The Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun (FUHSI), located in Osun State, is one of Nigeria’s dedicated health sciences institutions, established to train professionals across medicine, nursing, and allied health fields. Nursing Science remains one of the most sought-after programmes at the university, and candidates aiming for admission need accurate, up-to-date information on the cut off mark before they proceed with their Post-UTME registration. This article explains the current cut off mark for Nursing at FUHSI, how it compares with other programmes, and what candidates need to do to stand a real chance of admission.
What Is the FUHSI Cut Off Mark for Nursing?
The cut off mark for Nursing Science at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun is 210 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This means every candidate who wishes to be considered for the Nursing Science programme must score at least 210 out of 400 in their UTME before they become eligible to participate in the university’s Post-UTME screening exercise.
This 210 benchmark places Nursing among the more competitive programmes at FUHSI, second only to Medicine and Surgery, which carries the highest cut off mark in the institution. Nursing shares its 210 threshold with Medical Laboratory Science, reflecting how selective the university is for programmes that lead directly into clinical practice.
It is important for candidates to understand that meeting the cut off mark does not automatically guarantee admission. The cut off mark is simply the minimum score required to qualify for further screening. Actual admission depends on several other factors, including performance in the Post-UTME screening, the number of available slots for Nursing that admission session, competition among other qualified candidates, and adherence to quota guidelines such as merit, catchment area, and educationally disadvantaged states.
FUHSI Cut Off Mark for All Programmes
FUHSI operates a general minimum cut off mark of 180 for most of its programmes, but competitive courses attract higher benchmarks depending on demand and the clinical rigor of the course. The table below shows the minimum UTME score required for each programme currently offered at the university.
| S/N | Programme | Minimum UTME Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) | 220 |
| 2 | Nursing Science | 210 |
| 3 | Medical Laboratory Science | 210 |
| 4 | Doctor of Physiotherapy | 200 |
| 5 | Audiology | 200 |
| 6 | Biochemistry | 180 |
| 7 | Biotechnology & Molecular Biology | 180 |
| 8 | Microbiology | 180 |
| 9 | Nutrition & Dietetics | 180 |
| 10 | Pharmacology | 180 |
| 11 | Environmental Health Science | 180 |
| 12 | Information Technology & Health Informatics | 180 |
| 13 | Prosthetics and Orthotics | 180 |
Candidates who score below the minimum required mark for their chosen programme are not eligible to proceed to Post-UTME screening for that course. In such cases, a candidate may explore other programmes at FUHSI with a lower cut off mark, provided their score meets that requirement, though this typically requires a change of course through JAMB.
Why Nursing Has a Higher Cut Off Mark
Nursing Science attracts one of the higher cut off marks at FUHSI for a combination of reasons. First, nursing is a clinical, patient-facing discipline that requires a strong academic foundation in the sciences, so the university sets a higher bar to filter for candidates with a solid grasp of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Second, the programme receives a high volume of applications each admission cycle relative to the number of available slots, which naturally pushes the competitive threshold upward. Third, nursing training in Nigeria is regulated by professional bodies such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), and universities offering the programme are expected to maintain rigorous entry standards in line with professional training requirements.
JAMB Subject Combination for Nursing at FUHSI
Candidates applying for Nursing Science at FUHSI must register for the correct JAMB subject combination, which consists of English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. These four subjects form the core requirement for admission into Nursing and most other health-related programmes at the university, and candidates should confirm their subject combination on the JAMB portal matches this requirement before sitting for the UTME examination.
O’Level Requirements for Nursing at FUHSI
Beyond the UTME score, candidates need to meet specific O’Level requirements to be considered for Nursing Science. These include:
- A minimum of five credit passes in the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE), National Examination Council (NECO), or National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB).
- The five credits must include English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
- For Nursing specifically, along with Medicine and Medical Laboratory Science, these credit passes must be obtained in one sitting rather than combined across two examination sittings.
- Results must come from recognised examination bodies and be verifiable, as the university carries out result verification during the admission process.
