Courses You Can Study With CRS or IRS

CRS (Christian Religious Studies) and IRS (Islamic Religious Studies) are Arts subjects for university admission in Nigeria: they open religious studies, theology, and several humanities and Social Science courses, and they are accepted as Arts subjects for law, mass communication, and related courses at many institutions. The list below groups the main options, with the UTME subjects each typically requires. Check the JAMB brochure for your course and institution for the session, because CRS/IRS requirements vary by institution — some courses require one of them, some accept either as an Arts subject, and some do not require either.

CRS and IRS are often treated as narrow religious subjects. They are not — for religious studies and theology, they are requirements, and for Arts courses generally, they are accepted Arts subjects that keep humanities options open.

Religious studies and theology (CRS or IRS required)

• Religious Studies (Christian or Islamic) — English, CRS or IRS, and two other Arts subjects (as the brochure states). 4 years. The relevant religious subject is a core requirement.
• Theology (where offered) — English, CRS or IRS, and two other Arts subjects (as the brochure states). 4 years.
• Islamic Studies — English, IRS, and two other Arts subjects (as the brochure states). 4 years.
• Christian Religious Studies (as a degree) — English, CRS, and two other Arts subjects (as the brochure states). 4 years.

History, philosophy, and humanities (CRS/IRS accepted)

• History and International Studies — English, History or Government, and two other Arts or Social Science subjects (CRS or IRS accepted as one of the Arts subjects at many institutions).
• Philosophy — English, and three Arts or Social Science subjects (CRS or IRS accepted at many institutions).
• English Language, Linguistics — English, Literature-in-English, and two other Arts subjects (CRS or IRS accepted as one of the Arts subjects at many institutions — Literature remains the core requirement).

Law, media, and Social Sciences (CRS/IRS accepted at many institutions)

• Law (LLB) — English, Literature-in-English, and two other Arts or Social Science subjects (CRS or IRS accepted as one of the Arts subjects at many institutions — Literature remains the core requirement). 5 years + Law School.
• Mass Communication — English, Literature-in-English, and two other Arts or Social Science subjects (CRS or IRS accepted at many institutions — Literature remains the core requirement).
• Political Science, Sociology — English, Government, and two other Social Science or Arts subjects (CRS or IRS accepted as one of the Arts subjects at many institutions).
• Public Administration — English, Mathematics, Economics or Government, and one other subject (CRS or IRS accepted as the fourth subject at some institutions — check the brochure).

What CRS/IRS do not open (on their own)

• Science courses — CRS/IRS do not substitute for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Mathematics, which Science courses require.
• Commercial courses (accounting, economics, banking and finance) — CRS/IRS do not substitute for Mathematics and Economics, which Commercial courses require.
• Engineering, medicine, pharmacy, nursing — CRS/IRS are not requirements or substitutes for any of these courses’ Science subjects.

Related Guides & Next Steps

• Admission Requirements for Nigerian Universities
• How to Choose a Course After JAMB
• How University Admission Works in Nigeria
• Best Universities to Study Medicine in Nigeria
• Courses Related to Technology in Nigeria

Frequently asked questions

Which courses require CRS or IRS? Religious studies, theology, Islamic studies, and Christian religious studies require the relevant religious subject at most institutions. History, philosophy, law, mass communication, and political science accept CRS or IRS as Arts subjects at many institutions.

Can I study religious studies without CRS or IRS? No, at most institutions — the relevant religious subject is a core UTME and O’Level requirement for religious studies and theology. Retaking the relevant subject is the route if religious studies is your goal.

Can I study law with CRS or IRS? Yes, at many institutions — CRS or IRS is accepted as one of the Arts subjects for law, alongside Literature-in-English (which remains the core requirement). Check the brochure for your target institution.

Is CRS the same as IRS for admission? No — they are different subjects, and institutions specify which one a course requires or accepts. A course requiring IRS does not accept CRS in its place, and vice versa, unless the brochure states otherwise. Check the brochure for your course and institution.

Should I offer CRS or IRS at UTME if I am unsure of my course? Yes, if you are leaning toward humanities — CRS or IRS keeps religious studies open and is accepted as an Arts subject for law, mass communication, history, philosophy, and political science at many institutions. If you are leaning toward Science or Commercial courses, CRS/IRS do not help, and your UTME subjects should match those fields instead.

Sources and last update

• Course groupings and CRS/IRS-requirement patterns from JAMB brochure patterns and the cluster’s course guides, with per-institution brochure confirmation directed throughout — CRS/IRS as requirement vs accepted subject, and CRS vs IRS interchangeability, are explicitly institution-dependent.
• Durations from the respective course guides (Batches 13–17), summarised here — the course guides govern where they differ in detail.

Last updated: 24 October 2026. Guide — review every 3–6 months and on every JAMB brochure update.