The African University of Science and Technology (AUST) is a private research institution situated in Galadimawa, Abuja, along the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Road. Nelson Mandela Institution established the university in 2007 with support from partners including the World Bank, and for much of its early existence it focused strictly on postgraduate training in engineering, applied sciences, and policy studies. In recent years, the institution expanded its scope to admit undergraduate students through JAMB, and this shift is what draws thousands of UTME candidates to search for its admission requirements every admission cycle.
Because AUST operates as a private university, its JAMB cut off mark sits at the baseline figure set by JAMB for entry into any Nigerian tertiary institution, rather than the higher, more competitive marks associated with federal universities such as the University of Lagos or the University of Ibadan. This makes AUST an attractive option for candidates who scored moderately in UTME but still want a shot at a well-resourced, internationally connected university.
What Is the JAMB Cut Off Mark for AUST in 2026/2027?
For the 2026/2027 admission cycle, AUST maintains a general JAMB cut off mark of 140. This figure aligns with the national minimum benchmark JAMB sets for universities each admission season, and AUST has kept its institutional cut off at this level for several consecutive sessions rather than raising it above the national floor.
A score of 140 in UTME qualifies a candidate to apply to AUST, provided the candidate selected AUST as the first choice institution during registration or successfully changes their institution of choice to AUST through the JAMB portal after results are released. Meeting the 140 mark does not by itself guarantee automatic placement into every course; departmental or programme-specific requirements still apply, and some competitive courses may set informal internal benchmarks slightly above the general cut off during the screening exercise.
Candidates who did not originally choose AUST as their first institution but now wish to gain admission there must log into their JAMB profile and use the “Change of Institution” or “Correction of Data” service to switch their first choice to AUST. This step is necessary because JAMB only processes admission requests for candidates whose first choice matches the institution processing their application.
AUST Departmental Cut Off Marks by Course
While the university-wide minimum stands at 140, many private universities differentiate slightly between programmes based on demand and available capacity. The table below sets out the general expectation for the most commonly sought AUST undergraduate courses for the 2026/2027 session, based on the institution’s standard entry benchmark and prevailing admission trends across similar private universities in Nigeria.
| Course | JAMB UTME Cut Off Mark | Minimum O’Level Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 140 | 5 credits including English and Mathematics |
| Software Engineering | 140 | 5 credits including English and Mathematics |
| Petroleum Engineering | 140 | 5 credits including English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry |
| Materials Science and Engineering | 140 | 5 credits including English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry |
| Accounting | 140 | 5 credits including English and Mathematics |
| Business Administration | 140 | 5 credits including English and Mathematics |
| Microbiology | 140 | 5 credits including English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry |
| Actuarial Science | 140 | 5 credits including English, Mathematics, Physics/Economics |
| Banking and Finance | 140 | 5 credits including English and Mathematics |
| Agricultural Science | 140 | 5 credits including English, Biology, Chemistry |
It is worth noting that this uniform figure of 140 across departments is characteristic of how AUST currently structures its admission policy: rather than ranking courses by competitiveness the way older, larger universities do, AUST applies one general threshold and then relies on internal screening, document verification, and an aptitude assessment to determine final placement. Candidates should still confirm departmental requirements directly with the university before applying, since programme-specific subject combinations differ even where the numerical cut off does not.
Courses Offered at AUST for 2026/2027
AUST groups its undergraduate offerings under a small number of schools, each covering a cluster of related disciplines. The current list of accredited undergraduate programmes includes:
- Computer Science
- Software Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Microbiology
- Actuarial Science
- Banking and Finance
- Agricultural Science
- Mass Communication (offered at some campuses under partnership arrangements)
At the postgraduate level, the university remains best known for its programmes in Computer Science and Management of Information Technology, Petroleum Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Pure and Applied Mathematics, Space and Aerospace Sciences, and Public Administration and Public Policy. These postgraduate tracks do not require a JAMB score, since JAMB only governs undergraduate admission in Nigeria; postgraduate applicants apply directly to the university with their first degree certificates and transcripts.
