Library and Information Science is a programme that focuses on how information is organised, managed, stored, retrieved and made available to users.
The course covers both traditional library services and broader information management, making it relevant to libraries, information centres, records units and other organisations that handle large amounts of information.
Depending on the university, the programme may appear under related names such as:
- Library and Information Science
- Library Science
- Library and Information Studies
- Library and Information Management
- Information Science
Although these programme names are closely related, candidates should pay attention to the exact admission requirements used by their preferred institution.
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JAMB Subject Combination for Library and Information Science 2027/2028
The general JAMB subject combination for Library and Information Science is:
| Subject | Requirement |
|---|---|
| English Language | Compulsory |
| Arts or Social Science Subject 1 | Required |
| Arts or Social Science Subject 2 | Required |
| Arts or Social Science Subject 3 | Required |
The complete combination can therefore be written as:
English Language and any three Arts or Social Science subjects.
This means candidates may generally choose relevant subjects from the Arts or Social Sciences, depending on the university.
However, some institutions use different combinations.
For example, AUN requires Mathematics and two other approved subjects from its accepted list, while FED-LAFIA accepts any three subjects alongside compulsory English Language.
Candidates should therefore confirm the exact UTME subject combination required by their preferred university before completing their 2027/2028 JAMB registration.
O’Level Requirements for Library and Information Science
Candidates applying for Library and Information Science generally need five O’Level credit passes, including:
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Three other relevant subjects
A simple breakdown is shown below:
| O’Level Subject | Requirement |
|---|---|
| English Language | Credit required |
| Mathematics | Credit required |
| Three Other Relevant Subjects | Credit required |
The remaining subjects may come from Arts, Social Sciences or Sciences, depending on the university.
For example, FED-LAFIA requires five O’Level credit passes including:
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Three relevant Arts, Science or Social Science subjects
AUN requires five O’Level credit passes including:
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Three approved subjects selected from areas such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Literature in English, Government, History, Economics, Geography, Computer Studies, Information Technology, Visual Arts or French
ABSU also requires English Language and Mathematics together with a Science subject under its stated requirements.
Candidates should therefore check the exact O’Level subjects accepted by their preferred university before applying for Library and Information Science.
Direct Entry Requirements for Library and Information Science
Candidates applying for Library and Information Science through Direct Entry generally need one of the following:
- Two A’Level passes in relevant subjects
- NCE in relevant subjects
- ND in a relevant programme
A simple breakdown is shown below:
| Direct Entry Route | General Requirement |
|---|---|
| A’Level | Two passes in relevant subjects |
| NCE | Relevant qualification |
| ND | Relevant programme |
| Other Qualifications | Subject to university-specific requirements |
The exact qualification and grade required may differ from one university to another.
For example, FED-LAFIA accepts:
- A’Level passes in relevant Science subjects, including Mathematics
- NCE Merit in Mathematics and one other Science or Social Science subject
- Diploma/ND in Library and Information Science with Upper Credit or Merit
Candidates applying through Direct Entry should also ensure that they satisfy the required O’Level conditions of their chosen university.
Because universities may accept different qualifications and grades, candidates should confirm the specific Direct Entry requirements of their preferred institution before applying.
Library and Information Science Admission Requirements at a Glance
The general admission requirements for Library and Information Science are summarised below:
| Admission Category | General Requirement |
|---|---|
| Programme | Library and Information Science |
| JAMB English | Compulsory |
| Other UTME Subjects | Any three Arts or Social Science subjects |
| O’Level | Five credit passes |
| Core O’Level Subjects | English Language and Mathematics |
| Direct Entry | Two relevant A’Level passes or relevant NCE/ND |
| Other Requirements | University-specific conditions may apply |
Candidates should note that some universities use subject combinations that differ from the general requirement.
Special Consideration and University-Specific Requirements
American University of Nigeria
AUN accepts A’Level subjects selected from a broad list that includes:
- Mathematics
- Environmental Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Literature in English
- Government
- History
- Economics
- Geography
- Further Mathematics
- Technical Drawing
- Visual Arts
- Computer Studies
- Information Technology
- Civics
- French
For O’Level admission, AUN requires five credit passes including:
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Three other approved subjects
For UTME, AUN requires:
Mathematics and any two approved subjects from its accepted list.
This means candidates applying to AUN should not rely only on the general Arts or Social Science combination.
