UTME 2025 Cut-off Marks for Nigerian Universities

1. What Are UTME Cut-off Marks?

 UTME cut-off marks refer to the minimum scores set by universities and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria as eligibility criteria for admission. 

These marks are determined annually by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in collaboration with various institutions. 

They serve as a benchmark to filter candidates who qualify for further stages of the admission process, such as post-UTME screening or direct admission offers.

Each university often sets its own cut-off mark, which can vary by faculty or department. 

For example, competitive courses like Medicine, Law, and Engineering usually have higher cut-off marks compared to courses in Arts or Education, understanding these marks helps you target specific institutions and courses that match your UTME score, increasing your chances of admission.

2. Importance of UTME Cut-off Marks in Admission

UTME cut-off marks play a critical role in the Nigerian university admission process. Below are key reasons why they are important, it:

• Guides you in making informed choices: Having cut off marks can Help you decide which universities and courses to apply for based on your UTME score.
• Ensures fairness in the admission process: Cut off marks provide a standardized benchmark, ensuring that only candidates who meet the minimum requirements are considered for admission.
• Helps universities manage high application volumes: Allowing institutions to filter candidates and focus on those who have demonstrated a certain level of academic capability.
• Influences departmental admission standards: Different departments within a university set varying cut-off marks based on the competitiveness of the course, ensuring a fair selection process.
• Encourages academic excellence: It  motivates you to aim for high scores in UTME, knowing that competitive courses and top institutions require high cut-off marks.
• Provides clarity in admission requirements: Offers you a clear understanding of the score thresholds, helping you avoid unrealistic expectations during the admission process.

3. JAMB’s General Cut-off Marks for 2025

As at the time of writing this article JAMB has not announced the 2025 cut-off marks, following previous years you can expect;

• Universities: Typically, the general cut-off mark ranges between 140 and 180, depending on JAMB’s yearly decision.
• Polytechnics: The recommended cut-off mark is often between 100 and 150.
• Colleges of Education: Usually set around 100 to 120, encouraging broader access to teacher training programs.

It is important to note that meeting JAMB’s general cut-off mark does not guarantee admission, as each institution can have stricter criteria. 

4. How Universities Set Their Cut-off Marks

Universities in Nigeria set their cut-off marks through a structured process guided by JAMB’s general cut-off recommendations. 

Below are the key factors involved in setting these marks:

• Adherence to JAMB Guidelines: Universities begin by considering JAMB’s recommended minimum cut-off marks, ensuring compliance with the national admission policy.
• Competitiveness of Courses: Highly sought-after courses like Medicine, Law, and Engineering usually have higher cut-off marks due to the large number of applicants.
• Institutional Admission Quota: Universities set their cut-off marks to manage the number of students admitted, ensuring they stay within the capacity approved by regulatory bodies like NUC.
• Previous Year’s Admission Trends: Universities analyze the performance of candidates in the previous UTME and post-UTME screenings to determine suitable cut-off marks for each department.
• Last Post-UTME Performance: Some universities use post-UTME exams or screening processes to further refine their cut-off marks, combining both UTME and post-UTME scores.
• Demand for Admission: Courses with low demand can  have lower cut-off marks to attract more candidates, while high-demand courses set higher thresholds to maintain quality.

5. List of Nigerian Universities and Their 2025 Cut-off Marks

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has set a general minimum cut-off mark of 140 for universities in the 2025 admission cycle. 

However, individual universities can establish higher cut-off marks based on their admission criteria and the competitiveness of their programmes.

Federal Universities Cut-off Marks

Here are top federal universities and their respective cut-off marks for the 2025 academic session:

1. University of Lagos (UNILAG): 200
2. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria: 180
3. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN): 180
4. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife: 200
5. University of Ibadan (UI): 200
6. Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA): 180
7. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN): 180
8. University of Benin (UNIBEN): 200
9. Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA): 170
10. Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka: 180

State Universities Cut-off Marks

Below are some state universities and their cut-off marks for 2025:

1. Lagos State University (LASU): 190
2. Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt: 180
3. Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka: 170
4. Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma: 170
5. Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti: 160
6. Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye: 180
7. Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete: 160
8. Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi: 180
9. Kaduna State University (KASU), Kaduna: 170
10. Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT): 160

Private Universities Cut-off Marks

Here are some private universities and their cut-off marks for the 2025 academic session:

1. Convenant University: 140
2. Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo: 140
3. Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD): 140
4. Bowen University, Iwo: 140
5. Igbinedion University, Okada: 140
6. Madonna University, Okija: 140
7. Bells University of Technology, Ota: 140
8. Redeemer’s University, Ede: 140
9. Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo: 140
10. Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin: 140

6. Factors Influencing University Cut-off Marks

Several factors determine how universities set their cut-off marks, and each of these elements plays a role in ensuring that the admission process is fair, competitive, and aligned with institutional goals, universities:

