Nursing is one of the most competitive courses at Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, ranking just behind Medicine and Surgery in terms of demand. Every admission cycle, thousands of candidates who choose RSU as their institution of first choice apply for the Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) programme, but only a fraction meet the required cut off mark and departmental aggregate to secure a seat. This article explains what the cut off mark for Nursing at RSU means, how it is calculated, what score gives a candidate a realistic chance for the 2026/2027 admission exercise, and what else a candidate needs beyond the cut off mark to gain admission.
What “Cut Off Mark” Means at RSU
At RSU, and at most Nigerian universities, “cut off mark” is used in two related but different ways, and confusing the two is one of the most common mistakes candidates make when checking their chances.
The first is the general JAMB cut off mark, which is the minimum UTME score a candidate needs before they are even allowed to apply for RSU’s Post-UTME screening exercise. This general mark applies across all courses and faculties, regardless of what a candidate wants to study.
The second is the departmental cut off mark (also called the aggregate cut off), which is course-specific. This is the composite score, built from a candidate’s JAMB result and Post-UTME performance, that determines whether the candidate is competitive enough to be admitted into a particular department such as Nursing Science. A candidate can meet the general JAMB cut off mark and still fail to reach the departmental cut off for Nursing if too many other applicants score higher in that specific department.
RSU General JAMB Cut Off Mark for 2026/2027
For recent admission cycles, RSU has set its general JAMB cut off mark at 190. This is the baseline score a candidate must reach in the UTME before the university considers them eligible to purchase and sit the Post-UTME screening form. Candidates scoring below this baseline, even if interested in Nursing, cannot proceed to the screening stage.
It is worth noting that RSU’s general cut off mark has moved slightly from one session to another in past years, sitting at figures such as 160 or 180 in earlier cycles before settling at 190 in the most recent sessions. Candidates preparing for 2026/2027 should treat 190 as the working baseline but should still confirm the exact figure once RSU’s admissions office releases its official cut off mark circular for the session, since the number can be adjusted slightly depending on application volume and JAMB’s own national policy.
RSU Departmental Cut Off Mark for Nursing
For the Nursing Science department specifically, RSU’s aggregate cut off mark has stood at 66 in the most recent admission cycles. This means that after a candidate’s JAMB and Post-UTME scores are combined using RSU’s aggregate formula, they generally need a combined score of 66 or higher to be seriously considered for Nursing on the university’s regular merit list.
This places Nursing among the more demanding departments at RSU. For comparison, Medicine and Surgery — the single most competitive course at the university — has an aggregate cut off of 71, while many other science and social science departments sit well below 60. Nursing’s cut off reflects both the limited number of admission slots the department can absorb each session (since clinical and practical training space is limited) and the consistently high number of applicants who list it as a first or second choice.
How RSU Calculates the Nursing Aggregate Score
RSU determines a candidate’s aggregate score using a straightforward two-part formula that combines the JAMB UTME result with the Post-UTME screening score:
- Divide the JAMB UTME score (out of 400) by 8. For example, a JAMB score of 260 becomes 260 ÷ 8 = 32.5.
- Add this figure directly to the Post-UTME screening score, which RSU scores out of 100 based on a 50-question objective test covering the candidate’s chosen subject area.
- The sum of both figures gives the final aggregate score used to rank candidates within their department.
Using the example above, a candidate with a JAMB score of 260 and a Post-UTME score of 38 would have an aggregate of 32.5 + 38 = 70.5, which would place them above the 66 aggregate typically required for Nursing.
Unlike some Nigerian universities, RSU does not factor O’Level grades directly into this aggregate calculation. However, candidates are still required to hold the minimum O’Level credit requirements before they are allowed to sit the Post-UTME screening in the first place, so O’Level results function as an eligibility filter rather than part of the scoring formula.
