Candidates preparing to study Mass Communication in a Nigerian university often search for the exact 9 WAEC subjects for mass communication because WAEC allows a maximum of nine subjects per sitting, and the specific combination chosen affects both the compulsory admission credits and the overall strength of the candidate’s result. This article sets out the full nine-subject combination recommended for a Mass Communication aspirant for the 2026/2027 admission cycle, explains which subjects are compulsory, which are strongly recommended, and how the combination lines up with the JAMB UTME requirement.
Understanding the Nine-Subject Limit
WAEC requires every candidate to register for a minimum of eight subjects and allows a maximum of nine at WASSCE. The 9 WAEC subjects for mass communication represent this maximum allowance, giving the candidate one additional subject beyond the minimum requirement, which strengthens the overall result and provides a backup credit if one subject underperforms. Registering below eight leaves a candidate’s result incomplete for most university documentation purposes, while a full nine-subject registration is common practice among candidates targeting competitive communication and media-related courses.
The Compulsory Subjects Within the Combination
Out of the nine subjects, three form the core that every Mass Communication applicant is expected to present with a credit pass:
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Literature in English
These three subjects anchor the 9 WAEC subjects for mass communication. English Language is compulsory across every course offered in Nigerian tertiary institutions, and it carries particular weight for Mass Communication because the course is built entirely around written and spoken communication skills. Mathematics, while not treated as strictly as English Language at every institution, is required by a large number of universities as part of their general admission policy, and candidates are advised to secure a credit in it regardless of whether their specific target university insists on it, since this keeps a wider range of institutions open. Literature in English is the subject most directly tied to the discipline itself, since it develops the interpretive, analytical, and narrative skills that feed into journalism, broadcasting, public relations, and media writing, which is why most departments treat it as effectively compulsory even when it is not listed as a strict national requirement.
The Additional Two Required Credits
Beyond the three-subject core, a Mass Communication applicant needs two more credits to complete the minimum five-credit requirement, drawn from a defined list of arts and social science subjects. These two additional subjects, selected from within the 9 WAEC subjects for mass communication, typically come from:
- Government
- History
- Economics
- Christian Religious Studies (CRS) or Islamic Religious Studies (IRS)
- Commerce
- Civic Education
Government and History are the most commonly required among these, since many university departments specifically ask for one of the two alongside Literature in English. Economics and Commerce are frequently accepted as alternatives, particularly at universities that structure Mass Communication under a Faculty of Management Sciences rather than a Faculty of Arts or Social Sciences. CRS or IRS, along with Civic Education, typically serve as acceptable substitutes at institutions that apply a more flexible arts and social science rule rather than naming specific subjects.
The Remaining Four Elective Subjects
To reach the full nine-subject registration, a candidate fills the remaining four slots with subjects that either support communication-related coursework or reflect the candidate’s general academic strengths. Common additions include Geography, Biology, Agricultural Science, Further Mathematics, and a Nigerian language such as Yoruba, Igbo, or Hausa. None of these four subjects are compulsory, and their role within the 9 WAEC subjects for mass communication combination is mainly to round out the overall result and give the candidate flexibility during university screening, since some institutions look at the broader subject spread on a result in addition to the five core credits.
Full Nine-Subject Combination Example
| Subject Type | Subject | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | English Language | Required |
| Compulsory | Mathematics | Required |
| Compulsory | Literature in English | Required |
| Required (choose 2) | Government | Recommended |
| Required (choose 2) | Economics | Recommended |
| Elective | History | Optional |
| Elective | CRS or IRS | Optional |
| Elective | Civic Education | Optional |
| Elective | Geography | Optional |
This table reflects a common arrangement of the 9 WAEC subjects for mass communication, with Government and Economics filling the two additional required slots and the last four subjects varying based on what a candidate’s school offers and which university the candidate is targeting.
