JAMB Subject Combination for Theatre and Film Studies 2027/2028

Theatre and Film Studies is a creative Arts programme that explores performance, storytelling and production for both stage and screen.

Students may be introduced to areas such as acting, directing, dramatic literature, scriptwriting, stage production, film studies, performance analysis and other aspects of theatre and media practice.

Universities do not always use the same programme title. Some offer Theatre and Film Studies, while others may use names such as Theatre Arts, Performing Arts, Dramatic Arts, Theatre and Media Arts, Film Arts or Film Production.

These programmes are related, but their admission requirements can differ. Candidates should therefore pay attention to the exact course title offered by their preferred institution.

This guide explains the JAMB subject combination for Theatre and Film Studies for the 2027/2028 admission session, together with the O’Level, Direct Entry and university-specific requirements candidates should know.

JAMB Subject Combination for Theatre and Film Studies 2027/2028

The general JAMB UTME subject combination for Theatre and Film Studies is:

Subject	Requirement
English Language	Compulsory
Literature in English	Required
Relevant Subject	Required
Relevant Subject	Required

Your four UTME subjects should therefore be:

English Language, Literature in English and two other relevant subjects.

The remaining two subjects may come from relevant Arts, Social Science or other accepted subjects, depending on the university.

Possible options may include subjects such as Government, History, CRS/IRS, Music or other relevant subjects accepted by the institution.

Literature in English is particularly important because Theatre and Film Studies involves dramatic texts, scripts, interpretation and other forms of written and performed storytelling.

However, universities may apply different subject combinations. Candidates should therefore confirm the specific requirement of the institution offering Theatre and Film Studies before selecting their JAMB subjects.

O’Level Requirements for Theatre and Film Studies

The general O’Level requirement for Theatre and Film Studies is five SSC credit passes, including:

• English Language
• Relevant Arts subjects
• Other accepted subjects required by the university

A simple breakdown is shown below:

O’Level Subject	Requirement
English Language	Credit required
Arts subjects	Relevant credits required
Other subjects	Additional credits to make up five

Literature in English is especially important for many Theatre-related programmes because some universities include it among their required subjects.

Other useful subjects may include:

• Government
• History
• CRS/IRS
• Music
• Fine Arts
• Other Arts or Social Science subjects accepted by the institution

Some universities apply more specific requirements. For example, certain institutions may insist on Literature in English, while others accept a broader combination of Arts subjects.

Candidates should therefore avoid assuming that any five credits will qualify them for Theatre and Film Studies. The safest approach is to match the O’Level subjects with the exact requirement of the university offering the programme.

Direct Entry Requirements for Theatre and Film Studies

The general Direct Entry requirement for Theatre and Film Studies is:

• Two A’Level passes in Arts, Social Science or Science subjects.

Some universities also accept other relevant qualifications, depending on the programme and institution.

Possible Direct Entry routes may include:

Qualification	Possible Requirement
A’Level	Two relevant passes
NCE	Relevant Theatre, Drama or Arts qualification
ND	Theatre Arts or another accepted related programme
IJMB	Relevant subjects where accepted
JUPEB	Relevant Arts or Social Science subjects where accepted
Diploma	Theatre, Drama, Mass Communication or another approved related field

For example, the University of Port Harcourt accepts relevant A’Level, IJMB or JUPEB passes in Arts or Social Science subjects, together with the required UTME entry conditions.

The University of Jos accepts some qualifications in areas such as Drama, Theatre Arts, Mass Communication and Music, while its A’Level route includes Literature in English under its stated conditions.

UNN also accepts relevant ND or NCE qualifications in Theatre Arts or related subjects, as well as an A’Level pass in Literature in English under its Direct Entry provisions.

Because accepted qualifications and minimum grades can differ, Direct Entry candidates should confirm the exact requirement for Theatre and Film Studies at the university where they intend to apply.

JAMB Subject Combination and Admission Requirements for Theatre and Film Studies at a Glance

Admission Category	General Requirement
JAMB UTME Subjects	English Language, Literature in English and two other relevant subjects
O’Level Requirement	Five SSC credit passes
Key O’Level Subject	English Language
Important Supporting Subject	Literature in English is required or strongly relevant at many universities
Direct Entry	Two A’Level passes in Arts, Social Sciences or Science subjects
Other Direct Entry Routes	Relevant NCE, ND, IJMB, JUPEB or diploma qualifications may be accepted by some universities

Special Consideration and University-Specific Requirements

Theatre and Film Studies does not have exactly the same admission conditions at every university. Literature in English, accepted Direct Entry qualifications and the choice of supporting subjects can vary.

Some important examples include:

• University of Port Harcourt accepts relevant A’Level, IJMB or JUPEB passes in Arts or Social Science subjects, together with the required UTME entry qualifications.
• University of Jos accepts some qualifications in Drama, Theatre Arts, Mass Communication and Music. Its Direct Entry provisions may also require Literature in English.
• University of Nigeria, Nsukka accepts relevant ND or NCE qualifications in Theatre Arts or related subjects, as well as an A’Level pass in Literature in English under its stated conditions.
• Delta State University accepts NCE in Theatre Arts or Drama at the required grade, relevant diplomas, and two A’Level passes where one is Literature in English.
• University of Benin accepts two A’Level passes in Arts subjects and also recognises some relevant NCE qualifications.
• University of Abuja may accept NCE or ND qualifications in Theatre Arts, alongside the required O’Level conditions.

