Many students dream of studying Law but worry their UTME scores aren’t high enough to qualify for top-tier schools.
Although JAMB has set a national minimum of 140 for Law, universities are free to set their own departmental cut-off marks, which usually fall between 180 and 280 depending on the school’s reputation and competition level.
For the 2025 admission cycle, some institutions stand out for having significantly lower thresholds, making Law accessible to more candidates.
Which private universities have the lowest cut-off for Law?
Several private universities accept Law aspirants with UTME scores as low as 160–180.
These include Al-Hikmah, Renaissance, Nile, Elizade, Joseph Ayo Babalola (JABU), Achievers, Gregory, and Salem University, all requiring around 160 UTME for Law.
That makes these schools among the most accessible options for Law students with moderate scores.
If you scored 160–170, these universities offer a realistic chance to study Law without needing to retake UTME, provided you also do well in post-UTME and have strong O’Level results.
Which federal universities have the lowest UTME cut-off for Law?
Among federal universities, the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) stands out with a departmental cut-off of just 160 UTME for Law in 2025.
Other federally-funded options include UNILAG, UNIPORT, UNIJOS, and the University of Abuja, which all usually require around 200 UTME .
Although 200 is significantly higher than 140, it’s still among the lower thresholds for Law in the federal system.
Which state universities allow Law admission with low scores?
Among state universities, Ambrose Alli (AAU) and Delta State University (DELSU) offer some of the lowest cut-offs for Law at about 170 UTME.
LASU requires around 190, while others like NSUK, Gombe, and KSU sit between 200–220.
These figures make AAU and DELSU especially attractive to candidates with average scores who still want to study Law in respectable public institutions.
Which schools set notably high cut-offs for Law?
At the top end are universities like UNILAG (280 UTME) and UI (270 UTME) for Law, with OAU not far behind at 260 UTME.
These schools represent the pinnacle of competition, where only near-perfect UTME and post-UTME scores secure admission.
Law programs at these institutions demand excellence across all stages of the admission process.
How are departmental cut-offs determined?
Schools set their cut-offs based on a blend of factors: UTME performance, scores from post-UTME exams or screenings, quality of O’Level results, and available student slots.
Federal universities typically weigh these components some allocate 50% UTME, 30% post-UTME, and 20% O’Levels while private schools combine similar metrics based on their internal criteria.
Candidate ranking determines final admission, so hitting the minimum is just the first step.
What does this mean for candidates with UTME scores under 200?
If your UTME score is between 160 and 180, you still have solid options, especially among private universities (Elizade, Al-Hikmah, JABU, etc.).
State universities like AAU and DELSU also serve as viable public options.
Scores of 200–220 open more choices, including public universities like UNILAG, UNIPORT, and UNIJOS.
Anything below 160 will greatly limit your options, making it advisable to consider retaking UTME or exploring alternative courses.
Should I apply with a low score?
Yes, as long as you choose your target universities wisely.
If you’re aiming for Law with a UTME between 160–180, prioritize schools with departmental cut-offs within that range and invest heavily in strong post-UTME and excellent O’Level results.
Make sure you also consider factors like tuition fees, school location, and public vs private status.
A well-rounded application, including relevant subject combinations (English, Literature, Government), quality O’Levels, and screening performance, can secure admission to a reputable Law program.