Many candidates finish the UTME with a score close to the minimum and want to know which university accept 150 in JAMB. The answer starts with the national policy. For the 2026/2027 admission session, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) fixed 150 as the lowest UTME score that any university in Nigeria can consider. A score of 150 or above makes a candidate eligible to be considered. A score below 150 does not.
This guide explains which university accept 150 in JAMB, how the policy works, which types of schools and courses are realistic with a low score, and the steps a candidate should take after seeing the result.
What JAMB Decided for the 2026/2027 Session
The policy was announced at the annual Policy Meeting on Admissions in Abuja, presided over by the Minister of Education. The meeting kept the university minimum at 150, the same figure used in the previous session. Polytechnics and colleges of education have a lower national floor, and candidates for National Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes can be admitted without sitting the UTME if they meet the prescribed academic requirements. A similar exemption applies to some non-engineering agriculture-related courses.
The 150 mark is a floor and not a guarantee. It is the lowest score that the system allows. Each institution is free to set its own cut-off above that line, and most do for popular courses.
| Institution type | National minimum UTME score | Who sets the final mark |
|---|---|---|
| Universities | 150 | Each university, at or above 150 |
| Polytechnics | Lower than universities (100 in the current policy) | Each polytechnic |
| Colleges of education | Lower than universities (100 in the current policy) | Each college |
| NCE programmes | UTME not compulsory for qualified candidates | Each college |
Which University Accept 150 in JAMB?
No single official list names every university that admits at exactly 150. In practice, the schools that set their general institutional cut-off at the national minimum are mostly newer private universities and some state universities. These schools want to fill their quotas and are less pressed by the volume of applicants than the older federal universities.
Published school lists for the 2026 cycle include institutions such as AbdulRasaq Abubakar Toyin University in Ilorin, Adamawa State University in Mubi and Adeleke University in Ede, Osun State, with a general cut-off of 150. Lists of this kind change as schools publish their final figures, so a candidate should confirm the mark directly with the school before choosing it. The question which university accept 150 in JAMB is answered best by the admissions office of the school in question, not by a general ranking.
Why Some Universities Stay at 150
A university that has fewer applicants than spaces has little reason to raise its mark. Newer private universities, schools in less crowded states and institutions with low-demand courses often fall in this group. Their goal is to fill approved quotas under the carrying capacity set by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Why Many Universities Go Higher
Popular federal and state universities receive many times more applications than they have places. They use higher marks, often 200 and above, and then rank candidates by post-UTME screening or aggregate scores. Some private universities also set high marks, and a few go above 200 for the whole school. For these schools, a score of 150 does not lead to admission.
Courses That Are Realistic With 150
The course matters as much as the school. A university that accepts 150 for its general cut-off may still apply a higher mark to its competitive programmes. Candidates with a low score have the best chance in courses with lower demand.
- Education courses, such as Education and Arts, Education and Social Sciences, and Guidance and Counselling.
- Arts and humanities courses, such as English, History, Religious Studies and Linguistics.
- Some social science courses, such as Sociology, Political Science and Public Administration.
- Agriculture-related courses, such as Agricultural Extension and Animal Science.
- Some management courses at newer universities.
Courses such as Medicine and Surgery, Law, Pharmacy, Nursing, Engineering and Accounting carry higher marks almost everywhere. A candidate with 150 should not expect these courses to open at a competitive university. Some may be possible at a school that accepts 150 for the whole institution, but the course must have NUC accreditation or a resource verification before the candidate commits.
| Course type | Chance with a score of 150 | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Education and arts courses | Good at many schools | Lower demand and larger quotas |
| Social science courses | Fair | Varies by school and state |
| Management and business courses | Fair at newer schools | Higher at older universities |
| Engineering and sciences | Low at established schools | High demand and limited space |
| Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing | Very low | Highest cut-offs and strict regulators |
Does 150 Alone Guarantee Admission?
