Osun State University, commonly known as UNIOSUN, is a state-owned institution with campuses spread across Osogbo, Ikire, Okuku, Ifetedo, Ipetu Ijesha, and Ejigbo. The university runs a College of Health Sciences that houses its Nursing Science programme, one of the most sought-after courses on campus. Anyone hoping to study Nursing at UNIOSUN for the 2026/2027 session needs a clear picture of the cut off mark, because this figure determines whether a candidate can even proceed to the screening stage.
This article explains the JAMB requirement, the departmental cut off mark for Nursing, how the university calculates final admission scores, and what a candidate needs to do after checking their eligibility.
What the Cut Off Mark Means
A cut off mark is the minimum score a candidate must post in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) before that candidate becomes eligible to apply for a university’s Post-UTME screening exercise. JAMB sets a national baseline every year, and each university is free to set its own mark at or above that baseline, depending on how competitive a course is. A high cut off mark simply reflects strong demand for limited spaces in a particular department.
UNIOSUN General Cut Off Mark for 2026/2027
For the 2026/2027 admission cycle, UNIOSUN maintains a general screening mark of 160 for candidates who choose the university as their first choice on their JAMB form. This 160 mark applies to most courses across the faculties. However, courses under the College of Health Sciences and the College of Law carry a higher requirement because they attract far more applicants than the available slots can accommodate.
UNIOSUN Cut Off Mark for Nursing
Nursing Science falls under this stricter category. The JAMB cut off mark for Nursing at UNIOSUN for the 2026/2027 session stands at 200. This means a candidate must score at least 200 in UTME before the university will even consider that candidate for the Nursing programme. Scoring below 200 but above the general 160 mark does not automatically disqualify a candidate from UNIOSUN altogether — it only rules out Nursing, Medicine, Law, and similarly competitive programmes. Such a candidate can still apply for admission into another department where the cut off mark matches their score.
It is worth noting that 200 represents the minimum entry threshold, not a guarantee of admission. Nursing remains one of the most oversubscribed courses in Nigerian universities, so candidates who score exactly 200 face a tougher contest for the limited seats than those who score higher. Departmental cut off marks in health-related courses often move upward once the university reviews the number and quality of applications received that year, so a serious candidate should aim well above the minimum rather than banking on the exact figure.
Departmental Cut Off Marks for Comparable Courses
The table below places Nursing Science alongside other courses in the College of Health Sciences, based on the aggregate scoring pattern UNIOSUN applies after combining JAMB score, Post-UTME performance, and O’Level results. Aggregate scores here are shown on the scale UNIOSUN uses internally for screening, which differs from the raw JAMB score used only to determine eligibility for screening.
| Course | General Applicants (Aggregate) | Indigene/Catchment Applicants (Aggregate) |
|---|---|---|
| B.Sc. Nursing Science | 77.5 | 74.0 |
| B.MLS (Medical Laboratory Science) | 74.7 | 71.8 |
| B.Sc. Public Health | 65.6 | 61.9 |
| B.Sc. Physiology | 63.8 | 56.8 |
This table shows that Nursing consistently demands one of the highest aggregate scores in the College of Health Sciences, ahead of Medical Laboratory Science, Public Health, and Physiology. Indigenes of Osun State or candidates within the university’s catchment area typically enjoy a slightly lower threshold than general applicants, a common practice among Nigerian state universities designed to give host communities an advantage.
How UNIOSUN Calculates the Final Admission Score
UNIOSUN does not rely on the JAMB score alone to offer admission. Once a candidate clears the 200 mark and registers for the Post-UTME screening, the university combines three components into a final aggregate:
- JAMB UTME score — usually weighted to contribute a portion of the total score.
- Post-UTME screening score — the result from the university’s own screening exercise, which may be computer-based testing, an interview, or document verification depending on the course.
- O’Level result — the quality of a candidate’s WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB grades in relevant subjects, particularly English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
The university adds these components together using its own weighting formula to arrive at an aggregate score, and candidates are then ranked from the highest aggregate downward until all available Nursing slots are filled. A candidate with a high JAMB score but weak O’Level grades, or vice versa, can lose out to a candidate with a more balanced profile across all three components.
Subjects Required for UNIOSUN Nursing Admission
Candidates applying for Nursing Science at UNIOSUN need the following in their O’Level result, usually from a sitting not exceeding two attempts:
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
A minimum of five credits, including these five subjects, is the standard requirement. For UTME, candidates typically register English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics as their four subjects.
Why the Nursing Cut Off Mark Stays High
Several factors keep the Nursing cut off mark elevated year after year:
- Limited admission quota. Nursing programmes across Nigeria operate under strict quotas set partly by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, which limits how many students a school can admit based on facilities, staffing, and clinical placement capacity.
- High demand. Nursing consistently ranks among the top course choices for candidates interested in health sciences, partly due to strong employment prospects locally and abroad.
- Accreditation standards. Professional bodies require that admitted students meet a certain academic threshold to maintain the programme’s accreditation status.
These factors mean the 200 mark is unlikely to drop in coming sessions, and prospective candidates should plan to score comfortably above it.
Steps to Take After Checking the Cut Off Mark
Once a candidate confirms that their JAMB score meets or exceeds 200, the practical next steps are:
- Confirm that UNIOSUN is correctly listed as the first-choice institution on the JAMB profile, since only first-choice candidates qualify for screening under the standard process.
- Visit the official UNIOSUN admissions portal to purchase and complete the Post-UTME screening form once the university opens the portal for the 2026/2027 session.
- Upload the O’Level result (or await release if results are still pending) along with other required documents such as the JAMB result slip and passport photograph.
- Sit for the Post-UTME screening exercise on the scheduled date.
- Monitor the JAMB Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) and the UNIOSUN portal for an admission status update once screening closes.
Candidates whose JAMB score falls below 200 but above 160 should consider using the JAMB change of course or change of institution option if Nursing remains their goal at a different, less competitive school, or they can pick an alternative course at UNIOSUN where their score already qualifies them.
Reliable Sources for Updates
Cut off marks and screening dates change from one admission cycle to another, so candidates should treat only two sources as authoritative: the official UNIOSUN admissions portal and the JAMB website. Information from unofficial blogs, social media pages, or messaging app forwards should always be cross-checked against these two sources before a candidate makes any decision based on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UNIOSUN cut off mark for Nursing in 2026/2027?
The JAMB cut off mark for Nursing Science at UNIOSUN is 200 for the 2026/2027 session.
Is 200 enough to guarantee admission into UNIOSUN Nursing?
No. A score of 200 only qualifies a candidate for the Post-UTME screening. Final admission depends on the combined aggregate of JAMB score, screening performance, and O’Level results, and Nursing remains highly competitive.
Can a candidate with less than 200 still gain admission into UNIOSUN?
Yes, but not into Nursing. A candidate scoring between 160 and 199 can qualify for other courses at UNIOSUN that carry the general cut off mark of 160.
Does UNIOSUN give preference to indigenes of Osun State for Nursing admission?
Yes. Indigene and catchment area candidates generally face a slightly lower aggregate threshold than general applicants, though all candidates must still meet the same JAMB cut off mark of 200.
Where can a candidate confirm the exact departmental cut off mark for Nursing?
The UNIOSUN admissions portal publishes the official departmental cut off marks once the university approves them for the session, and this remains the most reliable source for confirmation.