Top 10 Courses You Can Study with D7 or E8 in Mathematics in WAEC

Getting a D7 or E8 (Pass grade) in Mathematics in your West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or NECO Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) often feels like a dead end for many Nigerian students. Standard admission guidelines set by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) require candidates to possess a minimum of 5 credit passes (including English Language and Mathematics) in not more than two sittings.

However, having a D7 or E8 in Mathematics does NOT mean your university admission dreams are over.

Numerous tertiary institutions across Nigeria—including top Federal, State, and Private Universities—offer degree programs that accept an ordinary Pass (D7 or E8) in Mathematics, provided you have credit passes in English Language and your other core subject combinations.

Standard O’Level Grading System Explained

To understand how admission officers evaluate your secondary school results, let’s look at the breakdown of the official WAEC/NECO grading scale:

Grade	Letter Classification	Interpretation	Admission Status
A1	Excellent	Credit Pass	Accepted
B2 – B3	Very Good	Credit Pass	Accepted
C4 – C6	Credit	Credit Pass	Accepted
D7 – E8	Pass	Non-Credit Pass	Accepted for Select Courses
F9	Fail	Total Failure	Not Accepted

While engineering, medical, and most pure science courses strictly demand a minimum of C6 in Mathematics, many humanities, arts, and selected social science programs consider Mathematics non-essential to your field of study.

Top 10 University Courses That Accept D7 or E8 in Mathematics

Here are the top 10 market-relevant degree courses in Nigerian universities that accept candidates with a D7 or E8 in O’Level Mathematics.

1. Mass Communication & Media Studies

Mass Communication focuses on journalism, public relations, broadcasting, advertising, and digital media publishing. Because the discipline relies heavily on communication, writing, and analytical reasoning rather than quantitative calculation, dozens of top Nigerian universities accept candidates with an ordinary pass in Mathematics.

O’Level Requirements: 5 Credit passes including English Language, Literature in English, Government, and any other two Arts/Social Science subjects. (Math pass accepted).
JAMB Subject Combination: Use of English, Literature in English, Government, and CRS/IRS or Economics.
Institutions Accepting D7/E8:
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria
- University of Benin (UNIBEN)
- University of Jos (UNIJOS)
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK)

2. Law (Civil Law & Common Law)

Law remains one of the most prestigious and lucrative professions in West Africa. The primary requirements for studying Law revolve around critical thinking, reading comprehension, and legal argument construction. Consequently, a credit pass in Mathematics is generally not required by several federal and state universities.

O’Level Requirements: 5 Credit passes including English Language, Literature in English, Government/History, and two other Arts/Social Science subjects.
JAMB Subject Combination: Use of English, Literature in English, Government, and any Christian/Islamic Religious Studies or History.
Institutions Accepting D7/E8:
- University of Benin (UNIBEN)
- University of Uyo (UNIUYO)
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK)
- Delta State University (DELSU)
- Ambrose Alli University (AAU)

3. English Language & Literary Studies

For students who excel in arts and communications, a degree in English Language or Literature opens career paths in content creation, editing, publishing, corporate communications, and teaching. Mathematics is not a core requirement for this field.

O’Level Requirements: 5 Credit passes including English Language, Literature in English, and three other Arts or Social Science subjects.
JAMB Subject Combination: Use of English, Literature in English, Government, and one other Arts subject.
Institutions Accepting D7/E8:
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
- University of Uyo (UNIUYO)
- Lagos State University (LASU)
- Redeemer’s University
- Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University (UMYU)

4. Political Science & International Relations

Political Science explores government systems, public policies, political behavior, and international diplomacy. While quantitative political analysis exists at higher levels, most faculty handbooks require a pass in O’Level Mathematics as long as your government and English grades are strong.

O’Level Requirements: 5 Credit passes including English Language, Government or History, Economics, and two other subjects.
JAMB Subject Combination: Use of English, Government or History, Economics, and Literature in English or CRK/IRK.
Institutions Accepting D7/E8:
- University of Ibadan (UI)
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
- Federal University, Lokoja (FULOKOJA)
- Wellspring University
- Plateau State University (PLASU)

5. Theatre Arts & Performing Arts

If you have a creative flair for drama, media production, filmmaking, music, or stage directing, Theatre Arts is an ideal course. Universities do not prioritize mathematical ability for creative and performing arts candidates.

O’Level Requirements: 5 Credit passes including English Language, Literature in English, and three other Arts subjects.
JAMB Subject Combination: Use of English, Literature in English, and any two Arts subjects (e.g., Fine Arts, Government, CRS).
Institutions Accepting D7/E8:
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
- Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE)
- University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)
- Redeemer’s University
- University of Calabar (UNICAL)

6. Public Administration / Local Government Studies

Public Administration equips students with organizational, policy-making, and administrative skills required to manage public institutions and corporate bodies. A credit pass in Mathematics is often waived or downgraded to an ordinary pass by several leading universities.

