Federal University, Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) runs one of the sought-after Nursing Science programmes in the North-West region of Nigeria. Every admission cycle, prospective students who choose Nursing Science as their course of study want to know the minimum score that qualifies them to proceed to the next stage of the admission process. This article explains how the cut off mark works for FUBK Nursing Science, what determines it, and what candidates need to do to stand a fair chance of admission for the 2026/2027 academic session.
What a Cut Off Mark Means in the Nigerian Admission System
A cut off mark is the minimum score a candidate must obtain to be considered for admission into a particular course or institution. In Nigeria, there are two layers of cut off marks that affect every applicant:
- The national cut off mark — set by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) after its annual Policy Meeting on Admissions. This is the baseline score below which no tertiary institution is permitted to admit a candidate.
- The institutional/departmental cut off mark — set by each university (and sometimes by each faculty or department within that university) for individual courses. This figure is usually higher than the JAMB national benchmark, especially for competitive courses such as Nursing Science, Medicine, and other health-related disciplines.
For the 2026/2027 admission cycle, JAMB’s approved national minimum score for admission into universities generally stands at 150, while institutions offering nursing-related programmes at the college level have historically used a separate benchmark closer to 140. However, universities such as FUBK set their own course-specific cut off, and Nursing Science almost always carries a mark well above the general university minimum because of high applicant interest and limited available slots.
FUBK Nursing Science Cut Off Mark for 2026/2027
Federal University, Birnin Kebbi has not published a single fixed cut off mark that remains constant every year. Instead, the university’s admission office reviews the number of applicants, the number of available slots in the Department of Nursing Science, and the general performance of candidates in that year’s UTME before fixing a departmental cut off for Post-UTME screening.
Based on how FUBK and comparable federal universities have historically treated Nursing Science admissions, candidates should expect the departmental cut off mark to fall well above the university’s general minimum requirement, typically in a competitive range reserved for health-related courses. Because Nursing Science consistently records more applications than there are available spaces, FUBK tends to set its Nursing cut off higher than the cut off for many of its other departments, such as Arts or Social Science courses.
Since the official figure for the 2026/2027 session is released by the university itself — usually alongside the Post-UTME screening announcement — candidates are strongly advised to confirm the exact current-year figure directly from FUBK’s official admissions portal or notice board before finalizing any admission decision. Any number quoted ahead of that official release should be treated as an estimate rather than a confirmed figure.
Factors That Determine the FUBK Nursing Cut Off Mark
Several factors combine each year to determine where FUBK eventually sets its Nursing Science cut off mark:
| Factor | How It Affects the Cut Off |
|---|---|
| Number of applicants for Nursing Science | A higher number of candidates choosing FUBK Nursing as their first choice pushes the cut off upward. |
| Number of available admission slots | Nursing Science typically has fewer slots compared to demand, which keeps the cut off competitive. |
| National JAMB cut off for that session | The departmental cut off can never fall below the JAMB-approved national minimum. |
| Average UTME performance nationwide | If more candidates score higher in a given year, universities tend to raise their internal cut off marks. |
| Post-UTME screening results | FUBK factors in performance during its own screening exercise when finalizing admission lists. |
| O’Level results and subject combination | Candidates must meet the required credit passes before their UTME score is even considered. |
General Admission Requirements for Nursing Science at FUBK
Meeting the cut off mark is only one part of gaining admission into FUBK’s Nursing Science programme. Candidates must also satisfy the following conditions, which are standard for Nursing Science admission across Nigerian federal universities:
- O’Level requirement: Candidates need a minimum of five credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained at not more than two sittings in SSCE, NECO, GCE, or their equivalents.
- UTME subject combination: The required subjects usually include English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
- UTME score: Candidates must score at or above the JAMB national cut off mark and, more importantly, at or above whatever cut off FUBK fixes for Nursing Science that year.
- Choice of institution: FUBK must be selected as the candidate’s first choice institution on their JAMB registration, since most universities in Nigeria only consider first-choice candidates during the main admission process.
- Post-UTME screening: Candidates who meet the cut off mark proceed to register for and sit FUBK’s Post-UTME screening exercise, which forms part of the final admission decision.
- Direct Entry route: Candidates applying through Direct Entry typically require a minimum of a Lower Credit in a relevant field such as Nursing, Basic Nursing, or a related Health Science discipline from a recognized institution, along with the standard O’Level credits.
Steps to Improve Your Chances of Admission into FUBK Nursing Science
Because Nursing Science is one of the more competitive courses at FUBK, candidates who genuinely intend to secure admission should approach the process strategically rather than relying on the cut off mark alone.
- Score well above the JAMB national minimum. Since FUBK’s departmental cut off for Nursing tends to exceed the national baseline, aiming for a high UTME score gives a wider safety margin.
- Ensure O’Level requirements are complete before applying. Missing or outstanding credit passes disqualify a candidate regardless of UTME score.
- Register promptly for Post-UTME screening once it opens. Late registration can affect a candidate’s standing, especially where slots are limited.
- Select FUBK as first choice on the JAMB portal. Most universities do not consider second-choice candidates unless there is a shortfall in first-choice admissions.
- Prepare adequately for the Post-UTME exercise. FUBK’s internal screening carries real weight in the final admission decision and should not be treated as a formality.
- Monitor official FUBK admission channels. The university communicates cut off marks, screening dates, and admission list releases through its official website and JAMB’s CAPS portal, and relying on unofficial sources can lead to missed deadlines.
Why the Cut Off Mark Changes Every Year
Candidates sometimes assume that a university’s cut off mark for a given course stays fixed indefinitely. In practice, it fluctuates from one admission cycle to another. A session with unusually high overall UTME performance nationwide often results in universities raising their departmental cut off marks, since the pool of qualified applicants naturally grows. Conversely, a session with lower national performance may see institutions maintain or even reduce their cut off marks to fill available slots. Available carrying capacity also plays a role — the National Universities Commission (NUC) approves a specific number of admission slots for each department based on facilities and staffing, and FUBK’s Nursing Science department must work within that approved capacity each year. For these reasons, the exact figure for 2026/2027 should be confirmed only after FUBK officially announces it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the general JAMB cut off mark for universities in Nigeria?
JAMB fixes a national minimum score for university admissions after its annual Policy Meeting on Admissions. Institutions are not permitted to admit any candidate who scores below this national benchmark, although each university can set a higher requirement for specific courses.
Is FUBK’s Nursing Science cut off mark higher than its general university cut off?
Yes. Nursing Science, like most health-related courses, typically carries a higher departmental cut off than many other courses at FUBK because of the high number of applicants competing for a limited number of admission slots.
Can a candidate gain admission into FUBK Nursing Science through Direct Entry?
Yes. Candidates with a relevant qualification, such as a Lower Credit or higher in Basic Nursing or a related Health Science field, may apply through the Direct Entry route, provided they also meet the O’Level credit requirements.
Where can candidates confirm the official FUBK Nursing cut off mark for 2026/2027?
The most reliable source is FUBK’s official admissions portal and notice boards, along with JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), where universities publish their approved cut off marks and admission requirements for each session.
Does meeting the cut off mark guarantee admission?
No. Meeting or exceeding the cut off mark only qualifies a candidate to be considered for admission. Final selection also depends on Post-UTME screening performance, available slots, O’Level results, and the university’s overall admission process for that session.