How to Apply for Nursing at FUHSI
The application process for Nursing Science at FUHSI follows the standard admission procedure used across the university’s programmes. Candidates go through the following steps:
- Register for UTME and select FUHSI as first choice. Candidates must choose the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun as their first-choice institution when registering for JAMB. Candidates who initially selected a different institution can change to FUHSI through JAMB’s change of institution portal, though this depends on availability and JAMB’s guidelines for that admission cycle.
- Choose Nursing Science as the course of study and ensure the correct subject combination (English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics) is registered.
- Score at or above 210 in the UTME to meet the minimum requirement for Nursing Science eligibility.
- Register for the FUHSI Post-UTME screening once the university opens the screening portal. This typically involves a small registration fee paid through an approved payment platform.
- Attend or complete the Post-UTME screening exercise, which may be conducted online or physically at the university campus, depending on the format adopted for that admission session.
- Wait for the admission list, which the university releases through the JAMB Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) as well as its own institutional portal.
- Accept the admission offer on JAMB CAPS within the stipulated timeframe and proceed with registration once accepted.
Factors That Affect Nursing Admission at FUHSI Beyond the Cut Off Mark
Meeting the 210 cut off mark places a candidate in contention for Nursing Science, but several additional factors influence whether that candidate is eventually offered admission.
Performance in the Post-UTME screening carries significant weight, as FUHSI typically combines UTME scores with Post-UTME results using a weighted formula to generate an aggregate score for ranking candidates. A candidate with a UTME score close to the cut off mark but an excellent Post-UTME performance may still secure admission ahead of a candidate with a slightly higher UTME score but weaker screening performance.
The number of available slots for Nursing Science in a given admission session also matters. Health science programmes generally admit fewer students than other courses due to accreditation requirements from bodies such as the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, which regulate class sizes to maintain training quality.
Quota allocation is another consideration. Nigerian universities, including FUHSI, admit students under categories such as merit, catchment area (candidates from states within the university’s designated catchment zone), and educationally less developed states. These quotas mean that candidates from different regions may be admitted with slightly different aggregate scores, even while applying for the same programme.
Tips for Candidates Aiming for Nursing at FUHSI
Candidates who want to improve their chances of gaining admission into Nursing Science at FUHSI should consider the following:
- Aim to score well above the 210 minimum, since scoring exactly at the cut off mark places a candidate at the lower end of the competitive pool.
- Prepare thoroughly for the Post-UTME screening, as this stage often plays a decisive role in the final admission decision.
- Keep all necessary documents ready ahead of screening, including the JAMB result slip, O’Level results, birth certificate or age declaration, and local government identification.
- Monitor official FUHSI communication channels and the JAMB portal regularly for updates on screening dates, admission list releases, and CAPS acceptance deadlines.
- Consider applying early once the Post-UTME portal opens, as some screening exercises operate on a first-come basis for scheduling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cut off mark for Nursing at FUHSI? The cut off mark for Nursing Science at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun is 210 in the UTME.
Is 210 the same as the admission score? No. A score of 210 only qualifies a candidate for Post-UTME screening. The final admission decision depends on the aggregate score combining UTME and Post-UTME performance, along with available slots and quota allocation.
Can a candidate with less than 210 apply for Nursing at FUHSI? No. Candidates who score below 210 do not qualify for Nursing Science screening at FUHSI, though they may be eligible for other programmes with a lower cut off mark, such as those requiring 180.
What subjects are required for Nursing at FUHSI in JAMB? The required subject combination is English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
Does FUHSI accept candidates who did not choose it as first choice? Not directly. Candidates who did not select FUHSI as their first choice must first apply for a change of institution through JAMB before they can be considered.
Conclusion
The Nursing Science cut off mark at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun stands at 210, positioning it among the more competitive programmes at the institution alongside Medical Laboratory Science, while Medicine and Surgery holds the highest threshold at 220. Candidates targeting Nursing at FUHSI should treat 210 as the minimum entry point rather than a target score, focus on strong Post-UTME preparation, and ensure all admission documentation aligns with the university’s stated requirements. As FUHSI continues to grow its academic programmes heading into the 2026/2027 admission cycle and beyond, prospective nursing students are advised to consistently check official JAMB and FUHSI channels, since cut off marks and screening procedures can be reviewed from one admission session to the next.