Nursing Science at Bayero University, Kano (BUK) sits in the university’s College of Health Sciences and draws many more applicants than it has places. BUK publishes programme-specific UTME cut-off marks for the screening exercise, and the figure for Nursing Science is higher than the university’s general entry score. Reports differ slightly on the exact number, and a different figure also applies to final admission. This article sets out the confirmed position, explains how to read each number, and describes what a candidate needs to do to be competitive.
The Short Answer
For the 2026/2027 session, BUK’s general minimum UTME score for its post-UTME screening is 160, and programme-specific cut-off marks range from 160 up to 250. The figure most often reported for Nursing Science is 220, which sits alongside Dentistry and Pharmacy at the upper end of the list, below Medicine and Surgery at 250. One compiled list gives 210 for Nursing, and an earlier-session listing shows 180, so candidates confirm the current figure in the university’s official bulletin of cut-off points.
BUK has not, in recent years, made its departmental merit, catchment, and educationally less developed state aggregate thresholds public. The published figures are therefore UTME-scale cut-offs for entry into the screening and not the final aggregate that decides admission.
| Level | Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General minimum UTME for screening | 160 | Applies across the university |
| Nursing Science programme cut-off (most reported) | 220 | Published in programme lists for 2026/2027 |
| Alternative figure in one list | 210 | Differs between compiled lists |
| Medicine and Surgery | 250 | Highest on the list |
| Dentistry and Pharmacy | 220 | Same level as Nursing Science |
Understanding What the Published Figure Means
The BUK cut-off marks are UTME scores out of 400. A candidate for Nursing Science with a UTME score of 220 or above has met the programme’s screening requirement and is eligible to register for the post-UTME, provided that BUK is the first-choice institution. The figure does not mean that a score of 220 is enough for admission. Admission depends on an aggregate that BUK computes from the UTME result and the post-UTME screening result, and on the candidate’s rank within the quota for the programme.
This distinction explains why some pages describe the cut-off as a score a candidate “must meet” and others describe 250 to 280 as the real competitive range. The first is the screening threshold, and the second is an estimate of what successful candidates typically achieve.
| Concept | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Programme cut-off (220) | Minimum UTME score for the programme’s screening |
| Aggregate | Combination of UTME and post-UTME performance used for ranking |
| Competitive range | Estimated scores of candidates who are actually admitted |
Why Reports Differ
Several figures circulate for BUK Nursing Science: 180, 210, 220, 230, and 270 or more. The reasons are straightforward.
Different sessions. An older listing placed several health programmes at 180, and the figures have since risen. Pages that reproduce an earlier session show the older numbers.
Estimates and targets. Some pages publish recommended scores, such as 230 or above, which describe a strong target and not a published cut-off.
Compilation errors. A few lists collect numbers from several sources and arrive at 210 where the programme list shows 220.
General and programme figures mixed up. The general minimum of 160 or 180 sometimes appears beside a course name.
Candidates read the figure alongside its source and its session, and they check the BUK bulletin that publishes the cut-off points for the current admission exercise.
How BUK Calculates the Admission Aggregate
BUK ranks candidates on an aggregate that combines the UTME score and the post-UTME screening score. The university’s long-standing approach scales each component and adds them together, so that both parts carry weight. A candidate with a strong UTME score and a weak screening result can finish with a lower aggregate than a candidate with a moderate UTME score and a strong screening result.
Because BUK does not publish a fixed departmental aggregate, candidates cannot compare their aggregate with a public threshold in the way they can at some universities. They rely on the programme cut-off for eligibility and on the admission lists for the final outcome.
Eligibility and Admission Requirements for Nursing Science
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| UTME score | At least 160 for screening in general; the programme figure of about 220 for Nursing Science |
| UTME subjects | English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| O’Level credits | At least five, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics |
| Institution choice | BUK selected as first choice in the 2026 UTME |
| Post-UTME screening | Online registration and participation |
| Admission processing | Through JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) |
The BUK online screening for 2026/2027 ran from June 19 to August 16, 2026, and the university issued screening dates by course, with a warning that a candidate who misses the assigned date loses the chance for the session. Candidates log in with their UTME registration details and check their own schedule on the portal.