Grade Requirement
A credit pass, meaning a grade from A1 to C6 on the WAEC grading scale, is required in at least five subjects, and these five must include English Language and four other relevant subjects, with Literature in English and one of Government or History strongly expected among them. A grade of D7, E8, or F9 does not satisfy the requirement, so a candidate with a D7 in English Language or Literature in English has not met the minimum standard for Mass Communication admission, regardless of strong performance elsewhere.
| Grade | Meets Credit Requirement? |
|---|---|
| A1 – C6 | Yes |
| D7 | No |
| E8 | No |
| F9 | No |
The Two-Sitting Rule
WAEC and JAMB allow a candidate to combine results from a maximum of two examination sittings when completing the five required credits within the 9 WAEC subjects for mass communication. A candidate may therefore use one WASSCE result together with one WAEC GCE result to make up a missing subject, but combining results from three or more sittings is not accepted during admission screening. A candidate who falls short of a credit in English Language or Literature in English commonly registers for that single subject through the WAEC GCE, which runs in November and December, to complete the requirement within the allowed two sittings before Post-UTME screening begins.
JAMB UTME Subject Combination for Mass Communication
The WAEC subject combination works alongside the JAMB UTME requirement during university admission. For Mass Communication, JAMB typically requires:
- English Language
- Literature in English
- Government or History
- One other relevant Arts or Social Science subject, such as Economics, CRS/IRS, or Commerce
This four-subject JAMB combination draws directly from the compulsory core and the additional required credits within the 9 WAEC subjects for mass communication, which is why candidates are advised to secure strong credits in English Language and Literature in English early, since these two subjects appear in nearly every accepted combination regardless of which university a candidate applies to.
How the Requirement Differs Between Universities
English Language and Literature in English remain fairly consistent requirements across Nigerian universities offering Mass Communication, since these two subjects reflect the communication-centred foundation of the course. What differs between institutions is which of the remaining subjects they accept for the fourth JAMB subject and the two additional WAEC credits. Some universities specifically require Government or History and will not accept a substitute, while others apply a broader rule that accepts any other relevant Arts or Social Science subject. A number of universities, particularly those where Mass Communication sits within a Faculty of Management Sciences, accept Economics or Commerce more readily than Government or History. Because this variation is common, candidates should confirm the exact accepted combination on their target university’s admission page rather than assuming every institution applies the same rule.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A frequent mistake among Mass Communication aspirants is treating Literature in English as optional, based on the assumption that only English Language is strictly required. In practice, most departments expect a strong credit in Literature in English, and its absence can disqualify an otherwise complete result even where the university’s published policy appears flexible. Another common error is registering for JAMB UTME with a combination built around subjects the candidate assumes are acceptable without first confirming the target university’s specific requirement, since Government, History, Economics, and Commerce are not always interchangeable across every institution.
Candidates also sometimes overlook the two-sitting rule and attempt to combine results from three separate WAEC sittings, which universities reject during document screening even when each individual subject shows a credit pass. Delaying a WAEC GCE re-sit for a missing subject until close to the Post-UTME screening period is another avoidable error, since the GCE only holds once a year and a late correction can push an otherwise qualified candidate’s admission into the following academic session.
Summary
The 9 WAEC subjects for mass communication combination gives a candidate the maximum flexibility WAEC allows, structured around three subjects that function as the practical core, English Language, Mathematics, and Literature in English, two additional required credits chosen from Government, History, Economics, CRS/IRS, or Commerce, and four elective subjects that round out the overall result. Securing strong credits in English Language and Literature in English, confirming the target university’s accepted combination for the remaining required subjects, and staying within the two-sitting rule are the three factors that most directly determine whether a candidate’s WAEC result qualifies them for Mass Communication admission in the 2026/2027 academic session.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 9 WAEC subjects for mass communication?
The 9 WAEC subjects for mass communication typically include English Language, Mathematics, and Literature in English as the core, Government and Economics (or History, CRS/IRS, and Commerce) as two additional required credits, and four elective subjects such as Geography, Civic Education, or a Nigerian language.
Is Mathematics compulsory for Mass Communication admission?
Not at every institution, but it is strongly recommended. Several universities require it, and having a credit in Mathematics keeps a wider range of admission options open.
Is Literature in English compulsory for Mass Communication?
Yes, in practice. Although not always listed as a strict national requirement, most departments expect a credit in Literature in English because it underpins the writing and analytical skills central to the course.
Can a candidate combine WAEC results from three different sittings?
No. WAEC and JAMB allow a maximum of two sittings when completing the required credits within the 9 WAEC subjects for mass communication.
Does registering for all nine subjects improve admission chances?
Not by itself. Admission depends on strong credits in English Language, Literature in English, and the other required subjects, rather than the total number of subjects registered.