Kwara State University, popularly called KWASU, is a state-owned institution situated in Malete, Kwara State. Nursing Science is one of the most sought-after courses in the university’s health sciences cluster, and because of the high number of applicants competing for a limited number of admission slots, it consistently carries one of the highest cut off marks at KWASU. This article explains what the cut off mark for Nursing at KWASU actually means, what score gives a realistic chance of admission, and what other requirements applicants must meet alongside their UTME score.
What the KWASU Cut Off Mark Means
The cut off mark at KWASU operates on two levels, and understanding the difference between them is important for anyone applying for Nursing or any other course.
The first level is the general cut off mark, which is the minimum UTME score JAMB and the university agree on as the baseline for eligibility. Scoring at or above this mark simply qualifies a candidate to proceed to the next stage of the admission process; it does not guarantee admission into any specific course. This general benchmark has moved between 140 and 160 in recent admission cycles, reflecting the fact that JAMB itself periodically reviews the national minimum cut off mark for universities, and KWASU adjusts its own general benchmark in line with that policy.
The second level is the departmental cut off mark, which is course-specific. This is the score (or aggregate) that actually determines whether a candidate stands a realistic chance of being offered admission into a particular department. Departmental cut off marks are always higher than the general cut off mark for competitive courses, and Nursing Science falls firmly into that competitive category at KWASU, alongside Law, Medicine, Computer Science, and Engineering.
Why Nursing Has a Higher Cut Off Mark
Nursing Science attracts one of the highest volumes of applications at KWASU every admission cycle, largely because of the strong employment prospects for nursing graduates both within Nigeria and abroad. Since the number of available admission slots for Nursing does not increase at the same rate as the number of applicants, the university naturally raises the effective score needed to secure a place. This is standard practice across Nigerian universities and is not unique to KWASU; any course with high demand and limited capacity will always carry a higher effective cut off mark than less competitive programmes.
In addition to demand, Nursing is a professional, practice-based discipline that requires students to eventually undergo clinical postings and hands-on training. Universities tend to be more selective for such programmes to ensure that admitted students can cope with the academic and practical rigour involved.
KWASU Nursing Cut Off Mark: Realistic Score Range
Based on the pattern KWASU has followed across recent admission sessions, applicants aiming for Nursing Science should target a UTME score of 200 or above to be genuinely competitive. While the general eligibility floor for KWASU screening in a given session may sit anywhere between 140 and 160, that floor only makes a candidate eligible to be considered; it does not reflect what Nursing actually requires for an offer of admission.
The table below summarises how Nursing compares with other course categories at KWASU, based on recent admission trends. These figures serve as a guide rather than a fixed, unchanging number, since departmental cut off marks can shift slightly from one session to another depending on application volume.
| Course Category | Example Courses | Approximate Score Needed to Be Competitive |
|---|---|---|
| General eligibility floor | Applies to all courses before departmental screening | 140 – 160 |
| Moderately competitive | Education, Agriculture, Arts-based courses | 160 – 180 |
| Competitive | Computer Science, Accounting, Mass Communication | 180 – 200 |
| Highly competitive | Nursing Science, Law, Engineering | 200 – 220+ |
| Extremely competitive | Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) | 220+ |
Candidates who score below 200 are not automatically disqualified from applying for Nursing, but their chances reduce significantly as the score drops further below that range. A candidate scoring between 160 and 180, for instance, would be considered eligible for KWASU’s general screening but would be at a clear disadvantage against candidates scoring 200 and above when departmental admission lists are drawn up.
How KWASU Calculates Admission Aggregate
KWASU does not rely solely on the raw UTME score when placing candidates into competitive departments like Nursing. Instead, the university typically factors in an aggregate score that combines the UTME result with the candidate’s O’Level grades, and in some admission cycles, a post-UTME or online screening component. A common method used is to convert the UTME score to a percentage weight (commonly 70%) and combine it with the O’Level grade weight (commonly 30%), although the exact formula can be adjusted by the university from one session to another.