O’Level Requirements: 5 Credit passes including English Language, Government/History, Economics, and two other relevant subjects.
JAMB Subject Combination: Use of English, Government, Economics, and any other Social Science or Arts subject.
Institutions Accepting D7/E8:
- University of Abuja (UNIABUJA)
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
- Benue State University (BSU)
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
- Niger Delta University (NDU)

7. Sociology & Anthropology

Sociology is the scientific study of human social relationships, institutions, and cultural developments. Because it falls within the social science domain with a strong qualitative focus, many universities accept a pass (D7/E8) in O’Level Mathematics.

O’Level Requirements: 5 Credit passes including English Language, Government or History, Economics, and two other subjects.
JAMB Subject Combination: Use of English, Government, Economics, and any other Social Science or Arts subject.
Institutions Accepting D7/E8:
- University of Calabar (UNICAL)
- University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
- Afe Babalola University (ABUAD)
- Plateau State University (PLASU)

8. Philosophy & Religious Studies

Philosophy trains students in critical logic, ethics, and epistemology. Because it is a fundamental Arts discipline, Mathematics is not a core requirement for gaining admission into any Department of Philosophy or Religious Studies across Nigeria.

O’Level Requirements: 5 Credit passes including English Language, Literature in English, Government, and any two Arts/Social Science subjects.
JAMB Subject Combination: Use of English, Government, CRK/IRS, and Literature or History.
Institutions Accepting D7/E8:
- University of Lagos (UNILAG)
- University of Ibadan (UI)
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
- Lagos State University (LASU)
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)

9. Linguistics & Languages (Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, French, Arabic)

Degrees in foreign and indigenous languages provide career opportunities in translation, diplomacy, intelligence, international relations, and education. No mathematical computation is required in these language programs.

O’Level Requirements: 5 Credit passes including English Language, the target language (or Literature in English), and three other Arts subjects.
JAMB Subject Combination: Use of English, Literature in English, target language, and one additional Arts subject.
Institutions Accepting D7/E8:
- University of Benin (UNIBEN)
- Bayero University Kano (BUK)
- Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University (UMYU)
- Ekiti State University (EKSU)
- University of Jos (UNIJOS)

10. Guidance and Counselling / Adult Education

For students interested in education and human development, Guidance & Counselling and Adult Education degrees prepare graduates for human resource management, school counseling, and social work. Education faculties often accept an ordinary pass in Mathematics for non-science education options.

O’Level Requirements: 5 Credit passes including English Language and four other Arts/Social Science subjects.
JAMB Subject Combination: Use of English and any three Arts or Social Science subjects.
Institutions Accepting D7/E8:
- University of Ibadan (UI)
- University of Calabar (UNICAL)
- Benue State University (BSU)
- University of Uyo (UNIUYO)
- Ambrose Alli University (AAU)

Important Rules & Strategies for Applicants with D7/E8 in Maths

To ensure you don’t waste your JAMB registration or get denied admission during screening, keep these 4 guidelines in mind:

1.Check the Official JAMB Brochure First:Always verify specific university waivers.

While standard guidelines exist, individual universities modify their departmental requirements annually. Always open the latest JAMB Brochure to check the Special Considerations / Waiver Column under your chosen institution.

2.Consider Combining Two O’Level Results:Combine WAEC + NECO to build a stronger profile.

If you wrote both WAEC and NECO, you can combine both statements of result. If you have a D7 in WAEC Mathematics but scored a C6 in NECO Mathematics, combining both results gives you a full credit pass without re-writing exams.

3.Target the Faculty of Arts or Humanities:Avoid Science and Commercial faculties.

Avoid applying to courses under the Faculty of Engineering, Clinical Sciences, Biological Sciences, or Management Sciences (Accounting, Finance) with a D7 in Maths. Stick to courses housed inside the Faculty of Arts or Humanities.

4.Register for WAEC/NECO GCE as Backup:Retake WAEC GCE if you want quantitative courses.

If your heart is set on studying courses like Economics, Accounting, Computer Science, or Nursing, an ordinary pass in Mathematics will not work. Register for the upcoming WAEC GCE or NECO GCE private candidate exam to rewrite Mathematics while pursuing admission.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I study Nursing or Pharmacy with D7 in Mathematics?

No. All medical and healthcare science courses (Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Science) strictly require a minimum of C6 Credit Pass in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English Language in WAEC/NECO.

Can I study Computer Science with E8 in Mathematics?

Generally, no. Computer Science is a mathematics-heavy discipline under the Faculty of Sciences. While a few private polytechnics may offer diploma routes, major Nigerian universities will reject candidates without a credit pass in Mathematics for Computer Science.

Is D7 considered a fail in WAEC?

No. D7 is classified as a Pass grade. It is higher than F9 (Fail), but lower than C6 (Credit Pass).

Will I be disqualified during post-UTME screening if I have D7 in Maths?

You will only be disqualified if the course you applied for specifically requires a Credit Pass (C6 or higher) in Mathematics. If you applied for a course like Mass Communication, Law, or History that accepts a pass in Maths, you will be cleared during screening.