JAMB Subject Combination for Foreign Languages & Literature 2027/2028

Foreign Languages and Literature is a course that focuses on foreign languages, literature, culture and communication.

Students may study languages such as French, German, Russian or other foreign languages offered by their university. They also learn about grammar, writing, speaking, translation and literary works.

The course helps students build skills in communication, reading, writing, translation and language understanding.

Graduates may work in areas such as teaching, translation, media, tourism, diplomacy and international organisations.

Admission may be through UTME or Direct Entry, and candidates must meet the required JAMB subjects, O’Level results and university conditions.

Since universities may have different requirements depending on the foreign language offered, candidates should always check the exact course and language option before applying.

This guide explains the JAMB subject combination for Foreign Languages and Literature, O’Level and Direct Entry requirements, university-specific conditions, related courses and career options for the 2027/2028 session.

JAMB Subject Combination for Foreign Languages & Literature

English Language is compulsory for candidates applying for Foreign Languages and Literature. The other subjects should usually come from Arts or Social Science subjects.

JAMB Subject	Requirement
English Language	Compulsory
Literature in English	Important and required by some universities
French	Important for French-related programmes
Government	Relevant Arts option
History	Relevant Arts option
CRS/IRS	May be accepted
Nigerian Language	Accepted by some universities
Other Arts/Social Science Subject	May complete the combination

A suitable JAMB subject combination is:

• English Language
• Literature in English or the relevant Foreign Language
• One other Arts subject
• One Arts or Social Science subject

The exact combination may depend on the language you want to study. For example, a French-related programme may require or prefer French, while another university may allow a wider range of Arts subjects.

Candidates should not assume that every university uses the same subject combination.

O’Level Requirements for Foreign Languages & Literature

Candidates applying for Foreign Languages and Literature should generally have five O’Level credit passes in relevant subjects.

O’Level Subject	Requirement
English Language	Compulsory credit
Literature in English	Important and required by many universities
French or Other Foreign Language	Required by some universities
Government/History	Relevant Arts subjects
CRS/IRS	May be accepted
Mathematics	Required by some institutions
Other Arts/Social Science Subject	May complete the five credits

A good O’Level combination may include:

• English Language
• Literature in English
• French or another relevant Foreign Language
• Government or History
• Another Arts or Social Science subject

Some universities require a credit in the foreign language you want to study, while others may admit candidates without previous knowledge of that language.

Mathematics should also not be ignored because some universities require it at O’Level.

Candidates should check the exact O’Level requirements of their preferred university before applying.

Direct Entry Requirements for Foreign Languages & Literature

Candidates applying through Direct Entry may qualify with A-Level, JUPEB, IJMB, NCE or a relevant diploma, depending on the university.

Qualification	Typical Requirement
A-Level	Two relevant passes in Arts subjects
JUPEB	Relevant Arts subjects at the required grade
IJMB	Relevant subjects where accepted
NCE	Merit or required grade in a language or related Arts subject
ND	May be accepted by some universities in a related field
Diploma	Relevant language or Arts diploma where accepted

Common Direct Entry options include:

• Two A-Level passes in relevant Arts subjects
• A-Level passes including the foreign language where required
• NCE in French, another language or a related Arts subject
• JUPEB or IJMB in approved Arts subjects
• A relevant diploma in language or another accepted field

Some universities may require the foreign language as part of the Direct Entry qualification, while others may accept other relevant Arts subjects.

Candidates should also check the minimum grade or points required before applying.

Make sure your qualification matches the exact Foreign Languages and Literature programme offered by your chosen university.

Admission Requirements Overview

Admission into Foreign Languages and Literature depends on your UTME subjects, O’Level results and Direct Entry qualification.

Admission Area	General Requirement
JAMB Use of English	Compulsory
Recommended UTME Subjects	Literature in English or the relevant Foreign Language, plus other Arts/Social Science subjects
O’Level Requirement	Five relevant credit passes
English Language at O’Level	Compulsory
Literature in English	Important and commonly required
Foreign Language	Required or preferred by some universities
Mathematics	Required by some institutions
Direct Entry Routes	A-Level, JUPEB, IJMB, NCE, ND or relevant Diploma
Typical A-Level Requirement	Two relevant passes
NCE Requirement	Relevant language or Arts subject at the required grade
Programme Area	Arts
University-Specific Conditions	Must be checked before registration

For UTME candidates, English Language is compulsory, while the other three subjects should match the exact language and Arts requirements of the university.

