The University of Delta, Agbor (UNIDEL) sets a specific minimum UTME score that candidates must attain before they qualify to apply for Nursing Science. This mark is higher than the general cut off mark the university uses for most other courses, because Nursing is one of the most competitive programmes at UNIDEL. This article explains the current cut off mark for Nursing at UNIDEL, how it compares with previous sessions, what other requirements apply, and how the admission process works from screening to final placement.
What Is UNIDEL Cut Off Mark for Nursing?
The UNIDEL cut off mark for Nursing is the minimum UTME (JAMB) score a candidate needs before the university considers that candidate eligible to participate in the Post-UTME screening exercise for the Nursing Science programme. A candidate who scores below this mark cannot proceed with an application for Nursing at UNIDEL, regardless of how strong the candidate’s O’Level results are.
For the 2026/2027 admission cycle, UNIDEL has set the departmental cut off mark for Nursing Science, along with Medicine and Surgery, Medical Laboratory Science, and Law, at a minimum of 230. This places Nursing among the four most competitive programmes in the institution for that session. Candidates who scored below 230 in the 2026 UTME are not eligible to apply for Nursing at UNIDEL, even though the general school cut off mark for most other courses sits much lower, around 140 to 150.
This distinction matters because many prospective students assume that meeting the general UNIDEL cut off mark automatically qualifies them for any course of their choice. That is not the case. Each department sets its own minimum threshold, and competitive health-related and professional courses such as Nursing, Medicine, Medical Laboratory Science, and Law consistently carry higher requirements than courses in the arts, social sciences, or general sciences.
Why the Nursing Cut Off Mark Is Higher Than Other Courses
Nursing Science attracts a large volume of applications every year relative to the number of available seats. UNIDEL, like most Nigerian universities offering health science programmes, must comply with admission quotas set by regulatory bodies, including the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and the National Universities Commission (NUC). These bodies place limits on how many students a Nursing programme can admit per session, based on the number of qualified academic staff, clinical training facilities, and hospital placement capacity available to the institution.
Because the number of qualified applicants usually exceeds the number of available slots, the university raises the entry threshold to narrow the pool of candidates down to those most likely to perform well academically and clinically. This is why Nursing, Medicine, Medical Laboratory Science, and Law consistently carry some of the highest cut off marks across almost every Nigerian university, UNIDEL included.
UNIDEL Cut Off Mark Trend for Nursing Over Recent Sessions
The cut off mark for Nursing at UNIDEL has not remained static from year to year. It tends to move in response to the volume of applications, the general performance of candidates in that year’s UTME, and internal capacity decisions made by the university’s admission committee. The table below outlines how the figure has shifted across recent academic sessions, based on official announcements and screening guidelines released by the university.
| Academic Session | General UNIDEL Cut Off Mark | Nursing Science Cut Off Mark |
|---|---|---|
| 2024/2025 | 150 | 180 |
| 2025/2026 | 140–160 | 200–220 |
| 2026/2027 | 150 | 230 |
Candidates should treat the figures for the current session as the operative benchmark. Older cut off marks are useful only as a reference for understanding the general trend, not as a substitute for the current requirement, since these figures typically increase rather than decrease from one session to the next as competition for Nursing seats grows.
Other Admission Requirements for Nursing at UNIDEL
Meeting the UTME cut off mark is only the first requirement. UNIDEL evaluates candidates for Nursing Science using a combination of factors, and a candidate who fails to meet any one of them cannot secure admission, even with a UTME score above the cut off mark.
O’Level requirements Candidates must possess at least five credit passes in relevant subjects, obtained from the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE), the National Examinations Council (NECO), or the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level. These credits must be obtained in not more than two sittings. For Nursing Science specifically, the required subjects typically include English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, all at credit level.
UTME subject combination Candidates must have registered and sat for the correct UTME subject combination for Nursing Science, which generally includes English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. A candidate who registered a different combination cannot be considered for Nursing regardless of their score.
Age requirement In line with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s policy, candidates must be at least 16 years old by the 30th of September of the admission year to be eligible to apply.
