How to Gain Admission with Low JAMB Score in Nigeria: The Complete Guide

Scored low in JAMB? You’re not alone—and it’s not the end of your academic journey. Thousands of Nigerian students gain admission every year with low JAMB scores, and you can too.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to gain admission with a low JAMB score in Nigeria, including practical strategies, schools that accept low JAMB scores, alternative admission routes, and answers to common questions. Let’s begin!

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📚 Table of Contents

1. What is Considered a Low JAMB Score?

2. Can I Gain Admission with a Low JAMB Score?

3. Top Strategies to Gain Admission with Low JAMB Score

   • 3.1 Choose Less Competitive Courses

   • 3.2 Apply to Schools with Low Cut-Off Marks

   • 3.3 Consider Polytechnic or College of Education

   • 3.4 Use a Pre-Degree or Remedial Programme

   • 3.5 Try JUPEB, IJMB, or Other Direct Entry Programmes

   • 3.6 Attend Schools that Don’t Use JAMB Strictly

   • 3.7 Utilize Part-Time, Distance Learning, or Affiliate Programmes

   • 3.8 Combine With Strong O’Level Results

4. Pros and Cons of Gaining Admission with Low JAMB Score

5. Courses You Can Study with Low JAMB Score

6. List of Schools That Accept Low JAMB Scores (2025)

7. Example Success Stories

8. Mistakes to Avoid When You Have a Low JAMB Score

9. Comparison Table: Admission Options for Low JAMB Scorers

10. Summary Table Before Conclusion

11. Conclusion

12. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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🧾 1. What is Considered a Low JAMB Score?

In Nigeria, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) conducts the UTME (Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination), which is scored out of 400.

• High JAMB score: 250–400

• Average JAMB score: 180–249

• Low JAMB score: Below 180

However, “low” is relative to the institution and course you’re applying for. For example:

• 170 is low for Medicine, but sufficient for Public Administration in a polytechnic.

• Some institutions accept as low as 120–150, especially polytechnics, colleges of education, and private universities.

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❓ 2. Can I Gain Admission with a Low JAMB Score?

Yes, absolutely. You can gain admission with a low JAMB score through:

• Institutions with low cut-off marks

• Pre-degree or foundation programmes

• Direct Entry (JUPEB, IJMB, ND, NCE, etc.)

• Part-time and Open University

• Courses with less competition

• Private universities or polytechnics

The key is to choose the right option and act fast.

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✅ 3. Top Strategies to Gain Admission with Low JAMB Score

🎯 3.1 Choose Less Competitive Courses

Courses like:

• Agriculture

• Education

• Religious Studies

• Philosophy

• History

• Sociology

• Home Economics

…often have lower cut-off marks compared to:

• Medicine

• Law

• Engineering

• Nursing

• Computer Science

This increases your chances of gaining admission with a lower JAMB score.

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🏫 3.2 Apply to Schools with Low Cut-Off Marks

Many schools set low departmental cut-offs, especially:

• State polytechnics

• Private universities

• Colleges of Education

• Newly established institutions

Some accept cut-offs as low as 120–150.

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🎓 3.3 Consider Polytechnic or College of Education

Polytechnics and Colleges of Education have flexible cut-offs and offer:

• National Diploma (ND)

• National Certificate in Education (NCE)

You can later upgrade to a university with:

• HND to BSc conversion

• Direct entry

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📝 3.4 Use a Pre-Degree or Remedial Programme

Offered by many universities like:

• UNIPORT

• UNILORIN

• LASU

• DELSU

• FUNAAB

You enroll in a 1-year programme and if successful, you gain admission into 100-level without relying heavily on JAMB scores.

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🎓 3.5 Try JUPEB, IJMB, or Other Direct Entry Programmes

These are A-level equivalents that allow you to gain direct admission into 200-level.

• JUPEB – Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board

• IJMB – Interim Joint Matriculation Board

• Cambridge A-Levels, NABTEB A-Level, etc.

You can apply for Direct Entry (DE) even with a low JAMB score.

