If you have a keen interest in political science and international relations and plan to pursue a degree in this field, it is essential to be aware of the requirements and vital information.
Admission Requirements for Political Science and International Relations in Nigerian Universities
This blog post will provide you with all the necessary details, including the subject combinations for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC), direct entry requirements, and special considerations.
By meeting these prerequisites, you can proceed with your UTME/Direct Entry registration and increase your chances of securing admission into your preferred university.
WAEC Subjects for Political Science and International Relations
To qualify to study Political Science and International Relations at any Nigerian university, you must obtain five O’level credit passes in the required SSCE subjects. These subjects include the following:
- Use of English Language.
- Mathematics.
- Government or History.
- Any other two subjects from Arts/Social Sciences.
Special Considerations and Waivers
Certain universities may have specific requirements or waivers for Political Science and International Relations. Here are a few examples:
i. UNIOSUN requires five ‘O’ level credit passes obtained in not more than one sitting, including English Language, Mathematics, Government, and any other two subjects.
ii. CRAWFORD accepts five ‘O’ level credit passes, including Use of English Language, Government, at least a pass in Mathematics, and three other subjects.
iii. GO requires five SSCE credit passes in not more than two sittings, including Use of English Language, Government, Mathematics, and Economics.
JAMB Subject Combination for Political Science and International Relations
Apart from meeting the subject requirements, you need to be familiar with the JAMB subject combination for Political Science and International Relations. The JAMB cutoff mark for this course is 180 for universities. However, it is advisable to aim for 200 and above to increase your chances of admission on merit. The JAMB subject combination is as follows:
- Government/History
- Use of English Language.
- One other Social Sciences or Arts subject.
Special Considerations and Waivers
Different universities may have specific subject combinations or waivers for Political Science and International Relations. Here are a few examples:
i. NTNU accepts History/Government/Civic Education and any two Social Sciences or Arts subjects.
ii. UNIABUJA requires Government and any two Social Sciences or Arts subjects.
iii. CRAWFORD requires Use of English Language, Government, Mathematics, and any Social Science subject or History.
Direct Entry Requirements for Political Science and International Relations
If you plan to gain admission through Direct Entry, you must fulfill the following requirements:
- Two ‘A’ level passes in Government and one other Social Science subject.
Special Considerations and Waivers
Universities may have specific waivers or considerations for Direct Entry into Political Science and International Relations. Here are a few examples:
i. CRAWFORD accepts HND/ND in relevant subjects with a minimum of Lower Credit or NCE with at least Merit level. They also consider two ‘A’ level passes in Government and any other Social Science subject.
ii. UNIOSUN requires a second ‘A’ level pass in English Language, History, Mathematics, or Literature in English, in addition to UTME requirements.
iii. UNIABUJA requires two ‘A level’ credit passes in Social Science or Arts subjects. Alternatively, they accept ND (upper credit) in social works and other relevant disciplines, along with the ‘O’ level requirements or NCE (with a minimum of 10 points).
iv. NTNU requires any two A’ level passes in Social Science or Arts subjects, NCE (merit) in relevant fields, or ND/HND (lower credit).
Universities in Nigeria Offering Political Science and International Relations
Several universities in Nigeria offer Political Science and International Relations as a course of study. Some of these institutions include:
- University of Abuja, Gwagwalada
- Crawford University Igbesa
- CUAB (Crescent University)
- Godfrey Okoye University, Ugwuomu-Nike
- TSUJ (Taraba State University, Jalingo)
- UNIOSUN (Osun State University Osogbo)
- Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja
- KWARARAFA UNIVERSITY, WUKARI, TARABA STATE
- MADONNA UNIVERSITY, ELELE, RIVERS STATE
FAQs on WAEC & JAMB Subjects for Political Science and International Relations
What are the required WAEC subjects for Political Science and International Relations?
To study Political Science and International Relations, you must have at least five credit passes in your WAEC (or equivalent) results. The required subjects are:
- English Language (Compulsory)
- Mathematics (Compulsory)
- Government or History (Compulsory)
- Two other relevant subjects like Economics, Geography, or a language (e.g., French).
What are the JAMB subject combinations for Political Science and International Relations?
For JAMB, candidates aspiring to study Political Science and International Relations need to choose four subjects:
- English Language (Compulsory)
- Government or History (Compulsory)
- Two other subjects from Economics, Geography, or Literature in English.
Is Mathematics required in WAEC and JAMB for Political Science and International Relations?
Yes, Mathematics is required in WAEC for Political Science and International Relations. However, in JAMB, Mathematics is not compulsory. You should focus on subjects like Government, English, and other relevant arts or social science subjects.
Conclusion
Studying Political Science and International Relations in Nigeria requires fulfilling specific requirements and subject combinations.
By carefully considering these prerequisites and aiming for higher scores, you can increase your chances of gaining admission into reputable universities.
Remember to check the specific requirements of each university you are interested in to ensure a successful application process. Good luck with your academic journey!
