Akwa Ibom State University releases a cut off mark every admission cycle to guide candidates on the minimum UTME score needed before they can proceed to the next stage of admission screening. For Nursing Science, a course that consistently attracts a large number of applicants across Nigerian universities, the cut off mark sits above the university’s general benchmark. This article explains what the cut off mark for Nursing at AKSU currently looks like for the 2026/2027 admission session, how the university arrives at it, what candidates need aside from a JAMB score, and how the process differs from the separate Akwa Ibom State College of Nursing Sciences.
What the AKSU Cut Off Mark Means
A cut off mark is the minimum score a candidate must attain in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) before the university considers that candidate for admission into a particular course. It works as a filter. Scoring at or above the cut off mark does not automatically guarantee a spot; it only qualifies the candidate to take part in the Post-UTME screening exercise, after which the university uses an aggregate of the JAMB score, O’Level results, and the Post-UTME score to draw up the final admission list.
AKSU sets two categories of cut off marks each session:
- A general (institutional) cut off mark that applies to the university as a whole.
- Departmental or course-specific cut off marks that apply to individual programmes, particularly the more competitive ones.
Nursing Science falls into the second category because demand for the course consistently outpaces the number of available slots.
AKSU General Cut Off Mark for 2026/2027
For the 2026/2027 admission cycle, AKSU’s general JAMB cut off mark falls within the range typically set for Nigerian state universities, between 140 and 150. This is the baseline score a candidate needs simply to be eligible to apply to any course at AKSU, provided the candidate selected AKSU as the first choice institution during JAMB registration. Candidates who score below this baseline cannot proceed with an AKSU application, regardless of the course they intend to study.
It’s important to understand that the general cut off mark is not the same as the Nursing cut off mark. Meeting the general 140–150 benchmark only opens the door to apply; it does not mean a candidate automatically qualifies for Nursing, Law, Medicine, or any of the university’s more selective programmes.
AKSU Cut Off Mark for Nursing Specifically
Nursing Science at AKSU carries one of the highest departmental cut off marks in the university, reflecting both the limited number of admission slots and the accreditation requirements set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), which caps how many students a nursing programme can admit per session. Candidates aiming for Nursing at AKSU should target a UTME score of at least 200, and competitive applicants often score higher, since actual admission tends to go to candidates whose combined aggregate (JAMB plus Post-UTME plus O’Level grades) places them among the top scorers for the available slots.
Because departmental cut off marks can shift slightly from one admission cycle to the next depending on the volume of applications and the number of slots NMCN approves for that session, candidates should treat any published figure as a guide rather than a fixed number, and should confirm the exact departmental cut off mark once AKSU opens its admission portal for 2026/2027.
Cut Off Mark Comparison Table
The table below gives a general picture of how the Nursing cut off mark compares with other competitive and moderately competitive courses at AKSU for the 2026/2027 session. These figures represent typical ranges rather than a guaranteed fixed score, since the university adjusts specific departmental benchmarks yearly.
| Course | Typical Cut Off Mark Range | Competitiveness Level |
|---|---|---|
| General AKSU (any course) | 140 – 150 | Baseline |
| Nursing Science | 200 and above | Very High |
| Medicine and Surgery | 250 and above | Very High |
| Law | 220 – 280 | Very High |
| Pharmacy | 200 and above | High |
| Engineering courses | 180 – 200 | High |
| Mass Communication | 180 – 200 | High |
| Education courses | 150 – 160 | Moderate |
| Arts and Humanities courses | 140 – 160 | Moderate to Low |
Candidates should note that the Post-UTME screening score also matters. Even a candidate who clears the departmental cut off mark in JAMB still needs a strong Post-UTME performance, since AKSU typically expects a minimum Post-UTME score in the region of 180 for candidates competing for high-demand courses like Nursing.
O’Level and Subject Requirements for Nursing at AKSU
Meeting the cut off mark is only one part of the admission requirement. A candidate applying for Nursing Science at AKSU also needs the following in their O’Level result (WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent examination):
- A minimum of five credit passes obtained in not more than two sittings.
- Credits in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
- Results that are complete at the time of application; awaiting results are not accepted for the screening exercise.
Candidates should also have registered UTME subjects that align with Nursing Science, which typically include English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
How AKSU Runs the Admission Screening for Nursing
AKSU conducts its screening process in stages, and Nursing candidates go through the same structure as every other applicant, though the competition for available seats is sharper.