RSU Cut Off Marks: Nursing Compared to Other Medical Courses
The table below places Nursing’s cut off mark side by side with other courses in RSU’s College of Medical Sciences, using the most recent departmental aggregate figures. This comparison helps candidates gauge how Nursing ranks in competitiveness relative to related health courses they might consider as an alternative choice.
| Course | Aggregate Cut Off Mark | Competitiveness Level |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine and Surgery | 71 | Highest |
| Nursing Science | 66 | High |
| Medical Laboratory Science | 58 | Moderate |
| Radiography | 56 | Moderate |
| Human Anatomy | 48 | Lower |
| Human Physiology | 48 | Lower |
| Public Health Science | 48 | Lower |
| Physiotherapy | 48 | Lower |
Candidates whose aggregate score falls just short of the Nursing cut off but comfortably clears the mark for a related basic medical science course sometimes choose to apply for that alternative programme instead, since RSU’s internal course-change process is generally easier to navigate than reapplying from scratch in a later session.
Other Requirements for Nursing Admission at RSU
Meeting the aggregate cut off mark is necessary but not sufficient on its own. Candidates applying for Nursing Science at RSU must also satisfy the following conditions:
- A minimum of five O’Level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in no more than two sittings.
- The correct JAMB subject combination for Nursing, which typically includes English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
- RSU listed as the candidate’s first choice institution on their JAMB UTME registration.
- Successful completion of RSU’s Post-UTME screening exercise, including any biometric or fingerprint verification the university requires.
- For Direct Entry candidates, a relevant A-Level pass, ND, or HND in a related discipline, along with the specific requirements the Nursing department sets for that entry route.
Candidates who meet the aggregate cut off but fall short on any of these documentary requirements risk having their admission withheld even after appearing on a provisional list, so it is important to have credentials verified and ready before the screening period begins.
What Happens If a Candidate Meets the JAMB Cut Off but Misses the Nursing Aggregate
Scoring above RSU’s general JAMB cut off mark of 190 only qualifies a candidate to sit the Post-UTME screening; it does not guarantee a Nursing seat. If a candidate’s final aggregate falls below the departmental cut off of 66 after screening, RSU typically handles this in one of a few ways depending on how far below the mark the candidate falls and how many slots remain unfilled:
- The candidate may be placed on a waiting or supplementary list if their aggregate is close to the cut off and vacancies open up after the initial admission round.
- The candidate may be offered admission into a related course with a lower cut off, such as Human Physiology or Public Health Science, with the option to apply for an internal change of course to Nursing in a later session if departmental space and academic performance allow it.
- The candidate may need to reapply in the next admission cycle with an improved JAMB and Post-UTME performance.
Because Nursing consistently ranks among RSU’s more competitive departments, candidates serious about the course are generally advised to aim well above the minimum aggregate of 66 rather than treating it as a target to just barely clear, since admission is based on ranking candidates from the highest aggregate downward until available slots are filled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RSU cut off mark for Nursing in 2026/2027?
The departmental aggregate cut off for Nursing Science has stood at 66 in recent admission cycles, on top of the general JAMB cut off mark of 190 required to sit RSU’s Post-UTME screening.
Is the RSU Nursing cut off mark higher than other medical courses?
It is higher than most other courses in the College of Medical Sciences except Medicine and Surgery, which carries the highest aggregate cut off at 71.
Does RSU use O’Level results in calculating the Nursing aggregate score?
No. RSU’s aggregate formula combines only the JAMB score (divided by 8) and the Post-UTME screening score. O’Level credits are an eligibility requirement, not part of the scoring formula.
Can a candidate change to Nursing after being offered a different course at RSU?
Yes, in some cases. Candidates admitted into a related course with a lower cut off can apply for an internal change of course to Nursing in a later session, subject to available space and the candidate’s academic standing.
Where can candidates confirm the official RSU cut off mark for Nursing?
The most reliable source is the official cut off mark circular released by the RSU Registrar’s office at the start of each admission cycle, published through the university’s official communication channels.