List of Universities That Accept 180 JAMB Score for Admission (Guide)

Introduction

Every year, millions of Nigerian students write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The UTME score plays a major role in determining who gets admitted into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

However, not every student scores 250 or above. If you scored 180 in JAMB, you might be worried or confused about your chances of getting admission. You are not alone, and the good news is: a JAMB score of 180 can still get you into a university—if you know where and how to apply.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, including:

An explanation of how JAMB cut-off marks work
A comprehensive list of universities that accept 180 JAMB score
Courses you can study with a 180 UTME score
Tips to increase your chances of admission
Answers to frequently asked questions

Let’s start by understanding how the JAMB admission system works.

Understanding the JAMB Cut-Off System in Nigeria

What is JAMB?

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is a Nigerian government body responsible for conducting the UTME exam, which qualifies students for admission into tertiary institutions. JAMB also sets the general cut-off mark each year and oversees the admission process through the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS).

How JAMB Score is Calculated

The UTME exam consists of four subjects relevant to your chosen course. Each subject carries a maximum of 100 marks, making a total score of 400. Your final JAMB score reflects your performance across all four subjects.

For example:

English Language: 55
Government: 45
Literature: 40
CRS: 40
Total = 180

JAMB General vs Institutional Cut-Off Marks

Each year, JAMB sets a general minimum cut-off mark. However, individual universities have the right to set their own specific cut-off marks based on their internal policies, competition, and available spaces.

For 2025, JAMB has set the minimum national cut-off at 140 for universities, but most federal universities set theirs between 180 and 200, while private and state universities may accept 160 or even lower.

Can I Gain Admission with 180 JAMB Score?

Is 180 a Good JAMB Score?

Scoring 180 means you performed better than many candidates. It may not qualify you for competitive courses like Medicine, Law, or Engineering in top universities, but it’s enough to get you admitted into various courses across several schools. Your chances depend on:

The competitiveness of the course
The university’s departmental cut-off
Your post-UTME performance
Your O’Level results

Courses You Can Study with 180 Score

With a 180 UTME score, you can study many non-competitive courses such as:

Sociology
Political Science
Agricultural Science
Religious Studies
Business Administration
Education-related courses
Languages (e.g., Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa)
Philosophy
History and International Studies
Geography
Psychology
Banking and Finance

Note: Some institutions may offer even higher courses depending on available space and performance in post-UTME.

Things to Consider If You Scored 180

Post-UTME: Many schools use a screening or post-UTME test to finalize admission. Performing well can raise your total aggregate.
Course competitiveness: Switch to less competitive courses to boost your chances.
O’Level grades: Excellent WAEC/NECO results can compensate for a lower JAMB score.
Change of institution/course: You can use JAMB’s portal to make a change to schools or courses more aligned with your score.

List of Universities That Accept 180 JAMB Score for Admission

Here’s a breakdown of universities that accept candidates with a 180 JAMB score, along with their admission approach and sample courses.

Federal Universities

1. Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE)

Type: Federal
Location: Ekiti State
Courses: Sociology, Education, Crop Science, Animal Production
Admission Method: Post-UTME Screening

2. Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA)

Type: Federal
Location: Katsina State
Courses: Agriculture, Microbiology, Business Admin
Admission Method: Screening

3. Federal University Wukari (FUWUKARI)

Type: Federal
Location: Taraba State
Courses: History, Political Science, Sociology
Admission Method: Online Screening

4. University of Calabar (UNICAL)

Type: Federal
Location: Cross River State
Courses: Philosophy, Education, Religious Studies
Admission Method: Post-UTME Exam

5. University of Uyo (UNIUYO)

Type: Federal
Location: Akwa Ibom State
Courses: Linguistics, Library Science, Geography
Admission Method: Post-UTME Exam

State Universities

1. Ekiti State University (EKSU)

Location: Ado-Ekiti
Courses: Education, Political Science, History
Admission Method: Screening

2. Delta State University (DELSU)

Location: Abraka
Courses: Business Administration, English, Guidance & Counselling
Admission Method: Screening/Post-UTME

3. Kaduna State University (KASU)

Location: Kaduna
Courses: Sociology, Education, Public Admin
Admission Method: Post-UTME

4. Benue State University (BSU)

Location: Makurdi
Courses: Social Sciences, Linguistics, Mass Communication
Admission Method: Screening

5. Rivers State University (RSU)

Location: Port Harcourt
Courses: Office Technology, Education, Political Science
Admission Method: Screening/Post-UTME

Private Universities

Private universities in Nigeria often accept lower JAMB scores as long as the candidate meets O’Level requirements.

