Did you choose UNIJOS as your first-choice institution? One of the most important steps toward gaining admission into the University of Jos for the 2025/2026 academic session is understanding the JAMB cut-off mark. As one of Nigeria’s prestigious federal universities, UNIJOS sets a clear UTME benchmark to guide its competitive admission process. This article breaks down everything you need to know about the 2025 JAMB cut-off mark for UNIJOS, including departmental expectations, screening processes, and how to prepare for Post-UTME.
University of Jos is one of the Prestigious Universities in Nigeria. However, if you are hoping to gain admission into the University of Jos for the 2025/2026 academic session, one of the first questions you’ll ask is: “What is the JAMB UTME cut-off mark?” For this session, the school has officially set its general UTME cut-off mark. In simple terms, any candidate scores the benchmark in the 2025 UTME and have selected University of Jos as their first‑choice institution is eligible to participate in the university’s Post‑UTME/Direct Entry screening exercise. This benchmark is not just a formality; it is the initial gatekeeper in a structured multi-stage admission process designed to preserve academic standards and manage competition effectively.
The Historical Overview of the University of Jos
The University of Jos is one of Nigeria’s most respected federal universities, known for its intellectual strength, cultural diversity, and vibrant academic environment. Its story is deeply intertwined with Nigeria’s higher education development history and is a testament to the strategic foresight of policy-makers in the early 1970s who saw the need to decentralise tertiary education across the regions. The university began humbly in November 1971, as a satellite campus of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria’s premier university. The establishment of this campus in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, was a deliberate attempt to bring quality tertiary education to the central region of Nigeria, which was, at the time, underserved by federal academic institutions. This initiative sought to create an academic nucleus that would eventually blossom into an autonomous university, a vision that would be fulfilled within a few years.
The fledgling campus welcomed its first batch of pre-degree students in January 1972, a foundational step that allowed the institution to begin cultivating a future student community and academic culture. These pre-degree students were essentially part of the transition framework and helped to test-run the administrative, academic, and infrastructural systems of the institution. By October 1973, the University campus had grown significantly and began offering degree programmes in the arts, marking a significant milestone in its evolution. This academic expansion continued into 1974, when the institution introduced programmes in the sciences and education, aligning itself with the national priority of developing a skilled workforce in critical sectors. These early offerings laid the groundwork for what would become an inclusive curriculum structure that now spans a wide range of disciplines.
A major turning point in the university’s history occurred in October 1975, when the then-military government of Nigeria officially elevated the campus to the status of a full-fledged federal university. With this act, the University of Jos was formally born, severing administrative ties with the University of Ibadan and establishing its own independent identity. This development represented more than just a name change; it ushered in a new era of growth, autonomy, and the responsibility to define its academic character.
Following its independence, classes resumed in 1976, and the university established its core faculties: Arts and Social Sciences, Education, Natural Sciences, and Medical Sciences. These faculties represented a deliberate effort to cater to both the humanities and the sciences, ensuring that the new university could attract a diverse student body and contribute meaningfully to various sectors of national development.
Over time, the university continued to expand its academic reach. The addition of Law and Environmental Sciences in subsequent years further cemented its position as a comprehensive institution. These faculties responded to growing national and global demands for legal expertise and environmental stewardship fields that have become increasingly critical in the context of Nigeria’s democratic, ecological, and developmental challenges.
Eligibility and the General UTME Cut‑Off for the University of Jos
For the 2025/2026 admission cycle, UNIJOS requires all UTME applicants to score a minimum of 180 marks and to have selected University of Jos as their first-choice institution in the JAMB registration. Only these candidates qualify to register for the Post‑UTME/Direct Entry screening exercise, which is mandatory for further consideration. This threshold sets the institutional standard and serves as the first evaluation stage in the admission process. Scoring below this automatically disqualifies a candidate from continuing, regardless of their other academic credentials.
Why the 180 Cut‑Off Matters
- Maintaining Academic Excellence: By insisting on a minimum score of 180, UNIJOS ensures that all incoming students demonstrate a foundational level of proficiency in their UTME subjects. This helps maintain a high standard of intellectual readiness, particularly crucial for programmes in science, engineering, medicine, and applied disciplines that demand analytical rigour and conceptual understanding.
- Streamlining the Admissions Process:As one of Nigeria’s most popular universities, it receives an enormous volume of applications each year. The 180 cut‑off serves as a practical filter, narrowing down the pool to those more likely to succeed academically. In turn, this enables the university to manage screening logistics more effectively and deliver fair evaluations.
- Ensuring Merit-Based Access: While the threshold is high enough to uphold academic standards, it is also inclusive, ensuring applicants from a range of backgrounds can compete fairly. Additionally, this reflects University of Jos’ commitment to admitting students based on merit rather than privilege, while also encouraging representation from all parts of the country.
Departmental Cut-Off Ranges for Competitive Programmes
While the general UTME benchmark is 180, candidates should understand that individual departments and faculties often impose higher internal thresholds. Competitive courses like Medicine and Surgery, Law, Pharmacy, Nursing, and Engineering typically require aggregate scores far above the general minimum.
In past admission cycles:
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Medicine and Surgery required an aggregate score of 270–290
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Law hovered between 250–270
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Pharmacy, Nursing, and Engineering often demanded 240 and above
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Courses in Arts, Education, and Social Sciences may accept ranges from 200–220, depending on the number of applicants and departmental capacity.
Understanding How UNIJOS Calculates Admission Scores
UNIJOS applies a scoring formula that evaluates both UTME and O’Level performance. The screening system often involves converting candidates’ O’Level grades into points, which are then added to a scaled UTME score to arrive at an aggregate. This allows for a more balanced assessment that includes both entrance exam performance and prior academic achievement.
Example:
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UTME Score: 240
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Scaled to 50%: (240 ÷ 400) × 50 = 30 points
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O’Level Grades (e.g., 5 subjects with A1–B2): 17–20 points
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Total Aggregate Score: 47–50 out of 100
Each department then uses this aggregate to compare applicants and make admission decisions.
What to Expect in the Post‑UTME/Direct Entry Process
Once JAMB results are released and the university officially opens the screening portal, qualified candidates will need to:
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Pay the non-refundable screening fee (typically ₦2,000)
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Upload relevant documents (UTME result, O’Level certificate, birth certificate, etc.)
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Complete an online form validating academic and bio-data
The screening exercise usually spans 2 to 3 weeks. Only candidates who complete this process correctly and on time will be considered for admission. Direct Entry candidates should ensure their academic transcripts and relevant credentials are submitted through official channels.
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Quick Checklist for Prospective UNIJOS Applicants:
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JAMB UTME Score of 180 or above
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University of Jos selected as First Choice in JAMB
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Valid O’Level results in relevant subjects (WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB)
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Await official Post‑UTME registration announcement on https://unijos.edu.ng
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Review previous departmental cut-off trends for your course
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Organise academic documents ahead of screening
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Monitor official UNIJOS channels for screening portal updates
Wrap-Up
Meeting the UTME benchmark of 180 is just the starting point for admission into the University of Jos. Success ultimately depends on outperforming others within your chosen faculty, particularly for highly competitive programmes. By understanding departmental expectations, preparing thoroughly for the Post‑UTME phase, and submitting all required documentation on time, candidates can position themselves for admission into one of Nigeria’s most intellectually vibrant institutions.