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🏫 3.6 Attend Schools that Don’t Use JAMB Strictly

Some private universities or open/distance learning institutions offer admission without strict reliance on JAMB:

• National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)

• Wellspring University

• Al-Hikmah University

• Lead City University

• Babcock (with foundation programme)

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📖 3.7 Utilize Part-Time, Distance Learning, or Affiliate Programmes

Many universities have part-time, evening, or weekend programmes that accept lower JAMB or no JAMB.

You can also check affiliated colleges of bigger universities that offer:

• Education degrees (B.Ed)

• Theology/Religious degrees

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💡 3.8 Combine With Strong O’Level Results

Even if your JAMB is low, a strong WAEC/NECO/NABTEB result can help:

• 5 credits (including Math and English) in one or two sittings

• Some universities use O’Level + Post-UTME aggregate to rank students

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⚖️ 4. Pros and Cons of Gaining Admission with Low JAMB Score

✅ Pros

• Keeps your academic journey going

• Avoids wasting another year

• Reduces pressure on JAMB retake

• Opens alternative, flexible options

• Can lead to full degrees via other paths

❌ Cons

• May not allow entry into competitive courses

• Some alternatives (e.g., JUPEB, private schools) can be expensive

• Limited course or school options

• Takes extra planning and patience

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📘 5. Courses You Can Study with Low JAMB Score

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🏫 6. List of Schools That Accept Low JAMB Scores (2025)

Always check each school’s current brochure or admission portal.

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💼 7. Example Success Stories

👩‍🎓 Mary – Scored 145 in JAMB

• Applied to a college of education for NCE in Biology

• Later gained Direct Entry into a university to study Biology Education

• Now a graduate teacher

👨‍🎓 Tunde – JAMB Score: 150

• Chose a private university with low cut-off (Public Admin)

• Paid via installment and graduated in 4 years

• Currently serving NYSC

👩‍🎓 Fatima – Failed JAMB Twice

• Took IJMB in Ilorin

• Entered 200-level at LASU through Direct Entry

• Graduated with Second Class Upper

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❌ 8. Mistakes to Avoid When You Have a Low JAMB Score

• Waiting a whole year to retake JAMB without exploring alternatives

• Applying to highly competitive courses with low scores

• Ignoring pre-degree or remedial programmes

• Failing to leverage O’Level strength

• Falling for admission scams

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📊 9. Comparison Table: Admission Options for Low JAMB Scorers

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🧾 10. Summary Table Before Conclusion

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🏁 11. Conclusion

Getting a low JAMB score in Nigeria is not the end of the road. There are dozens of opportunities still available to you. Whether you explore polytechnics, colleges of education, JUPEB/IJMB, pre-degree, or private institutions, you can still achieve your educational goals.

The key is to act fast, research well, and avoid mistakes that cost time and money. Your JAMB score doesn’t define your destiny. With the right plan, your dream course and career are still within reach.

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❓ 12. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I gain admission with 140 in JAMB?

Yes, many polytechnics and private universities accept 140–150 JAMB scores for some courses.

2. What schools accept 120 JAMB score in 2025?

Colleges of education and some state polytechnics accept 120+, depending on course and availability.

3. Can I enter university without JAMB?

Yes. Through JUPEB, IJMB, NOUN, part-time, or foundation programmes, you can enter without JAMB.

4. Is Direct Entry possible with low JAMB score?

Yes. Direct Entry is based on A-levels, NCE, ND or IJMB results, not your UTME score.

5. What are the cheapest options for low JAMB scorers?

Colleges of education and polytechnics offer the cheapest entry routes.

6. Can I study Nursing with a low JAMB score?

Unlikely. Nursing is competitive. Consider related fields or improve your score.

7. Can I switch courses later if I enter with a low score?

Yes, most schools allow course transfer in year 2 based on CGPA and availability.

8. Do private universities offer scholarships?

Yes. Some offer merit or need-based scholarships, especially for high-performing students.

9. How do I confirm a school’s real cut-off mark?

Visit the official school portal or JAMB brochure. Avoid relying solely on blogs or social media.

10. Should I rewrite JAMB or use alternatives?

If you’re determined to get into a competitive course, rewrite JAMB. Otherwise, explore alternative paths like JUPEB or NCE.