At O’Level, candidates should aim for five relevant credits, especially in English Language, Literature in English and other approved Arts subjects.

Direct Entry applicants should also make sure their qualification is related to language, Arts or another accepted field.

Special Considerations and University-Specific Requirements

Universities may have different requirements for Foreign Languages and Literature, especially when the course focuses on a particular language such as French, German or Russian.

University	Special Consideration
University of Ibadan	May require Literature in English and other Arts or Social Science subjects for language-related programmes.
University of Lagos	Accepts a wide range of Arts subjects and may also consider JUPEB or A-Level qualifications for Direct Entry.
University of Nigeria, Nsukka	Uses flexible UTME subjects for some foreign language programmes and has its own O’Level conditions.
Obafemi Awolowo University	Has specific requirements depending on the foreign language being studied.
University of Ilorin	May require relevant Arts and language subjects for some foreign language programmes.
University of Benin	Offers related language programmes with its own UTME, O’Level and Direct Entry conditions.

Candidates should pay attention to the exact language option offered by the university.

For example, the requirements for French may not be exactly the same as those for German, Russian or Portuguese.

Some universities may also admit students who have not studied the foreign language before, while others may require a credit in that language.

Courses Related to Foreign Languages & Literature

Foreign Languages and Literature is related to several courses that focus on language, culture, literature and communication.

• French: Focuses on the French language, literature and culture.
• German: Studies the German language, communication and culture.
• Russian: Focuses on Russian language, literature and cultural studies.
• Portuguese: Studies Portuguese language, writing and communication.
• Modern European Languages: Covers one or more modern European languages and their cultures.
• Linguistics: Studies how languages are formed, used and understood.
• Linguistics & Nigerian Language: Combines language study with a Nigerian language.
• English and Literary Studies: Focuses on English Language, literature and writing.
• Languages and Linguistics: Combines the study of different languages with Linguistics.
• Language and Literature: Focuses on language use and literary works.
• History and International Studies: Studies history, international affairs and global relations.
• International Relations: Focuses on diplomacy, foreign policy and relationships between countries.
• Translation Studies: Teaches how to translate written and spoken information between languages.

Students who are mainly interested in foreign languages, literature and culture may prefer Foreign Languages and Literature, while those who are more interested in how language works may consider Linguistics.

Core Focus Areas in Foreign Languages & Literature

Foreign Languages and Literature covers the study of language, literature, culture and communication.

Major areas include:

• Foreign Language Communication: Helps students speak and understand the chosen language.
• Grammar: Focuses on correct sentence structure and language use.
• Literature: Studies novels, plays, poems and other literary works.
• Translation: Teaches how to change written information from one language to another.
• Oral Communication: Develops speaking and listening skills.
• Writing: Improves written communication in the foreign language.
• Language Structure: Examines how words and sentences are formed.
• Culture and Society: Studies the culture and way of life of people who speak the language.
• Literary Analysis: Teaches students how to understand and explain literary works.
• Phonetics: Studies speech sounds and pronunciation.
• Linguistics: Introduces the general study of how language works.
• History of the Language: Looks at how the language developed over time.
• Interpretation: Focuses on understanding and translating spoken language.
• Research: Helps students study language, literature and culture in a structured way.
• Intercultural Communication: Teaches how people from different cultures communicate with one another.

These areas help students develop strong skills in speaking, writing, translation, research and communication.

Typical Career Paths

A degree in Foreign Languages and Literature can lead to careers in education, translation, media, tourism, diplomacy and international organisations.

