Got a D7 in English? Don’t give up on university yet. See the schools that accept D7 in English, eligible courses, and your admission options for 2026/2027.
Last Updated: 6 August 2026
If you got a D7 in English Language in WAEC, NECO, or GCE, you’re probably wondering whether that alone kills your admission chances. The honest answer: for most courses, yes — but not for every course, and not at every school. This guide lists the universities and courses known to accept a D7 (O’Level pass) in English Language, explains why this exception exists, and — importantly — tells you how to verify it still applies before you build your entire admission plan around it.
Quick Summary
- ✓ The standard national requirement (per the JAMB brochure) is a credit pass (C6 or better) in English Language for almost every course
- ✓ D7 and E8 are passes, not credits, and do not meet that standard requirement
- ✓ A small number of universities carry a special consideration or waiver for D7 in English, limited to specific science/technical courses
- ✓ These waivers usually come with conditions — remedial English in year one, or strong grades in core science subjects
- ✓ Waiver lists can change between JAMB brochure editions — always verify for the current admission cycle before relying on this list
New updates for all UNILAG aspirants and candidates
- UNILAG Distance Learning Admission Requirements 2026/2027
- UNILAG Distance Learning School fees 2026/2027
- UNILAG Aggregate Score Calculator – How to Calculate Your Admission Chances
- UNILAG JAMB Cut-Off Marks for All Courses 2026
- LASU aggregate score calculator
- How to Transfer from Your University to UNILAG
Editorial Note: This list is compiled from special consideration/waiver entries that have appeared in past JAMB brochures and has been cross-checked against multiple independent education resources reporting the same entries. However, JAMB brochures are revised for each admission cycle, and university waiver policies can be added, removed, or modified without much public notice. Before making any decision based on this list, confirm the current entry directly on the JAMB brochure for your target course, or use the JAMB IBASS eligibility checker on the official JAMB portal.
Why Some Courses Accept D7 in English Language
This doesn’t mean these courses don’t value English — it’s the language of instruction in every Nigerian university, science courses included. The waiver exists for a narrower reason:
- Science and technical focus — Courses like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, and Engineering lean more heavily on numerical and scientific ability than on English language proficiency at entry point.
- Other subjects carry more weight — Some universities will only grant the waiver if you have strong grades (A1–B2) in the core science subjects tied to that course.
- Remedial English requirement — Several universities (UNICAL is a well-documented example) require students admitted this way to pass a remedial English course in their first year, specifically to close the gap.
- Widening access without lowering the bar entirely — It’s a narrow exception, not a general relaxation of standards, and it typically applies to less competitive or under-subscribed technical courses.
Federal Schools Known to Accept D7 in English (Verify Before Applying)
| University | Courses Historically Accepting D7 in English |
|---|---|
| University of Calabar (UNICAL) | Physics with Electronics (remedial English required in year one), Chemistry |
| Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) | Applied Physics, Geology, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics with Electronics, Geography & Meteorology, Environmental Management |
| Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUAU) | Zoology & Environmental Biology |
| University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) | Zoology, Mathematics, Biochemistry, Education & Geography, Mechanical Engineering |
| University of Uyo (UNIUYO) | Microbiology |
| Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM) | Biological Sciences, Animal Science (strong grades in other sciences required), Fisheries & Aquaculture |
| Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUSOK) | Education & Chemistry, Education & Geography |
| Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) | Chemistry (strong Mathematics & Physics required), Education & Chemistry |
| Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH) | Education & Physics, Education & Biology |
| University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) | Education & Geography |
| Bayero University Kano (BUK) | Environmental Management |
| University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) | Physiology (A1 in core sciences typically required) |
New updates for all UNILAG aspirants and candidates
- UNILAG Distance Learning Admission Requirements 2026/2027
- UNILAG Distance Learning School fees 2026/2027
- UNILAG Aggregate Score Calculator – How to Calculate Your Admission Chances
- UNILAG JAMB Cut-Off Marks for All Courses 2026