Where Nursing Science Sits Among BUK Health Programmes
BUK’s health programmes sit in several faculties, and their published cut-offs follow a clear pattern.
| Programme | 2026/2027 programme cut-off (UTME) |
|---|---|
| Medicine and Surgery | 250 |
| Dentistry | 220 |
| Pharmacy | 220 |
| Nursing Science | 220 (one list: 210) |
| Medical Laboratory Science | About 180 to 220 |
| Environmental Health Science | 160 to 180 |
| Other allied health programmes | 160 to 180 |
Nursing Science sits near the top of the health programmes, just below Medicine and Surgery, and above most other allied health courses. The gap to the lower-demand programmes is large, so a candidate who falls short of the Nursing figure may still qualify for a related health course.
The Admission Process Step by Step
- The candidate writes UTME with English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics and reaches at least the programme cut-off.
- The candidate selects BUK as first choice and Nursing Science as the course.
- The candidate registers for the post-UTME screening on the BUK portal within the stated window.
- The candidate checks the screening date for the course and attends the online screening.
- BUK computes the aggregate from the UTME and screening scores and ranks candidates within the programme.
- The university releases the admission list, which also appears on JAMB CAPS.
- Admitted candidates accept the offer, complete clearance, and register.
A candidate who misses the assigned screening date for the course cannot continue in the process for that session, so the schedule check matters.
Practical Targets for 2027 Applicants
The 2026/2027 position is a reference for the next cycle. The programme cut-off can change, and the real competition depends on applicant numbers and the quota. A practical plan has four parts.
Score above the programme cut-off. A UTME score of 220 meets the published figure, and many successful candidates score higher. A score in the mid-200s and above gives a safer position for the aggregate.
Prepare for the post-UTME. The screening result counts directly in the aggregate. Revision of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English at the level of the UTME syllabus prepares candidates for the test.
Keep O’Level results in order. Credits in the five relevant subjects are required, and candidates who need to resit WAEC or NECO consider the timing against the admission calendar.
Choose BUK as first choice and check the schedule. Eligibility depends on both, and the screening date is fixed by course.
Alternatives if the Score Falls Short
A candidate whose UTME score or aggregate falls below the Nursing Science requirement has several options:
- Apply for a related health programme at BUK with a lower cut-off, subject to subject requirements.
- Apply for Nursing Science at another federal, state, or private university with a lower threshold.
- Consider a school or college of nursing for a Registered Nurse qualification.
- Use JAMB’s change of institution or course facility within the approved window.
- Retake the UTME and aim for a stronger score in the next cycle.
Career Path After Graduation
A graduate of Nursing Science holds a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree and sits the licensing examination of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria to practise as a registered nurse. Career options include clinical nursing, community and public health, midwifery after additional training, nursing education, administration, and postgraduate study. Registration with the council is a legal requirement for practice, and candidates confirm the current licensing steps with the council.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BUK cut-off mark for Nursing Science?
The figure most often reported for 2026/2027 is 220 in UTME, with one list giving 210. The general minimum for screening is 160. Candidates confirm the figure in BUK’s official bulletin.
Is 220 enough for admission into BUK Nursing Science?
It meets the programme cut-off for screening. Admission depends on the aggregate of UTME and post-UTME scores and on ranking within the quota.
Does BUK publish departmental merit and catchment cut-offs?
Not in recent years. The published figures are programme cut-offs for screening, and candidates follow the admission lists for the final outcome.
Which BUK health programme has the highest cut-off?
Medicine and Surgery, at 250.
Where can a candidate confirm the current figure?
In BUK’s official bulletin of admission cut-off points and on the university’s admission portal.
Summary
BUK sets a general minimum UTME score of 160 for screening and a programme-specific cut-off for each course. For Nursing Science the figure most often reported for 2026/2027 is 220, the same level as Dentistry and Pharmacy and below the 250 required for Medicine and Surgery. The university does not publish a fixed departmental aggregate, so the programme cut-off decides eligibility for screening and the combined UTME and post-UTME aggregate decides admission. Candidates preparing for the 2027 cycle aim for a UTME score above the programme cut-off, prepare for the screening, keep O’Level credits in order, choose BUK as first choice, check their screening date, and confirm the current figure in the university’s official announcements.