No. Admission depends on several steps beyond the UTME score. The candidate must select the school and course during registration or change them through the JAMB portal. The school must have available space in the course. The candidate must meet the O’Level requirements, which usually mean at least five credits including English Language and Mathematics, in one or two sittings depending on the school. The candidate must also pass any screening that the school runs and accept the offer in the JAMB Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
A score at the national floor puts the candidate at the lower end of the ranking even in a school that admits 150. If the school receives more qualified applicants than places, the higher scores are admitted first. This is why a candidate with 150 should apply to schools where the cut-off is at or near that mark and not to schools where the mark is well above it.
Admission Requirements to Meet Besides the Score
- A valid UTME result of at least 150 for a university.
- A WAEC, NECO or NABTEC result with five credits, including English Language and Mathematics for most courses, plus subjects that match the course.
- The correct UTME subject combination for the course chosen.
- Selection of the school and course on the JAMB portal.
- Any post-UTME or screening process required by the school.
- Acceptance of the admission offer on CAPS within the stated period.
A candidate whose subject combination does not match the course will be rejected even with a high score. The combination for each course is listed in the JAMB brochure and should be checked before selecting a course.
What to Do If You Scored 150 or Slightly Above
Check the Cut-Off of Your Chosen School
Confirm the school’s general mark and the mark for your course. If the course mark is above your score, change the course or the school while the portal allows it. Candidates who did not choose a school that accepts 150 during registration can apply for a change of institution through the JAMB portal.
Confirm Accreditation
Before paying any fee, confirm that the school is approved by the NUC and that the course is accredited or has permission to run. A school that accepts a low score but lacks approval puts the candidate’s degree at risk, including later NYSC mobilisation. The NUC publishes the lists of approved universities and accredited programmes.
Compare Fees
Schools that accept 150 are often private and charge higher fees than public universities. Compare the tuition, accommodation and other charges for the whole programme and not only the first session. Fees differ by course, and a school’s official portal gives the current figures.
Consider Other Routes
A candidate whose score is too low for the chosen course has options other than waiting a year. A polytechnic accepts a lower UTME mark, and a Higher National Diploma holder can later convert to a degree at some universities. A college of education offers NCE and then a degree route. Pre-degree, IJMB and JUPEB programmes provide entry to 200 level for candidates who pass them well. Re-sitting the UTME in the next cycle is also an option for a candidate who wants a competitive course.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming that every university admits at 150. Many set marks much higher.
- Choosing a course with a high mark at a school with a low general mark.
- Paying an agent for a “guaranteed” admission. Admission is processed only through JAMB CAPS and the school.
- Skipping the check of NUC approval and course accreditation.
- Missing the acceptance period on CAPS after the offer.
Admission Deadlines
The 2026/2027 policy sets a closing date for admission exercises. Public universities are expected to finish by the end of October 2026, and private universities have until the end of November 2026. A candidate who still wants a place after these dates should check with JAMB and the school about late processing, since the window may be closed for the current cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is 150 the cut-off mark for all universities in 2026/2027?
No. It is the lowest mark any university may consider. Each university can set a higher mark, and most competitive ones do. - Can I study Medicine with 150?
It is very unlikely. Medicine and Surgery carries one of the highest marks in every school, and the course needs an accredited programme. - Can I change my university after getting 150?
Yes. A candidate can apply for a change of institution or course through the JAMB portal, within the period JAMB allows. - Do I still need post-UTME if I score 150?
It depends on the school. Many schools run screening after the UTME, while some use the UTME score and the O’Level result alone. The school’s admission notice gives the rule. - Can a polytechnic admit me with 150?
Yes. Polytechnics have a lower national minimum, so a score of 150 is above the floor. The final mark depends on the course and the school. - Is a private university with a low cut-off a bad choice?
Not by itself. A private university with NUC approval and accredited programmes gives a valid degree. Fees are usually higher, so compare them before applying.
Final Thoughts
The question which university accept 150 in JAMB has a clear policy answer: all universities may consider 150, but only some actually admit at that mark, mostly newer private and some state universities, and mainly for lower-demand courses. A candidate with this score should pick a course and school that match it, confirm the NUC status, meet the O’Level and subject requirements, and complete the CAPS process on time.
Knowing which university accept 150 in JAMB helps a candidate avoid wasted applications. Cut-off marks change from session to session, so confirm the current figure for the exact course on the school’s official admission page and the JAMB portal before making a decision.