UNILORIN JAMB Cut-Off Mark For All Courses 2025/2026 Academic Session

Overview of Why a Cut-Off Mark Matters

When students ask: “What is the UNILORIN cut-off mark?” they are really asking: “What’s the minimum score I must achieve in my JAMB UTME so that I can legally be considered for admission into UNILORIN?” For the 2025/2026 admission cycle, this minimum benchmark for many programmes has been reported as 180 in UTME.
However, meeting this minimum doesn’t guarantee admission — because admission also considers Post-UTME scores, O’Level grades, subject combinations, and departmental competition. Thus the cut-off mark acts as the first hurdle. It means that anyone below that benchmark is automatically ineligible for screening; while those at or above it move to the next stage.

The reason universities set cut-off marks is to regulate the large number of UTME applicants, ensure that candidates meet a base level of competence, match the number of available slots, and maintain academic standards. For competitive programmes — like Medicine, Law or Engineering — the cut-off often is far higher than the official minimum.

Understanding UNILORIN Admission Requirements

Before discussing the cut-off, it helps to refresh what UNILORIN requires for admission at the most basic level. According to the university’s official page:

You must take JAMB UTME (or equivalent for Direct Entry) and select UNILORIN as your first choice.
You must have at least five credit passes in relevant O’Level subjects (WAEC, NECO or NABTEB), including English Language and the other subjects relevant to the programme.
For some programmes (e.g., Medicine & Surgery, Nursing), the five credits must be obtained in one sitting.
After UTME, you’ll often write a Post-UTME screening test; your aggregate score (UTME + Post-UTME + O’Level) will determine your competitiveness.
In short: the cut-off mark is only one part of the full admission puzzle.

What the Cut-Off Mark Means for UNILORIN

For UNILORIN, the widely reported minimum UTME cut-off mark for the 2025/2026 session is 180 for many courses. This means that candidates scoring 180 or above in UTME and selecting UNILORIN as their first choice become eligible to apply for UNILORIN’s Post-UTME screening. It does not guarantee a place.

But why 180? Because this figure provides a threshold below which the university will not consider applications, making the screening process manageable. After 180, what really counts is how your score compares to others in your programme, how you perform in the Post-UTME screening, and how strong your O’Level results are.

It is also important to note that UNILORIN sometimes uses a higher internal cut-off for specific departments depending on competition. For example:

Programme like Medicine and Surgery have a reported cut-off of around 260 for UTME.
Courses like Law are often at about 240.
Less competitive programmes may still use the 180 baseline.
If your score is just at the minimum, you still need to excel in screening and other criteria to stand a strong chance.

UNILORIN Departmental Cut off marks – Course by Course Differences

Even though 180 is the general floor, UNILORIN’s departmental cut-off marks vary because each programme has different demand and capacity. According to available breakdowns:

Medicine & Surgery: ~260 UTME cut-off for the 2025/2026 session.
Law: ~240 UTME cut-off.
Nursing: ~210 UTME cut-off.
Engineering programmes: around ~220 UTME cut-off.
Arts, Humanities and Education Related courses: around 180-200 UTME cut-off.

These figures are approximate and may be updated when the university issues official data. Your competitiveness is determined not only by hitting the cut-off, but outperforming your peers in the screening exercise and maintaining strong O’Level results.

How to Calculate Your Aggregate Score for UNILORIN

Since UNILORIN gives weight to UTME scores, Post-UTME performance and O’Level results, you may ask: How do I estimate my chance of admission? While exact formulas are not always publicly provided, one commonly cited method is:

UTME Score: 50% of total aggregate
Post-UTME Score: 30% of total aggregate
O’Level Credit Passes: 20% of total aggregate

For example: If your UTME score was 220 out of 400, and you scored, say, 70/100 in the Post-UTME, and your O’Level result was strong, you could compute, roughly:

UTME portion = (220 ÷ 400) × 50% = 27.5%
Post-UTME portion = (70 ÷ 100) × 30% = 21%
O’Level portion = maybe 20% if you had strong five credits = 20%
Total ~ 68.5% aggregate. This result would then be compared to the aggregates of other candidates in your programme.

Remember: each department may set a different “cut line” for the aggregate; hitting the UTME cut-off alone is not enough. Also, be aware this is an approximate method; use it to guide your preparation and expectations.