In practical terms, this means two candidates with the same UTME score can have different chances of admission into Nursing depending on the quality of their O’Level results. A candidate with distinctions (A1, B2, B3) in relevant subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, English Language, and Mathematics will generally have a stronger aggregate than one with lower credit grades (C4, C5, C6), even at an identical JAMB score.
O’Level and Subject Requirements for Nursing at KWASU
Beyond the UTME score, candidates applying for Nursing Science at KWASU must meet specific O’Level requirements. These typically include:
- A minimum of five credit passes in WASSCE, NECO, GCE, or NABTEB, obtained in not more than two sittings.
- Compulsory credits in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry.
- Physics is often required or strongly recommended as one of the relevant science subjects, given the practical and laboratory-based nature of nursing training.
- Correct JAMB subject combination that aligns with the science requirements for Nursing, since an incorrect combination can disqualify a candidate regardless of score.
Candidates should also note that KWASU generally gives strongest consideration to applicants who chose KWASU as their first choice institution on their JAMB registration. While change of institution to KWASU is possible through the JAMB portal for candidates who initially selected a different school, first-choice candidates are typically given priority during departmental admission processing, particularly for competitive courses like Nursing.
Direct Entry and Alternative Routes into Nursing at KWASU
Admission into Nursing Science at KWASU is not always available through the regular UTME route every session. In some admission cycles, the programme has been offered mainly through Direct Entry or a Top-Up arrangement for candidates who already hold a relevant lower qualification, such as a diploma or HND in a related health field. Because this pattern changes from year to year, applicants should confirm on the official KWASU admission portal whether Nursing is open for UTME candidates in the current session before finalising their course choice on the JAMB portal.
For candidates applying through Direct Entry, admission is generally assessed based on the candidate’s previous academic qualification and relevant O’Level credits rather than a fresh UTME score, though the same underlying principle of competitiveness applies: Direct Entry slots for Nursing are also limited and attract strong competition.
Steps to Improve Your Chances of Admission into Nursing at KWASU
Given how competitive Nursing Science is at KWASU, applicants can take practical steps to strengthen their admission chances:
- Score as high as possible in UTME. Since the departmental cut off for Nursing sits well above the general eligibility floor, aiming for 200 and above gives a realistic buffer rather than just meeting the bare minimum.
- Select KWASU as first choice. This single decision carries significant weight in how the university processes admission lists, especially for oversubscribed courses.
- Secure strong O’Level grades in relevant subjects. Distinctions in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and English Language directly improve the aggregate score used for departmental screening.
- Register promptly for post-UTME or online screening when it opens. Missing the screening window, regardless of UTME score, automatically removes a candidate from consideration.
- Have a backup course in mind. Candidates whose scores fall short of the Nursing cut off mark can consider a course change process within KWASU once admission lists are released, subject to availability and eligibility for the alternative course.
Frequently Asked Questions
What UTME score is needed for Nursing at KWASU?
A score of 200 or above gives a realistic chance of admission into Nursing Science at KWASU, since it is one of the most competitive courses at the university. The general eligibility floor for KWASU screening is lower, but it does not guarantee a Nursing admission offer.
Does KWASU accept candidates below 200 for Nursing?
Candidates below 200 are not automatically excluded, but their admission chances drop significantly as the score falls further below that range, since Nursing slots are limited and demand is consistently high.
Is Nursing always offered through UTME at KWASU?
Not every session. Nursing admission at KWASU has, in some years, been available mainly through Direct Entry or Top-Up routes rather than regular UTME. Applicants should verify the current admission mode on the official KWASU portal before applying.
Does O’Level result affect Nursing admission at KWASU?
Yes. KWASU typically uses an aggregate that combines UTME score with O’Level grades, so strong credits in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and English Language improve a candidate’s overall competitiveness for Nursing.
Where can applicants confirm the exact current cut off mark for Nursing?
The most accurate and updated departmental cut off marks are published on the official KWASU admission portal during each admission cycle, since these figures can be reviewed from one session to the next.