1. Igbinedion University

Location: Okada, Edo State
Courses: Microbiology, Computer Science, Accounting

2. Afe Babalola University

Location: Ado-Ekiti
Courses: Biochemistry, International Relations, Education

3. Madonna University

Location: Okija, Anambra State
Courses: Sociology, Political Science, English

4. Lead City University

Location: Ibadan, Oyo State
Courses: Public Admin, Marketing, Law (with good grades)

5. Bowen University

Location: Iwo, Osun State
Courses: Criminology, Theatre Arts, Banking & Finance

Polytechnics and Colleges

If you’re open to polytechnics, 180 is more than enough.

Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH)
Federal Polytechnic Nekede
Auchi Polytechnic
Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH)
Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu

Summary Table: Universities That Accept 180 JAMB Score

University Name	Type	State	Admission Method	Sample Courses
FUOYE	Federal	Ekiti	Post-UTME	Sociology, Agriculture
EKSU	State	Ekiti	Screening	History, Business Admin
Igbinedion University	Private	Edo	Direct Entry/Post-UTME	Nursing, Microbiology
YABATECH	Poly	Lagos	Screening	Engineering, SLT
UNICAL	Federal	Cross River	Post-UTME	Philosophy, History
DELSU	State	Delta	Post-UTME/Screening	English, Education
Madonna University	Private	Anambra	Screening	Sociology, Public Admin

Pros and Cons of Applying with 180 JAMB Score

Pros

Many schools accept 180 as minimum cut-off
You can apply to private and state universities
Some competitive courses may still be available
You can still write post-UTME and improve chances

Cons

Limited access to high-demand courses like Medicine, Law
Less access to top federal universities like UI or UNILAG
More competition from higher scorers
May need change of course or school

How to Increase Your Chances of Admission with 180 Score

Do well in post-UTME – scoring high in post-UTME can help you stand out.
Pick less competitive courses – avoid courses like Law, Medicine, Pharmacy.
Consider private or state universities – they tend to have more flexible cut-offs.
Get good O’Level results – especially English and Maths.
Use change of institution feature – JAMB allows you to switch schools/courses.

Real-Life Examples and Case Studies

Daniel scored 180 and got admitted into FUOYE to study Sociology after scoring 62% in the post-UTME.
Blessing changed her institution from UNILORIN to Igbinedion University with the same score and got admitted for Nursing.
Michael originally applied for Law, but with 180, changed to History at UNICAL and gained admission successfully.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I gain admission with 180 JAMB score in 2025?
Yes, many schools accept 180 and even lower for admission.
What are the best courses to apply for with 180?
Sociology, Political Science, Education, Religious Studies, Agricultural Science.
Is 180 JAMB score good enough for federal universities?
Yes, for some federal universities and courses. Avoid highly competitive programs.
Can I study law with 180?
Unlikely. Most law faculties require 220+. Consider related courses like Political Science.
What private universities accept 180 JAMB score?
Igbinedion, Madonna, Bowen, Lead City, Afe Babalola, among others.
How do I know the cut-off mark of my chosen school?
Visit the school’s website or check JAMB CAPS portal regularly.
Should I write post-UTME with 180 score?
Yes, many schools require it and use it to boost your total aggregate.
Can I do a change of institution to a school with lower cut-off?
Yes, JAMB allows you to change school/course through your profile.
What’s the difference between cut-off mark and departmental cut-off?
General cut-off is the base score for all applicants; departmental cut-off is specific to courses.
Are there scholarships for students with 180 score?
Most merit scholarships require 200+, but some private schools offer partial scholarships.
Can I gain admission without post-UTME?
Yes, some universities use screening only (no written exam).

Conclusion

Scoring 180 in JAMB is not the end of your academic dreams. In fact, it opens doors to many opportunities if you apply wisely. There are several reputable universities, especially state and private ones, that accept 180 as a valid UTME score.

To increase your chances, choose less competitive courses, perform well in post-UTME, and ensure your O’Level results are strong. Keep an open mind and be strategic in your decision-making. Whether it’s a change of course or institution, make sure every move you make aligns with your academic goals.

Most importantly, stay hopeful and proactive. Many students have been in your shoes—and succeeded.