English and Literary Studies is a course built around language, literature, interpretation and critical writing. Students study how English is used, how literary works are constructed, and how texts reflect culture, history and society.
If you plan to study this course in a Nigerian university, your subject choices matter from the start. A wrong UTME combination or missing O’Level subject can affect your admission chances even when your JAMB score is strong.
This guide explains the JAMB subject combination for English and Literary Studies for the 2027/2028 admission session, together with the O’Level and Direct Entry requirements you need to know.
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JAMB Subject Combination for English and Literary Studies 2027/2028
The general JAMB UTME subject combination for English and Literary Studies is:
| Subject | Requirement |
|---|---|
| English Language | Compulsory |
| Literature in English | Required |
| One Arts subject | Required |
| One Arts or Social Science subject | Required |
Your four UTME subjects should therefore include:
English Language, Literature in English, one other Arts subject, and another Arts or Social Science subject.
Possible Arts subjects may include areas such as Government, History, Christian Religious Studies, Islamic Studies, French or another accepted Arts subject, depending on the university.
The most important subject to watch is Literature in English, since it is central to the course and appears in the general UTME requirement.
University requirements can still differ. Some institutions specify the exact Arts or Social Science subjects they want, while others allow a wider choice. For that reason, your final subject selection should match the requirements of the university you intend to choose.
O’Level Requirements for English and Literary Studies
For O’Level, candidates generally need five SSC credit passes, with English Language and Literature in English included among them.
A simple guide is shown below:
| O’Level Subject | Requirement |
|---|---|
| English Language | Credit required |
| Literature in English | Credit required |
| Other subjects | Three additional relevant credits |
The remaining subjects are usually drawn from Arts or Social Science areas, depending on the university.
Some institutions are more specific. For example, certain universities require Mathematics among the five credits, while others accept a broader mix of Arts and Social Science subjects.
Because of these differences, it is safer to check the exact O’Level combination for your chosen institution rather than relying only on the general five-credit rule.
Direct Entry Requirements for English and Literary Studies
For Direct Entry, the general requirement is two A’Level passes, including:
- Literature in English; and
- One other Arts subject.
Some universities also accept qualifications such as NCE, ND or HND in relevant areas, but the grade and subject conditions vary.
Examples of accepted alternatives include:
| Qualification | Possible Requirement |
|---|---|
| A’Level | Literature in English and one other Arts subject |
| NCE | Relevant Arts/English qualification accepted by some universities |
| ND | Relevant programme, subject to the university’s grade requirement |
| HND | Relevant field, where accepted |
For instance, some institutions accept NCE with Literature in English as a teaching subject, while others consider ND or HND qualifications in related disciplines.
Direct Entry candidates should also satisfy the O’Level requirements attached to the programme.
JAMB Subject Combination and Admission Requirements for English and Literary Studies at a Glance
| Admission Category | General Requirement |
|---|---|
| JAMB UTME Subjects | English Language, Literature in English, one Arts subject, and one Arts or Social Science subject |
| O’Level Requirement | Five SSC credit passes |
| Key O’Level Subjects | English Language and Literature in English |
| Direct Entry | Two A’Level passes including Literature in English and one other Arts subject |
| Other Direct Entry Routes | Relevant NCE, ND or HND may be accepted by some universities |
Special Consideration and University-Specific Requirements
English and Literary Studies has several university-specific variations, especially in the choice of supporting subjects.
For example:
- RSU requires O’Level credits in English Language, Mathematics, Literature in English and two other subjects.
- KASU requires English Language, Mathematics, Literature in English and two other Arts or Social Science subjects.
- NDU requires English Language, Literature in English and three other subjects, with at least two drawn from Arts.
- FED-OYE EKITI requires English Language and Literature in English, with at least a pass in Mathematics.
- UNN includes a Science subject among its O’Level conditions.
UTME subject choices can also differ. Some universities specify particular combinations of Literature in English, Government, History, Religious Studies or other Arts and Social Science subjects.
This is why the exact requirements of the institution you choose matter just as much as the general JAMB combination.
English and Literary Studies and Related Courses
English and Literary Studies sits within the Arts and shares some ground with other language and literature programmes. Closely related courses include:
- English Language
- English Studies
- English Language and Literature
- Literature in English
- Linguistics/English
- English and International Studies
- Language and Literature
The titles may sound similar, but universities can treat them as separate programmes with different admission requirements and course content.
English and Literary Studies generally combines the study of English language with literary works, while programmes such as Literature in English may place greater emphasis on literature itself. Linguistics/English, on the other hand, usually gives more attention to the scientific study of language.
Core Focus Areas
- Literary Analysis: Examining novels, poetry, drama and other texts to understand their themes, techniques, characters and meanings.
