Biochemistry needs no introduction, especially among science students. The opportunities are almost endless, making it a valuable field to consider. Admission can be very competitive, which is why it is important to go through the requirements with a clear view.
The course is available to O’Levels and Direct Entry Students. For O’Level Students, you will need your WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB, while Direct Entry Students can apply using a National Diploma (ND), Higher National Diploma (HND), or Bachelor’s degree.
In this post, we will be highlighting entry requirements for the course as well as Frequently asked questions on Biochemistry. This is one of the most sought courses in the Science field so we encourage you to follow it through.
What is Biochemistry?
Biochemists explore the structure, properties, and chemical processes of substances within living organisms. They focus on understanding their structures, compositions, functions, and methods to control them.
Why Should I Study Biochemistry as a Course?
Studying Biochemistry offers a deep understanding of living organisms at the molecular level, providing insights into their structures, functions, and chemical processes. This knowledge is crucial for advancements in medicine, genetics, biotechnology, and various scientific fields, making Biochemistry a rewarding and impactful course of study.
Studying biochemistry not only offers diverse career paths in research, pharmaceuticals, and academia but also enhances crucial skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and practical laboratory expertise, making graduates highly sought after in professional settings.
Note: Please be aware that the requirements listed below may vary in some schools. In such cases, referring to the PDF version of the JAMB Brochure for accurate information is recommended.
O’Level Requirements to Study Biochemistry
Faculty of Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Health Sciences
To pursue Biochemistry in a Nigerian university, you must have Five (5) SSCE credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
Faculty of Science
To enroll in a Nigerian university for a Biochemistry program, you must have five (5) SSCE credit passes in English Language, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and Biology.
Direct Entry Requirements to Study Biochemistry
Faculty of Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Health Sciences
- Two (2) ‘A’ level passes in Chemistry and any one of Physics, Biology/Zoology/Botany and Mathematics.
- National Diploma (ND) or Higher National Diploma (HND) in relevant programmes with either an upper or lower credit respectively.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification with a minimum of Lower Credit.
Faculty of Science
- Two (2) ‘A’ level passes chosen from Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Biology.
- NCE/ND in related programmes plus the UTME requirements.
- Higher National Diploma (HND) in relevant programmes with at least lower credit.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification with a minimum of Lower Credit.
Jamb Subject Combination for Biochemistry
Faculty of Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Health Sciences
- English
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
Faculty of Science
- English
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics or Mathematics
Universities that Offer Biochemistry
Faculty of Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Health Sciences
- CALABAR: University of Calabar, Calabar
- IBADAN: University of Ibadan, Ibadan
- IGBINEDION: Igbinedion University, Okada
- JOS: University of Jos, Jos
- LAUTECH: Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso (Offered as Medical Biochemistry)
- OSUMS: Osun State University, Osogbo
- UYO: University of Uyo, Uyo
- BENIN: University of Benin, Benin City (Offered as Medical Biochemistry)
- CRUTECH: Cross River University of Technology, Calabar (Offered as Medical Biochemistry)
- DELSU: Delta State University, Abraka (Offered as Medical Biochemistry)
- GREGORY: Gregory University, Uturu (Offered as Medical Biochemistry)
- FUTA: Federal University of Technology, Akure (Offered as Biomedical Technology)
- FUTO: Federal University of Technology, Owerri (Offered as Biomedical Technology)
Faculty of Science
- AAU – Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State
- AAUA – Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State
- ABSU – Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State
- ABU – Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State
- ABUAD – Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
- ACHIEVERS – Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State
- AJAYI – Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Oyo State
- AL-HIKMAH – Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State
- ANCHOR-UNI – Anchor University, Ipaja, Lagos State
- ARTHUR-JARVIS – Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State
- AUE – Augustine University, Ilara, Lagos State
- BABCOCK – Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State
- BASU – Bauchi State University, Gadau, Bauchi State
- BAUCHI – Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Bauchi State
- BAYERO – Bayero University, Kano, Kano State
- BELLS – Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State
- BENIN – University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State
- BINGHAM – Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State
- BIU – Baze University, Abuja, FCT
- BOWEN – Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State
- CALEB – Caleb University, Imota, Lagos State
- CARITAS – Caritas University, Amorji-Nike, Enugu State
- CLIFFORD – Clifford University, Owerrinta, Abia State
- COAL-CITY – Coal City University, Enugu, Enugu State
- COOU – Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State
- COVENANT – Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State
- CUAB – Christopher University, Mowe, Ogun State
- CHRISLAND – Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State
- CROWN-HILL – Crown-Hill University, Kwara State
- CRUTECH – Cross River University of Technology, Calabar, Cross River State
- CRAWFORD – Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State
- DELSU – Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State
- EBSU – Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State
- EDSU – Edo State University, Uzairue, Edo State
- ELIZADE – Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State
- ESUTECH – Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Enugu State
- EVANGEL – Evangel University, Akaeze, Ebonyi State
- EKSU – Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
- EPU – Eastern Palm University, Ogboko, Imo State
- FED-DUTSE – Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State
- FED-DUTSINMA – Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State
- FED-GASHUA – Federal University, Gashua, Yobe State
