Social media and Nigerian generals at large are trying to make studying art courses a waste of time due to their perception that art courses are not in demand in the labour market; hence, students studying the course will probably remain unemployed after graduation, but this does not sound true and can be a big lie.
Art courses are still some of the best courses that can be studied in universities even despite the emergence of artificial intelligence, which is shaping the significance of courses that are being studied across the globe and not Nigeria alone.
If you are worried about the art course that you can study in university and that can offer the best job opportunities, worry not; that is why we will compile the best art courses in this list, and trust me, no matter which one you pick to study based on your interest, you won’t regret choosing the course but will also develop yourself beyond that course by expanding in knowledge.
FUTMINNA Cut-Off Mark for All Courses 2026/2027 | Updated Departmental Cut-Off Marks
Factors to Consider Before Choosing an Art Course
When we list the best art courses in this article, we will still outline some factors that you need to check if you want to choose any of the art courses listed here; these factors will act as a shield and protect you in choosing the best art course.
° Your interests and strengths.
Don’t just choose any art course, but make sure it aligns with your strengths and interests. If you are someone that loves poems and writing drama, then you can choose mass communication or theatre.
° Career opportunities after graduation.
Ensure that the course you are studying has job opportunities so you won’t be idle after graduation, and some of the courses that can guarantee career opportunities after graduation are law, mass communication and English studies.
° Employment demand in Nigeria and abroad.
Don’t only study with the mindset that you will get to work only in Nigeria; also consider the fact that you have the opportunity to go outside the country. Hence, the course you are studying should be able to make a way for you over there in terms of career.
° Expected Salary
The truth and the purpose of choosing your course aside from personal ambition are for you to make a living. Also consider the salary that you will earn after studying a course for so many years; one of the best courses with such a lucrative salary is law.
List of the Best Art Courses in University
1. Law
Ranked as the number one best art course is law. The law is the most respected course in the art field and even across many courses in Nigeria, pairing shoulder to shoulder with top courses like medicine and surgery, nursing and pharmacy.
It is one of the best courses that any art students can take. The course, in the period of 5 years, will expose students to law dynamics and how it is interpreted, and after 5 years, students will be mandated to go to law school for the period of 2 years in order to be qualified as lawyers.
Law can be a very good course for art students to study, provided that the course offers lucrative job opportunities, but it is very competitive, and art and admission slots are usually limited.
Graduates of law can work as legal practitioners, judges, corporate lawyers, legal advisers, or public prosecutors.
To study law at any university in Nigeria, a student will typically need at least a 250 JAMB cut-off mark, which is the case even for private universities, while public universities will require 280 or above.
2. Mass Communication
Second to law is mass communication, which has become one of the best courses that can be studied by art students, and it is because of the diversity of the course, allowing space for students to study sub-courses like advertising, media and publishing, and a lot more.
Mass communication is not as competitive as law, but it can be competitive, especially in a reputable university like the University of Lagos (LASU), OAU and other notable universities in Nigeria, but the cut-off mark is not as high as in law.
To study mass communication in Nigeria, students will need at least 200 for less competitive universities, while for competitive universities like OAU, LASU and UI, students will need to score 250 and above.
3. English and Literary Studies
Though it does not offer a lucrative career like law, if a graduate is well versed in English and literary studies, he or she can make it in the academic world by offering tutoring, as English and literary studies teachers are usually very scarce in most secondary schools.
The English and Literary Studies course is a good course and can be studied as an alternative to the mass communication course.
To study mass communication in universities in Nigeria, students need to score at least 200 in JAMB.
4. Criminology and Security Studies
The Criminology and Security Studies course is a good course, as it especially deals with the aspect of security, with which every part of the world is battling. Knowing the psychology behind every crime and the best way to stop it offers very lucrative job opportunities that are in demand.
The Criminology and Security Studies course is usually classified as a social science course in university, but art students are the ones that study the course most, so that is why it is classified as an art course.
To study criminology and security studies in Nigerian universities, students will need at least a 180 JAMB cut-off mark for private universities, while at least 200 are needed for public universities.
5. Economics
Ranked number five is the economics course; it is a social science course, but it can be studied by art students.
Economics is a science that studies human behaviour as a relationship between ends and scarce means that have alternative uses.
It is an interesting course for art students, but the flaw and the reason many art students will not want this course is because the course, unlike other art courses, is calculation-based.
To study economics in a private university, students will have to score 160 or above, while for public universities, students will need to score 180 or above.
6. Theatre Arts
Thanks to the expansion of the entertainment field in the area of video, most especially in the age where video is the most consumed content on the internet space, and that is why a course like theatre arts is a good course.
Theatre arts develops skills in acting, directing, scriptwriting, and film production. Students who are well grounded in theatre art courses can work as actors, producers, directors, screenwriters and event managers.
To study theatre art in Nigeria, students will need to score 170 and above in their JAMB examination, and also the course can also be extremely demanding in terms of physical activities that have to be done.
7. Music
Most people will ask, ‘Is it necessary to study music when it is something you can practise and become a professional in the field?’ This is probably a joke, as you have to be a trained professional if you are to make an impact on the national and international stage.
While music is a good course, it is not advisable for students who do not have interest in music to study it; it is best suited for those who have a passion for music or want to pursue any sort of career in the music field.
Music graduates can build careers in performance, production, education, and entertainment, and career opportunities available for music graduates are
Music Producer, Performer, Composer
Choir Director and Sound Engineer.
Music is not a competitive course, so with a mark of 150 you can easily get admitted into any institution of your choice in Nigeria, be it private or public.
Best Universities to Study Art Courses in Nigeria
Some of the leading universities for art programmes in Nigeria are:
° University of Ibadan (UI)
° University of Lagos (UNILAG)
° Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
° Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
° University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
° University of Benin (UNIBEN)
° Lagos State University (LASU)
° Covenant University
° Babcock University
° Redeemer’s University
These universities are known for experienced lecturers, strong academic programmes and quality learning facilities.
Career Opportunities for Art Graduates
Graduates of art courses have access to diverse career paths across both the public and private sectors in Nigeria and internationally. These career opportunities are many, but the most common professions include the following:
° Lawyer
° Journalist
° Broadcaster
° Diplomat
° Public Relations Officer
° Human Resource Manager
° Lecturer
° Civil Servant
° Policy Analyst
° Entrepreneur
° Content Writer
° Digital Marketer
° Librarian
° Media Consultant
° Research Officer
° NGO Programme Officer
° Communications Specialist
Frequently Asked Questions
° Which is the best art course to study in Nigeria?
The best art course based on demand, career opportunities and salary is law. The course offers good job opportunities and a better salary compared to other courses.
° Which art course has the highest salary?
The art course with the highest salary in Nigeria is law, but this is not entirely true, as some courses still offer higher salaries when you reach the peak of your career in the course compared to law.
° Which university is best for law in Nigeria?
The best universities to study law in Nigeria are the University of Ibadan (UI), the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). These are the top universities, but they can be extremely competitive.
° Can an art student become a banker?
Yes, if that art student studies a course like economics, he or she can have the opportunity to transition to the banking industry or finance field.
Conclusion
The list we have highlighted above as the best art courses is based on evaluation, but these courses should still be subjected to your interest, career path and strengths instead of following the list we have highlighted here. Keep thriving. We wish you success!
Olamilekan Stephen is a graduate of Economics, an education enthusiast, and a passionate advocate for promoting quality education in Nigeria. He is well-grounded in the field of education and has founded several education websites that have helped students at every stage of their academic journey. Through his work, he is committed to providing accurate, reliable, and up-to-date educational information to support students in achieving academic success.
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