The University of Lagos (UNILAG) publishes admission cut-off marks every year for each undergraduate programme, and Nursing Science is one of the most competitive courses in its Faculty of Health Professions. The latest figures, released on September 16, 2026, apply to the 2026/2027 academic session. This article explains the Nursing Science cut-off mark, how to read it, and what a candidate needs to be considered for admission. It also notes what to expect for the 2027 cycle.
UNILAG Nursing Science Cut-Off Mark at a Glance
The merit cut-off mark for Nursing Sciences at UNILAG for 2026/2027 is 77.925. Candidates from six catchment states have separate, lower figures. The table below shows every published figure for the programme.
| Admission category | 2026/2027 cut-off mark |
|---|---|
| Merit | 77.925 |
| Ogun State | 76.275 |
| Osun State | 75.2 |
| Ondo State | 74.875 |
| Oyo State | 74.1 |
| Lagos State | 73.95 |
| Ekiti State | 72.775 |
The merit figure is the highest, so a candidate competing on merit needs a stronger aggregate than a candidate who qualifies under a catchment state.
Why the Cut-Off Mark Is Not Out of 400
Most candidates know their performance as a UTME score out of 400. The UNILAG merit cut-off marks use a different scale. The published figure is an aggregate on a 100-point basis, which combines a candidate’s UTME result with the performance recorded during the university’s post-UTME screening. A cut-off of 77.925 therefore means a candidate’s combined aggregate needs to reach roughly 78 out of 100 to be in the merit range for Nursing Sciences. It does not mean a UTME score of 77.925.
This distinction explains why different websites show figures such as 200, 220, or 270 for the same course. Those numbers refer to raw UTME scores, which are a separate requirement or an estimate. The 77.925 figure is the number UNILAG publishes for admission competition.
| Type of figure | Scale | What it represents |
|---|---|---|
| General UTME minimum | Out of 400 | The lowest UTME score that makes a candidate eligible to apply and sit the post-UTME screening. Commonly reported as 200. |
| Published merit cut-off | Out of 100 | The aggregate threshold for merit consideration into a specific programme. |
| Catchment cut-off | Out of 100 | The lower aggregate threshold for candidates from listed states. |
The national minimum set by JAMB for universities and colleges of nursing is 150, but UNILAG applies its own, higher requirements.
Year-on-Year Change
The 2026/2027 merit cut-off of 77.925 is lower than the preceding session’s figure of 79.8, a drop of 1.875 points. A lower threshold does not make admission easy. It reflects the distribution of candidate performance in that cycle, the number of applicants, and the available admission quota. Nursing Sciences remains among the higher-ranked programmes in the Faculty of Health Professions.
| Session | Merit cut-off | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025/2026 | 79.8 | Not applicable |
| 2026/2027 | 77.925 | Down by 1.875 |
How Nursing Science Compares With Other Health Programmes
A comparison with neighbouring programmes helps candidates decide how competitive Nursing Science is within the health sciences.
| Programme | 2026/2027 merit cut-off |
|---|---|
| Law | 79.125 |
| Dentistry | 79.025 |
| Pharmacy | 78.325 |
| Nursing Sciences | 77.925 |
| Radiography | 77.375 |
| Physiotherapy | 76.0 |
| Medical and Laboratory Science | 75.075 |
Nursing Sciences sits just below Pharmacy and above Radiography, Physiotherapy, and Medical Laboratory Science. For candidates choosing between health courses, this gives a practical sense of the aggregate each one demands.
What the Merit and Catchment Categories Mean
UNILAG admits candidates under several categories, and each uses a different cut-off.
Merit. The merit category is the open competition. Candidates from any state are considered here, and the highest aggregate scores are admitted first. The merit figure for Nursing Sciences is 77.925.
Catchment. UNILAG sets aside a share of places for candidates from specific catchment states, which are Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo. A candidate from one of these states is considered against that state’s figure, which is lower than the merit figure. The catchment cut-offs for Nursing Sciences range from 72.775 for Ekiti to 76.275 for Ogun.