- JAMB registration and course selection. The candidate selects AKSU as the first choice institution and Nursing Science as the intended course of study.
- Meeting the cut off mark. Only candidates whose UTME score meets or exceeds the departmental cut off mark for Nursing proceed to the next stage.
- Post-UTME registration. Once AKSU opens its admission portal for the session, qualified candidates register for the Post-UTME screening exercise using their JAMB details.
- Document verification. Candidates upload or present their O’Level results and JAMB registration slip for verification during the screening.
- Aggregate score computation. The university combines the JAMB score, Post-UTME score, and O’Level grades into a single aggregate.
- Admission list release. Candidates are ranked according to their aggregate scores within the Nursing Science department, and admission offers go out to those at the top of the list, up to the number of slots approved for that session.
AKSU vs. Akwa Ibom State College of Nursing Sciences (AKSCONS)
Candidates often confuse Akwa Ibom State University’s Nursing Science degree programme with the Akwa Ibom State College of Nursing Sciences (AKSCONS), a separate institution with campuses at Ikot Ekpene, Anua, Ituk Mbang, Eket, and other locations across the state. AKSCONS runs Basic Nursing and Basic Midwifery programmes leading to ND/HND-type qualifications and eligibility for the NMCN licensing examination, while AKSU’s Nursing Science programme is a full university degree (B.NSc.) under the Faculty of Health Sciences.
The two institutions set their cut off marks independently, and the figures are not interchangeable. AKSCONS has, in recent sessions, operated with a lower cut off mark than AKSU’s Nursing Science programme, partly due to state government intervention aimed at increasing the number of trained nurses in Akwa Ibom State. A candidate researching “AKSU cut off mark for nursing” should be careful to check whether the information refers to the university’s B.NSc. programme or to AKSCONS, since search results for both often appear together.
Factors That Influence the Nursing Cut Off Mark Each Year
Several factors cause the Nursing cut off mark to move slightly from one session to the next:
- The number of available slots. NMCN accreditation limits how many students AKSU can admit into Nursing Science per session, and any change in that quota affects how selective the cut off mark becomes.
- The volume of applications. A surge in the number of candidates choosing AKSU as their first choice for Nursing pushes the effective cut off mark higher, even if the officially published figure stays the same.
- State government health policy. Akwa Ibom State has, in recent years, prioritised expanding its healthcare workforce, which can influence admission quotas for health-related courses across state-owned institutions.
- General performance trends in JAMB. When average UTME scores rise or fall nationally, universities adjust departmental cut off marks accordingly.
Tips for Candidates Targeting Nursing at AKSU
Candidates serious about securing admission into Nursing Science at AKSU should aim well above the minimum published cut off mark rather than treating it as a target. Since admission ultimately depends on a competitive aggregate, a candidate should:
- Score as high as possible in the UTME, ideally above 220, to stay clear of the risk of falling below the eventual departmental cut off line.
- Prepare thoroughly for the Post-UTME screening exercise, since it carries real weight in the final aggregate.
- Ensure O’Level results are complete, with credits in English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, before the screening period opens.
- Apply early once the admission portal opens, since some stages of AKSU’s screening exercise proceed on a rolling basis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AKSU cut off mark for Nursing for 2026/2027?
The Nursing Science cut off mark at AKSU typically sits at 200 and above, well above the university’s general cut off mark of 140–150. The exact figure for a given session is confirmed once AKSU releases its official admission guidelines.
Is the AKSU Nursing cut off mark the same as the AKSCONS cut off mark?
No. AKSU’s Nursing Science is a university degree programme with its own cut off mark, while AKSCONS is a separate nursing college with an independently set cut off mark, which has recently been lower than AKSU’s.
Does meeting the cut off mark guarantee admission into Nursing at AKSU?
No. Meeting the cut off mark only qualifies a candidate for the Post-UTME screening. Final admission depends on the aggregate of the JAMB score, Post-UTME score, and O’Level results, ranked against other Nursing applicants.
What O’Level subjects are required for AKSU Nursing Science?
Five credit passes including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings.
Can a candidate with a JAMB score of 150 apply for Nursing at AKSU?
A score of 150 clears the general university cut off mark but falls short of the higher departmental cut off mark Nursing Science usually requires. Such a candidate would need to consider a different, less competitive course or improve their score in a subsequent UTME attempt.