Direct Entry candidates UNIDEL does not accept Direct Entry candidates into Nursing Sciences. This restriction also applies to Medicine and Medical Laboratory Sciences. Candidates holding A-Level results, ND, HND, or NCE certificates who wish to study Nursing at UNIDEL must apply through the UTME route, not the Direct Entry route.
Post-UTME screening Meeting the cut off mark only grants eligibility to participate in the Post-UTME screening exercise. The screening itself carries its own weight in the final admission decision, and candidates must register for it within the stipulated window, pay the required screening fee, and attend or complete the exercise as instructed by the university.
How UNIDEL Calculates the Final Admission Score for Nursing
Admission into Nursing at UNIDEL is not based on the UTME score alone. The university combines the UTME score with the Post-UTME screening score, and in some cases factors in O’Level result quality, to arrive at an aggregate score. The general approach follows this pattern:
- The UTME score is converted to a percentage of the total obtainable marks and weighted according to the university’s admission policy.
- The Post-UTME screening score is similarly weighted.
- O’Level grades may contribute a smaller percentage to the overall aggregate, depending on the specific formula the university applies for that session.
- The resulting aggregate score determines the candidate’s position on the admission list for Nursing Science, relative to other applicants competing for the same limited seats.
This means two candidates with the same UTME score can end up with different chances of admission if one performs significantly better in the Post-UTME screening. Candidates aiming for Nursing should therefore not treat the UTME cut off mark as the final hurdle; strong performance in the screening exercise carries real weight in the outcome.
What Happens If a Candidate Scores Below the Nursing Cut Off Mark
A candidate whose UTME score falls below the Nursing cut off mark for the session cannot proceed with a Nursing application at UNIDEL. In this situation, candidates generally have two options. The first is to request a change of course to a programme with a lower cut off mark within UNIDEL, provided the candidate meets the O’Level and subject requirements for that alternative programme. The second is to request a change of institution, in cases where another university has a Nursing cut off mark that matches the candidate’s UTME score.
Candidates should note that a change of course or institution must go through JAMB’s official correction window and is subject to the deadlines JAMB sets for that admission cycle. Waiting until after the deadline closes removes the option entirely for that admission year.
Steps to Apply for Nursing at UNIDEL
- Confirm that the UTME score meets or exceeds the current Nursing cut off mark for the session.
- Confirm that the UTME subject combination matches the required combination for Nursing Science.
- Gather O’Level results showing at least five credits in the required subjects, obtained in not more than two sittings.
- Visit the official UNIDEL admissions portal and register for the Post-UTME screening exercise within the stated registration window.
- Pay the stipulated screening fee through the approved payment channel.
- Attend or complete the screening exercise as instructed, and upload all required documents, including passport photographs and result slips.
- Monitor the JAMB CAPS (Central Admissions Processing System) portal for the admission status once the university releases its admission list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current UNIDEL cut off mark for Nursing? For the 2026/2027 academic session, the minimum UTME score required for Nursing Science at UNIDEL is 230.
Is the UNIDEL Nursing cut off mark the same as the general school cut off mark? No. The general school cut off mark, which applies to most courses, is lower, typically around 150. Nursing, along with Medicine, Medical Laboratory Science, and Law, carries a higher departmental cut off mark.
Can Direct Entry candidates apply for Nursing at UNIDEL? No. UNIDEL does not accept Direct Entry candidates for Nursing Sciences, Medicine, or Medical Laboratory Sciences.
Does meeting the cut off mark guarantee admission into Nursing? No. Meeting the cut off mark only qualifies a candidate to participate in the Post-UTME screening. Final admission depends on the aggregate score formed from the UTME score, the screening score, and in some cases O’Level results.
What UTME subjects are required for Nursing at UNIDEL? The required subject combination generally includes English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
What happens if my score is below the Nursing cut off mark? Candidates in this position can apply for a change of course to a programme with a lower cut off mark, or request a change of institution to a university whose Nursing cut off mark matches their score, provided they act within JAMB’s correction deadline.