The institution widely known as David Nweze Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, now operates under its updated official name, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), following its takeover by the Federal Government in 2022. Located in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, the university remains one of Nigeria’s leading dedicated health sciences institutions, and Nursing Science is among its most sought-after programmes. This article explains the general JAMB cut off mark for the university, the specific score Nursing Science typically requires, and what candidates need to do to secure admission for the 2026/2027 academic session.
About David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS)
DUFUHS was established as a state-of-the-art institution built specifically to reduce medical tourism from Nigeria by training highly competent health professionals within the country. The university holds approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to run a wide range of health-focused degree programmes, including Medicine and Surgery (MBBS), Pharmacy (Pharm D), Nursing Science (BNSc), Medical Laboratory Science, Physiotherapy (DPT), Biomedical Engineering, Radiography and Radiation Sciences, Optometry, and Computer Science, among other NUC-approved courses. Since the federal takeover, the university has continued to expand its facilities and academic programmes while retaining its founding focus on health sciences education.
Because candidates and search engines still frequently reference the institution by its earlier name, David Nweze Umahi University of Medical Sciences, this article uses both names interchangeably to ensure clarity, while confirming that DUFUHS is the correct current designation for admission and official correspondence purposes.
DUFUHS’s General JAMB Cut Off Mark
Every admission cycle, JAMB and heads of Nigerian tertiary institutions agree on a national minimum cut off mark that no university may admit below. For the 2026/2027 session, DUFUHS, as a federal university with strong demand for its health science programmes, has set its general JAMB cut off mark at 160. This means any candidate who scores below 160 in the UTME cannot be considered for admission into any programme at the university, including Nursing Science, and is automatically excluded from proceeding to the Post-UTME screening stage.
Meeting this general threshold of 160 only qualifies a candidate to register for DUFUHS’s Post-UTME screening exercise. It does not guarantee admission into Nursing Science specifically, since the department applies a considerably higher effective requirement due to strong competition for its limited slots.
Why Nursing Requires a Higher Score Than the General Minimum
DUFUHS, like most federal universities running competitive health science programmes, does not admit into Nursing Science based on the general 160 baseline alone. Instead, the department sets a higher effective cut off mark that reflects the strong demand for the course relative to the number of available slots. Based on recent admission trends at the university, the departmental cut off mark for Nursing Science typically falls within the range of 190 to 210 in the UTME, alongside a strong performance in the university’s Post-UTME screening exercise.
This places Nursing among DUFUHS’s more competitive programmes, trailing only Medicine and Surgery and Pharmacy in terms of the score candidates typically need to be seriously considered for admission. Because these departmental figures are not always published as a permanently fixed number ahead of each admission cycle, candidates should treat the 190 to 210 range as a realistic planning guide and confirm the exact requirement for the 2026/2027 session directly through the university’s official admissions portal once Post-UTME registration opens.
How DUFUHS Calculates Admission Eligibility
Admission into Nursing Science and other competitive programmes at DUFUHS is based on an aggregate score rather than the raw JAMB score alone. The university typically calculates this aggregate by combining the candidate’s UTME score and Post-UTME screening score, then dividing the sum by two to arrive at a final aggregate figure. For example, a candidate with a UTME score of 200 and a Post-UTME score of 180 would have an aggregate of 190, calculated as (200 + 180) ÷ 2.
Candidates are then ranked within their chosen department based on this aggregate score, and admission offers go to the highest-ranked candidates until the available slots for Nursing Science are filled. This means that a strong UTME score alone is not enough; candidates also need a solid Post-UTME performance to achieve a competitive final aggregate.
Cut Off Marks Across DUFUHS’s Major Programmes
To put the Nursing Science requirement in context, the table below compares the general institutional cut off mark against the typical departmental thresholds for other major programmes at DUFUHS.
| Programme | Typical JAMB Score Range Required |
|---|---|
| Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) | 220 – 240 |
| Pharmacy (Pharm D) | 200 – 220 |
| Nursing Science (BNSc) | 190 – 210 |
| Medical Laboratory Science | 190 – 210 |
| Physiotherapy (DPT) | 190 – 210 |
| Radiography and Radiation Sciences | 190 – 210 |
| Optometry (DO) | 190 – 210 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 180 – 200 |
| Public Health | 180 – 200 |
| Human Nutrition and Dietetics | 180 – 200 |
| Computer Science | 160 – 180 |
| General Institutional Minimum | 160 |
As this comparison shows, Nursing Science sits alongside Medical Laboratory Science, Physiotherapy, Radiography, and Optometry as one of DUFUHS’s mid-to-upper tier competitive programmes, requiring a considerably higher score than the general 160 minimum but not quite reaching the demands of Medicine and Surgery or Pharmacy.
