List of Federal Colleges of Education Admission Requirements 2025/2026

What Are Federal Colleges of Education and the NCE Programme?

Federal Colleges of Education are government institutes that offer the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE)—a teacher training qualification. They train students for roles at primary and junior secondary school levels. NCE programmes usually last three years. They are reputable and recognized by educational authorities, making graduates eligible for teaching in Nigeria and for further studies like degree upgrades.

General Common Admission Requirements for Federal Colleges of Education

Most federal NCE programmes share these basic requirements:

JAMB UTME result via the Polytechnic & College of Education Matriculation Form (PCME).
A minimum JAMB score of 100 or above (the national minimum cut-off)
O’Level result (WAEC, NECO or equivalent) with at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, in no more than two sittings
OR Teachers’ Grade II Certificate (TC II) with credits/merits in three subjects, two of which must be relevant to the intended course
OR Associateship in Education, or City & Guilds / Federal Craft / NTC qualifications (for technical or vocational NCE tracks)
Post-UTME screening or selection exams, as required by the college

Entry Requirements for Specific Programmes

. Business Education (e.g., Federal College Technical, Asaba)

JAMB score of 100+
O’Level with credits in English, Maths, and three relevant business subjects (like Economics, Accounts, Business Management, Shorthand)
TC II with credits/merits can substitute O’Level, if relevant subjects are included

. Agricultural Education (Asaba, Umunze)

Five O’Level credits including English & Maths, plus Biology or Agricultural Science
TC II with specific science or agricultural credits is acceptable

. Technical Education

O’Level: Five subjects including English & Maths, with two related technical credits (e.g. Technical Drawing, Electronics)
Or NTC / City & Guilds with credits and Federal Craft Certificate, plus English and Maths

. Science & Computer Education

O’Level: Five subjects, including English, Maths and two science subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)Or TC II / Pre-NCE with relevant passes
Home Economics, Fine & Applied Arts

Five O’Level credits including English & Maths, plus relevant Home Econ or Art subjects (e.g. Food & Nutrition, Textiles)
TC II or City & Guilds, etc., with credits in relevant fields can apply

Language & General Studies

O’Level: credits in English & Maths, plus literature subjects if applicable
TC II or Associateship in language-related areas accepted

How to Apply: Federal College of Education Admission Process

Step 1: Purchase PCME Form from JAMB

Obtain and fill the Polytechnics & Colleges of Education Matriculation Form (PCME) via JAMB. Choose your preferred federal college.

Step 2: Meet Entry Requirements

Confirm you have five O’Level credits (including English & Maths) or TC II / technical credential based on your track.

Step 3: Attend College’s Screening

Some colleges require online or physical post-UTME screening tests or interviews—prepare early

Step 4: Accept Admission in CAPS

If admitted, accept the offer in your JAMB CAPS portal, print admission letter, and proceed to registration.

Step 5: Begin Studies

Attend orientation, register courses, and start your NCE training to become a teacher.

Benefits and Challenges: Pros and Cons

Pros

NCE is profession-led and practical.
Federal colleges often have good facilities.
Affordable and widely recognized.
Flexible qualification; can upgrade to B.Ed via direct entry.

Cons

Some programmes remain competitive.
Screening tests add pressure.
NCE is less prestigious than a university degree.
Teaching demands investment in certification and practical work.

Comparison: Federal Colleges vs Other Options

Feature	Federal College of Education	University (B.Ed)
Duration	3 years (NCE)	4–5 years (Degree)
Cost	Lower fees	Higher fees and cost of private upkeep
Entry Cut-off	JAMB ≥100 + O’Level	JAMB ≥180–200 + O’Level
Focus	Practical teaching skills	Theory + teaching methodologies
Upgrade Path	NCE → Degree (via direct entry)	Degree → Postgraduate options

Student Examples: Admission Success Stories

Amina scored 115 JAMB and had five credits including English and Commerce. She applied for Business Ed at Federal College Asaba and got admitted after screening.
Daniel with TC II and credit in Geography and Maths got in for Primary Education at FCE Gwoza.
Chioma had O’Level credits including Biology and Physics—she targeted Science Education at Federal College, Iwo, and succeeded after scoring 100+ in JAMB.

Summary Table of Admission Requirements

Programme Type	Required Entry Qualifications
Business Education	JAMB ≥100, O’Level credits English, Maths, 3 business subjects
Agricultural Education	JAMB ≥100, O’Level credits including Agric/Biology, English, Maths
Technical Education	JAMB ≥100, O’Level or technical credentials including Maths, relevant technical subjects
Science/Computer Education	JAMB ≥100, O’Level credits including English, Maths, two sciences
Home Economics/Arts	JAMB ≥100, O’Level credits including English, Maths, Home-Economics/Art
Language/General Studies	JAMB ≥100, O’Level credits in English, Maths, literature/arts subjects
TC II or Associateship	Equivalent credits/merits in relevant subjects accepted

Frequently Asked Questions (10+)

1: Is 100 JAMB enough for federal colleges?
Yes, 100 is the national minimum. For example, FCE Special Oyo accepts JAMB 100+

2: Do I need five O’Level credits?
Yes—typically including English and Maths; two relevant to your course

3: Can TC II replace O’Level?
Yes—if you have credits/merits in relevant subjects

4: Do all federal colleges require screening?
Many do—check your preferred college’s bulletin

5: Can I upgrade from NCE to Degree?
Yes—via direct-entry programmes after a good NCE performance.

6: Are technical qualifications accepted for technical courses?
Yes—NTC, City & Guilds, Federal Crafts with relevant credits are accepted

7: How many colleges can I apply to?
Multiple, but ensure your JAMB choice and O’Level fits each.

8: What O’Level subjects are required for Home Economics?
English, Maths, and relevant subjects like Food & Nutrition or Textiles

9: Do all federal colleges have good facilities?
Many do, but quality varies by location—research per college.

10: When is screening for 2025/2026?
Dates vary; for example, FCE (Special), Oyo screening is scheduled for September 25, 2025

Conclusion & Next Steps

To gain admission into a Federal College of Education for NCE in 2025/2026, ensure:

You scored at least 100 in JAMB PCME.
You have five O’Level credits including English and Maths—or TC II / technical qualification.
You choose courses with subjects relevant to your strengths.
You register early for any post-UTME screening.
You accept offer via JAMB CAPS and follow up with the college for registration.

Federal Colleges of Education provide a solid foundation for becoming a certified teacher in Nigeria. Whether in technical education, arts, science, or general teaching, they empower you with the skills and certificate to teach and grow. Start with your documents, prepare well, and your journey is set for success!