The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has published the entry requirements for its Department of Linguistics & African Language, covering the O’Level credits, the JAMB UTME combination, Direct Entry and the JAMB score needed for screening.
For a department built around African languages, no African language is named at O’Level or in the UTME. English Language is the only specified credit, and the UTME turns to religious studies, Government and Literature.
A language appears only in the Direct Entry condition, and even there it is a preference rather than a rule. Two A Level passes or an NCE must include any language, preferably an African one.
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About the University of Benin
The University of Benin is a federal government-owned university funded and managed by the federal government of Nigeria. The university was founded in 1970. University of Benin (UNIBEN) is a research university located in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
The university is one of the oldest in Nigeria and has a large student and staff population, resulting in a student-staff ratio of about 10:1.
The University has a diverse student population with students from different parts of the country and age brackets. The University of Benin courses cut across various levels in agriculture, science, etc.
University of Benin admission is extremely competitive as many candidates apply for admission into the university annually. University of Benin’s school fees are also very affordable, and it provides its students with facilities and infrastructure. They have good hostels, roads, electricity, etc.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has accredited faculties and departments in the university.
Entry Requirements
O’Level Subject Combination
The O’level subject combination and requirements needed to study Linguistics & African Language include the following:
Five (5) SSCE credit passes, including English Language.
Four of the five credits are unspecified, which makes this one of the most open O’Level requirements at UNIBEN. Candidates from any stream can satisfy it as written.
JAMB UTME Subject Combination
Candidates will write the following Four (4) Subjects in JAMB
- English
- IRS/CRS
- Government
- Literature in English
The UTME is fixed where the O’Level list is open, naming all four subjects with no alternatives. Islamic or Christian Religious Studies share the second slot, so either one serves.
Since three of those four are not required at O’Level, it is worth carrying Government, Literature in English and a religious studies subject through secondary school anyway.
Direct Entry Requirement
You need to fulfil these conditions to gain Direct Entry admission to study Linguistics and African Languages if you don’t intend to use UTME. You require:
- Two (2) A Level passes or NCE to include any Language, preferably an African Language.
JAMB Score
All candidates interested in getting admitted into UNIBEN for the 2026/2027 session should know that to be eligible for the screening, you must have scored 200 or above in your JAMB result.
No African Language Is Required Before Direct Entry at UNIBEN Linguistics and African Language
Candidates often assume a language credit is the price of entry to this department. It is not, because neither the O’Level list nor the UTME combination names one.
What the UTME does require is Government, Literature in English and a religious studies subject beside English. Plan those three deliberately, since the O’Level list will not prompt you to take them.
Direct Entry is where a language finally matters, as an A Level or NCE subject with an African language preferred. A JAMB score of 200 or above applies before screening.