Literature-in-English is the key Arts subject for university admission in Nigeria: it opens law, mass communication, English, theatre arts, and related humanities courses, plus several Social Science courses where the institution accepts it. 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 Literature requirements vary by institution — some courses require Literature, some accept it as one of several Arts subjects, and some do not require it at all.
Literature-in-English is often treated as “just an Arts subject”. It is not — for law, English, and mass communication, it is a requirement, and lacking it closes those courses at most institutions regardless of other strengths.
Law and legal studies (Literature required)
- Law (LLB) — English, Literature-in-English, and two other Arts or Social Science subjects. 5 years + Law School. Literature is a core requirement at most institutions.
Languages and literature (Literature required or central)
- English Language, English and Literary Studies — English, Literature-in-English, and two other Arts subjects. 4 years.
- Linguistics — English, Literature-in-English (where required), and two other Arts subjects. 4 years.
- French, German, Spanish, Portuguese (where Literature is accepted) — English, the relevant language, and two other Arts subjects (Literature accepted as one of the Arts subjects at many institutions — check the brochure).
Media, theatre, and creative arts (Literature required or central)
- Mass Communication — English, Literature-in-English, and two other Arts or Social Science subjects. 4 years + SIWES. Literature is a core requirement at most institutions.
- Theatre Arts, Performing Arts, Drama — English, Literature-in-English, and two other Arts subjects (plus audition or portfolio where required). 4 years.
- Film Production, Media Studies (where offered) — as the brochure states (Literature often accepted — check per institution).
History, philosophy, and religion (Literature accepted)
- History and International Studies — English, History or Government, and two other Arts or Social Science subjects (Literature accepted as one of the Arts subjects at many institutions).
- Philosophy — English, and three Arts or Social Science subjects (Literature accepted at many institutions).
- Religious Studies — English, CRS or IRS, and two other Arts subjects (Literature accepted as one of the Arts subjects at many institutions).
Social sciences (Literature accepted at many institutions)
- Political Science — English, Government, and two other Social Science or Arts subjects (Literature accepted as one of the Arts subjects at many institutions).
- Sociology, Anthropology — English, Government or History, and two other subjects (Literature accepted at many institutions).
- Psychology (where Literature is accepted) — English and three subjects (as the brochure states — check per institution, as some Psychology programmes require Biology instead).
What Literature-in-English does not open (on its own)
- Science courses — Literature does not substitute for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Mathematics, which Science courses require.
- Commercial courses (accounting, economics, banking and finance) — Literature does not substitute for Mathematics and Economics, which Commercial courses require.
- Engineering, medicine, pharmacy, nursing — Literature is not a requirement or substitute 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 You Can Study With Government
Frequently asked questions
Which courses require Literature-in-English? Law, English, mass communication, and theatre arts require it at most institutions. History, philosophy, religious studies, political science, and sociology accept it as one of their Arts subjects at many institutions — check the brochure per institution.
Can I study law without Literature-in-English? No, at most institutions — Literature is a core UTME and O’Level requirement for law. Retaking Literature is the route if law is your goal.
Can I study mass communication without Literature-in-English? No, at most institutions — Literature is a core requirement for mass communication. Retaking Literature is the route if mass communication is your goal.
Is Literature-in-English useful for non-Arts courses? As a UTME subject, rarely — Science and Commercial courses require their own subjects, not Literature. As a skill (reading, analysis, writing), Literature training transfers broadly to law, media, public service, and academia — but the skill does not substitute for a brochure requirement.
Should I offer Literature-in-English at UTME if I am unsure of my course? Yes, if you are leaning toward Arts or humanities — Literature keeps law, English, mass communication, and theatre arts open, and is accepted for many Social Science courses. If you are leaning toward Science or Commercial courses, Literature does not help, and your UTME subjects should match those fields instead.
Sources and last update
- Course groupings and Literature-requirement patterns from JAMB brochure patterns and the cluster’s course guides, with per-institution brochure confirmation directed throughout — Literature as requirement vs accepted subject is explicitly institution-dependent.
- Durations and professional routes from the respective course guides (Batches 13–16), 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.