A candidate who qualifies under merit is admitted on merit. A candidate who falls short of the merit mark but meets the figure for their catchment state can still be considered under the catchment category. A candidate from a state outside the six listed catchment states competes under merit only.
Where the published table shows the entry NIL for a programme or category, no numerical cut-off applies in that case.
Requirements for Nursing Science Admission
Meeting the cut-off mark is one of several conditions. A candidate needs the following to be considered for the Bachelor of Nursing Science programme:
- UTME score at or above the general minimum. UNILAG’s minimum UTME requirement is commonly reported as 200, and candidates are advised to aim well above it.
- Relevant UTME subject combination. The usual combination for nursing is English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
- O’Level credits. At least five credit passes at the Senior Secondary School level, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings. Candidates should confirm whether UNILAG requires a single sitting for their category.
- UNILAG as the chosen institution. The candidate selects UNILAG and the Nursing Science programme during JAMB registration, or through an approved change of institution or course.
- Post-UTME screening. Candidates register for and sit the screening exercise. The registration window for the 2026/2027 session runs from June 15 to July 8, 2026.
- Admission through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). Admission is only valid when processed through JAMB’s CAPS platform.
How to Check Whether a Score Is Competitive
A candidate can estimate competitiveness by comparing a personal aggregate with the relevant cut-off in the table above. The steps are:
- Identify the admission category, which is merit or the candidate’s catchment state.
- Find the published cut-off for Nursing Sciences in that category.
- Compare the personal aggregate with that figure.
- If the aggregate is below the figure, consider a second-choice programme or institution with a lower cut-off.
A score above the cut-off does not guarantee a place, because admission follows rank order within a limited quota. Candidates with the highest aggregates are admitted first, and the quota for Nursing Sciences is small compared with the number of applicants.
What to Expect for 2027
UNILAG has not released cut-off marks for the 2027 admission cycle at the time of writing. The university publishes them after the post-UTME exercise and after JAMB confirms the national admission guidelines, so the new figures are likely to appear later in the 2027 cycle. The 2026/2027 figures serve as a reference, but the 2027 figure can be higher or lower depending on applicant numbers, UTME performance, and quota changes. Candidates preparing for 2027 should treat 77.925 as an indicative benchmark and confirm the updated number on UNILAG’s official website and admission notices.
Alternatives if the Score Falls Below the Cut-Off
A candidate whose aggregate is below the UNILAG Nursing Science cut-off has several options:
- Apply for a related programme with a lower cut-off, such as Medical and Laboratory Science or Physiotherapy, subject to subject requirements.
- Apply for Nursing Science at another federal, state, or private university, where cut-off marks are often lower.
- Consider a school of nursing or a college of nursing for a Registered Nurse (RN) qualification. The national minimum for colleges of nursing is 150, and individual schools set their own figures.
- Retake the UTME to improve the score for the next cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UNILAG cut-off mark for Nursing Science in 2026/2027?
The merit cut-off mark is 77.925. Catchment figures range from 72.775 to 76.275, depending on the state.
Is 77.925 the UTME score required?
No. It is an aggregate on a 100-point scale. The UTME score is out of 400, and UNILAG’s general UTME minimum is commonly reported as 200.
Which states have catchment cut-offs?
Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo.
Did the Nursing Science cut-off mark increase or decrease?
It decreased from 79.8 in 2025/2026 to 77.925 in 2026/2027.
Does meeting the cut-off guarantee admission?
No. The cut-off is the minimum for consideration. Admission is offered by rank within the available quota.
Where are the official figures published?
UNILAG publishes its cut-off marks and admission notices on its official website and official social media channels. Candidates should rely on those channels for the final figures.
Summary
The updated UNILAG cut-off mark for Nursing Science is 77.925 on merit for the 2026/2027 session, with catchment-state figures between 72.775 and 76.275. The figure is an aggregate out of 100, not a UTME score out of 400, and it fell from 79.8 the previous year. A candidate meets the full requirement by combining a strong UTME score, the correct O’Level credits, a successful post-UTME screening, and admission through CAPS. Candidates targeting the 2027 cycle monitor UNILAG’s official announcements for the next published figures.