So you want to study Medicine and Surgery in 2026? First of all—respect. 🫡 That’s one of the most competitive courses in Nigeria, and before you even think of cut-off marks or post-UTME, there’s a gate you must pass through cleanly: your JAMB subject combination.
Mess this part up and your 300+ score won’t save you. Let’s break it down properly—no rushing, no shortcuts.
Why JAMB Subject Combination Matters (A Lot)
Medicine and Surgery isn’t just another course on the list. Universities treat it like VIP admission. That means:
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Zero tolerance for wrong subjects
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Little to no flexibility
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Strict alignment with the JAMB brochure
Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board uses subject combinations as a filter. If your subjects don’t match, the system can automatically screen you out—even before a human sees your name.
So before we list anything, let’s understand the logic behind the subjects.
What Medicine and Surgery Really Demands Academically
Medicine is built on understanding:
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how the human body works (biology),
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how drugs and chemicals interact with the body (chemistry),
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and the physical principles behind medical equipment, blood flow, pressure, optics, etc. (physics).
That’s why the required subjects are science-heavy and very specific.
No vibes. Just facts.
The Core Subjects (Non-Negotiable)
For Medicine and Surgery, JAMB requires 4 subjects total.
One of them is compulsory for everyone, and three are core medical sciences.
✅ Compulsory Subject
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Use of English
This is mandatory for all JAMB candidates, regardless of course. No debate here.
🧬 Core Medical Science Subjects (Always Required)
These three are the backbone. They are not optional.
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Biology
This is the soul of Medicine. Human anatomy, physiology, genetics—you can’t escape Biology. -
Chemistry
Think drugs, reactions, metabolism, pharmacology. Medicine without Chemistry is impossible. -
Physics
This supports medical imaging, blood pressure, respiration mechanics, electricity in the body, and medical instruments.
📌 These three subjects are the core subjects for Medicine and Surgery. They must always be present.
“But Are There Optional Subjects?” Let’s Be Honest 👀
This is where a lot of candidates get confused, so let’s be very clear.
🔴 For Medicine and Surgery:
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There are NO true optional substitutes for the core subjects.
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You cannot replace Biology, Chemistry, or Physics with:
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Mathematics ❌
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Agricultural Science ❌
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Further Mathematics ❌
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Health Science ❌
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Even if:
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your friend’s cousin said it worked once,
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a CBT centre operator suggested it,
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or a random blog online listed alternatives.
Most universities will not accept any replacement for the core three.
So Why Do People Talk About “Options”?
Here’s the nuance 👇
The only choice involved is which four subjects you register, because JAMB only allows four.
For Medicine and Surgery:
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Use of English is fixed
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Biology, Chemistry, Physics are fixed
That already makes four subjects.
➡️ Meaning: you don’t get room to add another subject like Mathematics or Further Maths, even if you love them.
Final JAMB Subject Combination for Medicine and Surgery (2026)
After all the explanations, here it is—clean and final:
Use of English
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
That’s it.
No swaps. No replacements. No experiments.
Important Warnings (Don’t Skip This)
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A wrong subject combination can lead to automatic disqualification
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Some universities won’t even let you write Post-UTME if your subjects are wrong
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Always cross-check your course in the official JAMB brochure before submission
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CBT centres cannot override JAMB rules—don’t let them guess for you