If you’re planning to study Common and Islamic Law in 2026, this is one of those courses where subject combination really matters. You can’t “manage it” or guess your way through JAMB here. One wrong subject and your admission chances drop to zero, even with a high score.
So before we list the subjects, let’s slow down and break things down properly.
What is Common and Islamic Law really about?
Common and Islamic Law is a hybrid law programme. It blends:
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Common Law (the conventional legal system used in Nigeria)
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Islamic Law (Sharia), which is faith-based and jurisprudential
Because of this mix, universities expect candidates to be strong in:
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Language and comprehension
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Argument, logic, and interpretation
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Government, law, religion, and social systems
That expectation is exactly why JAMB is very specific about the subjects you must combine.
Why JAMB subject combination is strict for this course
Unlike some courses where universities are flexible, law-related courses are tightly regulated. JAMB uses subject combinations to filter candidates early, so they don’t even reach the admission stage if they’re not academically aligned.
For Common and Islamic Law:
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Certain subjects are non-negotiable
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Others are optional, but only within a defined list
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You must still register four subjects in total
Now let’s get into the actual combination.
Core JAMB Subjects for Common and Islamic Law (2026)
These subjects are mandatory. Every serious candidate must have them.
1. Use of English (Compulsory)
This is compulsory for all JAMB candidates, but for law students, it’s even more important. Law is reading, writing, arguing, and interpreting texts. English is non-negotiable.
2. Government
Government is the backbone of law-related courses. It covers:
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Constitutions
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Political systems
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Legal frameworks
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Authority and governance
Most universities will not consider you for Common and Islamic Law without Government.
3. Islamic Religious Studies (IRS)
This subject represents the Islamic Law component of the course. It shows you already have foundational knowledge of:
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Sharia principles
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Islamic jurisprudence
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Moral and legal teachings in Islam
For a course that explicitly includes Islamic Law, IRS is treated as a core subject, not just an option.
So at this point, your fixed core subjects are:
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Use of English
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Government
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Islamic Religious Studies (IRS)
That’s three subjects locked in.
Optional Subjects (Choose ONE)
JAMB requires four subjects total, so you need one more subject. This is where candidates get confused.
You are not free to choose “anything you like”. You must pick one subject from the approved options below, depending on what your chosen university accepts.
Accepted Optional Subjects
You can choose any one of the following:
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Literature in English
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Economics
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History
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Christian Religious Studies (in some institutions)
Why these subjects are accepted
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Literature in English strengthens comprehension, argument, and interpretation skills
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Economics supports understanding of society, policy, and governance
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History builds analytical thinking and legal context
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CRS is accepted by some universities due to overlap in moral and legal studies
However, Literature in English is the safest option overall, especially for competitive universities.
Final JAMB Subject Combination Summary (2026)
Core Subjects (must be included):
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Use of English
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Government
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Islamic Religious Studies (IRS)
Optional Subjects (choose ONE):
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Literature in English
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Economics
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History
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Christian Religious Studies (depending on institution)
That gives you the required four JAMB subjects.
Important warnings candidates should not ignore
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Do not replace IRS with CRS unless your university explicitly allows it
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Do not choose science subjects for this course
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Do not assume “any art subject” will work
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Always confirm with the JAMB brochure for your chosen institution
Many candidates score high in JAMB every year but lose admission simply because of a wrong subject combination. Don’t be one of them.
Smart tip for 2026 candidates
If you’re still deciding between Law and Common and Islamic Law, choose subjects that keep both options open:
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Use of English
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Government
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Literature in English
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Islamic Religious Studies
This gives you flexibility during admission processing.