Nursing Science at Bayero University, Kano (BUK) is one of the most competitive programmes offered by the university, and prospective candidates need to understand exactly what score is required before they can stand a realistic chance of admission. This article sets out the current cut-off mark for Nursing Science at BUK, how the university’s admission process works, the subject requirements candidates must meet, and what alternatives exist for candidates who fall short.
What Is the BUK Cut Off Mark for Nursing 2026/2027?
For the 2026/2027 admission exercise, Bayero University, Kano sets the departmental cut-off mark for Nursing Science (B.NSc.) at 220 out of the 400 available marks in the UTME. This places Nursing among the most demanding programmes at the university, sitting close to Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, and Medical Laboratory Science in terms of competitiveness.
A score of 220 represents the minimum a candidate needs to be considered eligible for screening into Nursing Science, not a guaranteed admission threshold. Because Nursing consistently attracts more applicants than the department can absorb, candidates who score exactly 220 are placed in a highly competitive pool, and admission ultimately goes to those who perform best across UTME, the university’s screening exercise, and O’Level results combined. Candidates serious about securing a slot are generally advised to aim for 230 to 250 and above, since scoring only the bare minimum rarely translates into an admission offer for this particular course.
It is worth noting that BUK’s cut-off marks are reviewed every admission cycle and are not fixed indefinitely. A course that required 200 in one session can require 210 or 220 the following session, depending on how many candidates apply, how they perform, and how many admission slots the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) approves for the department that year. Candidates preparing for sessions beyond 2026/2027 should treat the figure above as a strong reference point rather than an unchangeable number.
BUK’s General JAMB Cut-Off Mark Before Departmental Screening
Before any departmental cut-off becomes relevant, a candidate first has to clear BUK’s general minimum requirement. For the 2026/2027 academic session, Bayero University, Kano sets its general JAMB UTME cut-off mark at 160. This is the baseline figure that applies to less competitive courses across faculties such as Arts, Agriculture, and Islamic Studies, and it is also the minimum score a candidate needs simply to be allowed into the university’s screening process at all.
Scoring 160, however, does nothing for a candidate targeting Nursing Science specifically. The general cut-off only opens the door to screening eligibility; it does not reflect what a competitive course like Nursing actually demands. A candidate with 160 in UTME who selects Nursing as their course of choice will not meet the departmental requirement and will not proceed further for that programme, even though they technically cleared BUK’s general minimum.
How BUK’s Admission Screening Works
Bayero University, Kano currently conducts its post-UTME requirement through an online screening exercise rather than a physical written examination on campus. Candidates who meet both the general JAMB cut-off and their specific departmental cut-off mark are invited to complete this online screening, which typically involves verifying UTME details, O’Level results, and other biodata through the university’s admission portal.
Unlike some universities that calculate a separate aggregate score by combining UTME and screening test results, BUK places heavier emphasis on the UTME score itself for determining who proceeds to admission consideration, alongside verification of O’Level credentials during screening. This means a strong UTME score carries substantial weight throughout BUK’s admission process for Nursing Science, making early and thorough JAMB preparation especially important for candidates targeting this course.
Subject Requirements for Nursing Science at BUK
Candidates aiming for Nursing Science at BUK must meet specific academic requirements at both the O’Level and UTME stages before their score can even be considered.
O’Level requirements: A minimum of five credit passes obtained in not more than two sittings is required, and these must include English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. All five subjects must appear as credit passes; a pass or merit grade in any of them does not satisfy the requirement.
UTME subject combination: The four subjects required for UTME registration under Nursing Science are English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Mathematics does not form part of the UTME combination for this course, although it remains compulsory at the O’Level stage. Selecting the wrong combination at the point of JAMB registration is one of the most common and most avoidable reasons candidates get disqualified from Nursing consideration, so this detail deserves careful attention.
