Mass communication attracts much attention in the Nigerian universities. It is not only journalism or broadcasting, it even infiltrates to advertising and public relations. Finding the correct combination of subject inclusion in the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) is usually a major deal. Organizing your subjects could actually influence your chance of securing a place to pursue a degree in Mass Communication in a university of choice.
Here is an exposition that unravels JAMB, O-Level (WAEC, NECO or GCE) and as well as Direct Entry requirements pertinent to Mass Communication, with few tips included to keep you on targets.
What is Mass Communication-And Why Does it Matter?
In plain words, mass communication is just about information sharing through the combinations of channels, such as television, radio, newspapers, and social media. It is excellent in case one is fond of narrating stories, evoking opinions, or is simply attracted to the world of the media. As a rule, quite a number of students in Nigeria end up choosing this profession, as there is an increasing demand of media specialists- beginning with the locally owned ones and up to the international giant enterprises.
The reason the Right JAMB Subject Combo is important
You do not really want to screw up your subject choices; one bad mistake can make you vulnerable to failure in getting the ideal university. The right combination will in most occasions make you have a clear advantage in the round of admission and ensure all the academic boxes are checked.
Painting the JAMB Subject Combs
Begin with English Language-no room here, English Language is compulsory to all. The next thing you do depends on the faculty that your school uses in Mass Communication. The decisions are not exactly predictable, though one way they can be divided:
Faculty Arts and Humanties
- English Language ( required )
- Three subjects in the Arts or Social Sciences of your choice – three of the most common options are Literature in English, Government, History, CRS/IRS or even Economics
Pedagogical university Faculty of Administration
- English Language (there are no exceptions!)
- English-written literature
- Government
- Economics
Faculty of social/Management sciences
- English Language (once again, obligatory)
- Three Arts or Social sciences subjects. This could be Literature in English, Government, History, CRS/IRS or Geography as the case may be depending on the school
Some of the tips on subject selection A few tips on picking subjects
It will always be worthy to verify again to get the exact subject requirements of each university as they may change the list a bit. Literature in English will crop up quite regularly as an important requirement particularly when the school is skewed to media and creative studies.
O Level mass communication essentials
In case you want to be Mass Communication, you must have some O Level requirements. Five credit passes are usually needed (you need to remember that English has to be one of them). The rundown: in faculty-to-faculty breakdown:
General Rules
- Five credit passes including English Language
Faculty-Specific Details
- In the Faculty of Arts and Humanities: You require five credit passes in SSC in which English must be passed and some other subjects such as Arts and Social Sciences which can be in the form of Literature in English and Government among others.
- (a) In the Faculty of Administration: once more, five SSC credit passes are required, English and Literature in English along with Government being standard, and Mathematics is added into the bargain at times.
- Faculty of Social/Management Sciences: The five credit pass at the same level (i.e. English and other pertinent disciplines such as Economics, Government, or CRS/IRS) are listed.
Remember Keep in mind
Mathematics may even be required in some universities so do not overlook the small print on your preferred university. UNN and Covenant University as illustrations would have a tendency of asking Literature in English to be one of the core O level passes.
Direct Entry in Mass Communication
The requirements are slightly different in case you intend to apply through Direct entry. Typically, refer to the guidelines of your school in particular, most institutions may have a minor bend in there requirements.
This breakdown shall put you in the right track. Always keep in mind that there is no harm in rechecking information by the school of your choice since minor differences may add up to huge differences. In the case of DE candidates, additional credentials are likely to come to play you may be required to have over and above your basic exam certificates such as some A Level passes or its equivalent.
Each of the faculties appears to contain a kind of joke. Apply the Faculty of Art and Humanities: you will require you to pass two A-Level criterion with arts concerns (perhaps Literature in English, History, or even CRS/IRS). Then, say you are inclined to Administration, in most cases you would need to have registered two passes in A L Level in Literature in English allied to a subject (perhaps, in Economics or Government); or perhaps a qualification e.g. ND, NCE, or HND awarded with at least a Lower Credit in a related discipline would sort it out. In the case of persons who are interested in the Social/Management Sciences sphere, two A level pass in Arts or Social Science subjects usually does suffice- or perhaps an ND/NCE in a Mass Communication related field with a good grade under it.
Remember this, some institutions may require the Direct Entry candidates to produce JUPEB or IJMB passes. They are not bad options to look into when you are looking at all your opportunities.
When looking at the schools where you can study Mass Communication in Nigeria
One tends to subdivide this into faculties. Under Arts and Humanities division, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), the Ajayi Crowther University or the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) could be an option. At the Administration side, you can look at Madonna University Okija, Nasarawa State University Keffi and even we have CRUTECH (Cross River State University of Science and Technology). And in case applied knowledge in Social/Management Sciences is your thing then you may refer to such universities as university of Lagos ( UNILAG ), Bayero University in Kano ( BUK ) or Lagos state university ( LASU ). Remember, a course may have a slightly variant requirements to the same course offered by different faculty.
Some schools have their twist to it as well. The mathematics, literature in English, and a subject in science are usually needed in your O level transcript in Covenant University, as an example. Over at UNILAG you will realize that Literature in English is a JAMB requirement and that you require five O level credit passes including Mathematics. And the last one of them is Bingham University, which in majority of instances, will require one to take Literature in English both at JAMB and O Level. It does benefit to take a keen consideration of what the individual institutions require.
Several tips can be of some help to JAMB candidates
- Conduct a little research- recheck the specifications on JAMB IBASS portal or main university websites.
- Be sure to carefully plan your subjects and make sure that your idea will not only be applicable in JAMB but also in O level (Literature in English tends to appear mandatory).
- It may be an idea of yours to also talk to a career counselor or an educator to get some additional advice as per your strengths and future plans.
Mass Communication may lead you to any kind of career
Such as journalism, PR, etc. It puts you in a good position by the way you combine your subjects in JAMB and ensure that you have all your O Levels and Direct Entry requirements. Last but not least, figure out where to apply to universities, those that suit you and your achievements the most it does not hurt to spend a little more time to do extra preparation and talk with your mentor they can really set you on the right path.
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