The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) does not operate a JAMB cut off mark system for its Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) programme the way conventional universities do. This is the first and most important fact anyone researching NOUN nursing admission needs to understand. NOUN is an Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institution, and admission into most of its programmes, including nursing, does not depend on a UTME score at all. Instead, entry into the BNSc Nursing Science programme is based on a specific set of professional and academic qualifications that differ significantly from what applies at Federal or State universities offering nursing through the regular JAMB channel.
This article explains exactly how NOUN nursing admission works, what qualifies a candidate for a slot, and why the “cut off mark” concept commonly discussed for other nursing schools does not apply to NOUN in the same way.
Does NOUN Require a JAMB Cut Off Mark for Nursing?
No. NOUN does not require UTME registration or a JAMB score for admission into any of its undergraduate programmes, including Nursing Science. This applies across the university’s entire admission structure, not just to health-related courses. Candidates gain entry through NOUN’s own e-application portal, based on their O’Level results and, for nursing specifically, additional professional credentials.
This distinguishes NOUN sharply from institutions such as conventional federal and state universities, where a JAMB cut off mark (often between 150 and 200 depending on the course and school) determines eligibility before a candidate can even sit for post-UTME screening. At NOUN, there is no post-UTME screening exercise for nursing, and no aggregate score combining JAMB and O’Level results is calculated. Any website or source claiming that NOUN has a specific JAMB cut off mark for nursing, such as 180 or 200, is not reflecting how the university’s admission process actually functions.
What NOUN Actually Requires for the BNSc Nursing Science Programme
NOUN’s Faculty of Health Sciences runs the Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) programme as a professional upgrade pathway rather than a fresh-entry undergraduate course for candidates coming straight from secondary school. In practice, this means the programme is designed mainly for candidates who are already trained and practising nurses or midwives, and who want to convert their existing qualification into a full university degree while continuing to work.
The official admission requirements for BNSc Nursing Science at NOUN are as follows:
- Five O’Level credit passes in the SSCE, NECO, or GCE, obtained in not more than two sittings, and must include English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- A Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Midwife certificate issued by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
- A valid practising licence from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
- A minimum of six months of working experience in a clinical setting, supported by a letter of attestation from the candidate’s current place of practice.
This structure shows that NOUN’s nursing programme is not built around a UTME entry point. A candidate cannot apply to study BNSc Nursing at NOUN straight after secondary school without first completing basic nursing or midwifery training and becoming registered with the NMCN. This is an important detail that many articles online overlook or state incorrectly.
Direct Entry and Advanced Standing
Because BNSc Nursing at NOUN targets already-qualified health professionals, most successful applicants come in through direct entry rather than the 100-level route. Candidates with a Registered Nurse (RN) qualification, Health Superintendent certification, or a related health discipline credential are typically considered for direct entry at the 200 level, provided they also meet the five-credit O’Level requirement. In some cases, candidates with an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) at Upper Credit in a related health field, or an NCE with credit passes in Biology, Chemistry, or Integrated Science combinations, may also be eligible for direct entry, subject to satisfying the additional post-qualification experience requirement.
There is no 100-level intake for candidates without a nursing or midwifery qualification, since NOUN’s nursing programme functions as a top-up degree for people already working in the profession.
NOUN Nursing Admission Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| JAMB/UTME needed? | No |
| Post-UTME screening? | Not applicable |
| O’Level credits required | 5 credits including English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology (max 2 sittings) |
| Professional qualification | Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Midwife certificate from NMCN |
| Practising licence | Valid NMCN licence required |
| Work experience | Minimum of 6 months, with attestation letter |
| Entry level | Mainly 200 level (direct entry) for RN/Midwifery holders |
| Mode of study | Open and Distance Learning (self-paced, with study centre support) |
| Application fee | ₦5,000 for undergraduate programmes |
Why NOUN Nursing Works Differently From Conventional Universities
Conventional universities that offer BNSc Nursing Science, such as federal and state universities running full-time, campus-based programmes, admit students directly from secondary school through JAMB, followed by an institutional post-UTME screening exercise. These universities set nursing-specific cut off marks that are usually well above the national minimum, often ranging between 180 and 270 aggregate points depending on how competitive the institution is.