Admission Requirements Beyond the Cut Off Mark
Meeting the applicable cut off mark, whether the general 160 baseline or the higher effective mark expected for Nursing Science, only qualifies a candidate to be considered for admission. DUFUHS also requires the following from every candidate seeking admission into Nursing Science:
- A minimum of five credit passes in relevant O’Level subjects, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained from WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent examination body, in not more than two sittings.
- A UTME subject combination that matches Nursing Science requirements, typically English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
- The candidate must make DUFUHS their first choice of institution in JAMB, since the university has stated this as a qualification condition for all its programmes.
- Successful registration for and completion of DUFUHS’s Post-UTME screening exercise, which the university typically conducts online or at designated centres.
- Submission of the JAMB result slip, O’Level results, and any other credentials required during the screening and registration process.
Candidates should also confirm that the Nursing Science programme at DUFUHS remains accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) in addition to its NUC accreditation, since this dual accreditation affects graduates’ eligibility for professional licensure and nursing practice after completing the programme and any required internship.
How to Confirm Eligibility After JAMB Results
Once JAMB releases UTME results, a candidate targeting Nursing Science at DUFUHS should take the following steps:
- Check the UTME score against the general 160 cut off mark to confirm basic eligibility for the university.
- Log in to the JAMB portal to confirm that DUFUHS and Nursing Science are correctly reflected as the first-choice institution and course.
- Register for DUFUHS’s Post-UTME screening exercise once the university announces the registration window, typically communicated through its official portal.
- Calculate an estimated aggregate score by averaging the UTME score and expected Post-UTME performance, to gauge how competitive the application is likely to be against Nursing’s typical 190 to 210 threshold.
- Sit for the Post-UTME screening and monitor the release of the departmental admission list.
- Accept any offer of admission on the JAMB Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) promptly, since failure to do this can invalidate the admission even after a direct offer from the university.
What Happens If a Candidate’s Score Falls Below the Nursing Threshold
A candidate who meets the general 160 cut off mark but falls short of the aggregate typically required for Nursing Science still has a few realistic options:
- Consider other programmes at DUFUHS with lower departmental thresholds, such as Computer Science or one of the applied science courses, if the candidate’s O’Level results and subject combination qualify them for the alternative course.
- Apply to other federal or state universities offering Nursing Science, where the effective cut off mark may better match the candidate’s current score.
- Retake the UTME in a future JAMB cycle, aiming to significantly improve the score to strengthen the chances of meeting the aggregate typically required for Nursing at DUFUHS.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the JAMB cut off mark for David Nweze Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences?
The general JAMB cut off mark for the university, now officially known as David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), is 160 for the 2026/2027 admission session.
What score do I need to study Nursing at DUFUHS?
While the general cut off mark is 160, Nursing Science is a competitive programme, and the effective score typically required for admission generally falls between 190 and 210 in the UTME, combined with a strong Post-UTME screening result.
Has the university changed its name?
Yes. Following its takeover by the Federal Government in 2022, the institution formerly known as David Nweze Umahi University of Medical Sciences was renamed David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), though many candidates still search for it under its earlier name.
Is meeting the general 160 cut off mark enough to gain admission into Nursing at DUFUHS?
No. Meeting the general cut off mark only qualifies a candidate to register for the Post-UTME screening exercise. Actual admission into Nursing Science depends on the candidate’s aggregate score, calculated from the average of the UTME and Post-UTME scores, compared against other applicants for the same limited slots.
What subjects are required for Nursing Science at DUFUHS?
Candidates generally need English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics as their UTME subject combination, along with credit passes in these subjects and Mathematics at the O’Level, obtained in not more than two sittings.