Covenant University sets its JAMB cut off mark at 180 for the 2026/2027 admission session. This figure applies as the general minimum requirement across the university, meaning any candidate who selects Covenant University as a first choice institution needs a UTME score of 180 or above to move forward in the admission process. This article explains what the cut off mark means in practice, how it applies to individual courses, and what else determines whether a candidate gains admission.
What the Covenant University JAMB Cut Off Mark Means
The JAMB cut off mark is the minimum UTME score a university sets as the entry threshold for its admission screening. Scoring at or above this mark does not guarantee admission; it only qualifies a candidate to proceed to the next stage of the process. For Covenant University, that next stage is the Covenant University Scholars Aptitude Screening (CUSAS), which every applicant must pass regardless of how high their JAMB score is.
Covenant University is a private institution, so it does not depend on JAMB cut off marks the way public universities do. JAMB sets a national minimum benchmark every year (often around 140–150 for most courses), and individual universities are free to raise their own institutional cut off mark above that baseline. Covenant University has consistently kept its mark at 180, a figure the university has maintained across recent admission cycles, including 2025/2026 and now 2026/2027.
Does the Cut Off Mark Differ by Course?
Covenant University applies a uniform JAMB cut off mark of 180 to all courses it offers. Unlike some universities that assign a separate cut off mark to each department, Covenant does not officially publish course-specific JAMB cut off marks. A candidate applying for Accounting and a candidate applying for Mechanical Engineering both need a minimum of 180 to qualify for CUSAS.
That said, the uniform cut off mark does not mean every course is equally easy to gain admission into. Some courses receive far more applications than the university has space for, which pushes the effective, unofficial competitive threshold above 180 for those programmes. Courses such as Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Accounting, Mass Communication, and Electrical and Electronics Engineering typically attract higher demand, so candidates aiming for these programmes benefit from scoring well above the minimum, ideally 200 and above, to strengthen their standing during CUSAS and the aggregate score calculation.
Courses with comparatively lower subscription, such as some programmes in the sciences and social sciences, tend to have less competition at the same 180 cut off mark, which gives candidates with scores closer to the minimum a reasonable chance if their CUSAS performance is strong.
Covenant University Courses Offered by College
Covenant University organizes its academic programmes under four colleges, each made up of departments and specific degree courses. The table below lists the colleges, their departments, and the courses offered under each, all of which carry the same 180 JAMB cut off mark.
| College | Departments | Courses Offered |
|---|---|---|
| College of Engineering (CoE) | Civil Engineering; Electrical and Information Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Petroleum Engineering; Chemical Engineering | Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Information and Communication Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Chemical Engineering |
| College of Science and Technology (CST) | Biological Sciences; Chemistry; Mathematics; Physics; Computer and Information Sciences; Building Technology; Architecture; Estate Management; Urban and Regional Planning | Biochemistry, Microbiology, Industrial Chemistry, Computer Science, Computer Science and Management Information System, Industrial Mathematics, Industrial Physics, Building Technology, Architecture, Estate Management, Urban and Regional Planning, Cyber Security, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Information Systems |
| College of Business and Social Sciences (CBSS) | Accounting; Banking and Finance; Business Management; Economics; Mass Communication; Sociology | Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Administration, Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management, Marketing, Economics, Economics and Development Studies, Mass Communication, Sociology, Financial Technology |
| College of Leadership Development Studies (CLDS) | Political Science and International Relations; Psychology; Languages | Political Science, International Relations, Psychology, English and Literary Studies |
Every course in the table above carries the same official 180 minimum JAMB requirement. The variation in difficulty of admission comes from subscription levels and Post-UTME performance, not from a different published cut off figure.
Full Admission Requirements Beyond the JAMB Score
Meeting the 180 cut off mark places a candidate in the pool of eligible applicants, but Covenant University weighs several other factors before offering admission. A candidate needs to satisfy the following:
- First choice selection. Covenant University only processes applications from candidates who selected it as their first choice institution on the JAMB portal. Candidates who chose another institution first can apply for a change of institution through JAMB CAPS before the deadline.
- O’Level requirements. Candidates need a minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, obtained in not more than two sittings, whether through WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent examination body.
- CUSAS participation. Every applicant must sit the Covenant University Scholars Aptitude Screening, which combines a written test with an oral interview. CUSAS performance carries significant weight in the final admission decision and is often the deciding factor between two candidates with similar JAMB scores.
- Age requirement. Candidates must be at least 16 years old at the point of application.
- Direct Entry requirements. Candidates applying through Direct Entry need A-Level passes, ND, HND, or equivalent qualifications relevant to their intended course, along with the standard O’Level credit requirements.
- Course-specific subject requirements. Certain courses demand additional O’Level subjects. Engineering courses, for instance, require credit passes in Physics and Chemistry alongside Mathematics, while some Science and Technology courses ask for a credit pass in a relevant elective such as Further Mathematics, Technical Drawing, or Biology, depending on the specific programme.
How Covenant University Calculates the Final Admission Score
Covenant University does not admit candidates on the JAMB score alone. The university combines the JAMB UTME score with the CUSAS result to produce an aggregate score, and this aggregate score determines the final admission ranking for each course. A candidate with a JAMB score close to 180 can still gain admission if they perform strongly in CUSAS, while a candidate with a much higher JAMB score can lose out if the CUSAS performance is weak. This is why the university stresses that candidates should not treat the JAMB cut off mark as the only benchmark to prepare for.
Tips for Meeting the Cut Off Mark and Gaining Admission
A candidate targeting Covenant University should treat 180 as a floor, not a target. Since departments with high subscription rates become more competitive at the CUSAS and aggregate scoring stage, a realistic preparation goal is a JAMB score of 200 or higher, particularly for Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Accounting, and similar high-demand courses.
Beyond the JAMB score, candidates should register early for CUSAS once the university opens the screening portal, since Covenant University processes applications on a rolling basis and admission slots for competitive courses can fill up before the screening period closes. Preparing specifically for CUSAS, which tests general knowledge, reasoning, and communication skills, improves a candidate’s aggregate score meaningfully.
Candidates who fall short of the cut off mark or who face heavy competition in their first-choice course can consider switching to a less subscribed course within Covenant University through JAMB’s change of course option, or apply for supplementary admission if the university opens a second admission window for under-subscribed programmes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Covenant University JAMB cut off mark for 2026/2027?
The cut off mark is 180 for all courses offered by the university.
Does Covenant University have different cut off marks for different courses?
No. The university applies one general cut off mark of 180 across all its courses, though competition levels differ by course based on subscription.
Is scoring 180 in JAMB enough to gain admission into Covenant University?
No. Scoring 180 only qualifies a candidate for the CUSAS screening. Final admission depends on the aggregate score from JAMB and CUSAS combined, along with meeting O’Level and other requirements.
Can I gain admission into Covenant University with a JAMB score below 180?
No. Candidates who score below the 180 cut off mark are not eligible for CUSAS or further admission consideration for the current session.
Does Covenant University offer Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, or Law?
No. As of the 2026/2027 session, Covenant University does not run these programmes. Its academic offerings are concentrated in Engineering, Science and Technology, Business and Social Sciences, and Leadership Development Studies.