1. What is a Cut‑Off Mark?
- A cut‑off mark is the minimum score you must get (or sometimes exceed) to have a good chance of gaining admission into a specific course at a university.
- It is often not just your raw JAMB score but an aggregate that may include Post‑UTME (or screening test), your O’Level subject grades, and sometimes other factors.
- There are different types:
- General JAMB cut‑off: what JAMB or the university sets so that only applicants with a minimum score are allowed to apply for admission / Post‑UTME.
- Departmental / Course Cut‑Off: what a particular course (Law, Medicine, Engineering etc.) demands — usually higher, because competition is tougher.
Understanding the cut‑off helps you plan: you know what score to aim for, whether your current performance is enough, or whether you might need to apply elsewhere.
2. Difference Between JAMB Cut‑Off, General Cut‑Off, and Departmental Cut‑Off
Let’s break these down simply:
| Type | What It Means | What It Affects / Where It Counts |
|---|---|---|
| JAMB General Cut‑Off | The minimum UTME score needed by JAMB / UNN to be eligible for Post‑UTME / screening. | If your JAMB score is below this, you may not even be allowed to apply / take screening. |
| UNN General Cut‑Off | UNN’s own version of a minimum score (often same as or above JAMB’s), for many courses. | Determines who can take screening / Post‑UTME. |
| Departmental Cut‑Off for Law | The particular aggregate or benchmark for Law at UNN that you must meet (JAMB + Post‑UTME etc.) to be admitted. | This is the target you must reach or exceed. It is higher because Law is competitive. |
3. Why Cut‑Off for Law Is Usually High at UNN
Law is among the most sought after courses in Nigerian universities, and particularly at UNN, for several reasons:
- High demand: Many students want to study Law because it is respected and can lead to many career options.
- Limited seats: The number of places UNN can offer for Law is limited. Even though many apply, only a fixed number are admitted.
- Competition: Because many good students apply, applicants with high JAMB + Post‑UTME + good O’Level grades compete, pushing up cut‑off.
- Quality standards: To maintain standard, UNN will want students who perform well overall (in UTME, Post‑UTME, O’Level), so they set high benchmarks.
4. Known / Reported UNN Cut‑Off Marks for Law 2025/2026 (What We Know So Far)
As of now, the official cut‑off mark for Law at UNN for 2025/2026 has not been clearly published by UNN. Several sources give estimates and reported figures. It’s important to treat them as guides rather than confirmed values.
Below are what credible sources report or estimate:
| Source | What They Say About Law Cut‑Off (UNN 2025/2026) |
|---|---|
| Campus Cybercafe | Reports that a good chance would require a JAMB score between 270‑310, and a departmental aggregate around 76%–80%. (CampusCybercafe) |
| Top School News | Says UNN cut‑off mark for Law is 260 or above. (Top School News) |
| Campus Informant | States that the 2025/2026 cut‑off is not yet released. But refers to past admission where aggregates around 280+ gained admission. (Campus Informant) |
| Arewa Campus | Gives Law cut‑off mark as 297 in some lists (though that seems more like UTME merit or aggregate values). (Arewa Campus NG) |
Also, for earlier sessions (2024/2025), some sources show Law cut‑off (departmental / aggregate) as around 296.5. (My Info Connect)
So as of now, the likely range you should aim for is somewhere between 260 and ~300 aggregate (or equivalent). The final cut‑off may fall anywhere in that range depending on competition.
5. How UNN Calculates Aggregate for Law Admission (JAMB + Post‑UTME etc.)
To understand what that aggregate target means, we must know how UNN might compute the final admission score (aggregate). While UNN doesn’t always publish a detailed formula, the pattern and typical practices suggest:
Possible Components of Aggregate
- JAMB UTME score: Your score in the national exam.
- Post‑UTME / Screening score: UNN’s screening test / Post‑UTME exam once you apply.
- O’Level subject grades: Must meet required O’Level credits; sometimes grades feed into screening decisions.
- Subject combination / required subjects: Certain subjects must be included (English, Literature in English, Government or History, etc.).
Likely Weighting
Though UNN may not officially publish the exact weight (for every year), common patterns in similar universities suggest:
- JAMB UTME contributes a large portion (could be ~50‑60%)
- Post‑UTME contributes the rest (say ~40‑50%)
For example, some reports say UNN may use a formula like:
Aggregate = (JAMB score ÷ maximum JAMB score) × weight1 + (Post‑UTME score ÷ max Post‑UTME score) × weight2
Where weight1 + weight2 = 100%
If weight1 = 60% (JAMB), weight2 = 40% (Post‑UTME), an applicant needs strong performance in both to meet high departmental cut‑off.