Factors That Influence UNILORIN’s Cut-Off Marks

Several internal and external variables shape how high or low a department’s cut-off mark goes each year. Some of these include:

Number of Applicants: A programme with thousands of applicants and few slots will push its cut-off mark higher.
Performance of Candidates: If the average UTME performance among applicants is high, cut-off tends to increase.
Slot Allocation: If UNILORIN or regulatory authorities (e.g., the National Universities Commission) give fewer admission slots to a programme, competition is stiffer.
Historical Trends: Departments analyse past years’ results and may adjust cut-offs accordingly.
Programme Reputation and Demand: High-prestige programmes (Medicine, Law, Pharmacy) routinely have higher cut-offs.
Knowing this helps applicants see why some programmes ask for much higher marks than the minimum.

What to Do If You Don’t Meet the Cut-Off Mark

Scoring slightly below the published UTME cut-off can be discouraging — but all is not lost. Here are some practical options:

Change Course: If your score is below the more competitive programmes but above the floor, consider switching to a related but less competitive course within UNILORIN.
Consider Other Institutions: Look at universities with lower cut-off marks for the same or a similar course. You might have a better chance elsewhere for that season.
Retake UTME/DE: If the difference is significant and you are determined to join UNILORIN or your dream programme, another attempt might be worth it.
Improve Post-UTME Performance and O’Level Grades: Even if your UTME score is slightly above the cut-off, you still need to excel in the screening and have strong O’Level results.
Direct Entry Consideration: If you hold an OND, NCE or equivalent and meet Direct Entry criteria, this route may offer alternative admission pathways.
Supplementary Admissions: Sometimes universities admit through supplementary rounds where the cut-off margin may drop depending on availability of slots — though this is not guaranteed.
In short: not meeting the cut-off doesn’t automatically end your admission hopes — smart strategy and follow-through can help.

Application Tips and Best Practices

To maximise your chance of admission into UNILORIN, keep the following in mind:

Ensure you selected UNILORIN as your first choice in JAMB UTME — otherwise you may be disqualified.
Aim well above the minimum UTME cut-off of 180. For competitive courses, target significantly higher.
After meeting the UTME cut-off, register for UNILORIN’s Post-UTME screening promptly and comply with instructions. For 2025/2026 the registration window was July 28 to August 10. (Nigeria Education News)
Prepare thoroughly for screening tests: practice previous years’ questions, sharpen time management, and maintain good PC/computer skills if the test is CBT-based.
Ensure your O’Level results meet requirements: 5 credits including English, and other subjects relevant to your programme. For certain programmes all credits must be in one sitting.
Maintain regular checks of the university’s official website and your application portal for updates, admission list announcements and any changes.
Keep calm and plan for alternatives: have second-choice programmes in mind or other institutions ready.

(Next, let’s look at how the departmental and JAMB cut-off marks differ)

UNILORIN JAMB Cut Off Mark for Medicine, Law, Nursing, Engineering and Others

At the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), each department sets its own admission benchmark based on the level of competition and number of available slots. This means that while there is a general minimum JAMB cut-off mark for entry into the university, some courses require much higher scores to stand a better chance of admission.

For example, competitive programmes like Medicine and Surgery, Law, Nursing, and Engineering typically attract thousands of applicants every year, so their departmental cut-off marks are usually far above the university’s general minimum.

For the 2025/2026 academic session, several education sources report the following likely cut-off marks:

Medicine and Surgery: 260 and above
Law: around 240
Nursing Science: 250 and above
Mechanical or Electrical Engineering: 220–230
Social Sciences and Education courses: usually around 180–200

These figures are based on yearly admission patterns and JAMB statistics from previous sessions. Courses with limited spaces and higher demand always set their cut-off marks higher than average.

If you’re an aspirant, this means you should aim to score well above the general minimum to stay competitive, especially for professional or science-related courses. You can also check UNILORIN’s official admission portal for departmental updates as each session progresses.

Also Read : UNILORIN Cut Off Mark For Nursing 2025/2026 Admission

Latest UNILORIN Cut Off Mark 2025 for All Departments

Every academic session, the University of Ilorin announces the general minimum JAMB cut-off mark required for all applicants who wish to participate in the Post-UTME screening. For the 2025/2026 session, reports indicate that UNILORIN’s official cut-off mark remains 180 for most courses.

