For the 2026/2027 academic session, Lagos State University sets its general institutional cut-off mark at 195, which is the minimum UTME score required for a candidate to be considered for the screening stage across most courses. Nursing Science, however, does not admit on this general baseline. As one of the most competitive departments at LASU, Nursing Science requires a considerably higher score to stand a realistic chance of admission, with candidates typically needing to score somewhere between 220 and 270 in the UTME, depending on the strength of the applicant pool in a given year and how LASU’s aggregate scoring system plays out.
This gap between the general cut-off mark and the effective Nursing cut-off mark is the single most important thing a prospective Nursing candidate needs to understand before applying. Meeting the 195 baseline only makes a candidate eligible to participate in LASU’s screening process; it does not mean the candidate is competitive enough to secure a place in the Nursing Science department specifically.
Understanding How LASU’s Admission Screening Works
Lagos State University uses a combined aggregate scoring system to determine admission, rather than relying on the UTME score alone. This aggregate typically factors in the candidate’s JAMB UTME score alongside their O’Level grades, producing a composite figure that is then used to rank candidates within each department. This is an important distinction from universities that run a separate Post-UTME examination, since LASU’s process is built around this combined scoring model, with some departments, including the more competitive health-related ones, also incorporating an online screening component.
Because of this aggregate system, a candidate with a moderate UTME score but excellent O’Level grades can sometimes present a more competitive overall profile than a candidate with a slightly higher UTME score but weaker O’Level results. This means a candidate should not treat the UTME cut-off mark in isolation; strong performance across both the UTME and O’Level examinations matters for departments as competitive as Nursing Science.
Why Nursing Is One of LASU’s Most Competitive Departments
Nursing Science at LASU sits under the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences within the university’s College of Medicine, and it draws an unusually high volume of applications each admission cycle. Several factors drive this competitiveness. LASU’s location in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest commercial and healthcare hub, makes a Nursing degree from the university particularly attractive, since graduates gain proximity to one of the country’s largest private and public healthcare sectors. The programme also benefits from its association with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja, which serves a very large patient population and offers substantial clinical exposure to nursing students during their training.
Because the department can only admit a limited number of students relative to the volume of applications it receives, the university uses a strict screening filter, meaning candidates need to significantly exceed the general cut-off mark to be seriously considered.
Table: LASU Cut Off Mark Comparison Across Selected Courses (2026/2027)
| Course | General Institutional Cut-Off Mark | Realistic Competitive Score Range |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Science | 195 (baseline eligibility) | 220 – 270 |
| Medicine and Surgery | 195 (baseline eligibility) | 240 – 280 |
| Pharmacy | 195 (baseline eligibility) | 220 – 250 |
| Computer Science | 195 (baseline eligibility) | 200 – 230 |
| Law | 195 (baseline eligibility) | 200 – 220+ |
| Mass Communication | 195 (baseline eligibility) | 195 – 210 |
| Political Science | 195 (baseline eligibility) | 195 – 205 |
This table illustrates a pattern that applies across LASU generally: meeting the baseline cut-off mark only opens the door to the screening process, while the department’s actual competitiveness determines what score genuinely improves a candidate’s chances.
Historical Trend of the Nursing Cut Off Mark at LASU
Looking at recent admission cycles helps illustrate how demanding the Nursing Science cut-off mark has become at LASU. In one recent session, the departmental cut-off mark for Nursing was recorded as high as 270, reflecting the scale of competition for available slots. In other assessments of the same period, candidates who secured admission with scores in the 233 to 270 range were considered to have presented a realistic, competitive profile. This variation from year to year underscores why candidates should treat any single reported figure as a guide rather than a fixed guarantee, and should aim to score comfortably above the historical range rather than just meeting the minimum reported figure.
O’Level Requirements for Nursing Science at LASU
Beyond the UTME score, candidates applying for Nursing Science at LASU must meet specific O’Level subject requirements. The standard requirement includes five credit passes in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC), National Examination Council (NECO), or an equivalent examination, covering English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings. Since Nursing falls under the university’s Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, candidates are expected to demonstrate strong performance specifically in the science subjects that form the backbone of nursing education, as these carry additional weight in the department’s internal aggregate calculation.
Steps to Apply for Nursing Science at LASU
Candidates interested in securing admission into LASU’s Nursing Science programme for the 2026/2027 session should follow this general application sequence:
- Register for UTME and select Lagos State University as the first-choice institution, since LASU gives clear preference to candidates who choose it as their primary institution during JAMB registration.
- Select Nursing Science as the intended course of study on the UTME registration form, ensuring the correct subject combination is entered.
- Meet the O’Level subject requirements, ensuring credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics are in place before the screening stage.
- Participate in LASU’s online admission screening once the university opens the exercise, submitting UTME and O’Level details as instructed.
- Monitor the official admission list published by the university, since Nursing Science admission is based on a competitive ranking of aggregate scores rather than a simple first-come, first-served process.
Candidates who initially chose a different institution as their first choice but wish to study Nursing at LASU should process a change of institution through JAMB before the screening exercise begins, since LASU’s preference for first-choice candidates significantly affects admission chances for departments as competitive as Nursing.
Indigene Status and Its Effect on Nursing Admission
As a Lagos State-owned university, LASU gives a clear admission advantage to verified indigenes of Lagos State, particularly for highly competitive departments such as Nursing Science. Non-indigene candidates generally need to present a stronger aggregate score to compete for the same limited number of Nursing slots, since indigene status factors into the university’s internal ranking process. Candidates claiming indigene status should ensure they complete verification through the university’s Independent Indigeneship Verification Committee, as failure to do so can result in being assessed under the non-indigene category regardless of actual state of origin.
How to Improve Admission Chances for Nursing at LASU
Given how competitive the Nursing Science department is, candidates serious about securing admission should focus on a few key preparation areas. Achieving as high a UTME score as possible, ideally well above 220, gives a stronger buffer against the department’s typically high cut-off threshold. Strong O’Level grades in the required science subjects also matter significantly, since these feed directly into LASU’s combined aggregate scoring system. Registering early for the screening exercise and keeping track of official LASU admission updates throughout the cycle ensures a candidate does not miss key deadlines that could affect their standing in the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the LASU cut off mark for Nursing in 2026/2027?
LASU’s general institutional cut-off mark is 195, but Nursing Science requires a considerably higher score to be competitive, typically in the range of 220 to 270, depending on the applicant pool for the session.
Is 195 enough to get admission into Nursing at LASU?
No. A score of 195 only meets the general baseline for screening eligibility across most courses. Nursing Science is significantly more competitive and generally requires a much higher aggregate score.
Does LASU conduct a separate Post-UTME examination for Nursing?
LASU’s admission process is based primarily on a combined aggregate of the UTME score and O’Level grades, with an online screening component for departments including Nursing, rather than a traditional written Post-UTME examination.
Do Lagos State indigenes have an advantage for Nursing admission at LASU?
Yes. Verified Lagos State indigenes generally have a clear admission advantage over non-indigenes for competitive departments such as Nursing Science, since indigene status factors into the university’s internal admission ranking.
What O’Level subjects are required for Nursing Science at LASU?
Candidates need five credit passes including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings.