Courses under Science and their cut-off mark

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If you want to study a science program in a Nigerian university in 2025/2026, you’ll need two things: a general UTME (JAMB) cut-off to register for screening, and course-specific cut-off marks, especially for science programs, which are often very competitive. 

Here is an easy-to-follow guide to typical cut-off ranges across various science disciplines.

General JAMB Minimum Cut-Off for Universities

The national UTME minimum set by JAMB for university admission in 2025/2026 is 140.

This is the lowest possible score that universities are allowed to accept for screening. 

Admission depends on meeting or exceeding each university’s specific requirements. 

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JAMB Cut-Off Ranges for Science Courses

Courses in science, technology, medicine, and engineering typically require higher scores than the minimum. 

These ranges represent what many universities set as departmental thresholds:

Science Course Area Typical JAMB Cut-Off Range
Agriculture & related fields 180 – 200
Physical & Life Sciences (Biology, Physics, Chemistry, etc.) 180 – 200
Computer Science, Data Science, IT 180 – 220
Engineering (Chemical, Civil, Mechanical, etc.) 200 – 240
Medicine & Surgery 240 – 270
Pharmacy & Nursing 200 – 240
Microbiology, Biochemistry, Statistics 180 – 220
Science Education programs 180 – 200

Example from University of Lagos (UNILAG) — Faculty of Science Merit Scores

UNILAG publishes departmental aggregates (post-UTME + JAMB) from past cycles. To give you an idea of competitiveness:

  • Biochemistry – 53.025%

  • Biostatistics – 61.325%

  • Botany – 50.525%

  • Chemistry – 67.95%

  • Computer Science – 79.775%

  • Data Science – 74%

  • Geology – 66.4%

  • Microbiology – 69.175%

  • Statistics – 69.9%

  • Zoology – 53.6% 

These merit percentages reflect how much competition differs across science programs.

Why Some Science Courses Require Higher Cut-Offs

Courses like Medicine, Engineering, and Computer Science receive many applications from high-scoring UTME candidates. 

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Universities raise the cut-off to select the best-qualified.

Agriculture, Sciences, and Statistics programs may still be competitive but often attract a broader range of scores due to popularity and career options.

How to Use This Guide

  1. Ensure you score at least 140–160 in UTME to qualify for most universities.

  2. Identify your desired science course early—JAMB score alone isn’t enough. Many programs require a much higher performance.

  3. Aim for a target score within the typical range above to meet likely departmental cut-offs.

  4. Study well for Post-UTME, your combined merit often determines final selection.

  5. Check the official admission portal of your chosen university—cut-offs can vary between institutions and change each year.

What If Your Score Is Below the Ranges?

If your JAMB score is below the typical range for your desired science course:

  • Consider related or less competitive science programs, such as Biology Education, Fisheries, or Science Technology.

  • Review courses like Environmental Science, Agricultural Science, or Statistics, which often require JAMB scores around 160–180.

  • You may also take a foundation program or pre-degree before applying again.

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