A Complete Guide for Candidates in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia & The Gambia

INTRODUCTION

Gaining admission into the university, polytechnic, or college of education in West Africa begins with one important academic requirement: passing your WAEC examinations. Whether you live in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, or The Gambia, the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) remains one of the most important academic qualifications for admission into higher institutions.Every year, thousands of students are denied admission—not because they did not get good entrance examination scores like JAMB, UTME, or university aptitude tests—but because their WAEC results did not meet the minimum admission requirements.To avoid this setback, WAEC 2026 candidates MUST understand:

• The mandatory WAEC subjects you must sit for
• The specific subjects you must pass
• The minimum acceptable grades
• The O’level requirements for your preferred course
• Differences in requirements between countries
• Special cases like professional courses, polytechnic admissions, schools of nursing, and military/paramilitary institutions

This 5000-word guide breaks down everything you MUST know about WAEC 2026 subjects required for admissions across the West African region.

CHAPTER ONE

Understanding WAEC and Its Role in University Admission**

What is WAEC?

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) conducts the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates and private candidates. This certificate is recognized across West Africa and internationally. The WAEC certificate is often the first and most important requirement for university admission.WAEC conducts:

• WASSCE for School Candidates (May/June)
• WASSCE for Private Candidates (Jan/Feb & Nov/Dec)

Why WAEC Is Important for Admission

Every higher institution—public or private—uses WAEC results to determine:

1. If the applicant meets the minimum entry requirements
2. Eligibility for a specific course or department
3. Eligibility to sit for entrance exams like JAMB, university aptitude tests, or direct interviews
4. Merit ranking for competitive courses

In most institutions across West Africa, failing certain crucial WAEC subjects means:

• You will NOT be considered for admission, even if you score high in other exams.

General Subjects Required Across West Africa

All students must register for a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 9 subjects, depending on the country. However, across all West African nations, certain subjects are non-negotiable.These include:

1. English Language
2. Mathematics
3. At least one science subject or arts relevant subject
4. Subjects specific to your intended course

CHAPTER TWO 

Core Subjects You MUST Pass to Gain Admission (General Requirements) Regardless of the country or course, some WAEC subjects are compulsory for admission into almost all higher institutions.

1. English Language (Mandatory in All Countries)

English Language is compulsory because:

• It is the official language across West Africa
• It is the medium of instruction in schools
• Every admission board uses it as a minimum requirement

Failing English Language automatically disqualifies you from 90% of university courses.Minimum required grades:

• Nigeria: Credit (C6 and above)
• Ghana: C6 or better
• Sierra Leone: Credit
• Liberia: Credit
• The Gambia: Credit

2. Mathematics (Compulsory for Most Courses)

Mathematics is essential for most disciplines, even some arts and social science courses.You MUST pass Mathematics for admission into:

• Engineering
• Sciences
• Social sciences
• Management sciences
• Computer-related courses
• Education (Mathematics, Business Education, etc.)

Failing Mathematics does not automatically disqualify you from all courses, but it does prevent admission into at least 70% of university programmes.Courses that may accept D7/E8/F9 in Mathematics (country-dependent):

• Law
• Mass Communication
• English
• History
• Theatre Arts
• Linguistics

However, Nigerian universities are stricter: Most of these courses still require at least C6.

3. At Least Three Core Subjects Relevant to Your Course

Every course of study has specific WAEC subject requirements. Missing even one relevant subject can cost you admission.Below is a general grouping shared across West African institutions.

CHAPTER THREE

Course-by-Course Breakdown of WAEC Subjects You MUST Pass**This is the most important section of this guide.

Here, you will find:

• Compulsory subjects
• Optional subjects
• Subjects that guarantee admission
• Minimum grades required

Let’s break them down by category.

A. MEDICAL & HEALTH SCIENCES COURSES

Courses include:

• Medicine & Surgery
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Medical Laboratory Science
• Dentistry
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Public Health
• Biomedical Science

Compulsory WAEC Subjects

1. English Language
2. Mathematics
3. Biology
4. Chemistry
5. Physics

Optional but useful

• Further Mathematics
• Health Science

Important Notes for Admission

• You MUST have at least C6 in all five subjects.
• No country in West Africa accepts D7 or E8 for medical courses.
• Private universities still maintain strict standards for medical courses.
• For Nursing in Nigeria, some schools accept C6 in Physics, but most still require credits in all core subjects.

B. ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY COURSES

Courses include:

• Civil Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Agricultural Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering
• Mechatronics/Robotics

Compulsory WAEC Subjects

1. English
2. Mathematics
3. Physics
4. Chemistry

Optional but recommended

• Further Mathematics
• Technical Drawing
• Geography

Admission Notes

• A credit in Mathematics and Physics is non-negotiable.
• Further Mathematics increases your competitiveness.
• No West African university accepts D7 or E8 in Physics or Mathematics for engineering.

