The University of Lagos (UNILAG) runs one of the most reputable Nursing Science programmes in Nigeria, and candidates who want a place in the department need to understand two separate figures: the general JAMB cut off mark that applies to the entire university, and the aggregate score that actually determines whether a candidate gets admitted into Nursing specifically. This article explains both, breaks down how UNILAG calculates admission eligibility, and outlines what candidates need to do after checking their UTME results for the 2026/2027 academic session.
UNILAG’s General JAMB Cut Off Mark
Every session, JAMB and heads of tertiary institutions agree on a national minimum cut off mark that no university may fall below. While the general national minimum for the 2026/2027 cycle sits at 150 for universities, UNILAG, as a highly sought-after federal university, sets its own general cut off mark well above this floor. For the 2026/2027 academic session, UNILAG’s general JAMB cut off mark is 200. This means any candidate who scores below 200 in the UTME cannot be considered for admission into any course at UNILAG, including Nursing Science, and is automatically excluded from proceeding to the Post-UTME screening stage.
Meeting the 200 baseline only confirms that a candidate is eligible to register for UNILAG’s Post-UTME screening exercise. It does not mean the candidate is guaranteed a place in Nursing Science, since the department uses a separate, more demanding aggregate score to rank and admit candidates.
How UNILAG Calculates Admission Eligibility for Nursing
Unlike universities that rely purely on the raw JAMB score, UNILAG uses a weighted aggregate score system that combines three components: the UTME score, the Post-UTME screening result, and the candidate’s O’Level grades. The weighting works as follows:
- UTME score: contributes 50% of the total aggregate, calculated by dividing the candidate’s JAMB score by 8 to convert it to a value out of 50.
- Post-UTME score: contributes 30% of the total aggregate, based on the candidate’s performance in UNILAG’s computer-based Post-UTME screening test, scored out of 30.
- O’Level result: contributes 20% of the total aggregate, based on the candidate’s five best relevant O’Level subject grades, scored out of 20, using a grading scale where A1 equals 4.0 points, B2 equals 3.6, B3 equals 3.2, C4 equals 2.8, C5 equals 2.4, and C6 equals 2.0.
Adding these three components together produces a final aggregate score out of 100. Candidates for Nursing Science are then ranked against one another based on this aggregate score, and admission offers go to the highest-ranked candidates until the department’s available slots are filled. Because UNILAG disqualifies any candidate who scores below a set minimum threshold in the Post-UTME screening regardless of their JAMB score, strong performance across all three components matters, not just a high UTME score alone.
What Aggregate Score Nursing Typically Requires
Nursing Science at UNILAG is one of the most competitive programmes in the university’s College of Medicine, alongside Medicine and Surgery, Physiotherapy, and other health science courses. Based on recent admission cycles, the departmental merit cut-off aggregate score for Nursing has been reported in the region of approximately 79 to 80 out of 100. This aggregate figure is significantly harder to reach than it might first appear, since it requires strong, well-balanced performance across the UTME, Post-UTME, and O’Level components rather than excellence in just one area.
In terms of raw UTME scores, candidates who are serious about Nursing at UNILAG should aim well above the general 200 baseline, since a score close to the minimum rarely translates into a competitive aggregate once the Post-UTME and O’Level components are factored in. Many successful Nursing candidates in recent cycles have UTME scores in the range of 230 to 260 or higher, paired with strong O’Level grades and a solid Post-UTME performance, to comfortably clear the departmental aggregate threshold.
Nursing Compared to Other Programmes in the College of Medicine
To put the Nursing cut off mark in context, it helps to compare it with the reported aggregate cut-off points for other competitive health-related and non-health courses at UNILAG.
| Course | Approximate Aggregate Cut-Off (out of 100) |
|---|---|
| Nursing Science | Approximately 79 – 80 |
| Accounting | Approximately 75 – 76 |
| Computer Science | Approximately 83 |
| Medicine and Surgery | Approximately 85 |
This comparison shows that while Nursing does not carry the very highest aggregate requirement at UNILAG, it sits firmly among the university’s more demanding programmes, requiring a well-rounded, strong performance rather than an average one. Aggregate cut-offs are reviewed and can shift slightly from one session to another based on the number and quality of applicants, so candidates should treat these figures as a realistic guide rather than a permanently fixed number.
Admission Requirements Beyond the Aggregate Score
Meeting or exceeding the expected aggregate score is central to gaining admission, but UNILAG also requires the following from every candidate applying for 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 body.
- These credits are generally expected from one sitting for the strongest aggregate calculation, though UNILAG does allow combinations from two sittings in some cases, with rules on how the resulting grades are scored.
- A UTME subject combination that matches Nursing Science requirements, typically English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
- The candidate must have selected the University of Lagos as their first-choice institution during JAMB registration, since UNILAG generally only considers candidates who chose it as their first choice.
- Successful registration for and completion of UNILAG’s Post-UTME screening exercise, scoring above the minimum disqualification threshold set for that session.
- Submission of the JAMB result slip, O’Level results, and any other credentials required during registration and verification.
Candidates should also confirm that Nursing Science at UNILAG remains accredited by both the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), since this accreditation status affects graduates’ eligibility for professional licensing and practice after completing the programme.
How to Confirm Eligibility After JAMB Results
Once JAMB releases UTME results, a candidate targeting Nursing Science at UNILAG should follow these steps:
- Confirm the UTME score meets or exceeds the general 200 cut off mark required for eligibility at UNILAG.
- Log in to the JAMB portal to confirm that UNILAG and Nursing Science are correctly listed as the institution and course of choice.
- Register for UNILAG’s Post-UTME screening exercise once the university announces the registration and examination dates.
- Calculate a personal aggregate score estimate using the UTME (divided by 8), O’Level (scored out of 20), and expected Post-UTME performance (out of 30), to gauge how competitive the application is likely to be against the department’s typical threshold.
- Sit for the Post-UTME screening and await 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 Aggregate Falls Short
A candidate who meets the general 200 cut off mark but does not reach the aggregate score typically required for Nursing Science still has realistic options:
- Consider other courses within UNILAG’s College of Medicine or elsewhere in the university where the aggregate threshold may be lower than Nursing’s.
- Apply to other reputable universities offering Nursing Science, where the aggregate or cut off mark requirement may better match the candidate’s current scores.
- Retake the UTME in a future JAMB cycle, focusing on improving both the UTME score and O’Level grades, since both factor heavily into the final aggregate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the JAMB cut off mark for the University of Lagos?
The general JAMB cut off mark for UNILAG is 200 for the 2026/2027 admission session, which every candidate must meet before being eligible for Post-UTME screening.
What aggregate score do I need for Nursing at UNILAG?
Nursing Science typically requires an aggregate score of approximately 79 to 80 out of 100, calculated from a weighted combination of the UTME score (50%), Post-UTME score (30%), and O’Level result (20%).
Is scoring 200 in JAMB enough to get into Nursing at UNILAG?
No. Scoring 200 only meets the general institutional cut off mark and allows a candidate to register for Post-UTME screening. Actual admission into Nursing depends on the candidate’s full aggregate score compared with other applicants for the same limited slots.
How does UNILAG calculate the aggregate score for Nursing applicants?
UNILAG divides the UTME score by 8 for 50% of the aggregate, scores the Post-UTME result out of 30 for 30% of the aggregate, and scores the candidate’s five best relevant O’Level grades out of 20 for the remaining 20%, then adds all three components together.
What subjects are required for Nursing Science at UNILAG?
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.