Federal University of Lafia
FED-LAFIA accepts the following for Direct Entry:
- A’Level passes in Science subjects including Mathematics
- NCE Merit in Mathematics and one other Science or Social Science subject
- Diploma/ND in Library and Information Science with Upper Credit or Merit
For O’Level, candidates need:
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Three relevant Arts, Science or Social Science subjects
For UTME, FED-LAFIA accepts:
Any three subjects, in addition to compulsory English Language.
Abia State University
ABSU applies additional subject requirements.
Its stated admission conditions include:
- English Language
- Mathematics
- A Science subject
Candidates applying to ABSU should therefore check the institution’s exact subject requirements rather than using only the general Library and Information Science combination.
Important Admission Note
The general JAMB subject combination for Library and Information Science can be written as:
English Language and any three Arts or Social Science subjects.
However, university-specific requirements may differ.
Some institutions may require Mathematics, Science subjects or other particular combinations.
Candidates should therefore confirm the exact UTME subjects, O’Level requirements and Direct Entry qualifications required by their preferred university before completing their 2027/2028 JAMB registration.
Library and Information Science and Related Courses
Library and Information Science is closely related to other programmes that deal with information, communication, records and digital resources.
Related courses include:
- Library Science
- Information Science
- Information Management
- Library and Information Studies
- Library and Information Management
- Information Science and Media Studies
- Mass Communication
- Information Technology
- Computer Science
Candidates should note that universities may use different programme titles, so the admission requirements should always be checked against the exact course offered by the institution.
Read also:
- JAMB Subject Combination for Mass Communication 2027/2028
- JAMB Subject Combination for Education & Computer Science 2027/2028
- JAMB Subject Combination for Business Administration 2027/2028
- JAMB Subject Combination for Education & Social Science 2027/2028
Core Focus Areas in Library and Information Science
Library and Information Science generally deals with the organisation, preservation, management and retrieval of information.
Broad areas associated with the programme may include:
- Library Management
- Information Organisation
- Cataloguing and Classification
- Information Retrieval
- Digital Information Resources
- Records and Information Management
- Reference and Information Services
- Research Methods
- Information Technology
- Database and Information Systems
- Preservation of Information Resources
- Information Services
The exact courses and course titles depend on the university.
How Library and Information Science Differs from Library Science
Library and Information Science and Library Science are closely related, but universities may structure them differently.
Library Science traditionally focuses more directly on the organisation and management of libraries, books and other library resources.
Library and Information Science generally extends beyond traditional library services to include wider areas of information organisation, retrieval, digital resources, records and information management.
However, candidates should not assume that both programmes have identical admission requirements simply because their names are similar.
A university may list Library Science separately from Library and Information Science and may attach different UTME, O’Level or Direct Entry conditions to each programme.
Candidates should therefore use the requirements stated for the exact programme they intend to study.
Typical Career Paths
Library and Information Science can prepare graduates for roles that involve organising, managing, preserving and providing access to information.
Possible career directions include:
- Librarian: Manages library collections, services and information resources.
- Information Officer: Organises and provides access to information within an organisation.
- Records Officer: Maintains and manages institutional records and documents.
- Documentation Officer: Organises documents, reports and information resources for easy retrieval.
- Digital Library Officer: Supports the organisation and management of electronic information resources.
- Information Resource Officer: Helps manage and distribute information resources within an institution.
- Records and Information Management Officer: Supports the storage, organisation and retrieval of organisational records.
- Library Officer: Assists with library operations, information services and resource management.
Important Things to Know Before Choosing Library and Information Science in JAMB
Candidates interested in Library and Information Science should pay close attention to the requirements of their preferred university because institutions may use different subject combinations.
Important points include:
- English Language is compulsory in JAMB.
- The general UTME combination is any three Arts or Social Science subjects.
- Some universities accept broader combinations that include Science subjects.
- Some institutions may require Mathematics as one of the UTME subjects.
- Candidates generally need five O’Level credit passes.
- English Language and Mathematics are included in the general O’Level requirement.
- The remaining O’Level subjects may come from Arts, Social Sciences or Sciences depending on the university.
- Direct Entry candidates may be admitted with two relevant A’Level passes.
- Relevant NCE or ND qualifications may also be accepted for Direct Entry.
- Some universities may specify particular grades for ND, NCE or A’Level qualifications.
- Library Science and Library and Information Science may appear as different programme titles with different admission requirements.
- Candidates should not assume that every university accepts the same JAMB subject combination.
For example, some institutions accept any three subjects, while others specify Mathematics or particular Arts, Social Science or Science subjects.
Candidates should therefore confirm their preferred university’s exact UTME combination, O’Level requirements and Direct Entry conditions before completing their 2027/2028 JAMB registration.
