Ten Alternative Courses You Can Study with Low JAMB Score in 2025 (Even If You Didn’t Get the Cut-Off)
Are you feeling stuck or disappointed because your JAMB score wasn’t what you hoped for in 2025?
You’re not alone — and here’s the good news: your future doesn’t end with a low score. There are alternative courses you can still study in reputable Nigerian institutions, even with a low JAMB score.
Many students feel the pressure of chasing highly competitive courses like Medicine, Law, or Engineering. But the truth is, Nigeria’s academic landscape is broader than you think, and your low JAMB score might just be pointing you in a new and better direction.
In this article, we’ll show you 10 viable, in-demand courses you can study with a low JAMB score, without sacrificing your dreams or wasting a year at home.
Why You Shouldn’t Panic About a Low JAMB Score
Let’s face it, not everyone will score 250 or above in JAMB. And that’s perfectly okay.
Maybe you didn’t have the best preparation.
Maybe the stress got to you.
Or maybe it just wasn’t your year.
What matters now is what you do next.
Instead of dwelling on what didn’t work, why not explore other courses that are less competitive, yet still offer job opportunities, room for growth, and even a pathway to switch back later (if you still want to)?
What Is Considered a Low JAMB Score in 2025?
Generally, anything below 180 is considered low, especially for competitive universities and courses like Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, and Engineering.
But there are universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education that accept JAMB scores as low as 120 or 140, depending on your course choice and institution.
So let’s get to the main gist, the alternative courses you can consider in 2025
🔟 Ten Alternative Courses You Can Study with Low JAMB Score in Nigeria (2025 Edition)
1. Education Courses
Low competition, high demand.
If you’re passionate about teaching or helping others learn, education courses like:
Education & Political Science
Education & Economics
Early Childhood Education
Guidance & Counselling
…are widely available and often accept scores between 140 – 160, especially in state universities and colleges of education.
Job Opportunities for Education Courses
:
Secondary school teacher (government or private)
Curriculum developer
Education consultant
NGO field educator
Guidance counselor (for specialized areas)
2. Library and Information Science
Don’t let the name fool you — this course is more than just books.
You’ll be learning about:
Archiving and preserving data
Digital information systems
Research support services
Many institutions accept candidates with scores from 140 – 160.
Job Opportunities for Library and Information Science:
School or university librarian
Digital content manager
Records officer
Archivist
Information officer in government/parastatals
3. Agricultural Science
Farming is no longer just hoes and cutlasses. With technology and food security becoming priorities, this course is a path to future relevance.
Fields include:
Agricultural Extension
Animal Science
Soil Science
Crop Production
Some schools accept scores as low as 150.
Job Opportunities for Agricultural Science :
Agricultural extension officer
Farm manager
Soil analyst
Agro-processing expert
Agribusiness entrepreneur
4. Environmental Health / Public Health (ND level)
Many polytechnics and schools of health technology offer this course and accept scores between 120 – 150.
With Nigeria’s growing public health needs, this course leads to jobs in:
Community health programs
NGOs
Government health agencies
Job Opportunities:
Environmental health officer (EHOs)
Health inspection services (LGA)
Community health worker
NGO program staff
Disease control assistant
5. Sociology / Criminology
Interested in how societies work or how crime is prevented?
These are less competitive social science courses with minimum requirements often starting from 150 in certain universities.
Job Opportunities:
Social welfare officer
Human resource assistant
Police/crime analyst (with extra training)
Researcher or NGO worker
Correctional services aide
6. Fisheries and Aquaculture
Often overlooked, yet Nigeria’s fish market is booming.
Courses like:
Fisheries Management
Aquatic Biology
are accepted with scores as low as 140 – 160 in universities like FUNAAB and UNIOSUN.
Job Opportunities:
Fish farm manager
Fisheries officer (Ministry of Agriculture)
Hatchery technician
Aquaculture consultant
Self-employed fishpreneur
7. Religious Studies / Philosophy
These are humanities-based courses with flexible requirements. If you have interest in:
Theology
Critical thinking
Ethics
…then this is a great option. Most institutions accept 140 – 160.
Job Opportunities:
Clergy or religious instructor
Ethics officer (in NGOs or schools)
Writer/editor (for religious content)
Community development staff
Philosophy tutor or lecturer
8. Home Economics / Hospitality Management
Do you love cooking, fashion, or event planning?
These courses are accepted by:
Polytechnics
Colleges of education
Some universities
With JAMB scores as low as 120 – 140, you can begin your journey in hospitality or become a food entrepreneur.
Job Opportunities:
Event planner
Hotel or restaurant supervisor
Nutritionist assistant
Fashion/design entrepreneur
Catering manager
9. Mass Communication (in Polytechnics)
Universities may require high scores, but polytechnics usually accept candidates with scores from 140 upward.
This is perfect for those who dream of working in:
Media
Journalism
Public Relations
Job Opportunities:
Radio/TV presenter
Social media manager
PR assistant
Content writer
Broadcast journalist
10. Animal Health / Science and Lab Tech (SLT) in Polytechnics
Science lovers can explore this route even with a JAMB score of 130 – 150.
You’ll gain practical skills and can even upgrade to a university degree later.
Job Opportunities:
Lab technician (private or hospital)
Animal health technician
Veterinary assistant
Research lab assistant
Food production lab analyst
What You Can Do If Your Score Is Too Low for University
Here are smart steps to take:
Consider a Polytechnic or College of Education
Many polytechnics accept scores from 120 and offer ND programs you can later convert to BSc.Go Through IJMB or JUPEB
These are A-Level programs that let you gain direct entry into 200 level after one year.Try Pre-degree/Foundation Programs
Offered by many universities. With these, you won’t need JAMB again the next year.Wait and Do Change of Institution
After JAMB releases the cut-off marks, you can switch to less competitive schools.
Tips to Secure Admission with Low JAMB Score in 2025
Apply early to institutions that accept low JAMB scores.
Use the JAMB CAPS portal to monitor your admission status.
Don’t ignore colleges of education or polytechnics — they can be great stepping stones.
Attend school screening or post-UTME exercises, even if your score is low.
Choose courses with lower competition.
Getting a low JAMB score in 2025 can feel frustrating, but it’s not the end of your academic journey. It might just be a blessing in disguise, opening you up to new opportunities you never considered.
Success isn’t only about what you study – it’s about what you make of it.
So, what’s stopping you?
👉 Start reviewing alternative schools and apply today. Don’t sit at home for another year!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I gain admission into a university with 150 in JAMB?
Yes, some universities, especially private or state-owned, accept 150 and above depending on the course.
Q2: Are polytechnic courses valuable?
Absolutely! ND/HND courses are practical, skill-based, and recognized for NYSC and job placements.
Q3: Can I switch from Polytechnic to University later?
Yes. Through Direct Entry, you can gain admission into 200 level after completing your ND.
Q4: Can I study Nursing with a low JAMB score?
Unfortunately, Nursing is highly competitive. But you can start with Community Health or Public Health and upgrade later.
Q5: Should I consider private universities?
Yes, if you can afford it. Some private universities accept low scores, especially if you meet their internal screening.