6. Example Calculations: How Your Score Compares
Let’s work through example scenarios so you can see what scores you might need.
Example A: Strong JAMB, Good Post‑UTME
- JAMB score: 300 out of 400
- Post‑UTME score: 320 out of 400
- Assume UNN uses 60% JAMB + 40% Post‑UTME
Calculation:
- JAMB Component = (300 ÷ 400) × 60 = 45
- Post‑UTME Component = (320 ÷ 400) × 40 = 32
- Aggregate = 45 + 32 = 77
An aggregate of 77 (out of 100) may put you close to or above many estimates for Law at UNN (estimates like 76‑80%) if those are the actual departmental cut‑off ranges. This suggests in this scenario you would likely be competitive.
Example B: Moderate JAMB, Excellent Post‑UTME
- JAMB score: 270
- Post‑UTME: 360
- Calculations:
- JAMB component = (270 ÷ 400) × 60 = 40.5
- Post‑UTME component = (360 ÷ 400) × 40 = 36
- Aggregate = 40.5 + 36 = 76.5
This also may reach many estimated cut‑off thresholds. But note: Post‑UTME score must be very good to compensate for a lower JAMB.
Example C: Lower JAMB, Average Post‑UTME
- JAMB: 250
- Post‑UTME: 280
Calculation:
- (250 ÷ 400) × 60 = 37.5
- (280 ÷ 400) × 40 = 28
- Aggregate = 37.5 + 28 = 65.5
This is likely below what past competitive Law applicants needed. You might need to aim much higher in Post‑UTME or JAMB.
Key Takeaway: To have a good chance at Law in UNN, both your JAMB and Post‑UTME scores must be strong. You may need aggregates in high 70s or close to 80, depending on how competitive applicants do that year.
7. Eligibility Requirements for Law at UNN: What You Must Meet
Besides cut‑off marks, UNN demands certain preconditions. If you do not meet them, even high scores may not help.
Required Criteria
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| JAMB / UTME Result | You must have written the UTME and chosen UNN as your first choice (in most cases), and score at least the minimum general UTME / UNN JAMB cut‑off. |
| O’Level / Senior Secondary Certificate Exam (SSCE) | You should have at least five (5) credit passes in O’Level subjects, including English Language; sometimes Mathematics is also compulsory (depends on subject combination for Law). |
| Correct Subject Combination | For Law in UNN, required subjects typically include: English Language, Literature‑in‑English; Government or History or Social Science subjects; possibly use of CRS / Economics in combination. Literature and Government often matter. |
| Age / Identity Requirements | Your name in all documents (JAMB, O’Level, etc.) must match; you may need identification, proof of age; no pending O’Level results (unless UNN allows awaiting in special cases). |
| Post‑UTME / Screening | You must participate in UNN’s screening or Post‑UTME if required, and perform well. |
| Selection is Competitive | Even if you meet all requirements, admission is not guaranteed. Scores above average are needed due to competition. |
8. Comparisons: UNN Law Cut‑Off vs Other Nigerian Universities
It helps to see how tough UNN Law is by comparing with similar universities.
| University | Known / Typical Law Cut‑Off / Merit Score (Recent Years) | Comparison with UNN Expected Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| UNN | Reports indicate Law cut‑off in 2024/2025 was around ~296‑297 raw merit / aggregate for UTME + Post‑UTME. (Nigerian Polytechnics News) | This is high; applicants must score near that level to have a real chance. |
| Other Federal Universities (e.g. OAU, UI, UNILAG etc.) | For Law, often high cut‑offs close to those levels or slightly lower, depending on institution and department. | UNN tends to be among top competitive, so if you meet or beat UNN’s threshold, you are likely very strong. |
| Less Competitive / State Universities | Law cut‑off marks may be lower, less steep competition. | If UNN cutoff seems too high, some candidates explore these alternatives. |
9. What Affects the Cut‑Off Mark from Year to Year
Why does the cut‑off for Law change? Many factors, including:
- Number of Applicants: More students applying → more competition → cut‑off tends to go up.