These variations show why candidates should not rely only on the general subject combination.

The exact requirement may depend on whether the university offers Theatre and Film Studies, Theatre Arts, Dramatic Arts, Performing Arts or another related programme title.

Theatre and Film Studies and Related Courses

Theatre and Film Studies is closely connected to several programmes in the performing and creative arts.

Related courses include:

• Theatre Arts
• Performing Arts
• Dramatic Arts
• Theatre and Performing Arts
• Theatre and Media Arts
• Film Arts
• Film Production
• Creative Arts
• Drama
• Media and Performance Studies

These programmes may overlap in acting, directing, script development, performance and production, but universities can structure them differently.

A course titled Theatre and Film Studies may place more direct attention on both stage performance and screen-based work, while a programme such as Theatre Arts may focus more strongly on live theatre and performance.

Core Focus Areas

Students studying Theatre and Film Studies may be exposed to areas such as:

• Acting and Performance: Developing stage and screen performance skills.
• Directing: Learning how to guide actors and coordinate creative elements in theatre or film productions.
• Dramatic Literature: Studying plays, dramatic texts, themes and performance traditions.
• Scriptwriting: Creating scripts for stage, film and related media productions.
• Stagecraft and Production: Working with areas such as sets, props, costumes, lighting and stage organisation.
• Film Studies: Examining film as a form of storytelling, culture and visual communication.
• Theatre History and Criticism: Studying the development of theatre and analysing performances and dramatic works.

How Theatre and Film Studies Differs from Theatre Arts

Theatre and Film Studies combines theatre-based training with film and screen-related study.

Theatre Arts generally places stronger emphasis on areas such as live performance, stage production, acting, directing and dramatic literature.

There is considerable overlap between the two programmes, and some universities may include film-related courses within Theatre Arts itself. The exact difference therefore depends on how each university structures its curriculum.

Candidates should use the precise programme title listed by their preferred institution when checking admission requirements.

Typical Career Paths

A degree in Theatre and Film Studies can lead to opportunities in performance, film, television, stage production and the wider creative industry.

Some possible career directions include:

• Actor: Performing in theatre productions, films, television programmes and other screen or stage projects.
• Film Director: Coordinating actors, scenes and production elements to bring a script or creative concept to life.
• Scriptwriter: Writing scripts for stage plays, films, television and other media productions.
• Stage Director: Planning and supervising live theatrical performances.
• Film or Theatre Producer: Organising the creative, financial and production aspects of a project.
• Stage Manager: Coordinating rehearsals, performances, schedules and backstage activities.
• Media Production Professional: Working in areas connected with film, television, video and other creative media.
• Arts Administrator: Supporting the management of theatres, festivals, cultural organisations and creative projects.

Important Things to Know Before Choosing Theatre and Film Studies in JAMB

Theatre and Film Studies is offered under different names across universities, so candidates need to check the exact programme before applying.

Keep these points in mind:

• Literature in English is important. It forms part of the general UTME combination and is also required or strongly considered by several universities.
• The programme title matters. Theatre and Film Studies, Theatre Arts, Performing Arts and Dramatic Arts may have similar content but different admission requirements.
• Direct Entry routes can vary. Some universities accept qualifications such as NCE, ND, IJMB, JUPEB or relevant diplomas.
• Related qualifications may be accepted. Theatre Arts, Drama, Mass Communication, Music and other Arts qualifications may be recognised by some institutions.
• O’Level requirements are not identical everywhere. Some universities may insist on specific Arts subjects, while others accept a broader combination.
• Practical and creative skills are important. Theatre and Film Studies involves more than classroom study, with strong emphasis on performance, production and creative work.

Candidates should therefore confirm the exact UTME subjects, O’Level credits and Direct Entry conditions for the specific Theatre or Film programme offered by their chosen university.

FAQ About JAMB Subject Combination for Theatre and Film Studies 2027/2028

Conclusion

Theatre and Film Studies is a creative programme that brings together performance, storytelling, stage production and screen-based work.

For UTME, the general subject combination is English Language, Literature in English and two other relevant subjects. At O’Level, candidates generally need five credit passes including English Language and relevant Arts subjects, while Direct Entry applicants may qualify through A’Level, NCE, ND, IJMB, JUPEB or other accepted related qualifications.

One important point is that universities may offer the course under different names such as Theatre Arts, Dramatic Arts, Performing Arts, Theatre and Media Arts, Film Arts or Film Production. These programmes are related, but their admission conditions may not be exactly the same.

Candidates should therefore confirm the exact course title offered by their preferred university and match their UTME, O’Level and Direct Entry qualifications to that specific programme.

Getting the subject combination right from the beginning can help you avoid applying for a Theatre or Film programme whose admission requirements do not match your qualifications.