Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) runs one of the more competitive Nursing Science programmes among federal universities in Nigeria, and the cut off mark for the course sits well above the general institutional benchmark. This article explains the UTME cut off mark for Nursing at FUOYE, the Post-UTME screening score for the department, how the two figures work together, and what candidates need to qualify for the 2026/2027 admission exercise.
FUOYE General Cut Off Mark vs Nursing Cut Off Mark
FUOYE sets a general minimum UTME score of 160 for admission consideration into most of its programmes. This general mark applies to courses with lower competition. Nursing Science does not fall under this category. It belongs to the group of high-demand courses at FUOYE, alongside Medicine and Surgery, Law, Mass Communication, Architecture, and Computer Science, all of which require a UTME score well above the general 160 benchmark.
For the Nursing programme specifically, candidates need a UTME score in the region of 250 and above to be eligible to apply and participate in the Post-UTME screening exercise. This figure has stayed fairly consistent across recent admission cycles, and candidates preparing for the 2026/2027 session should target a score of 250 or higher in the UTME to stand a realistic chance of being shortlisted for screening.
It is important to understand that this UTME cut off mark is not the final admission requirement. It only determines whether a candidate is qualified to proceed to the next stage, which is the Post-UTME screening. Meeting the UTME cut off mark does not automatically guarantee a nursing admission slot at FUOYE.
Post-UTME Screening Score for Nursing
After the UTME cut off mark is met, FUOYE conducts its own Post-UTME screening exercise. Departments then release a separate cut off score based on how candidates perform in this screening, combined with other academic parameters. For the Nursing department, the university’s officially published Post-UTME screening cut off mark has been set at approximately 78.55 in recent admission exercises, placing Nursing among the highest departmental cut off scores in the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, above Physiology, Anatomy, and Radiography, and just behind Medical Laboratory Science.
This 78.55 figure is not a UTME score. It is an aggregate screening score calculated from a formula that FUOYE uses to rank candidates who have already cleared the UTME cut off mark and participated in the Post-UTME exercise. Because Nursing is one of the most sought-after courses in the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, its departmental screening score consistently ranks higher than many other programmes in the same faculty and across the university generally.
The table below summarises the two-stage cut off structure that applies to Nursing at FUOYE.
| Stage | Requirement | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| UTME Cut Off Mark | 250 and above | Determines eligibility to apply and sit for Post-UTME screening |
| Post-UTME Screening Score | Approximately 78.55 (aggregate score) | Determines final ranking and admission offer within the Nursing department |
| O’Level Requirement | Minimum of 5 credits, including English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics | Mandatory alongside both UTME and Post-UTME scores |
How FUOYE Calculates the Aggregate Score
FUOYE does not admit candidates based on UTME score alone, nor does it rely solely on the Post-UTME screening result. Admission into Nursing, like other programmes, is based on a combined aggregate score that draws from three components:
- UTME Score (50%) — The candidate’s raw UTME score is divided by 8, then this figure contributes half of the total aggregate.
- Post-UTME Screening Score (30%) — The candidate’s performance in the university’s own screening test contributes 30% of the aggregate.
- O’Level Result (20%) — The candidate’s grades in the five relevant O’Level subjects contribute the remaining 20%.
These three components are added together to produce a final aggregate score. Candidates applying for Nursing are then ranked against one another based on this aggregate, and admission offers go out according to the number of available slots in the department for that session. Because Nursing has limited carrying capacity relative to demand, the aggregate score required for an actual offer tends to be higher than the department’s stated minimum screening benchmark.
Subject Combination for Nursing at FUOYE
Candidates applying for Nursing Science at FUOYE must register the following UTME subject combination:
- English Language
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
English Language is compulsory for every UTME candidate regardless of course, while Biology, Chemistry, and Physics form the science combination specific to Nursing. Candidates who register a different combination, or who substitute any of these three science subjects with an unrelated subject, become ineligible for the Nursing programme regardless of their score.
O’Level Requirements for Nursing Admission
Beyond the UTME and Post-UTME components, FUOYE requires candidates for Nursing to hold a minimum of five credit passes in their O’Level results. These credits must include:
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
These five credits must be obtained in not more than two sittings. A candidate who combines WAEC and NECO results, or two different sittings of the same examination body, still qualifies as long as all five credits are present across the two sittings and each subject shows a credit pass (C6 or better under the WAEC grading system).