- English Language Studies: Studying how English works through areas such as grammar, usage, meaning and communication.
- Critical Reading and Writing: Learning to interpret texts carefully, develop arguments and express ideas clearly in writing.
- Literature, Culture and Society: Exploring how literature reflects culture, history, identity and social experiences.
- Creative and Interpretive Skills: Building the ability to engage with language imaginatively while developing stronger analytical and communication skills.
How it Differs from Pure “English Language”
English Language concentrates more on the structure and use of English, including areas such as grammar, meaning, communication and language patterns.
English and Literary Studies combines language study with literature. Students do not only examine how English works; they also study novels, poetry, drama and other literary texts from different periods and cultures.
In simple terms, English Language leans more toward how the language works, while English and Literary Studies gives substantial attention to both language and literature.
Typical Career Paths
Graduates of English and Literary Studies can apply their writing, communication and analytical skills in different fields. Common career directions include:
- Writer or Author: Creating fiction, non-fiction, scripts, articles and other written works.
- Editor or Proofreader: Reviewing written material for clarity, grammar, structure and overall quality.
- Teacher or Lecturer: Teaching English Language, Literature or related subjects, subject to the professional qualifications required for the role.
- Publishing Professional: Working in areas such as manuscript editing, publishing coordination and content development.
- Content and Communications Professional: Producing written content for organisations, media platforms and communication teams.
- Literary Researcher: Studying literature, language, culture and related areas, particularly within academic or research settings.
Important Things to Know Before Choosing English and Literary Studies in JAMB
English and Literary Studies is one of those courses where the exact subject combination deserves close attention, especially because universities do not all apply the same supporting-subject rules.
Keep these points in mind:
- Literature in English is central to the course. It appears in both the general UTME and O’Level requirements.
- Your third and fourth UTME subjects matter. Some universities accept a broad range of Arts or Social Science subjects, while others specify subjects such as Government, History or Religious Studies.
- Mathematics requirements vary. Some institutions require a credit in Mathematics, while others only ask for a pass or do not make it a core requirement.
- Course titles are not automatically interchangeable. English Language, English Studies, Literature in English and English and Literary Studies may have different admission conditions.
- Direct Entry routes differ by institution. NCE, ND and HND qualifications are accepted in some universities, but not under the same grade conditions everywhere.
- Check the requirement for the exact university you want to choose. This is especially important if your O’Level result does not include Mathematics or if your UTME subjects are not all Arts subjects.
A careful check at this stage can prevent you from selecting a university whose requirements do not match your subjects.
FAQ About JAMB Subject Combination for English and Literary Studies 2027/2028
What is the JAMB subject combination for English and Literary Studies?
The general combination is English Language, Literature in English, one other Arts subject, and another Arts or Social Science subject.
Is Literature in English compulsory for English and Literary Studies?
Yes. Literature in English is part of the general UTME requirement and is also included in the general O’Level requirement for the course.
Is Mathematics compulsory for English and Literary Studies?
Not in every case.
Some universities require a credit in Mathematics, while others may only require a pass or may not make Mathematics a core subject for the programme. This is one area where university requirements differ significantly.
What are the O’Level requirements for English and Literary Studies?
The general requirement is five SSC credit passes, including English Language and Literature in English.
The other three subjects depend on the institution, with many universities accepting relevant Arts or Social Science subjects.
Can I study English and Literary Studies through Direct Entry?
Yes. The general Direct Entry requirement is two A’Level passes, including Literature in English and one other Arts subject.
Some institutions also consider relevant NCE, ND or HND qualifications.
Is English and Literary Studies the same as English Language?
No.
English Language focuses more closely on the structure and use of English, while English and Literary Studies combines language study with the analysis of literature, including prose, poetry and drama.
Conclusion
For English and Literary Studies, the key admission subjects are English Language and Literature in English, supported by the Arts or Social Science subjects accepted by your chosen university.
The general UTME combination is English Language, Literature in English, one other Arts subject, and another Arts or Social Science subject. At O’Level, you need five credits including English Language and Literature in English, while Direct Entry applicants generally need two A’Level passes including Literature in English and one other Arts subject.
The main area to watch is university-specific variation. Mathematics, supporting Arts subjects, and accepted Direct Entry qualifications are not treated exactly the same everywhere.
Before submitting your JAMB choices, compare your UTME subjects and O’Level result with the exact requirements of the institution offering English and Literary Studies. Also confirm that you are selecting the correct course title, especially where similar programmes such as English Language, English Studies or Literature in English are available.
A few minutes spent checking these details can save you from choosing a programme for which your subject combination does not qualify.