This mark serves as a baseline requirement, meaning that no applicant who scores below it will be eligible to apply for Post-UTME or be considered for admission, regardless of their course of choice. However, individual departments are free to set their own higher benchmarks depending on how competitive the programme is.

For instance, while the Faculty of Arts or Education may retain the 180 mark, faculties like Engineering, Medicine, and Law often demand higher scores ranging between 220 and 260. This difference ensures that only students who have performed exceptionally well in the JAMB UTME are shortlisted for these high-demand fields.

As an aspirant, this section helps you understand the starting line — if your score meets or exceeds the departmental cut-off, you’ll be eligible for further screening. If not, you may need to consider a less competitive course or another admission pathway such as a pre-degree or remedial programme.

JAMB and Departmental Cut Off Mark for UNILORIN 2025

It’s important to understand that there are two major cut-off marks that determine your admission chances at UNILORIN — the JAMB national cut-off and the departmental cut-off set by the university.

The JAMB cut-off mark is the general score announced every year by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for all Nigerian universities. Usually, JAMB’s national benchmark for universities ranges from 140 to 160. However, most federal institutions like UNILORIN prefer to keep their internal standard higher, typically at 180 and above.

The departmental cut-off mark, on the other hand, is set by each faculty or course after the Post-UTME exercise. This score reflects the real competition among applicants. For example, even if UNILORIN’s general minimum is 180, you may still need a departmental score of 240 to study Law, or 260 for Medicine.

In short, meeting the JAMB cut-off makes you eligible to apply, but meeting the departmental cut-off gives you a realistic chance of being admitted. Always check both before making your final course selection during JAMB registration or change-of-course exercises.

How to Calculate UNILORIN Aggregate Score and JAMB Cut Off Mark

After meeting the JAMB and departmental requirements, UNILORIN also evaluates each applicant’s aggregate score, which combines their performance in JAMB UTME, Post-UTME screening, and sometimes O’Level results. This helps the university rank all qualified candidates fairly.

While the exact formula can vary slightly, a common method used by many aspirants to estimate their aggregate score is:

Aggregate Score = (JAMB Score ÷ 8) + (Post-UTME Score ÷ 2)

For example, if you scored 280 in JAMB and 70 in Post-UTME, your aggregate score will be:

(280 ÷ 8) + (70 ÷ 2) = 35 + 35 = 70% aggregate score

In some cases, O’Level grades are also converted into points and added to the total. This system helps UNILORIN compare candidates beyond just their UTME performance, especially for courses with very close competition.

This means that even if two students both scored 250 in JAMB, the one with stronger Post-UTME and O’Level grades may rank higher on the merit list. As a result, you should prepare thoroughly for Post-UTME and aim for excellent grades in your SSCE subjects related to your course.

Sources:

Legit.ng – How UNILORIN Calculates Admission Aggregate
Preps.ng – UNILORIN Admission Process Overview

Conclusion

In the 2025/2026 academic session, UNILORIN’s minimum UTME cut-off mark for many programmes is reported as 180, but that is only the starting point. Departments vary significantly in their internal thresholds — from roughly 180 for some programmes to 260 for Medicine & Surgery. Hitting the cut-off means you are eligible for screening, but admission depends on your Post-UTME performance, O’Level results, and how you compare to other applicants in your programme. If you don’t hit the mark, all is not lost — alternative routes or institutions may help. With the right preparation, realistic goals and awareness of the process, your path to UNILORIN can be clearer and stronger.

FAQ

Q: Does scoring exactly 180 guarantee admission into UNILORIN?
A: No. Scoring 180 gets you eligible for screening, but admission depends on other criteria including Post-UTME score, O’Level performance and competition within your programme.

Q: Can I apply if my JAMB result is from an earlier year?
A: No. UNILORIN requires that you use the current year’s UTME result for the session you are applying for.

Q: What happens if I did not choose UNILORIN as my first choice?
A: If UNILORIN was not your first choice in JAMB CAPS, you may still apply but your chances of admission are much lower — first-choice candidates are prioritised.

Q: Are Direct Entry candidates subject to the same cut-off marks?
A: Direct Entry admission has different requirements (such as OND/NCE). The UTME cut-off may not apply in exactly the same way, but competitiveness remains.

Q: When is the admission list usually released?
A: UNILORIN typically releases merit lists followed by catchment and other lists between August and November. For 2025/2026 the Post-UTME registration opened in July.