- Performance of Applicants: If many people do very well in JAMB or Post‑UTME, the cut‑off rises.
- Capacity / Quota: How many seats UNN offers in Law in that admission cycle. If fewer seats, cut‑off will be stricter.
- Policy or Weighting Changes: If UNN changes how much weight to give JAMB vs Post‑UTME; changes in screening; or adjustments in O’Level requirements.
- Changes in UTME or Post‑UTME difficulty: If the exams are harder or easier in a given year, applicants’ score distributions change.
- External Factors: Delays, procedural changes, or extraordinary events (exam cancellation, assistance etc.) can shift trends.
10. Pros & Cons of Trying for a High Cut‑Off Mark in Law at UNN
Here are advantages and disadvantages of aiming high.
Pros
- If you meet or exceed cutoff, you likely get admitted into a prestigious Law programme.
- Strong scores can also give you options (scholarships, better grades attract attention).
- High performance builds good academic confidence.
- Even if you narrowly miss, you learn well and have prepared for fallback courses.
Cons
- Pressure and stress: trying to get very high JAMB & Post‑UTME is demanding.
- Resources needed: coaching, past questions, good schools, stable internet etc. may cost time/money.
- Risk of falling short: even good students may miss if competition is extra fierce.
- Possible disappointment: when cut‑off is higher than expected.
11. Tips to Reach or Beat the Law Cut‑Off at UNN
To increase your chance of being admitted into Law, use the following strategies.
- Aim High in JAMB
Don’t settle for just passing; try to score as high as possible. Since JAMB often carries big weight, it is vital. - prepare thoroughly for Post‑UTME or Screening
Get past questions, simulate exams, manage time. Many lose marks in Post‑UTME which pulls aggregate down. - Meet subject combination exactly
Ensure required subjects are included in your O’Level. Literature in English, Government or History, English Language must be credits. - Good O’Level Grades
High grades (A, B) in O’Level help, though sometimes not directly in aggregate but for screening and qualification. - Avoid mistakes in registration / application
Names must match, documents correctly uploaded, test centers / exam numbers accurate. - Apply early
Before deadline, so you avoid portal traffic / last‑minute issues. - Use past admission cut‑offs as benchmarks
If past years show Law cut‑off around ~296‑300, aim at or above that. - Have fallback options
If Law at UNN is highly competitive, have second / third choice courses where you qualify.
12. Summary Table Before Conclusion
Below is a summary table capturing all the most important points you need to keep in mind about UNN Law cut‑off mark 2025/2026.
| Item | Detail / What You Should Aim For |
|---|---|
| Expected Departmental Cut‑Off for Law | Between 260 and ~300 aggregate (JAMB + Post‑UTME) based on reports & past trends |
| General UTME / JAMB Minimum | At least 160 (or whatever UNN’s general cut‑off is for the year) to be eligible for screening |
| Past Session Cut‑Off for Law (2024/2025) | Around 296‑297 (verified estimates) (Nigerian Polytechnics News) |
| Strong JAMB + Post‑UTME Example | JAMB 300 + Post‑UTME 320 gives aggregate ~77 (good chance) |
| Moderate JAMB + High Post‑UTME Example | JAMB 270 + Post‑UTME 360 gives ~76.5 aggregate |
| Weak scenario | Lower JAMB with average Post‑UTME gives aggregate likely too low (e.g. ~65) |
| O’Level Requirements | 5 credits including English, Literature, Government or History etc. |
| Subject Combination | English, Literature in English, Government/History, CRS/Economics etc. |
| What Affects Cut‑Off | Number of applicants, seats, performance, exam difficulty etc. |
| Strategy to Beat Cut‑Off | Aim high in both exams, prepare early, use past questions, avoid mistakes |
14. Conclusion
Because Law is very competitive at UNN, you must aim for high scores. While the official cut‑off mark for Law admission in 2025/2026 has not been confirmed, all reliable reports and past data suggest that you need an aggregate in the 260‑300 range (or even higher) to have a real chance.
To achieve this, focus on:
- Getting as high as possible in JAMB
- Performing excellently in Post‑UTME / Screening
- Securing strong O’Level grades, especially in required subjects
- Meeting all subject combinations and eligibility rules exactly
- Preparing early, using past questions, avoiding mistakes
If you follow these, you maximize your chance of meeting or exceeding UNN’s Law cut‑off. Good luck! Remember: aim high and be consistent.