- FED-GUSAU – Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara State
- FED-KEBBI – Federal University, Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State
- FED-LAFIA – Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State
- FED-LOKOJA – Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State
- FED-NDUFU – Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State
- FEDOTUOKE – Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State
- FED-OYEEKITI – Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State
- FED-WUKARI – Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State
- FOUNTAIN – Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State
- FUNAAB – Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State
- FUTA – Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State
- FUTO – Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State
- GREGORY – Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State
- GSU – Gombe State University, Gombe, Gombe State
- HALLMARK – Hallmark University, Ijebu-Itele, Ogun State
- ILORIN – University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State
- IMSU – Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State
- JABU – Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State
- KASU – Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Kaduna State
- KSU – Kogi State University, Anyigba, Kogi State
- KWASU – Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara State
- KSUSTAA – Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, Kebbi State
- KUST – Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano State
- LAGOS – University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State
- LANDMARK – Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State
- LAPAI – Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State
- LASU – Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State
- LCITY – Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State
- MADONNA – Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State
- MAITAMA – Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, FCT
- MAUTY – Mountain Top University, Ogun State
- MC-IBRU – Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State
- MCPHERSON – McPherson University, Seriki Sotayo, Ogun State
- MAIDUGURI – University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State
- MAKURDI – Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State
- MINNA – Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State
- MKAR – Akperan Orshi College of Agriculture, Yandev, Benue State
- MOUNTAIN TOP – Mountain Top University, Makogi Oba, Ogun State
- NASARAWA – Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State
- NDU – Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State
- NOVENA – Novena University, Ogume, Delta State
- NTNU – Nigeria Turkish Nile University, Abuja, FCT
- OAU – Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State
- ODUDUWA – Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Osun State
- ONONG – The Onong Hen Nkong College of Agricultural Science, Akamkpa, Cross River State
- OOU – Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State
- OSUSTECH – Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State
- PAUL – Paul University, Awka, Anambra State
- PHC – Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan, Oyo State
- PLASU – Plateau State University, Bokkos, Plateau State
- POL-ACAD – Nigerian Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State
- REDEEMERS – Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State
- RENAISSANCE – Renaissance University, Enugu, Enugu State
- RSUST – Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
- RHEMA – Rhema University, Aba, Abia State
- SALEM – Salem University, Lokoja, Kogi State
- SAU – Samuel Adegboyega University, Ogwa, Edo State
- SOSU – Sokoto State University, Sokoto, Sokoto State
- SOUTHWESTERN – Southwestern University, Okun-Owa, Ogun State
- SUMMIT – Summit University, Offa, Kwara State
- TANSIAN – Tansian University, Umunya, Anambra State
- UDU – Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Sokoto State
- UMUDIKE – Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State
- UMYUK – Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, Katsina State
- UNIOSUN – Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State
- UNIKINGS – Kings University, Ode-Omu, Osun State
- UNN – University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State
- VERITAS – Veritas University, Abuja, FCT
- WESTERN-DEL – Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State
- WESLEYUNI – Wesley University, Ondo, Ondo State
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is Biochemistry a Science course?
Yes, Biochemistry is a Science course. In most Nigerian Universities, it falls under the Faculty of Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Health Sciences and Faculty of Science.
Can Commercial or Arts Students Study Biochemistry?
No, Commercial or Art Students will not be able to study Biochemistry due to the requirements in relevant science subjects. Nevertheless, students aspiring to pursue the course, regardless of whether they come from a commercial or arts background, should review the university’s unique entry criteria to which they intend to apply to. Some institutions may stipulate specific subject requirements for admission, and candidates may meet these criteria in the special consideration tab.
What Jobs can I apply for after studying Biochemistry?
After completing a degree in Biochemistry, you can pursue roles such as Biochemist, Clinical Research Associate, Medical Laboratory Technologist, Pharmaceutical Sales Representative, Quality Control Analyst, Research Scientist, and Biotechnologist, offering a range of opportunities in research, healthcare, and the pharmaceutical industry.
How many years does it take to Study Biochemistry?
It takes a minimum of 4 years to earn a degree in Biochemistry. However, if you are a direct entry student, this should take at least 3 years since you are more likely to start from the 200 Level.
How challenging is it to gain admission to study Biochemistry at Nigerian universities?
Biochemistry is highly competitive. Admission into these programs is usually based on a combination of high academic performance, particularly in the relevant science subjects, as well as success in entrance examinations like the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and sometimes post-UTME screenings conducted by the individual universities.
What is the cut-off mark for Biochemistry?
Students who score at least 140 in the JAMB UTME are eligible to participate in the POST UTME as part of the requirements for applying to study Biochemistry in their chosen universities.
Note: Understand that the conditions mentioned above might differ in some universities. In such instances, it is advisable to check the PDF version of the JAMB Brochure for precise details. You can also access Jamb Subject Combination for other courses.
