JAMB Subject Combination for Pharmacy in 2026

If Pharmacy is on your vision board for 2026, first of all — solid choice 💊✨
But let’s be real: many students don’t miss Pharmacy because they’re not smart enough. They miss it because of wrong JAMB subject combinations. And that one hurts differently.

So before we rush into listing subjects, let’s slow down and really understand why Pharmacy has strict combinations, what Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board is looking for, and how universities think.

Arewacampus Contents

Why Pharmacy Subject Combination Is Strict (No Guesswork Here)

Pharmacy is not just about selling drugs in a shop. At the university level, it’s a deep science-based course that blends:

Chemistry (a LOT of it)
Biology (how drugs affect the body)
Physics (drug formulation, measurements, reactions)
Critical thinking and calculations

That’s why JAMB and universities don’t “manage” subject combinations for Pharmacy.
You either meet it 100%, or you’re out — even with a high score.

This is also why Pharmacy is grouped with courses like Medicine, Nursing, and Medical Laboratory Science in JAMB brochures.

Before Anything Else: The Core Subjects (Non-Negotiable)

Let’s get this very clear.

For Pharmacy, there are core subjects that MUST be present. No swapping. No alternatives.

✅ Core Subjects for Pharmacy (Compulsory)

These are the subjects every Pharmacy candidate must register, no matter the university:

Use of English (compulsory for all JAMB candidates)
Chemistry
Biology

If you don’t have these three, Pharmacy is already off the table — respectfully.

Now the Part That Confuses People: The 4th Subject Choice

JAMB requires 4 subjects total:

1 compulsory (Use of English)
3 others related to your course

For Pharmacy, after the core subjects above, the 4th subject is where options come in.

This is where JAMB gives candidates a choice, and where many people mess up.

Approved JAMB Subject Combination for Pharmacy (2026)

After all considerations, this is the official and safest structure 👇

✅ Recommended & Widely Accepted Combination

Use of English
Chemistry
Biology
Physics

This is the gold standard.
Almost all universities in Nigeria accept this combination for Pharmacy without issues.

Optional Subjects (Where JAMB Allows Flexibility)

In some institutions (not all), JAMB allows one alternative option for the 4th subject.

⚠️ Possible Alternative (School-Dependent)

Mathematics (in place of Physics)

So the combination may look like:

Use of English
Chemistry
Biology
Mathematics

👉 BUT here’s the catch (very important):

Not all universities accept Mathematics instead of Physics
Many federal and competitive universities still insist on Physics

That’s why Physics is always the safer and smarter choice.

Why Physics Is Strongly Preferred (Even When Optional)

Let’s be honest: Physics scares a lot of people 😅
But for Pharmacy:

Physics helps with drug formulation
It’s used in dosage calculations
It supports lab work and chemical reactions

Universities know this — that’s why Physics is treated as a soft core subject, even when not explicitly compulsory.

Common Mistakes Pharmacy Aspirants Make Every Year 🚫

Avoid these at all costs:

❌ Using Agricultural Science instead of Chemistry
❌ Using CRS/IRS (Pharmacy is not an arts course)
❌ Using Geography or Economics
❌ Assuming “any science subject” will work

JAMB will accept your registration, yes —
but the university will reject you later. Painful.

Final Summary (Save This in Your Notes)

✔ Best & Safest JAMB Subject Combination for Pharmacy 2026

Use of English
Chemistry
Biology
Physics

✔ Possible Alternative (Check School First)

Use of English
Chemistry
Biology
Mathematics

Pro Tip (Very Important)

Always confirm your chosen university’s requirements using:

JAMB Brochure
School admission guidelines

Because JAMB may allow something generally, but universities still have the final say.