Candidates targeting a Nursing Science degree at Yobe State University (YSU), Damaturu, need to understand two separate figures: the university’s general JAMB cut-off mark, and the specific departmental cut-off mark that applies to Nursing Science. This article sets out both figures for the 2026/2027 admission cycle, explains why nursing sits above the general baseline, and covers the additional O’Level and screening requirements that come with it.
What Is the General Cut-Off Mark for Yobe State University?
Yobe State University sets a general minimum UTME score that applies to every candidate before the university considers them for any specific course. For recent admission cycles, this general cut-off mark has been set at 150, though it has previously been announced at 140 in earlier sessions, since YSU management reviews and adjusts this figure from one academic year to the next based on the volume and quality of applications received. Candidates should always confirm the exact figure for the current session directly from YSU’s official admission portal before registering for Post-UTME screening, since relying on an outdated figure from a previous year can lead to a wrong assumption about eligibility.
Meeting this general minimum only qualifies a candidate to register for YSU’s Post-UTME screening exercise. It does not by itself secure admission into Nursing Science or any other specific department, since departmental cut-off marks operate as a second, higher filter layered on top of the general institutional minimum.
What Is the Specific Cut-Off Mark for Nursing Science at YSU?
Nursing Science at Yobe State University carries a departmental cut-off mark of 210 and above. This is significantly higher than the general institutional minimum and places Nursing Science among the more competitive programmes at the university, alongside Medicine and Surgery, which carries an even higher requirement.
A candidate who scores 150, meeting only the general YSU minimum, does not automatically qualify for Nursing Science admission. The 210 mark specifically reflects how many applicants compete annually for a limited number of nursing admission slots, a pattern that holds across most Nigerian universities offering nursing as an accredited degree programme.
YSU Cut-Off Marks by Course: Where Nursing Ranks
The table below situates Nursing Science within YSU’s wider set of departmental cut-off marks, helping applicants understand how competitive the nursing programme is relative to other courses at the university.
| Course | Required UTME/Cut-Off Mark |
|---|---|
| General YSU minimum (all courses) | 150 |
| Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) | 220 and above |
| Nursing Science | 210 and above |
| Physiotherapy | 200 and above |
| Medical Laboratory Science | 190 and above |
| Radiography | 190 and above |
| Other general courses (Arts, Social Science, most Science courses) | 150 (general minimum, subject to departmental review) |
As shown, Nursing Science ranks as the second most competitive course at YSU after Medicine and Surgery, ahead of Physiotherapy, Medical Laboratory Science, and Radiography. Any candidate targeting nursing admission should treat 210 as the realistic score to work toward, since applying with a score at or near the general 150 minimum places that candidate well below the threshold nursing actually requires.
Why Nursing Carries a Higher Cut-Off Mark at YSU
Nursing Science departments across Nigerian universities, including YSU, admit a limited cohort each session because clinical training capacity depends on partnership arrangements with teaching hospitals, in YSU’s case the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital in Damaturu. Since the number of qualified applicants for nursing consistently exceeds available slots, the university raises the departmental cut-off mark as a filtering mechanism, admitting only candidates whose combined UTME and O’Level performance places them well above the general baseline. This is standard practice across public universities and is not specific to YSU; nursing and other clinical health courses almost always carry higher entry thresholds than non-clinical Arts or Social Science programmes at the same institution.
O’Level and Subject Requirements for Nursing Science at YSU
Scoring 210 or above in the UTME is only one requirement. Candidates also need to satisfy the following conditions to be eligible for Nursing Science admission at YSU:
- Five O’Level credits, obtained in not more than two sittings, including English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics, from WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent examination body.
- A UTME subject registration combining Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English Language, which is the standard JAMB requirement for nursing and other health science courses.
- A UTME score meeting or exceeding the Nursing Science cut-off mark, currently set at 210 and above for the current admission cycle.
- Participation in and successful completion of YSU’s Post-UTME screening exercise, conducted after JAMB releases UTME results.
- Availability of verifiable O’Level results at the point of screening, since awaiting-result status typically disqualifies a candidate from being considered for a competitive department like Nursing Science.
Candidates without a credit pass in Biology or Chemistry are unlikely to be considered for Nursing Science admission regardless of their overall UTME score, since these subjects underpin the foundational coursework of the programme.
How Post-UTME Screening Determines Final Nursing Admission
Meeting the 210 cut-off mark only makes a candidate eligible to sit for YSU’s Post-UTME screening exercise for Nursing Science; it does not guarantee a final admission offer. YSU compiles its admission list using a combination of UTME score, O’Level result quality, and Post-UTME screening performance. Because nursing remains one of the more sought-after courses at the university, candidates whose combined score sits comfortably above 210 stand a better chance than those who meet the threshold by the smallest possible margin, since admission within the department is competitive even among candidates who technically qualify.
Indigenes of Yobe State also benefit from a preferential quota during the admission process, a standard arrangement at state-owned universities in Nigeria. Non-indigene applicants, particularly those from neighbouring states such as Borno, Jigawa, and Gombe, are still eligible to apply for Nursing Science, but they generally need a stronger UTME score and screening performance to be considered, since a larger share of admission slots is reserved for candidates indigenous to the state.
What to Do If Your Score Falls Below the Nursing Cut-Off Mark
A candidate who meets the general YSU minimum of 150 but falls short of 210 still has realistic options rather than losing the admission cycle entirely. During Post-UTME screening registration, YSU typically allows candidates who selected the university as their first choice to switch to a less competitive course that matches their actual UTME score, provided the change is made before the screening deadline closes. Candidates who specifically want a health-related career but cannot yet meet the nursing threshold might consider Medical Laboratory Science or Radiography, both of which carry a somewhat lower cut-off mark of 190, or they may choose to retake the UTME in a future admission cycle to reach the 210 mark required for Nursing Science.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cut-off mark for Nursing Science at Yobe State University?
The cut-off mark for Nursing Science at YSU is 210 and above, well above the university’s general institutional minimum.
Does meeting the general YSU cut-off mark qualify me for Nursing Science?
No. The general minimum only qualifies a candidate for Post-UTME screening broadly. Nursing Science requires a UTME score of 210 or higher specifically.
What subjects are required for Nursing Science admission at YSU?
Candidates need five O’Level credits including English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics, along with a JAMB registration combining Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English Language.
Is Nursing Science more competitive than other health courses at YSU?
Yes, apart from Medicine and Surgery. Nursing Science’s cut-off mark of 210 is higher than Physiotherapy (200), and Medical Laboratory Science and Radiography (190 each).
Can I switch courses if I do not meet the Nursing Science cut-off mark?
Yes. Candidates who meet the general YSU minimum but not the nursing threshold can typically switch to a less competitive course during Post-UTME screening registration, subject to the university’s stated deadlines.