Candidates who hold only four of these five credits, or who have a pass below credit level in any of the required subjects, do not meet the minimum requirement for Nursing at FUOYE, even if their UTME and Post-UTME scores exceed the stated cut off marks.
Direct Entry Requirements for Nursing
FUOYE also admits into Nursing through the Direct Entry route, which allows candidates to enter into 200 level rather than starting from 100 level. Direct Entry candidates for Nursing typically need one of the following:
- A minimum of two A’ Level passes in relevant science subjects (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics) from JUPEB, IJMB, or an equivalent A’ Level programme.
- A relevant National Certificate in Education (NCE) with credit passes in the required subjects.
- The same O’Level requirement of five credits, including English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, applies to Direct Entry candidates as well.
Direct Entry candidates still go through the same Post-UTME/Direct Entry screening exercise, and their admission is subject to the availability of space in the department for that particular session.
Why the Nursing Cut Off Mark Stays High
The Nursing cut off mark at FUOYE consistently ranks among the highest in the university for a combination of practical reasons. Nursing is a professionally regulated course, meaning intake numbers are limited by accreditation requirements from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), rather than being set purely by the university’s own capacity. At the same time, demand for the course remains extremely high every admission cycle because of strong employment prospects both within Nigeria and abroad. This combination of restricted supply and high demand keeps the required UTME score, Post-UTME screening score, and final aggregate score elevated compared to less competitive departments.
Expected Trend for 2026/2027
FUOYE has not deviated significantly from its established cut off pattern for Nursing across recent admission cycles, and the 2026/2027 session is expected to follow a similar structure. Candidates should prepare on the assumption that:
- The UTME cut off mark for Nursing will remain at 250 or higher.
- The Post-UTME screening exercise will continue to weigh heavily in the final aggregate, meaning candidates cannot rely on a high UTME score alone.
- Competition for available slots will remain intense, since Nursing intake numbers are capped by accreditation limits rather than by application volume.
Official cut off marks for each new session are typically published on the university’s website and through its admissions office once the JAMB UTME results and the Post-UTME screening dates are confirmed for that cycle. Candidates should treat any cut off figure seen before this official release as an estimate based on the previous session’s pattern, and should confirm the exact figures once FUOYE publishes its official notice for 2026/2027.
Tips for Meeting the Nursing Cut Off Mark
Candidates aiming for a Nursing admission slot at FUOYE improve their chances by focusing on the following:
- Score well above the minimum in UTME. Since the department is competitive, scoring exactly at 250 leaves little room for error once the Post-UTME and O’Level components are factored in. Aiming for a score noticeably higher improves the overall aggregate.
- Take the Post-UTME screening seriously. Because this component contributes 30% of the final aggregate, a weak screening performance can offset a strong UTME score.
- Secure strong O’Level grades. Distinctions (A1, B2, B3) in the five required subjects contribute more to the 20% O’Level component than bare credit passes (C4, C5, C6).
- Apply early and follow the official admission timeline. Late registration for Post-UTME screening can result in missed deadlines, regardless of how strong a candidate’s scores are.
FAQs
What is the UTME cut off mark for Nursing at FUOYE?
Candidates need a UTME score of 250 and above to qualify for Post-UTME screening in the Nursing department.
Is the UTME cut off mark the final admission requirement?
No. Meeting the UTME cut off mark only qualifies a candidate for Post-UTME screening. Final admission depends on the aggregate score combining UTME, Post-UTME, and O’Level results.
What subjects are required for Nursing at FUOYE?
English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics for UTME, and the same subjects at credit level for O’Level, alongside Mathematics.
Can a candidate with a UTME score below 250 apply for Nursing?
No. A UTME score below the department’s stated cut off mark disqualifies a candidate from applying for Nursing, though the candidate may apply for a less competitive course at FUOYE with a lower cut off mark.
Does FUOYE accept Direct Entry candidates into Nursing?
Yes. Candidates with relevant A’ Level passes (JUPEB, IJMB) or an NCE with credit passes in relevant subjects can apply through Direct Entry into 200 level, subject to the same O’Level requirement and available space in the department.