Nasarawa State University, Keffi, known as NSUK, is a state-owned institution in North-Central Nigeria. Nursing Science is one of the most competitive courses at NSUK, and prospective applicants consistently search for the exact score needed to secure admission into the programme. This article explains the current cut off mark for Nursing at NSUK, how the university’s admission scoring system works, and what other requirements applicants must satisfy alongside their UTME score.
The General Cut Off Mark at NSUK vs. the Nursing-Specific Requirement
NSUK, like most Nigerian universities, applies its cut off mark on two separate levels, and understanding both is necessary before targeting a specific course.
The general cut off mark is the baseline UTME score that qualifies a candidate for NSUK’s Post-UTME screening exercise. For recent admission cycles, this general benchmark has moved between 160 and 170, reflecting periodic adjustments the university makes in line with JAMB’s national minimum score policy. Meeting this general mark only makes a candidate eligible to proceed to screening; it does not determine which specific course a candidate can be admitted into.
The departmental cut off mark is course-specific and is the figure that actually determines admission chances into a particular programme. For Nursing Science, NSUK has consistently set this departmental benchmark at 200, placing it firmly among the university’s most competitive courses, alongside Law and Community Health Sciences, which carry the same 200 benchmark.
Why Nursing Requires a Higher Score at NSUK
Nursing Science attracts one of the highest volumes of UTME applications at NSUK every admission cycle. This demand comes from strong and consistent employment prospects for nursing graduates, both within Nigeria’s healthcare system and in international markets that actively recruit Nigerian-trained nurses. Since the number of admission slots for Nursing does not expand at the same pace as the number of applicants, NSUK sets a higher departmental cut off mark to manage the volume of qualified candidates competing for a limited quota.
In addition to demand pressure, Nursing is a clinical, practice-based discipline. Universities generally apply stricter score benchmarks for such programmes to help ensure that admitted students can manage both the academic rigour of the coursework and the practical demands of clinical training that follow in later years of the programme.
NSUK Nursing Cut Off Mark: Current Benchmark and Score Comparison
Applicants targeting Nursing Science at NSUK should aim for a UTME score of 200 or above to meet the departmental cut off mark. This places Nursing at the top tier of NSUK’s course competitiveness, above Engineering, Computer Science, and Health Information Management, which carry a slightly lower benchmark.
The table below shows how Nursing compares against other course categories at NSUK for the current admission cycle, based on the university’s published cut off pattern.
| Course Category | Example Courses | Departmental Cut Off Mark |
|---|---|---|
| General eligibility floor | Applies before departmental screening | 160 – 170 |
| Standard courses | Arts, Education, Social Sciences, Agriculture | 170 |
| Moderately competitive | Engineering, Computer Science, Nutrition, Health Information Management | 180 |
| Highly competitive | Nursing Science, Law, Community Health Sciences | 200 |
| Most competitive | Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) | 240 |
A candidate scoring below 200 is not automatically barred from applying for Nursing, but their realistic chances drop significantly the further their score falls below that benchmark. A score in the 170–190 range would make a candidate eligible for NSUK’s general screening process but would place them at a clear disadvantage against candidates scoring at or above 200 once departmental admission lists are compiled.
How NSUK Calculates the Final Admission Aggregate
Meeting the departmental cut off mark of 200 does not by itself guarantee admission into Nursing at NSUK. The university combines the UTME score with a Post-UTME or screening score to arrive at a final aggregate, which is what actually determines the admission list. A commonly referenced formula used by NSUK divides the UTME score by 8 and adds the Post-UTME screening score, producing an aggregate that reflects both examinations rather than the UTME score alone.
This means two candidates who both score exactly 200 in UTME can end up with different admission outcomes depending on how they perform in the Post-UTME screening exercise. Candidates should therefore treat the 200 mark as a minimum threshold for consideration rather than a guaranteed pathway into the programme, and should prepare seriously for the screening component as well.
O’Level and Subject Requirements for Nursing at NSUK
Beyond the UTME and aggregate score, candidates applying for Nursing Science at NSUK must meet specific O’Level and subject combination requirements:
- A minimum of five credit passes in WASSCE, NECO, or GCE, obtained in not more than two sittings.
- Compulsory credits in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry.
- Physics is typically required or strongly recommended given the scientific and clinical nature of the nursing curriculum.
- The correct JAMB subject combination for Nursing, since an incorrect combination can disqualify a candidate from consideration regardless of their UTME score.
Candidates should also select NSUK as their first choice institution on their JAMB registration. Candidates who initially chose a different institution as first choice can use the JAMB change of institution window to switch to NSUK, but first-choice candidates are generally given priority during departmental admission processing, particularly for a competitive course like Nursing.
Registration for NSUK Post-UTME Screening
To be eligible for the Post-UTME/Direct Entry screening exercise required for Nursing admission, a candidate must have participated in the current UTME and selected NSUK as their first choice institution. Registration for the screening exercise opens through the university’s dedicated Post-UTME portal, and candidates are expected to complete registration within the window announced by the university each session. Direct Entry candidates, who may hold a relevant National Diploma, NCE, or IJMB qualification, are also eligible to register for screening under a separate but parallel process.
Missing the screening registration window, regardless of UTME score, removes a candidate from consideration entirely. Candidates are therefore advised to register as early as possible once the portal opens rather than waiting until the closing date.
Steps to Improve Admission Chances for Nursing at NSUK
Given how competitive the Nursing programme is at NSUK, applicants can take the following practical steps to strengthen their chances:
- Score well above the 200 benchmark in UTME. Since Nursing sits among NSUK’s most competitive courses, treating 200 as a bare minimum rather than a target improves the odds of a favourable aggregate.
- Select NSUK as first choice on the JAMB portal. This decision carries real weight in how admission lists are processed, especially for high-demand courses.
- Secure strong O’Level grades in the required science subjects. Distinctions in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and English Language strengthen the overall aggregate used during departmental screening.
- Register for the Post-UTME screening exercise as soon as it opens. Early registration avoids the risk of missing the deadline and being excluded from consideration entirely.
- Prepare seriously for the screening component, since the final admission aggregate combines both the UTME score and the Post-UTME performance rather than relying on UTME alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cut off mark for Nursing at NSUK?
The departmental cut off mark for Nursing Science at NSUK is 200, placing it among the university’s most competitive courses alongside Law and Community Health Sciences.
Is 200 a guarantee of admission into Nursing at NSUK?
No. Meeting the 200 cut off mark only makes a candidate eligible for departmental consideration. Final admission depends on the aggregate score, which combines the UTME result with the Post-UTME screening performance.
What is NSUK’s general cut off mark for Post-UTME screening?
The general cut off mark, which applies to eligibility for screening across most courses, has ranged between 160 and 170 in recent sessions, though this differs from the specific departmental requirement for Nursing.
Does O’Level result affect Nursing admission at NSUK?
Yes. NSUK requires five credit passes including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry, and strong grades in these subjects contribute to a candidate’s overall competitiveness during departmental screening.
Where can applicants confirm the current Nursing cut off mark?
The most accurate and updated departmental cut off marks are published on the official NSUK Post-UTME portal each admission cycle, since these figures can be reviewed from one session to the next based on applicant volume and available quota.