Candidates aiming for a Nursing Science degree at Taraba State University (TASU), Jalingo, need two figures before applying: the general JAMB cut-off mark the university sets for all courses, and the specific departmental cut-off mark for Nursing Science, which sits well above that general baseline. This article breaks down both figures for the 2026/2027 admission cycle, explains how they work together, and covers the O’Level and Post-UTME requirements that go alongside the score.
What Is the General JAMB Cut-Off Mark for TASU?
Taraba State University sets a general minimum UTME score that every applicant, regardless of course, must meet before the university considers their application further. For recent admission cycles, this general cut-off mark has been set at 150. Meeting this figure only qualifies a candidate to proceed to the university’s Post-UTME screening exercise; it does not by itself guarantee admission into a specific department, especially a competitive one like Nursing Science.
It helps to understand that Nigerian universities, including TASU, operate cut-off marks at two levels. The first is the institutional cut-off, which is the absolute minimum JAMB score the school will accept from any candidate before it even looks at their chosen course. The second is the departmental or course-specific cut-off, which applies on top of the institutional minimum and reflects how competitive a particular programme is relative to available admission slots.
What Is the Specific Cut-Off Mark for Nursing Science at TASU?
Nursing Science carries one of the higher departmental cut-off marks at TASU. For the current admission cycle, the required score for Nursing Science stands at 210 and above. This places it well above the general institutional minimum and above many other undergraduate programmes at the university, reflecting how competitive the nursing programme is relative to the limited number of admission slots available each session.
This 210 threshold applies specifically to candidates seeking direct UTME admission into the Nursing Science department. A candidate who scores exactly 150, the general TASU minimum, meets the baseline requirement to register for Post-UTME screening, but that score alone does not qualify them for Nursing Science, since the department’s own cut-off sits considerably higher.
TASU Cut-Off Marks by Course: A Comparison
The table below places Nursing Science alongside other TASU programmes so applicants can see where it ranks in terms of competitiveness.
| Course | Required UTME/Cut-Off Mark |
|---|---|
| General TASU minimum (all courses) | 150 |
| Law | 230 |
| Nursing Science | 210 |
| Mass Communication | 180 |
| Public Health | 180 |
| Computer Science | 180 |
| Civil Engineering | 170 |
| Electrical/Electronics Engineering | 170 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 170 |
| Accounting | 170 |
| Business Administration | 170 |
| Environmental Health Science | 160 |
| Public Administration | 160 |
As the table shows, Nursing Science ranks as the second most competitive course at TASU after Law, ahead of Public Health, Mass Communication, Computer Science, and every engineering discipline the university offers. Candidates targeting Nursing Science should treat 210 as the realistic score to aim for, not the general 150 minimum, since applying with a score close to the general baseline significantly reduces the chance of securing a nursing admission slot.
Why Nursing Science Has a Higher Cut-Off Mark Than Most Courses
Nursing Science departments across Nigerian universities, including TASU, typically admit a limited number of students each session because of the clinical training capacity available at partner hospitals and the practical, hands-on nature of the coursework. Since demand for nursing admission consistently outpaces available slots, the university raises the departmental cut-off mark to filter applicants and admit only those with stronger academic scores. This pattern is common across Nigerian public universities and is not unique to TASU; nursing, medicine, and other clinical health courses almost always carry higher cut-off marks than social science or arts-based programmes at the same institution.
O’Level and Subject Requirements for Nursing Science at TASU
Meeting the JAMB cut-off mark is only one part of the admission requirement. Candidates applying for Nursing Science at TASU also need the following:
- Five O’Level credits in relevant subjects, obtained in not more than two sittings, including English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics, from WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent examination body.
- A UTME registration with Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English Language as the subject combination, since these are the core science subjects JAMB requires for nursing-related courses.
- A minimum UTME score that meets or exceeds the Nursing Science departmental cut-off, currently set at 210 and above.
- Successful completion of TASU’s Post-UTME/Direct Entry screening exercise, which the university conducts after JAMB results are released and before final admission lists are published.
- Verification of original certificates and credentials during the screening process, since TASU checks O’Level results and other documents physically or through its designated verification process before finalising any nursing admission.
Candidates without a credit pass in any of the core science subjects, particularly Biology or Chemistry, are unlikely to be considered for Nursing Science regardless of their JAMB score, since these subjects form the foundation of the coursework.
How the Post-UTME Screening Affects Final Admission
Meeting the 210 cut-off mark makes a candidate eligible to participate in TASU’s Post-UTME screening exercise for Nursing Science, but it does not automatically confirm admission. The university reviews UTME scores, O’Level results, and Post-UTME screening performance together to compile its final admission list. In practice, this means that a candidate who scores exactly 210 competes against other applicants who may have scored higher, so admission within the Nursing Science department often favours candidates whose combined UTME and screening performance places them above the minimum threshold rather than exactly at it.
Candidates should also note that TASU does not accept awaiting-result candidates for admission. This means O’Level results must already be available and verifiable at the point of screening; a candidate who is still awaiting WAEC or NECO results at the time of the exercise will not be considered for Nursing Science or any other TASU course.
What Happens If You Score Below the Nursing Science Cut-Off Mark
A candidate who meets the general TASU minimum of 150 but falls short of the 210 required for Nursing Science still has options. The university’s Post-UTME screening portal typically allows candidates who selected TASU as their institution of choice to change their course to a less competitive programme that matches their actual score, provided the change is made before the screening deadline. Candidates in this position should consider Environmental Health Science or Public Administration, both of which carry lower cut-off marks, or wait for a future admission cycle and retake the UTME to achieve a score that meets the nursing threshold.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cut-off mark for Nursing Science at Taraba State University?
The cut-off mark for Nursing Science at TASU is 210 and above, which sits well above the university’s general institutional minimum of 150.
Does meeting the general TASU cut-off mark of 150 qualify me for Nursing Science?
No. The 150 mark only qualifies a candidate for TASU’s Post-UTME screening exercise generally. Nursing Science requires a UTME score of 210 or higher.
What subjects do I need for Nursing Science at TASU?
You need five O’Level credits including English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics, along with a JAMB registration combining Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English Language.
Can I change my course if my score does not meet the Nursing Science cut-off mark?
Yes. Candidates who meet the general TASU minimum but not the Nursing Science threshold can usually switch to a less competitive course during the Post-UTME screening process, subject to the university’s stated deadlines.
Does TASU accept awaiting-result candidates for Nursing Science?
No. TASU requires O’Level results to be available and verifiable at the point of Post-UTME screening, so awaiting-result candidates are not considered.