Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), located in Ebonyi State, sets a departmental cut-off mark for Nursing Science that stands well above the university’s general admission benchmark. For the 2026/2027 academic session, candidates aiming for Nursing Science at AE-FUNAI need a UTME score of 200 and above to qualify for consideration, in addition to meeting the university’s general JAMB requirement and its Post-UTME screening standards. This article explains what that figure means, how it fits into the wider admission process, and what else a candidate needs to secure a place in the department.
What the AE-FUNAI Nursing Cut Off Mark Means
A cut-off mark is the minimum score a candidate must attain before the university considers that candidate for admission into a specific course. AE-FUNAI operates two layers of cut-off: a general institutional cut-off that applies to every applicant regardless of course, and a departmental cut-off that applies specifically to the course the candidate wants to study. For Nursing Science, the departmental cut-off is higher than the general institutional benchmark because the course attracts a large volume of applicants relative to the number of available slots, and because it leads to a professional qualification regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
A candidate who scores below 200 in UTME does not automatically lose all chances of studying at AE-FUNAI, but that candidate does fall short of the Nursing Science departmental requirement and would need to consider a different course or apply through supplementary admission channels where slots remain available.
AE-FUNAI General and Nursing Cut Off Marks at a Glance
The table below summarises how the Nursing Science cut-off compares with the general institutional cut-off and with a few other competitive courses at AE-FUNAI.
| Category | UTME Score Requirement |
|---|---|
| General AE-FUNAI JAMB cut-off (all courses) | 150 |
| Nursing Science | 200 |
| Medicine and Surgery | 220 |
| Law | 220 |
| Mass Communication | 180 |
| Medical Laboratory Science | 180 |
| Anatomy | 180 |
These figures apply to candidates seeking admission through UTME. Direct Entry applicants follow a separate evaluation process built around their existing qualifications rather than a UTME score, though they must still meet the department’s academic requirements.
Why Nursing Has a Higher Cut Off Than Most Courses
Nursing Science sits among the most sought-after courses at AE-FUNAI for several reasons. First, the course leads to a professional licence to practise as a registered nurse anywhere in Nigeria, which gives graduates strong and consistent employment prospects both locally and internationally. Second, the number of candidates who list Nursing Science as their first choice at AE-FUNAI far exceeds the number of seats the department can accommodate in a single session. Third, the university, like most institutions running NMCN-accredited nursing programmes, maintains a higher entry threshold to keep the quality of intake consistent with professional training standards. These factors combine to push the departmental cut-off for Nursing Science well above the general 150 baseline that applies to less competitive courses.
O’Level Requirements for Nursing Science at AE-FUNAI
Meeting the UTME cut-off mark is only one part of the admission requirement. A candidate must also present five credit passes in the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE), obtained in not more than two sittings. For Nursing Science, these credits typically must include:
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics or a related science subject, depending on the specific requirement published by the department that admission year
Candidates should confirm the exact subject combination required for the session they are applying for, since minor adjustments to subject requirements sometimes occur between admission cycles.
UTME Subject Combination for Nursing Science
JAMB requires candidates applying for Nursing Science to register for and sit the following subjects in UTME:
- English Language (compulsory)
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
A candidate who does not register for this combination is not eligible for consideration into Nursing Science at AE-FUNAI, regardless of the total UTME score obtained.
How the Post-UTME Screening Fits In
Scoring 200 or above in UTME makes a candidate eligible to participate in AE-FUNAI’s Post-UTME screening exercise for Nursing Science; it does not by itself guarantee admission. After the screening, the university combines the candidate’s UTME score, O’Level result, and Post-UTME screening score into an aggregate score, using a formula that weights each component. Admission into Nursing Science is then offered based on this aggregate score, in order of merit, until the available slots for the department are filled.
Because of this, candidates who score exactly 200 or just slightly above it face stronger competition than candidates with a considerably higher UTME score, since the final admission decision depends on the aggregate ranking rather than the UTME score alone. Candidates preparing for Nursing Science admission at AE-FUNAI should therefore aim to score as far above 200 as possible and also prepare seriously for the Post-UTME screening exercise, since a strong screening performance can meaningfully improve a candidate’s final aggregate position.
Steps to Apply for Nursing Science at AE-FUNAI
- Register for UTME with AE-FUNAI selected as the first-choice institution and Nursing Science selected as the intended course, using the correct subject combination (English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics).
- Sit the UTME examination and obtain a score of at least 200, which is the departmental cut-off mark for Nursing Science.
- Check eligibility on the JAMB portal or the AE-FUNAI admission portal once the university releases its cut-off mark for the session.
- Register for AE-FUNAI Post-UTME screening, providing O’Level results and other required documents within the stipulated registration window.
- Sit the Post-UTME screening exercise, which the university uses alongside the UTME score and O’Level grades to compute an aggregate score.
- Check the admission list once released on the JAMB Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) portal or the AE-FUNAI website.
- Accept the admission offer on JAMB CAPS and proceed with the university’s registration and acceptance fee payment process.
Change of Course or Change of Institution
A candidate who scores below 200 in UTME but still wishes to study at AE-FUNAI can consider applying for a course with a lower departmental cut-off mark, such as courses at the general 150 threshold, and later explore an internal change of course after gaining admission and completing a session, subject to the department’s internal transfer policy and the availability of space in Nursing Science. Alternatively, a candidate who did not originally select AE-FUNAI as first choice but meets the Nursing Science cut-off mark can use JAMB’s change of institution or change of course platform during the window JAMB opens for this purpose each admission cycle.
Does the Nursing Cut Off Mark Change Every Session?
The departmental cut-off mark for Nursing Science at AE-FUNAI is reviewed at the start of each admission cycle. While the figure has remained around 200 in recent sessions, the university reserves the right to adjust it based on factors such as the volume of applications received, the number of available slots, and directives from the National Universities Commission (NUC) and JAMB regarding minimum admission benchmarks for the year. Candidates should always verify the current cut-off mark directly on the official AE-FUNAI admission portal or the JAMB CAPS portal once the university publishes its cut-off mark for the 2026/2027 session, rather than relying solely on figures from previous sessions.
FAQs
What is the AE-FUNAI cut off mark for Nursing Science in 2026/2027?
The Nursing Science departmental cut-off mark at AE-FUNAI is 200 in UTME, higher than the university’s general cut-off mark of 150.
Can I apply for Nursing Science at AE-FUNAI with a UTME score of 180?
No. A UTME score of 180 falls short of the 200 mark required for Nursing Science, so a candidate with this score is not eligible for Post-UTME screening in that department, though the score qualifies for several other courses at AE-FUNAI.
Does scoring 200 in UTME guarantee admission into Nursing Science at AE-FUNAI?
No. A score of 200 only makes a candidate eligible for Post-UTME screening. Final admission depends on the aggregate score computed from UTME, O’Level results, and Post-UTME screening performance, ranked against other applicants for the available slots.
What subjects do I need for AE-FUNAI Nursing Science admission?
Candidates need UTME subjects of English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, plus five O’Level credit passes that typically include English Language, Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry.
Where can I check the official AE-FUNAI cut off mark for the current session?
The most reliable sources are the AE-FUNAI official admission portal and the JAMB CAPS portal, both of which publish updated cut-off marks once the university finalises them for each admission cycle.