- LASU aggregate score calculator
- How to Transfer from Your University to UNILAG
State Schools Known to Accept D7 in English (Verify Before Applying)
| University | Courses Historically Accepting D7 in English |
|---|---|
| Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) | Physics, Mathematics, Microbiology, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering (Direct Entry only), Architecture, Environmental Management Technology |
| Imo State University (IMSU) | Applied Physics, Chemistry, Statistics, Zoology, Industrial Microbiology, Computer Science, Animal Science & Fisheries, Crop Science & Biotechnology, Soil Science & Environmental Management, Nutrition & Dietetics, Education & Physics, Education & Geography, Mathematics |
| Delta State University (DELSU) | Physics, Botany (A1 in Biology typically required), Fisheries, Agricultural Economics, Animal Science, Education & Chemistry, Education & Physics, Education & Biology |
| Enugu State University of Science & Technology (ESUT) | Applied Physics, Animal Science & Fisheries Management |
| Madonna University | Industrial Chemistry, Computer Science |
| Ekiti State University (EKSU) | Geology |
| Ambrose Alli University (AAU) | Statistics |
| Ebonyi State University (EBSU) | Microbiology, Education & Geography |
| Adamawa State University (ADSU) | Computer Science & Mathematics |
| Rivers State University (RSUST) | Education & Chemistry, Forestry/Forest Resources Management, Agricultural Science & Education (A1 in Agric typically required) |
| Abia State University (ABSU) | Environmental Science, Environmental Resources Management |
| Cross River State University of Science & Technology (CRUTECH) | Education & Chemistry |
| Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) | Education & Chemistry |
| Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) | Education & Biology |
| Kaduna State University (KASU) | Environmental Management |
How to Verify This Yourself Before Applying
Don’t stop at this list — confirm it. Here’s how:
- Download the current JAMB brochure for your target course from the official JAMB website
- Look for the “special consideration” or “waiver” note under your specific university and course
- Use the JAMB IBASS eligibility checker on the JAMB portal to check your specific subject combination against your target course and institution
- Where possible, cross-check with the university’s own admissions office or website, since waivers are sometimes updated mid-cycle
A Quick Note for JAMB Candidates
If you wrote WAEC, NECO, or GCE and got a D7 in English, you’re not automatically shut out of university admission — but you are shut out of most courses at most schools, because a credit (C6 or better) in English is the standard national requirement. The waiver list above is the exception, not the rule, and it’s concentrated in specific technical and science-based courses.
Before you commit to a rewrite, check whether your target course and school appear on the current JAMB brochure’s waiver list. If they don’t, rewriting your English result is generally the safer route.
New updates for all UNILAG aspirants and candidates
- UNILAG Distance Learning Admission Requirements 2026/2027
- UNILAG Distance Learning School fees 2026/2027
- UNILAG Aggregate Score Calculator – How to Calculate Your Admission Chances
- UNILAG JAMB Cut-Off Marks for All Courses 2026
- LASU aggregate score calculator
- How to Transfer from Your University to UNILAG
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I study Medicine with D7 in English?
No. Medicine and other professional health courses strictly require a minimum credit (C6) pass in English Language, with no waiver exception.
Does UNILAG accept D7 in English?
No. The University of Lagos requires a credit pass in English Language for admission into its courses, in line with the standard national requirement.
Can I gain admission with D7 in English if I score high in JAMB?
A high JAMB score can strengthen your application, but it does not override the O’Level credit requirement on its own. It only helps where the specific course and school already carry a documented D7 waiver, alongside meeting any additional conditions (such as strong science grades).
Should I still rewrite WAEC/NECO if I have D7 in English?
If your target course or school isn’t on the current waiver list, yes — upgrading your English result to a credit pass is the more reliable path.
Does this waiver list change every year?
Yes. JAMB brochures are revised for each admission cycle, and university waiver policies can shift. Always verify against the current brochure or the JAMB IBASS tool before finalising your choice.
Final Thoughts
A D7 in English doesn’t have to end your university plans, but it does significantly narrow your options — and those options are concentrated in specific technical and science courses at specific institutions, usually with added conditions attached. Treat this list as a starting point for further verification, not a final answer. If your dream course or school isn’t listed here, drop a comment and we’ll help you check.