Can I Study Nursing with a Low JAMB Score? This is one of the most common questions asked by students who dream of becoming nurses in Nigeria — “Can I still study Nursing if my JAMB score is low?” The short answer is: it depends.
What Does “Low JAMB Score” Really Mean?
The idea of a low JAMB score isn’t the same for everyone. For some students who aim for top universities, anything below 200 feels low. But for others, especially those targeting polytechnics or schools of nursing, a score of 180 or more might already be considered strong.
In reality, whether your score is low or not depends on where you want to study Nursing and the type of Nursing programme you’re applying for.
For Universities (B.Sc. Nursing)
If your goal is to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.Sc. Nursing) from a university, you’ll need a very high JAMB score.
Most federal and state universities set their cut-off mark for Nursing between 240 and 270 — and competition is fierce. Nursing is one of the most competitive health-related courses in Nigeria, right alongside Medicine and Pharmacy.
Even if a university’s official cut-off is, say, 220, in practice, only students who scored 240 and above tend to get invited for post-UTME and stand a real chance of being admitted.
For Schools of Nursing (Diploma in Nursing)
If you didn’t score that high, don’t panic — there are still good options.
Many Schools of Nursing (also known as Colleges of Nursing Sciences) accept lower JAMB scores, usually between 160 and 180.
These schools are approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and still offer professional training that qualifies you as a registered nurse.
From experience, schools like LUTH, OAUTHC, UBTH, and School of Nursing, Eleyele have varying cut-offs each year — but it’s rare for any to go below 160.
The Truth About Competition
Even though some schools accept 160 or 180, don’t assume it’ll be easy. Nursing remains one of the most competitive health courses in Nigeria. Many students who apply to nursing schools with “low” cut-off marks often have scores above 200 or even 270, meaning the real competition is higher than the minimum requirement suggests.
The Best Advice
If you really want to study Nursing, don’t rely on minimum cut-off marks — aim for the top.
A high JAMB score not only increases your chances of admission but also gives you more options: you can choose between universities and nursing schools instead of being limited to only one path.
In short:
- For Universities (B.Sc. Nursing): Aim for 240+
- For Nursing Schools: 160–180 may be acceptable, but the higher, the better
Bottom Line:
You can study Nursing with a “low” JAMB score — but only if you apply to the right kind of institution. If your score is below 240, consider a School of Nursing instead of a university. And if you’re still preparing for JAMB, give it your all — because in Nursing, the higher your score, the more doors open for you.
Would you like me to add a short section recommending good nursing schools for students with lower JAMB scores?
