Nursing Science at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, is among the most sought-after health programmes in southwestern Nigeria. Candidates searching for the OAU cut-off mark for Nursing Science find several different numbers online, and the differences cause confusion. This article separates the confirmed requirements from the unofficial estimates, explains how OAU decides admission into the programme, and sets out what a candidate needs to do to be competitive.
The Short Answer
The confirmed minimum UTME score for OAU is 200, and it applies to every course, including Nursing Science. A candidate needs to meet this score and choose OAU as the first-choice institution to be eligible for the post-UTME screening. The minimum for entry into screening is not the score that secures admission into Nursing Science. Admission depends on a departmental cut-off, which OAU determines after the screening exercise based on applicant performance and available places.
Figures such as 210, 230, 245, 265, and 270 appear on many websites as the Nursing Science cut-off. These numbers are unofficial estimates. They disagree with one another, and no single one is confirmed by the university. At the time of writing, a verified official departmental figure for Nursing Science for the 2026/2027 session is not available, so candidates confirm the final number on OAU’s official admission channels.
| Type of requirement | Figure | Status |
|---|---|---|
| JAMB national minimum for universities | 150 | Official (JAMB policy) |
| OAU minimum UTME score for post-UTME eligibility | 200 | Official (OAU admission notice) |
| OAU departmental cut-off for Nursing Science | Not confirmed | Determined after screening |
| Circulating estimates for Nursing Science | About 210 to 270 | Unofficial |
Why Published Figures Differ
Several reasons explain the wide spread in the Nursing Science figures found online.
Different measures. Some sources quote a raw UTME score out of 400. Others quote an aggregate that combines UTME and post-UTME performance. Comparing the two directly gives misleading results.
Projections instead of announcements. OAU releases its departmental cut-off marks after the screening exercise. Figures published before that point are forecasts based on earlier years.
Changing competition. The final threshold shifts every year with the number of applicants, the quality of their scores, and the admission quota assigned to Nursing Science.
A candidate should therefore treat any figure that does not come from OAU as a rough guide only.
How OAU Decides Admission Into Nursing Science
The process has several stages, and the cut-off mark is only one factor.
- UTME performance. The candidate sits JAMB UTME with the correct subject combination and scores at least 200.
- First-choice selection. OAU needs to be the first-choice institution for the candidate to be eligible for the screening exercise.
- Post-UTME screening. Eligible candidates register and sit the university’s screening, which in 2026 requires physical attendance at designated venues.
- Aggregate computation. OAU combines the UTME and screening results, along with other criteria set in the admission notice, into an aggregate score used to rank candidates.
- Departmental ranking. Candidates in each programme are ranked, and the department’s cut-off is set at the point where the available quota is filled.
- Merit list and CAPS approval. Admitted candidates appear on the merit list, and JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) records the admission.
Because ranking is competitive, a candidate above the eventual cut-off is admitted and one below it is not, regardless of how close the scores are.
Estimated Competitive Range
No official figure exists yet, but candidates still need a practical target. Nursing Science sits among the more competitive courses at OAU alongside Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy, and Law. Candidates who aim for a UTME score well above the 200 minimum improve their chances considerably, and the commonly cited competitive range for the programme sits in the mid-200s and above.
| UTME score band | General position for Nursing Science |
|---|---|
| Below 200 | Not eligible for OAU screening |
| 200 to 229 | Eligible, but unlikely to be competitive |
| 230 to 249 | Possible, depending on the year and screening performance |
| 250 and above | Stronger position; recommended target range |
This table is a planning guide, not an official threshold. A strong post-UTME performance can raise the aggregate of a candidate with a moderate UTME score, and a weak one can lower the aggregate of a candidate with a high score.
Subject and O’Level Requirements
Nursing Science has specific academic requirements in addition to the score.
UTME subject combination. English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
O’Level requirements. At least five credit passes in WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings. Candidates check OAU’s admission notice for any sitting restriction that applies to health programmes.
Direct Entry. Candidates with qualifications such as A-Level passes in relevant science subjects, JUPEB, or IJMB in the required sciences may apply through Direct Entry into the 200-level, subject to OAU’s published requirements. A registered nurse certificate is an additional route recognised by some institutions, and candidates confirm whether OAU accepts it for their category.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| UTME subjects | English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| O’Level credits | Five, including English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Minimum UTME | 200 |
| Institution choice | OAU as first choice |
| Screening | Post-UTME, attended in person |
| Programme length | Five years (Bachelor of Nursing Science) |
Key Dates for the 2026/2027 Cycle
OAU opened post-UTME registration for the 2026/2027 session on June 16, 2026, and it closed on August 14, 2026. Candidates could check their screening schedules from August 24, 2026, and the screening took place after that. Departmental cut-off marks follow the exercise. Candidates who have already screened monitor the admission portal and JAMB CAPS for the merit list.
Planning for the 2027 Admission Cycle
Candidates targeting 2027 prepare in four areas:
- Score above the minimum. The 200 minimum is a gate, not a target. A UTME score in the competitive range gives a margin against changes in the cut-off.
- Select OAU as first choice. The screening eligibility rule requires it. Using OAU as a second choice leaves a candidate outside the exercise.
- Prepare for the post-UTME. Screening performance contributes to the aggregate, so revision of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English matters beyond the UTME itself.
- Keep documents ready. O’Level results, birth certificate, and other credentials need to be in order before the screening.
The cut-off mark for the 2027/2028 session depends on the policy meeting outcomes from JAMB and on OAU’s own notice. Candidates read the university’s official announcements to confirm the current figures.
Options if the Score Falls Short
A candidate whose score is below the competitive range for OAU Nursing Science has several alternatives:
- Apply for another federal or state university that offers Nursing Science, where cut-off marks may be lower.
- Consider a related health programme at OAU, such as Medical Rehabilitation or Medical Laboratory Science, subject to the subject requirements and available places.
- Apply to a school of nursing or a college of nursing for a Registered Nurse qualification. JAMB’s national minimum for colleges of nursing is 150, and each school sets its own score.
- Use the change of institution or course portal within JAMB’s approved window.
- Retake the UTME and aim for a higher score in the following cycle.
Career Path After Graduation
A Nursing Science graduate holds a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree and sits the licensing examination of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) to practise as a registered nurse. Career options include hospital nursing, community and public health, midwifery after additional training, nursing education, administration, and further 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 OAU cut-off mark for Nursing Science?
The confirmed UTME minimum is 200. The departmental cut-off is set after the post-UTME screening, and no verified official figure is available yet for the 2026/2027 session. Unofficial estimates range from about 210 to 270.
Is 200 enough to get into OAU Nursing Science?
A score of 200 makes a candidate eligible for screening. It rarely suffices for admission into a competitive programme such as Nursing Science.
Does OAU accept Nursing Science candidates who choose it as a second choice?
Eligibility for the post-UTME exercise requires OAU as the first-choice institution.
When does OAU release departmental cut-off marks?
After the post-UTME screening exercise is complete.
Are the cut-off figures on other websites reliable?
Only if they come from OAU. Figures that differ from one another are estimates, and the university’s official channels give the confirmed number.
Summary
The confirmed OAU requirement for Nursing Science candidates is a UTME score of 200 or higher with OAU as the first-choice institution. The departmental cut-off mark is decided after the post-UTME screening and varies each year, and the figures between 210 and 270 found online are unofficial estimates. Candidates aim for a score in the competitive range, meet the O’Level and subject requirements, perform well in the screening, and confirm the final departmental figure through OAU’s official admission announcements.