Courses for Arts Students in Nigeria

Arts students in Nigeria — those with O’Level credits in English, Literature-in-English, Government, CRS or IRS, History, and other Arts subjects — can study law, languages, history, theatre, media, religion, philosophy, and related humanities courses, plus several Social Science courses where they meet the subject requirements. The list below groups the main options by field, with the UTME subjects each typically requires. Check the JAMB brochure for your course and institution for the session, because subject requirements vary by institution.

“Arts student” is a secondary-school stream, not a university admission category. What matters for admission is your specific O’Level credits and your UTME subjects — an Arts student without Literature-in-English, for example, cannot study English or law at most institutions, however strong their other subjects are.

Law and legal studies

• Law (LLB) — English, Literature-in-English, and two other Arts or Social Science subjects. 5 years + Law School.
• Islamic Law / Common Law combinations — as the brochure states for the institution (with CRS/IRS or Arabic requirements where applicable).

Languages and literature

• English Language, English and Literary Studies — English, Literature-in-English, and two other Arts subjects. 4 years.
• Linguistics, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic Studies — English, the relevant language (where required), and two other Arts subjects. 4 years.
• Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa (Nigerian languages) — English, the relevant Nigerian language, and two other Arts subjects. 4 years.

History, philosophy, and religion

• History and International Studies, History — English, History or Government, and two other Arts or Social Science subjects. 4 years.
• Philosophy — English, and three Arts or Social Science subjects (as the brochure states). 4 years.
• Religious Studies, Christian Religious Studies, Islamic Studies — English, CRS or IRS, and two other Arts subjects. 4 years.

Media, theatre, and creative arts

• Mass Communication — English, Literature-in-English, and two other Arts or Social Science subjects. 4 years + SIWES.
• Theatre Arts, Performing Arts, Drama — English, Literature-in-English, and two other Arts subjects (plus audition or portfolio where the institution requires it). 4 years.
• Fine and Applied Arts, Music — English, Fine Art or Music (where required), and two other Arts subjects (plus portfolio or audition where required). 4 years.
• Film Production, Media Studies — as the brochure states for the institution (newer programmes vary in requirements).

Social sciences open to Arts students

• Political Science — English, Government, and two other Social Science or Arts subjects. 4 years.
• Sociology, Anthropology — English, Government or History, and two other Social Science or Arts subjects. 4 years.
• Psychology — English, Biology (where required), and two other subjects (as the brochure states — some institutions require Biology, which narrows Arts access; check per institution).
• Geography — English, Geography, and two other subjects (as the brochure states).

How to choose from this list

1. Start from your O’Level credits, not from prestige. A course whose O’Level and UTME requirements you do not meet is not an option, however attractive it sounds.
2. Check the brochure for your course and institution, for the session. Subject requirements vary by institution — the combinations above are typical, not universal.
3. Weigh the with-subject guides if you hold a specific Arts subject: courses with Literature-in-English, with Government, with Economics, and with CRS or IRS are covered in their own guides.
4. Consider employability honestly. Arts and humanities careers (law, media, education, public service, creative industries, academia) reward portfolios, writing, and internships as much as degrees — build those from first year, not final year.

Related Guides & Next Steps

• Admission Requirements for Nigerian Universities
• How to Choose a University in Nigeria
• How University Admission Works in Nigeria
• Best Universities to Study Medicine in Nigeria
• Courses for Commercial Students in Nigeria

Frequently asked questions

What courses can Arts students study in Nigeria? Law, languages and literature, history, philosophy, religion, media, theatre, creative arts, and several Social Science courses — grouped above by field.

Can an Arts student study a Commercial or Science course? Yes, where you meet that course’s O’Level and UTME requirements. An Arts student with Mathematics and Economics can study accounting or economics, for example — but check the brochure, because Science courses generally require Science subjects you may not hold.

What if I am an Arts student without Literature-in-English? Your options narrow sharply for law, English, mass communication, and theatre arts at most institutions. See the with-subject guides for the courses that remain open, and consider retaking Literature-in-English if your target course requires it.

Which Arts course has the best job prospects? No course guarantees employment. Law, mass communication, and languages currently show the broadest formal-sector demand among Arts courses, as reported — but prospects depend on portfolios, internships, and professional routes (Law School for law, media output for mass communication), not on the course name alone.

How do I choose between similar Arts courses? By the career you want, the professional route (licensed vs unlicensed), and the faculty and facilities of the specific programme — not by which course sounds most prestigious. Check accreditation before deciding.

Sources and last update

• Course groupings and typical UTME combinations from JAMB brochure patterns and the cluster’s course guides, with per-institution brochure confirmation directed throughout.
• Durations and professional routes from the respective course guides (Batches 13–15), 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.