C. SCIENCE & PURE SCIENCE COURSES

Courses include:

• Biology
• Microbiology
• Biochemistry
• Industrial Chemistry
• Physics
• Geology
• Environmental Science
• Marine Science

Compulsory Subjects

• English
• Mathematics
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics

Optional Subjects

• Geography
• Agricultural Science

D. SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSES

Courses include:

• Economics
• Accounting
• Banking and Finance
• Business Administration
• Political Science
• Sociology
• Psychology
• Criminology
• Demography & Social Statistics

Compulsory Subjects

1. English
2. Mathematics
3. Economics

Any two of the following:

• Government
• Commerce
• Geography
• Accounting
• Civic Education

E. ARTS & HUMANITIES

Courses include:

• Law
• Mass Communication
• English
• Theatre Arts
• Music
• History & International Studies
• Linguistics
• Philosophy
• Religious Studies

Compulsory Subjects

• English Language
• Literature in English (for Law, Mass Communication, English, Theatre Arts)
• Government or History

Any other two relevant arts subjects

F. MANAGEMENT & BUSINESS COURSES

Courses include:

• Business Administration
• Marketing
• Insurance
• Human Resource Management
• Public Administration
• Hospitality & Tourism
• Transportation Management

Compulsory Subjects

• English
• Mathematics
• Economics

Other acceptable subjects

• Government
• Commerce
• Accounting
• Geography

G. AGRICULTURAL COURSES

Courses include:

• Agriculture
• Forestry
• Fisheries
• Animal Science
• Crop Science
• Agricultural Extension

Required Subjects

• English
• Mathematics
• Biology/Agricultural Science
• Chemistry

H. EDUCATION COURSES

Education programmes include:

• Biology Education
• English Education
• Mathematics Education
• Business Education
• Early Childhood Education

Compulsory Subjects

• English Language
• Mathematics
• Three subjects relevant to the teaching specialization

CHAPTER FOUR

Country-by-Country WAEC Requirements for Admission**WAEC results are recognized across several West African countries, but each nation has its own admission rules.

1. NIGERIA

Minimum O’level requirement:

• Five (5) credits in relevant subjects
• Must be obtained in no more than two sittings
• Must include English and Mathematics
• JAMB UTME is compulsory

Some competitive universities accept one sitting only for Medicine, Law, Engineering.

2. GHANA

Requirements differ slightly:

• Six (6) passesincluding
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Integrated Science
  • Social Studies
• Plus 3 relevant electives
• Grades must be A1 – C6
• WASSCE results are used with the Ghana Tertiary Institutions Admission System (TIAS) scoring system

3. SIERRA LEONE

Minimum requirements:

• Five credits including
  • English
  • Mathematics
• Admission largely dependent on institutional policies

Some programmes accept D in non-core subjects.

4. LIBERIA

Requirements:

• Five credits
• English is compulsory
• Mathematics required for science and business courses
• Entrance exams may also apply

5. THE GAMBIA

Requirements include:

• At least five credits (C6 or better)
• Mandatory credit in English
• Mathematics may be waived for certain arts courses

CHAPTER FIVE

Grades Required for Admission (Explained)**WAEC grades:

• A1 – Excellent
• B2 – Very Good
• B3 – Good
• C4 – Credit
• C5 – Credit
• C6 – Credit
• D7 – Pass (Not acceptable for most courses)
• E8 – Pass
• F9 – Fail

Admission typically requires:

Credits in at least five subjects, including:

• English
• Mathematics
• Three course-relevant subjects

Most competitive courses require minimum of B2 – C4

Especially:

• Medicine
• Engineering
• Law
• Pharmacy
• Computer Science

CHAPTER SIX

Common WAEC Mistakes That Block Admission**Many candidates miss admission because of avoidable errors. The most common ones include:

1. Wrong Subject Combination

Choosing the wrong WAEC subjects automatically disqualifies you.

2. Failing English or Mathematics

Even a D7 in English ends many candidates’ admission hopes.

3. Depending on ARTS subjects for SCIENCE courses

For example: using Government instead of Chemistry.

4. Combining two WAEC results when the institution does NOT allow it

Some universities accept only one sitting for high-demand courses.

5. Missing core science subjects

You cannot study science courses without Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

CHAPTER SEVEN

WAEC 2026 Subject Checklist for Guaranteed Admission**Below is a universal checklist you must follow.

Compulsory for ALL students

• English Language
• Mathematics

Science Courses

• Chemistry
• Biology
• Physics

Engineering/Technology

• Mathematics
• Physics
• Chemistry

Social Sciences

• Economics
• Government
• Geography
• Commerce

Arts/Humanities

• Literature
• Government
• CRS/IRS
• History
• English

CHAPTER EIGHT

Frequently Asked Questions About WAEC 2026 Subjects**

1. Can I gain admission without Mathematics?

Yes, but only for SOME art courses. Most institutions still prefer credit in Mathematics.

2. Can I study Medicine without Physics?

No. It is compulsory in all West African countries.

3. Does WAEC 2026 accept two sittings?

WAEC does, but universities may not. Medicine, Dentistry, and Nursing often require one sitting.

4. Can I study Law without Literature?

No. Literature is compulsory for Law in most universities.

5. Can I combine WAEC and NECO?

In Nigeria, most universities accept this. Other countries vary.

CONCLUSION

The WAEC examination is more than just a school-leaving exam—it is the foundation of your entire academic and career journey. Passing English, Mathematics, and the core subjects related to your course gives you the eligibility needed to compete for admission into top institutions across Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia.To secure admission in 2026:

• Choose the right subject combination
• Prepare strategically
• Aim for credits or distinctions
• Understand your chosen course requirements