NOUN’s model is different because it operates as a distance-learning university built to serve working adults, career changers, and professionals who already hold a qualification but want to formalise it with a full degree. Its Nursing Science programme reflects this mission: it exists to give practising, NMCN-licensed nurses and midwives a route to a Bachelor’s degree without requiring them to abandon their jobs or relocate to a physical campus. This is why the entry point sits at professional registration level rather than at the point of first admission into tertiary education.
Because of this structure, prospective students who have not yet trained as a nurse or midwife and are looking for their very first entry point into the nursing profession will not find that pathway through NOUN. They would instead need to apply to a School of Nursing, a College of Health Technology, or a conventional university offering the BNSc programme through JAMB and post-UTME screening, where an actual numerical cut off mark applies.
National Cut Off Mark Context for Nursing 2026/2027
For clarity, since many searchers use “NOUN cut off mark for nursing” interchangeably with the general nursing cut off mark discussion, here is the broader national picture for the 2026/2027 admission cycle. JAMB and the heads of Nigerian tertiary institutions fixed the national minimum cut off mark for universities and Colleges of Nursing Sciences at 150 points for the 2026 admission cycle. This is a floor, not a guarantee of admission. Most nursing-specific departments at competitive federal and state universities set their own departmental cut off marks well above this national minimum, frequently between 180 and 250 or higher, depending on demand and available slots. Specialised nursing colleges, such as teaching-hospital-affiliated Schools of Nursing, often set their own separate cut off marks that can range from 170 to 200.
None of these figures apply to NOUN’s BNSc Nursing Science programme, since NOUN does not use the JAMB cut off mark system at all for this course.
How to Apply for NOUN Nursing Admission 2026/2027
Candidates who already hold an RN or Registered Midwife qualification and meet the O’Level requirement can apply through NOUN’s official e-application portal. The process follows these steps:
- Visit the official NOUN application portal and select “Study With Us,” then “Prospective Students.”
- Choose the undergraduate application category and select BNSc Nursing Science under the Faculty of Health Sciences.
- Generate a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) and pay the ₦5,000 undergraduate application fee through the designated payment channel.
- Fill in personal details, O’Level results, and upload scanned copies of required certificates, including the RN/Midwifery certificate and NMCN practising licence.
- Submit proof of six months’ clinical working experience, along with the attestation letter from the current place of practice.
- Await confirmation of admission status through the applicant’s NOUN portal account.
Applicants should always confirm the current application timeline and any updated document requirements directly from the official NOUN portal before submitting, since administrative details can be adjusted between admission cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does NOUN accept fresh secondary school leavers into the Nursing programme?
No. The BNSc Nursing Science programme at NOUN is a professional degree route for candidates who already hold a Registered Nurse or Registered Midwife qualification and an active NMCN practising licence. Fresh secondary school leavers without prior nursing training are not eligible for direct entry into this programme.
What is the JAMB cut off mark for NOUN nursing?
There is no specific JAMB cut off mark for NOUN nursing because NOUN does not require UTME registration for admission into the programme. Admission depends instead on O’Level credits, RN/Midwifery certification, and relevant clinical experience.
Can a Community Health Officer or Health Superintendent apply for NOUN nursing?
The BNSc Nursing Science programme specifically requires an RN or Registered Midwife certificate. Related health qualifications such as Community Health Officer training may qualify a candidate for other Faculty of Health Sciences programmes, such as B.Sc. Public Health, but not directly for BNSc Nursing Science unless the candidate also holds NMCN registration.
Is NOUN’s Nursing degree recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria?
Yes. NOUN’s Nursing Science programme is accredited to align with NMCN standards, and it serves as a route for already-licensed nurses to obtain a full Bachelor’s degree while continuing clinical practice.
How much work experience is needed before applying?
A minimum of six months of clinical working experience is required, and this must be confirmed through an attestation letter from the candidate’s current place of practice at the time of application.