Medicine and Surgery is one of the most competitive courses in any Nigerian university.
Every year, thousands of students apply to study Medicine, but only a small number are admitted due to limited slots, strict regulations from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), and the tough academic standards of the universities themselves.
To manage this demand, each university sets a departmental cut-off mark not just a general JAMB cut-off, but a specific minimum aggregate score that applicants must meet to be considered for Medicine.
These departmental cut-off marks are calculated using a combination of UTME scores, post-UTME performance, and in some cases, O’Level results.
The cut-off for Medicine varies from one university to another, but most top schools require extremely high scores due to intense competition.
What is the average cut-off mark for Medicine in top Nigerian universities?
Most of the top federal universities in Nigeria require very high aggregate scores to study Medicine.
The University of Ibadan (UI), for example, had one of the highest departmental cut-off marks for Medicine in 2024, with many successful candidates scoring above 80% in their overall aggregate.
This aggregate usually combines 50% from UTME and 50% from post-UTME or screening.
A student who scores 270 in UTME and 80% in post-UTME stands a better chance of reaching the required average.
Similarly, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) had a merit cut-off for Medicine of around 82%, while Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) was not far behind, demanding strong scores both in UTME and in its structured post-UTME test.
These high scores show that any serious applicant should target at least 270 in UTME to stand a real chance at schools like UI, UNILAG, OAU, or UNN.
How is the departmental cut-off for Medicine calculated?
Departmental cut-offs are not based on UTME scores alone. Each university has its own method of calculating aggregate scores.
Some, like UNILAG, use a formula where 50% comes from UTME, 30% from post-UTME, and 20% from O’Level grades.
Others, like OAU, use a weighted formula where the UTME score is divided by 8, the post-UTME score is divided by 2, and a final average is taken.
This system ensures that candidates are assessed fairly across multiple stages.
Even if a student scores very high in UTME, they could be disqualified if they perform poorly in post-UTME or have weak O’Level results.
This makes the competition tougher and requires consistent academic strength across the board.
What is the cut-off mark for Medicine in UNILAG?
In the 2024 admission cycle, the merit aggregate cut-off for Medicine in the University of Lagos (UNILAG) was around 82.125%.
This means a student would need at least a UTME score of about 270–280, coupled with excellent O’Level results and a strong post-UTME score, to reach the required threshold.
UNILAG does not use a single UTME cut-off; rather, it evaluates each candidate using a weighted average formula.
Students with weaker post-UTME performance usually get screened out even if they meet the minimum UTME score.
The competition is extremely tight, and any mistake in the screening process can reduce your chances drastically.
What is the cut-off mark for Medicine in the University of Ibadan (UI)?
The University of Ibadan (UI) is known for having one of the highest entry standards for Medicine.
In 2024, the departmental cut-off for Medicine was well above 80% aggregate, with many admitted candidates scoring 275 and above in UTME.
UI uses a post-UTME screening process that calculates an average score from both UTME and post-UTME scores.
Students must also have excellent grades in their five core O’Level subjects, including English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
A single C6 among A1s and B2s can reduce your overall competitiveness.
The admission system at UI is structured to select only the best students due to the limited slots available and the high academic standards required by the College of Medicine.
What is the departmental cut-off for Medicine in OAU and UNN?
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), also have very competitive cut-offs for Medicine.
In 2024, OAU’s UTME requirement for Medicine was around 280, and students also needed to perform strongly in the post-UTME test.
The final departmental aggregate hovered around 79%–80%, making it one of the toughest in the country.
UNN, on the other hand, used an aggregate system that demanded a UTME score of 270 or more and a post-UTME score of at least 80% for Medicine.
These figures show that Medicine is not only difficult to enter but also unforgiving of any academic weakness.
One bad subject in your WAEC or a below-average post-UTME can make a huge difference.
Do state universities also have high cut-offs for Medicine?
Yes, some state universities set high cut-offs for Medicine too, although they are usually slightly lower than those at the top federal universities.
Lagos State University (LASU) and Delta State University (DELSU) both had departmental cut-offs for Medicine in the 250–270 range for UTME, and they also required strong performance in post-UTME.
The difference is that some of these state universities consider indigenes separately and may offer them slightly lower thresholds compared to non-indigenes.
Still, the demand for Medicine remains high even in state schools, so applicants should not expect an easy entry route just because the university is state-owned.