Nursing Cut-Off Mark: University Nursing vs College of Nursing

The national minimum UTME score for nursing in the 2026/2027 session is 150 — whether you are applying for a Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) at a university or for a nursing programme at a college of nursing. Both thresholds were set at the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions on 11 May 2026.

That is where the similarity ends. In practice, nursing is one of the most competitive courses in Nigeria, and the score that actually gets admitted is usually well above 150. Which route you choose changes both the mark you need and the qualification you leave with.

Two routes into nursing

University nursing (BNSc)

A university nursing degree is a five-year programme leading to a BNSc. You apply through the UTME with the university as your choice, meet the university's own post-UTME eligibility mark, and compete for a small number of places in one of its most oversubscribed departments.

The university's eligibility mark is the first hurdle. In 2026/2027, the big federal universities that published their post-UTME notices asked for 200 or more just to apply for screening — UNILAG, UI, OAU and UNIBEN all set 200 — while others set lower general marks, such as 160 at UNN. Our round-up of 2026/2027 post-UTME marks lists them. The nursing department's real mark, once applicants are ranked, then sits above the general eligibility mark.

Colleges of nursing

Colleges of nursing — many attached to teaching hospitals and federal medical centres — train nurses on their own programmes, and in the 2026/2027 cycle many advertised ND/HND nursing admissions. Their national minimum is also 150. Each college sets its own minimum above that, and 2026/2027 notices varied: some stayed at the floor, while some of the better-known teaching-hospital colleges asked for considerably more. Many also require the college to be your first choice on JAMB, or a change of institution to it, and most run their own screening or entrance exercise.

Why the real nursing mark is higher than 150

Because the number of places is small and fixed. A nursing programme can only admit as many students as it has clinical placements, lecturers and approved capacity for. When thousands of candidates who all cleared 150 apply for a few dozen places, the school fills them from the top of its ranked list and stops. The effective mark is wherever the places run out — and for nursing, that is usually far above the published floor.

This is the central point of our pillar guide, JAMB cut-off marks explained: a cut-off makes you eligible to compete; it does not tell you whether you will win.

Get the subjects right first

Nursing admission falls apart more often over subjects than over scores. For the UTME, nursing is generally taken with Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. At O'level, schools typically require five credits including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, in no more than two sittings — and some colleges specify which exam bodies they accept or whether results can be combined.

Requirements do vary by institution, so confirm yours on JAMB's brochure portal (IBASS) and in the school's own notice before you register. A strong score with the wrong subject combination is simply not admissible.

How to plan your nursing application

1. Pick your route deliberately. A BNSc and a college of nursing qualification lead to different career ladders and timelines. Decide which you want before you choose institutions.
2. Read the actual notice. For each school, note the minimum score, the O'level rules, the first-choice rule and the screening format.
3. Aim well above the floor. Use the previous year's admitted scores where they are published, and add a buffer.
4. Prepare for screening as seriously as for the UTME. Many schools combine your UTME score with the post-UTME result. Our guide to preparing for post-UTME screening covers how.
5. Have a backup. Related health courses are also competitive, so a sensible backup might be a different school for nursing, or the college-of-nursing route alongside a university application.

Frequently asked questions

What is the JAMB cut-off mark for nursing in 2026/2027?

The national minimum is 150 for both universities and colleges of nursing. Individual schools set higher marks, and nursing departments usually admit well above them.

Can I study nursing with 180 in JAMB?

It is possible at a school whose own minimum is at or below 180, but nursing is heavily oversubscribed, so 180 is unlikely to be competitive at the most popular schools. Check each school's notice and last year's admitted scores.

What subjects do I need for nursing in JAMB?

Generally Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Confirm the exact requirement for your school on JAMB's brochure portal.

Do colleges of nursing use JAMB?

Yes. Colleges of nursing admit through JAMB, with a national minimum of 150 for 2026/2027, and the admission must appear on CAPS.

Clearing a nursing mark comfortably comes down to scoring high in Biology, Chemistry and Physics under time pressure. EasyPoint has JAMB-style CBT practice in all three, with past questions and instant marking — create a free account and start with a timed paper.