication Differs from Communication and Language Arts
Mass Communication generally places stronger emphasis on mass media, journalism, broadcasting, advertising, public relations and media production.
Communication and Language Arts combines communication studies with a stronger focus on language, writing, expression and other Arts-related areas.
The two programmes overlap in communication and media, but their academic focus and admission requirements can differ depending on the university.
Typical Career Paths
Mass Communication can lead to several careers in media, communication, information and content production.
Some common career directions include:
- Journalist: Researching, writing and reporting news for print, broadcast or digital media.
- Broadcast Presenter: Presenting programmes, interviews, news and other content on radio, television or digital platforms.
- Public Relations Officer: Managing communication between organisations and the public.
- Advertising Professional: Developing promotional messages, campaigns and communication strategies for brands or organisations.
- Content Writer or Editor: Creating, reviewing and improving written content for media, websites, publications and organisations.
- Media Producer: Planning and producing audio, video and other media content.
- Corporate Communication Officer: Handling internal and external communication for companies, institutions and organisations.
- Digital Media Specialist: Managing online content, social media communication and audience engagement.
Important Things to Know Before Choosing Mass Communication in JAMB
Mass Communication has broad admission requirements, but candidates should not assume that every university accepts the same subject combination.
Keep these points in mind:
- English Language is compulsory. It is required in UTME and is also an important O’Level subject for the course.
- Literature in English can be important. Although it is not part of every general Mass Communication requirement, several universities specifically require it.
- Mathematics requirements vary. Some institutions demand a credit in Mathematics, while others may accept a pass under certain conditions.
- Government and Economics may matter. Some universities include one or both subjects in their preferred O’Level or UTME combination.
- Related communication courses can have different requirements. Communication Arts and Communication and Language Arts should not automatically be treated the same as Mass Communication.
- Direct Entry routes are not identical everywhere. Universities may accept A’Level, ND, HND or NCE qualifications at different minimum grades.
The best subject combination is therefore the one that satisfies both the general requirements and the specific conditions of the university where you want to study Mass Communication.
FAQ About JAMB Subject Combination for Mass Communication 2027/2028
What is the JAMB subject combination for Mass Communication?
The general UTME combination is English Language and any three Arts or Social Science subjects.
However, some universities may specify particular subjects such as Literature in English, Government or Economics.
Is Literature in English compulsory for Mass Communication?
Not in every university under the general Mass Communication requirement.
However, several institutions specifically require Literature in English at O’Level or include it in their preferred admission combination. It is especially important for Communication and Language Arts.
Is Mathematics compulsory for Mass Communication?
Mathematics is not part of the general UTME subject combination for Mass Communication.
At O’Level, some universities require a credit in Mathematics, while others may accept a pass under certain conditions.
Is Government compulsory for Mass Communication?
Government is not compulsory under the general Mass Communication UTME combination.
Some universities, however, may include Government among their required or preferred subjects, so candidates should check the exact requirement of their chosen institution.
What are the O’Level requirements for Mass Communication?
The general requirement is five SSC credit passes including English Language and four other relevant Arts or Social Science subjects.
Some universities also require subjects such as Literature in English, Mathematics, Government or Economics.
Can I study Mass Communication through Direct Entry?
Yes.
The general Direct Entry requirement is two A’Level passes in Arts or Social Science subjects.
Some universities also accept relevant ND, HND or NCE qualifications, but the minimum grade and accepted programme can differ between institutions.
Conclusion
Mass Communication is a flexible communication course, but the admission requirements can change depending on the university and the exact programme title.
For UTME, the general subject combination is English Language and any three Arts or Social Science subjects. At O’Level, candidates generally need five credit passes including English Language, while Direct Entry applicants may qualify through relevant A’Level, ND, HND or NCE routes.
Candidates applying for Communication and Language Arts should pay particular attention to Literature in English, because it features more strongly in the requirements for that programme. Mathematics, Government and Economics may also become important depending on the institution.
Before completing your JAMB registration, check whether your chosen university offers Mass Communication, Communication Arts, Communication and Language Arts, or another related communication programme, then match your UTME and O’Level subjects to that exact course.
Choosing the correct subjects from the start can save you from applying for a communication programme whose admission requirements you do not meet.