General Admission Requirements Beyond the Cut Off Mark
Scoring up to or above 140 in UTME does not complete the admission process on its own. AUST expects every undergraduate applicant to satisfy the following conditions:
- O’Level credits: A minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, obtained in no more than two sittings from WAEC, NECO, GCE, or an equivalent examining body.
- First choice or change of institution: The candidate’s JAMB profile must reflect AUST as the institution of choice, either from initial registration or through a subsequent correction.
- Post-UTME or screening exercise: Rather than conducting a physical computer-based test like most public universities, AUST typically carries out an online document verification process alongside a scholastic aptitude assessment where necessary.
- Direct Entry consideration: Holders of an ND or NCE with Credit or Merit grades, or an HND with a Lower Credit, may be placed into 200 or 300 level depending on how closely their previous field of study aligns with the AUST programme they are applying for. Candidates with two A’Level passes or an existing first degree are also eligible for Direct Entry consideration.
Candidates should treat the 140 UTME benchmark as the entry ticket to the process rather than the sole determinant of admission. The university still reserves the right to rank applicants by overall merit, especially in years where demand for a particular course exceeds available seats.
How to Apply to AUST After Meeting the Cut Off Mark
For a UTME candidate who has confirmed a score of 140 or higher, the practical steps toward securing admission at AUST are:
- Log in to the JAMB portal using the registered profile.
- Confirm or update the first choice institution to African University of Science and Technology.
- Visit the AUST admissions portal or the Admissions Office at Room MH 113, Mandela Hall, on the AUST campus, to begin the institutional application.
- Submit O’Level results, birth certificate or age declaration, and passport photographs as part of the application package.
- Complete any online screening or document verification exercise the university schedules.
- Monitor the JAMB CAPS (Central Admissions Processing System) portal for an admission status update once the university uploads its admission list.
Applicants are usually notified of the outcome by email or phone once the university has reviewed their documents against the cut off and programme requirements.
Why AUST’s Cut Off Mark Stays at the National Minimum
A recurring question among prospective students is why a research-focused, internationally staffed university sets its cut off at the lowest figure JAMB permits rather than a higher, more selective mark. Several factors explain this policy. First, AUST is a relatively young entrant into undergraduate education compared to its postgraduate history, and it is still building its undergraduate student population. Second, as a private university, AUST does not depend on UTME performance alone to judge a candidate’s suitability; it layers its own screening, aptitude assessment, and document review on top of the JAMB score, which allows it to maintain quality control without needing to filter applicants through a high cut off mark. Third, keeping the cut off at the national floor widens the pool of eligible applicants, which matters for a university working to grow its undergraduate enrollment across several science, engineering, and management-related disciplines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the JAMB cut off mark for AUST in 2026/2027?
The general cut off mark for all undergraduate courses at AUST for the 2026/2027 session is 140, matching the national minimum JAMB benchmark.
Does AUST have different cut off marks for different courses?
No. AUST applies one general cut off mark of 140 across its undergraduate programmes rather than ranking individual courses by separate numerical thresholds.
Can I gain admission into AUST with exactly 140 in JAMB?
Yes, provided AUST is your first choice institution (or you successfully changed your first choice to AUST) and you meet the O’Level and programme-specific requirements.
Does AUST conduct a Post-UTME screening?
AUST does not run a conventional computer-based Post-UTME test. Instead, it carries out online document verification and, where necessary, a scholastic aptitude assessment.
Is Direct Entry admission available at AUST?
Yes. Candidates with an ND, NCE, HND, two A’Level passes, or an existing degree can apply through Direct Entry and may be placed into 200 or 300 level depending on the relevance of their prior qualification.
Where can I confirm the most current cut off mark before applying?
Candidates should verify the current cut off mark and course-specific requirements directly on the official AUST admissions page or by contacting the Admissions Office, since JAMB and individual universities can adjust figures from one admission cycle to the next.