Common career paths include:

• Foreign Language Teacher: Teaches languages such as French, German, Russian or another language.
• Translator: Converts written information from one language to another.
• Interpreter: Helps people understand spoken communication in different languages.
• Diplomatic Support Officer: Assists with language and communication duties in diplomatic or international settings.
• International Relations Officer: Supports communication and activities involving foreign countries or organisations.
• Language Researcher: Studies language use, development and communication.
• Editor: Reviews and improves written materials.
• Proofreader: Checks writing for grammar, spelling and language errors.
• Content Writer: Creates written content for websites, media and organisations.
• Broadcaster: Works in radio, television or other media where foreign language skills may be useful.
• Journalist: Writes and reports news for local or international audiences.
• Tourism Officer: Helps with travel, tourism and communication with visitors from other countries.
• Cultural Officer: Works in organisations that promote language and cultural exchange.
• International Programme Officer: Supports projects involving different countries and cultures.
• Lecturer: Teaches language or literature at a higher institution after obtaining the required postgraduate qualifications.

Graduates can improve their career opportunities by building strong skills in speaking, writing, translation, research and communication.

Foreign Languages & Literature vs Linguistics

Foreign Languages and Literature and Linguistics are related, but they focus on different areas.

Area	Foreign Languages and Literature	Linguistics
Main Focus	Foreign language, literature and culture	Scientific study of language
Literature	Major part of the course	Less central
Speaking and Writing	Strong emphasis	Important
Grammar	Important	Major area
Culture	Strong focus	Studied mainly through language
Translation	Important	May be studied
Language Research	Important	Major area
Career Direction	Teaching, translation, media, diplomacy and tourism	Research, communication and language-related work

Foreign Languages and Literature may be more suitable for students who want to study a foreign language, its literature and culture in detail.

Linguistics may be better for students who are more interested in how language works, how it is structured and how people use it.

Both courses can lead to careers in teaching, research, media, translation and communication.

Common Admission Mistakes to Avoid

Candidates applying for Foreign Languages and Literature should be careful because requirements can differ from one university to another.

Common mistakes include:

• Choosing the wrong foreign language option: Make sure your chosen university offers the language you want to study.
• Ignoring Literature in English: Some universities require it in JAMB or at O’Level.
• Leaving out the required foreign language: French or another foreign language may be required for some programmes.
• Assuming every university accepts beginners: Some universities accept candidates with no previous knowledge of the language, while others do not.
• Ignoring Mathematics at O’Level: Some institutions require a credit or pass in Mathematics.
• Using one subject combination for every university: Requirements may differ depending on the school and language option.
• Confusing Foreign Languages and Literature with Linguistics: The two courses are related but may have different admission requirements.
• Using an unrelated Direct Entry qualification: Your A-Level, NCE, ND, diploma or other qualification should meet the university’s requirements.
• Ignoring minimum Direct Entry grades: Some universities require specific grades or points before admission can be considered.
• Using outdated admission information: Always check the current requirements before completing your 2027/2028 application.

The best way to avoid problems is to confirm your course title, language option, UTME subjects, O’Level results and Direct Entry requirements before applying.

Read Also:

• JAMB Subject Combination for Linguistics & Nigerian Language 2027/2028
• JAMB Subject Combination for English and Literary Studies 2027/2028
• JAMB Subject Combination for History and International Studies 2027/2028
• JAMB Subject Combination for Mass Communication 2027/2028
• JAMB Subject Combination for Theatre and Film Studies 2027/2028
• JAMB Subject Combination for Philosophy 2027/2028

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Foreign Languages and Literature is a good course for students interested in language, literature, culture & communication.

For the 2027/2028 admission session, English Language is compulsory in JAMB, while the other subjects may include Literature in English, French or another relevant foreign language, and other Arts or Social Science subjects.

At O’Level, candidates should generally have five relevant credit passes, including English Language and other required subjects. Some universities may also require Literature in English, Mathematics or the foreign language connected to the programme.

Direct Entry applicants may qualify through A-Level, JUPEB, IJMB, NCE, ND or other relevant qualifications, depending on the university.

Because the requirements can change depending on the language and institution, candidates should not rely on one general combination alone.

Before completing your 2027/2028 JAMB registration, confirm the exact course title, foreign language option, UTME subjects and O’Level requirements of your chosen university. Make sure your subjects match the university’s conditions before you submit your registration.