• Manage the number of applicants: Adjust cut-off marks based on the volume of applicants, raising them to limit competition when there are many applicants and lowering them when there are fewer applicants.
• Reflect the demand for specific programs: Set higher cut-off marks for programs that are highly sought after, like Medicine or Law, and lower marks for programs that attract less competition.
• Consider the availability of spaces: Raise the cut-off marks when there are limited spaces available, and lower them when there are more spaces to accommodate more students.
• Adjust based on past performance: Increase cut-off marks when past applicants perform exceptionally well, and reduce them when performance declines to ensure a larger pool of candidates can be considered.
• Align with university ranking and prestige: Set higher cut-off marks for top-tier universities with selective admission processes, and lower marks for less prestigious universities to attract more applicants.
• Follow state and federal regulations: Adhere to the guidelines set by JAMB and other regulatory bodies while adjusting cut-off marks within the allowable range for specific state or university policies.
• Account for course-specific requirements: Set higher cut-off marks for intellectually demanding programs, like those in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Medicine, and lower them for programs that are less competitive.
• Respond to economic factors: Modify cut-off marks according to economic conditions, either lowering them during difficult times to increase accessibility or raising them to maintain exclusivity when resources are limited.
• Implement institutional policies and goals: Adjust cut-off marks to meet the institution’s academic goals, such as improving educational standards, increasing diversity, or achieving accreditation requirements.

7. How to Check Your University’s Cut-off Mark for 2025

Finding out the cut-off mark for the university you wish to apply to is a crucial step in the admission process. 

Here’s how you can check your university’s cut-off mark for 2025:

• Visit the official university website: Most universities publish their cut-off marks on their official websites, look for the admissions section, where you can find the cut-off mark for various programs and courses make sure to check for any updates or changes, as cut-off marks can vary each year.
• Check the JAMB Portal: The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) also provides details on the general cut-off marks for universities in Nigeria. 
• Contact the university admissions office: If you can’t find the information online, consider reaching out to the admissions office of the university you’re interested in.
• Stay updated via university social media pages: Many universities regularly update their social media pages (such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram) with important information, including cut-off marks, deadlines, and other admission-related announcements.
• Consult JAMB-approved CBT centers: Some accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers and support centers may also provide information on university cut-off marks, these centers are often reliable sources of information regarding the UTME and the admission process.
• Use university admission brochures: Some universities release detailed admission brochures every year, which include cut-off marks, admission requirements, and other key information, these brochures are often available both online and in physical copies.

8. What Happens If You Don’t Meet the Cut-off Mark?

Failing to meet the cut-off mark for your desired university program can be disappointing, but there are still several potential options and paths you can take:

• Ineligibility for Admission: If you don’t meet the required cut-off mark for your chosen university, you can not be eligible for admission into that particular program, universities typically use the cut-off mark to filter applicants and ensure that only those with sufficient academic qualifications are considered for available spots.
• Consider Other Universities: If your cut-off mark falls short for one university, consider applying to other institutions with lower cut-off marks, many universities have different thresholds depending on the program, and you can still meet the cut-off for another institution offering your desired course.
• Choose a Different Course: If you’re determined to attend a specific university but fall short of the cut-off mark for your preferred course, you could consider applying for a different course that has a lower cut-off mark, myou can still change your course of study to still secure a place at your university.
• Apply for Supplementary or Post-UTME Screening: Some universities offer supplementary or post-UTME screening for applicants who didn’t initially meet the cut-off mark, this involves a second opportunity to gain admission, based on additional assessments or performance.
• Consider Remediation or Reapplication: If you’re particularly set on a specific course or university, you can retake the UTME the following year and aim to achieve a higher score to meet the cut-off mark, this is a common route for students who did not meet the mark but still want to pursue the same programme.
• Explore Private Universities: Private universities often have different (and sometimes lower) cut-off marks compared to public institutions. 
• Wait for Special Considerations or Adjustments: Occasionally, universities can adjust cut-off marks or make special provisions for certain applicants, such as those with special talents or backgrounds, it’s worth checking if the university offers any flexibility or special consideration in such cases.
• Look for Alternative Pathways: If university admission is still elusive, consider alternative pathways such as enrolling in a polytechnic, college of education, or vocational training, these institutions offer different routes to higher education and employment opportunities in your field of interest.

Although not meeting the cut-off mark can be discouraging, it’s important to remember that it doesn’t mark the end of your academic journey.

There are always alternative routes and options available for you to explore other opportunities.

9. FAQs on UTME 2025 Cut-off Marks

• What is the minimum cut-off mark set by JAMB for 2025? JAMB has set a general minimum cut-off mark of 140 for universities, 120 for polytechnics, and 100 for colleges of education in 2025.
• Can universities set their cut-off marks higher than JAMB’s minimum?  Yes, universities can set their cut-off marks higher than the general minimum provided by JAMB, depending on factors like the number of applicants and the competitiveness of the program.
• Are cut-off marks the same for all courses in a university?  No, cut-off marks vary by course. Competitive courses such as Medicine, Law, and Engineering typically have higher cut-off marks than less competitive ones.
• How do I check the cut-off mark for my chosen university? You can check the cut-off mark by visiting the university’s official website, checking the JAMB portal, or contacting the admissions office directly.
• What happens if I don’t meet the cut-off mark? If you don’t meet the cut-off mark, you can consider applying to a different university, choosing another course, or exploring supplementary admission opportunities.
• Do private universities have lower cut-off marks? Yes, many private universities have lower cut-off marks compared to federal and state universities, making them a viable option for candidates who didn’t meet higher thresholds.
• Is meeting the cut-off mark a guarantee for admission? No, meeting the cut-off mark qualifies you for consideration, but admission is not guaranteed, other factors, such as post-UTME performance and available spaces, also play a role.