Nursing Cut-Off Compared to Other Competitive Courses at BUK
The table below places the Nursing Science cut-off mark for 2026/2027 alongside other high-demand programmes at BUK, to give candidates a clearer sense of where it ranks.
| Programme | UTME Cut-Off Mark (out of 400) |
|---|---|
| Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) | 250 |
| Medical Laboratory Science | 220 |
| Nursing Science | 220 |
| Dentistry / Dental Surgery | 200 |
| Law (LL.B, Common & Islamic Law) | 200 |
| Physiotherapy | 180 |
| Radiography | 180 |
| Environmental Health Science | 180 |
| General baseline (most other courses) | 160 |
From this comparison, Nursing Science ranks as one of the two most competitive allied health courses at BUK after Medicine and Surgery, tied with Medical Laboratory Science, and considerably above Dentistry and Law in terms of required score.
Why Nursing Remains a High Cut-Off Course at BUK
A few consistent factors keep the Nursing Science cut-off mark elevated at BUK every admission cycle:
- Restricted admission slots. As a health course regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, BUK cannot expand its Nursing intake freely. Slot numbers are tied to clinical training capacity, available teaching staff, and hospital placement arrangements, particularly through the university’s affiliation with Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.
- Large applicant pool. Nursing draws candidates from across Northern Nigeria and beyond, given the profession’s strong employability both within Nigeria’s healthcare sector and internationally. This consistently high demand keeps competition, and by extension the cut-off mark, on the higher end.
- Accreditation and regulatory standards. Because graduates must be eligible for professional licensing, BUK cannot relax its admission standards for Nursing without risking the programme’s accreditation status.
- Regional reputation of BUK’s health sciences programmes. BUK is one of the most established federal universities in Northern Nigeria, and its health-related courses, including Nursing Science, carry a strong reputation that continues to attract more applicants than available spaces each year.
Options for Candidates Below the Cut-Off Mark
Candidates whose UTME score falls short of 220 are not entirely without options for that admission cycle.
- Consider a related allied health course such as Physiotherapy, Radiography, or Environmental Health Science, all of which carry lower cut-off marks at BUK and still lead into the broader healthcare field.
- Use the JAMB change of course or change of institution facility, where the timing allows, to move to a university with a more attainable Nursing cut-off mark.
- Retake UTME in the next admission cycle with a stronger preparation plan, since BUK’s process places significant weight on the UTME score itself.
- Explore other accredited nursing training routes, such as schools of nursing or midwifery attached to teaching hospitals, which admit through separate entrance examinations rather than JAMB.
When BUK Releases Its Cut-Off Marks
Bayero University, Kano typically releases its general and departmental cut-off marks shortly after JAMB publishes UTME results for that admission year, ahead of opening its online screening portal. Candidates who selected BUK as their first-choice institution should monitor the university’s official admission portal directly once UTME results are out, since this is the most reliable way to confirm the exact cut-off mark for Nursing Science and other departments for a given session, and to get accurate dates for the screening exercise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BUK cut-off mark for Nursing Science in 2026/2027?
It is 220 out of 400 in UTME. This is the minimum score required for a candidate to be considered eligible for screening into the programme.
What is BUK’s general JAMB cut-off mark?
The general minimum for the 2026/2027 session is 160, which applies to less competitive courses. Nursing Science requires significantly more than this general baseline.
Is Mathematics needed for Nursing admission at BUK?
Mathematics is required as a credit pass at O’Level but is not part of the four UTME subjects for Nursing, which are English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
Does meeting the 220 cut-off guarantee admission into Nursing at BUK?
No. Meeting the cut-off only makes a candidate eligible for the screening stage. Final admission depends on screening performance, O’Level results, and the number of available slots that year.
Does BUK conduct a physical post-UTME exam for Nursing candidates?
Currently, BUK conducts its screening online rather than through a physical written post-UTME exam, though candidates should confirm exact screening formats and dates through the official BUK admission portal each session.