Typical Career Paths
Library and Information Science can prepare graduates for roles that involve organising, managing, preserving and providing access to information.
Possible career directions include:
- Librarian: Manages library collections, services and information resources.
- Information Officer: Organises and provides access to information within an organisation.
- Records Officer: Maintains and manages institutional records and documents.
- Documentation Officer: Organises documents, reports and information resources for easy retrieval.
- Digital Library Officer: Supports the organisation and management of electronic information resources.
- Information Resource Officer: Helps manage and distribute information resources within an institution.
- Records and Information Management Officer: Supports the storage, organisation and retrieval of organisational records.
- Library Officer: Assists with library operations, information services and resource management.
Important Things to Know Before Choosing Library and Information Science in JAMB
Candidates interested in Library and Information Science should pay close attention to the requirements of their preferred university because institutions may use different subject combinations.
Important points include:
- English Language is compulsory in JAMB.
- The general UTME combination is any three Arts or Social Science subjects.
- Some universities accept broader combinations that include Science subjects.
- Some institutions may require Mathematics as one of the UTME subjects.
- Candidates generally need five O’Level credit passes.
- English Language and Mathematics are included in the general O’Level requirement.
- The remaining O’Level subjects may come from Arts, Social Sciences or Sciences depending on the university.
- Direct Entry candidates may be admitted with two relevant A’Level passes.
- Relevant NCE or ND qualifications may also be accepted for Direct Entry.
- Some universities may specify particular grades for ND, NCE or A’Level qualifications.
- Library Science and Library and Information Science may appear as different programme titles with different admission requirements.
- Candidates should not assume that every university accepts the same JAMB subject combination.
For example, some institutions accept any three subjects, while others specify Mathematics or particular Arts, Social Science or Science subjects.
Candidates should therefore confirm their preferred university’s exact UTME combination, O’Level requirements and Direct Entry conditions before completing their 2027/2028 JAMB registration.
FAQ About JAMB Subject Combination for Library and Information Science 2027/2028
What is the JAMB subject combination for Library and Information Science?
The general JAMB subject combination for Library and Information Science is:
English Language and any three Arts or Social Science subjects.
However, some universities may require different subject combinations, so candidates should confirm the requirements of their preferred institution.
Is Mathematics compulsory for Library and Information Science?
Mathematics is generally required at O’Level because candidates need five credit passes including English Language and Mathematics.
For JAMB UTME, Mathematics is not part of the general three-subject requirement for every university.
However, some institutions may specifically require Mathematics as one of the UTME subjects.
Can an Arts student study Library and Information Science?
Yes. Arts students can apply for Library and Information Science.
The general UTME requirement allows candidates to use three Arts or Social Science subjects alongside compulsory English Language.
Candidates should still check whether their chosen university has any additional subject requirements.
Can a Science student study Library and Information Science?
Yes. Science students may also apply for Library and Information Science.
Some universities accept Science subjects as part of their admission requirements, while others use broader combinations involving Arts, Social Sciences or Sciences.
The exact combination depends on the institution.
What are the O’Level requirements for Library and Information Science?
Candidates generally need five O’Level credit passes, including:
English Language
Mathematics
Three other relevant subjects
The remaining subjects may come from Arts, Social Sciences or Sciences depending on the university.
What are the Direct Entry requirements for Library and Information Science?
The general Direct Entry requirement includes:
Two A’Level passes in relevant subjects
NCE in relevant subjects, or
ND in a relevant programme
Some universities may also specify particular grades or subject combinations for Direct Entry applicants.
Conclusion
Library and Information Science is a programme that focuses on the organisation, management, storage and retrieval of information resources.
The general JAMB subject combination for Library and Information Science is:
English Language and any three Arts or Social Science subjects.
Candidates generally also need five O’Level credit passes, including:
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Three other relevant subjects
For Direct Entry, candidates may qualify with:
- Two relevant A’Level passes
- Relevant NCE qualifications
- Relevant ND qualifications
However, university-specific requirements can differ significantly.
Some universities may require Mathematics as one of the UTME subjects, while others may accept Science subjects or broader subject combinations. The same applies to O’Level and Direct Entry requirements.
For this reason, candidates should not rely only on the general subject combination.
Before completing your 2027/2028 JAMB registration, confirm the exact UTME subjects, O’Level requirements and Direct Entry conditions required by your preferred university.
This will help ensure that your subject combination matches the specific Library and Information Science programme you intend to study.