Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUSOK), is a federal university with one of the most sought-after Nursing Science programmes in northern Nigeria. Because Nursing is a professionally regulated, high-demand course, its cut off mark differs significantly from the general cut off mark that applies to less competitive programmes at the university. This article explains the JAMB cut off mark for Nursing at UDUSOK for the 2026/2027 admission session, the admission categories that affect eligibility, and the full set of requirements a candidate needs to satisfy.
General JAMB Cut Off Mark at UDUSOK
Before looking specifically at Nursing, it helps to understand the baseline requirement that applies to Usmanu Danfodiyo University as a federal institution. JAMB fixes a national minimum score that every university, whether federal, state, or private, must respect. For the current admission cycle, this national minimum sits at 150 for university admission generally. A candidate cannot be considered for any course at UDUSOK, including Nursing, without first meeting this baseline UTME score.
Meeting the general baseline, however, is only the first filter. UDUSOK, like most Nigerian universities offering professionally regulated health courses, applies a much higher departmental requirement to Nursing Science because the course has limited admission slots tied to accreditation quotas from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
UDUSOK Nursing Cut Off Mark for 2026/2027
For the 2026/2027 admission session, candidates aiming for Nursing Science at Usmanu Danfodiyo University should expect a merit cut off mark in the region of 240 and above. This figure sits well above the university’s general baseline and reflects how competitive the programme has become, driven by strong demand for nursing careers both within Nigeria and internationally.
UDUSOK, in line with standard practice for federal universities, splits its Nursing admission slots into three categories, and each category carries a different effective cut off mark:
| Admission Category | Description | Approximate Cut Off Mark |
|---|---|---|
| Merit | Open competition based purely on UTME score and screening performance | 240 and above |
| Catchment Area | Reserved for candidates from states classified as being within the university’s catchment area | Slightly below merit, though still competitive |
| Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS) | Reserved for candidates from states classified as educationally disadvantaged | 280 and above in some admission cycles, though this can be lower than merit depending on annual quota allocation |
It is worth noting that these figures represent the departmental cut off mark, which is distinct from and higher than the general JAMB cut off mark of 150 that applies to less competitive courses at the same university. A candidate can meet the general 150 baseline and still fail to qualify for Nursing if their score falls below the departmental threshold set for that specific programme.
Because departmental cut off marks can shift slightly from one admission cycle to the next depending on the volume and strength of applicants, candidates should treat the figures above as a realistic guide based on recent admission patterns rather than a permanently fixed number. The final, binding cut off mark for the 2026/2027 session is confirmed once UDUSOK releases its official admission list through its admission portal and JAMB’s CAPS platform.
Why Nursing Has a Higher Cut Off Mark Than Most Other Courses
Nursing Science differs from many other undergraduate programmes because it is not just an academic course; it is a professionally regulated discipline. The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria sets strict limits on how many students a university can admit into its Nursing programme per session, based on the university’s facilities, clinical training capacity, and the number of qualified lecturers available. UDUSOK cannot expand its Nursing intake simply because more candidates apply.
When the number of qualified applicants exceeds available slots, which happens every year for Nursing, the university ranks candidates from the highest UTME score downward and admits strictly by merit until the quota is exhausted. This ranking system is what pushes the effective cut off mark for Nursing far above the general baseline, since even candidates who score comfortably above 150 may still miss out if hundreds of other applicants scored higher.
Courses without this kind of regulatory ceiling, such as many arts, social science, or humanities programmes, do not experience the same pressure on their cut off marks, which is why their departmental requirements stay much closer to the general 150 baseline.
JAMB Subject Combination for Nursing at UDUSOK
Meeting the cut off mark alone will not make a candidate eligible for Nursing if the wrong subject combination was selected during JAMB registration. The correct UTME subject combination for Nursing Science is:
- English Language (compulsory for all UTME candidates)
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
This combination applies consistently across Nigerian universities offering Nursing Science, including UDUSOK. Candidates should avoid substituting Physics with Mathematics, since Mathematics is not part of the UTME subject requirement for Nursing, even though it is required as an O’Level credit pass.
O’Level and Other Admission Requirements for Nursing
Beyond the JAMB score and subject combination, UDUSOK requires candidates applying for Nursing Science to meet the following conditions:
- O’Level credit passes: A minimum of five credit passes, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings from WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB.
- First choice institution: Candidates must select Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto as their institution of first choice during JAMB registration, since UDUSOK, like most federal universities, generally does not admit candidates who selected it as a second choice unless a change of institution is later approved.
- Age requirement: Candidates are typically expected to be at least 16 years old in the year of admission.
- Correct course selection: Candidates must select Nursing Science specifically during JAMB registration and ensure their subject combination matches the requirement listed above, since an incorrect combination can lead to automatic disqualification regardless of UTME score.
- Post-UTME screening: Candidates who meet the departmental cut off mark are required to participate in UDUSOK’s Post-UTME screening exercise, which forms part of the final admission decision alongside the UTME score and O’Level results.
How Admission Decisions Are Finalised for Nursing
UDUSOK does not admit candidates into Nursing based on the UTME score in isolation. The final admission decision combines three components: the UTME score, the O’Level result, and the Post-UTME screening score. These are typically weighted according to a formula set by the university’s admissions office, with the UTME score often carrying the heaviest weight, followed by the Post-UTME performance and then the O’Level grades.
This means two candidates with the same UTME score can receive different admission outcomes if one performs significantly better in the Post-UTME screening or holds stronger O’Level grades. Candidates preparing for Nursing admission at UDUSOK should therefore not treat the cut off mark as the only factor worth preparing for; strong performance across all three components improves the overall chance of securing a slot in a programme with such limited intake capacity.
Steps to Apply for Nursing at UDUSOK
Candidates who want to pursue Nursing Science at Usmanu Danfodiyo University should follow this sequence during the admission cycle:
- Register for the UTME and select Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto as the first choice institution, with Nursing Science as the intended course.
- Choose the correct JAMB subject combination: English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
- Sit for the UTME and confirm that the resulting score meets or exceeds the general baseline of 150, keeping in mind that a genuinely competitive score for Nursing sits much higher, typically from 240 upward.
- Monitor the UDUSOK admission portal and JAMB CAPS platform for the Post-UTME screening announcement.
- Register for and attend the Post-UTME screening exercise, ensuring all required documents, including O’Level results, are ready for verification.
- Wait for the admission list, checking JAMB CAPS regularly, and accept any offer of admission promptly within the given deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the JAMB cut off mark for Nursing at UDUSOK for 2026/2027?
The merit cut off mark for Nursing Science at UDUSOK is expected to be around 240 and above, well above the general university baseline of 150 that applies to less competitive courses.
Can a candidate with 150 in UTME be admitted for Nursing at UDUSOK?
Meeting the general baseline of 150 only qualifies a candidate to be considered for admission generally. For Nursing specifically, the departmental cut off mark is much higher, so a score of 150 is unlikely to be competitive for this particular course.
What JAMB subjects are required for Nursing at UDUSOK?
The required subject combination is English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Mathematics is required at O’Level but is not part of the UTME subject combination for Nursing.
Does UDUSOK admit Nursing candidates through catchment area and ELDS categories?
Yes. Like most federal universities, UDUSOK allocates a portion of its Nursing admission slots to candidates from its catchment area states and to candidates from Educationally Less Developed States, alongside the main merit category.
Is meeting the cut off mark enough to guarantee admission into Nursing?
No. Meeting the cut off mark only makes a candidate eligible to be considered. Final admission also depends on O’Level results, Post-UTME screening performance, and the candidate’s overall ranking against other applicants for the limited available slots.