The University of Ibadan (UI) sets separate admission cut-off marks for each programme, and Nursing Science in the College of Medicine is one of its most competitive courses. UI releases the figures after its post-UTME screening exercise, so candidates who search for the cut-off before that point mostly find estimates. The official 2026/2027 figures are now published. This article gives the updated Nursing Science cut-off mark, explains how to read it, compares it with neighbouring programmes, and sets out the requirements a candidate needs to meet.
The Updated UI Nursing Science Cut-Off Mark
The cut-off mark for Nursing Science at UI for the 2026/2027 session is 74.5, published as a first-list figure in the merit category. It is the second-highest figure in the College of Medicine, behind only Medicine and Surgery at 80.00.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Programme | Nursing Science (Bachelor of Nursing Science) |
| College | College of Medicine |
| Session | 2026/2027 |
| Published cut-off (first list, merit) | 74.5 |
| Scale | Out of 100 |
| Minimum UTME for screening eligibility | 200 |
The 74.5 figure is not a UTME score. UTME scores are out of 400, and UI’s published cut-off marks sit on a 100-point scale tied to the candidate’s performance in the university’s screening process. A candidate with a UTME score of 280, for example, still needs a strong screening result to reach the 74.5 threshold.
How UI Cut-Off Marks Are Structured
UI publishes cut-off marks in three admission categories, and the same course can carry a different figure in each.
Merit. The open competition, in which candidates from any state are ranked by performance. The merit figure is usually the highest for a programme.
Catchment. Places set aside for candidates from the states designated as UI’s catchment area. The catchment cut-off is often equal to or slightly below the merit figure.
Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS). A category for candidates from states classified as educationally less developed. The ELDS cut-off is generally lower than the merit figure. For Medicine and Surgery, for example, merit and catchment are both 80.00 while the ELDS figure is 73.5.
Candidates need to find the line for their own category when reading the full list. The 74.5 figure for Nursing Science is the merit and first-list number. Candidates applying under the catchment or ELDS category check UI’s published list for the figure that applies to them, because it can differ.
What “First List” Means
UI releases admissions in batches. The first list contains the candidates with the highest aggregate scores, and the cut-off attached to it is the lowest score among those admitted in that round. If places remain after the first list, UI can release further lists, and the threshold for later lists can be lower. A candidate who misses the first-list mark by a small margin is not necessarily out of the running, but the first-list figure is the safest benchmark to aim for.
How Nursing Science Compares With Other Health Programmes
The table below shows how the 2026/2027 Nursing Science cut-off compares with other College of Medicine and related programmes at UI.
| Programme | 2026/2027 cut-off (first list) |
|---|---|
| Medicine and Surgery | 80.00 |
| Nursing Science | 74.5 |
| Dentistry | 72.875 |
| Law | 71.00 |
| Pharmacy | 70.375 |
| Physiotherapy | 68.5 |
| Medical Laboratory Science | 68.00 |
| Human Nutrition and Dietetics | 58.125 |
| Pharmacology | 57.875 |
| Physiology | 55.375 |
| Environmental Health Science | 52.00 |
| Biochemistry | 51.25 |
Nursing Science sits above Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Law in this table, which reflects strong demand for places and a limited admission quota. The gap between Nursing Science and the lowest College of Medicine programmes exceeds 20 points, so a candidate who falls short of the Nursing mark may still qualify for a related health science course.
Why Some Websites Show Different Figures
Many websites list numbers such as 71.0, 71.375, 200, 250, 260, or 280 for UI Nursing Science. The differences come from three causes.
First, some figures are raw UTME targets out of 400, not published cut-off marks. A statement such as “aim for 280 or above” is a recommended UTME score, not UI’s cut-off.
Second, some figures are carried over from earlier sessions or are forecasts made before UI released its list. UI does not publish departmental cut-offs before the post-UTME exercise, so any figure that appears before then is an estimate.
Third, some pages mix the aggregate scale with the UTME scale. The 74.5 figure and a 250 UTME score measure different things and cannot be compared directly.
The reliable source is UI’s own published list for the 2026/2027 session.
Eligibility and Admission Requirements
Meeting the cut-off is one condition among several. A candidate for Nursing Science at UI needs the following.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| UTME score | At least 200 to be eligible for post-UTME screening |
| UTME subjects | English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| O’Level | At least five credits, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics |
| Institution choice | UI selected as the institution during JAMB registration |
| Post-UTME screening | Registration and participation in UI’s computer-based test |
| Admission processing | Through JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) |
Candidates confirm any additional rule, such as a limit on the number of O’Level sittings, in UI’s official admission notice for the session.
How Admission Into Nursing Science Is Decided
The admission process follows a fixed sequence:
- The candidate writes UTME with the correct subject combination and scores at least 200.
- The candidate selects UI and registers for the post-UTME screening.
- The candidate sits the computer-based screening test.
- UI computes each candidate’s score and ranks candidates within the programme and category.
- UI releases the cut-off marks and admission lists in batches.
- Admitted candidates accept admission and complete clearance through the approved channels.
Reaching the cut-off places a candidate in the range for admission, but the final decision follows rank order within the quota. A score above the published mark is safer than a score on the margin.
Practical Guidance for 2027 Applicants
The 2026/2027 figure serves as a benchmark for the next cycle, though the 2027 mark can change. The actions that matter most are:
- Prepare for a strong screening score. A high score on the post-UTME test carries significant weight in the final ranking. A candidate who scored 79 out of 100 in the screening after a 330 UTME score, as one reported case shows, illustrates how both parts contribute.
- Aim well above 200 in UTME. The 200 minimum only qualifies a candidate to sit the screening. A UTME score in the 270 to 300 range gives a larger margin.
- Focus on the core sciences. Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English form the base of both UTME and nursing coursework.
- Select UI correctly. Choosing UI as the institution of choice is necessary for post-UTME registration.
- Check the category. Candidates from catchment states or ELDS states compare their results with the figure for that category, not only with the merit figure.
Alternatives If the Score Falls Below the Cut-Off
A candidate who does not reach the Nursing Science mark has several options:
- Apply for a related programme at UI 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 during the approved window.
- Retake the UTME and the screening in the next cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UI cut-off mark for Nursing Science in 2026/2027?
The published first-list merit cut-off is 74.5.
Is 74.5 a UTME score?
No. It is a figure on a 100-point scale. UTME is scored out of 400, and UI’s minimum UTME for screening eligibility is 200.
Which UI health programme has the highest cut-off?
Medicine and Surgery, at 80.00. Nursing Science is second at 74.5.
Do catchment and ELDS candidates have different cut-offs?
Yes. UI publishes separate figures for merit, catchment, and ELDS categories, and the lower categories often carry lower marks. Candidates check the list for their own category.
Does meeting the cut-off guarantee admission?
No. Admission follows rank order within the programme quota, so the cut-off is the minimum for consideration, not a guarantee.
Summary
The updated UI cut-off mark for Nursing Science is 74.5 on the first merit list for the 2026/2027 session, the second-highest among College of Medicine programmes. The figure sits on a 100-point scale linked to the screening process, with UI’s minimum UTME of 200 serving as the entry gate. Different websites show other numbers because they quote UTME targets, older sessions, or forecasts. Candidates who want to be competitive for the next cycle aim for a UTME score well above 200, prepare thoroughly for the post-UTME test, and confirm the final category-specific figures on UI’s official admission pages.