Contrary to common belief, a 160 cut off mark is not a dead end. While Top universities in Nigeria may set higher cut off points for competitive courses like Medicine or Law, several reputable federal, state, and private universities accept candidates who scored 160 and above in the just concluded UTME exams. These institutions offer quality programs in the arts, sciences, management and social sciences.
Read more: JAMB Cut Off Mark for Accounting 2025 Admission
Every year, thousands of Nigerian students sit for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam with hopes of gaining admission into their preferred universities. One of the key elements that determines success is the JAMB cut off mark, which serves as a benchmark for admission eligibility across various institutions in Nigeria. But If you scored a 160 cut off mark in JAMB don’t panic, your dream of securing university admission is still very much alive.
Here’s what to expect in this article:
A list of accredited universities that accept 160 Cut Off Mark in 2025
Course options available for this score range
Steps to increase your chances of admission
Alternative paths if your desired course isn’t available
By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear guideline on how to maximize your chances of gaining admission with your current score.
Is 160 Cut Off Mark a Good JAMB Score?
Scoring a 160 cut off mark in JAMB is not a failure, though it may not be competitive for highly sought-after courses or top-tier universities. However, it still opens doors to many admission opportunities, especially in institutions that accept this range as their minimum requirement.
While a 160 cut off mark may not qualify you for courses like Medicine, Law, or Engineering in federal universities, it is accepted by several state and private institutions. These schools offer accredited programs in fields such as Education, Social Sciences, and Management.
Here’s what you can do next:
Apply for Post-UTME: Ensure your chosen school accepts a 160 cut off mark.
Consider Changing Institution or Course: Switch to a school or course with lower cut off requirements via JAMB Change of Institution.
Prepare for your WAEC Exams: Scoring high in your Waec results can boost your Post Utme as almost all the schools are using it to grade Post Utme.
In summary, while a 160 cut off mark in Jamb may limit options for some competitive courses, it is still a stepping stone to gaining university admission
List of Universities That Accept 160 Cut Off Mark (2025)
Federal Universities
These federal institutions are known to accept a 160 cut off mark for specific courses :
- Federal University Of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB)
- University Of Maiduguri (UNIMAID)
- University Of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN)
- Federal University Of Technology Minna (FUTMINNA)
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK)
- Federal University Of Technology Owerri (FUTO)
- Modibbo Adama Federal University of Technology (MAUTECH)
- Federal University, Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA)
- University of Calabar (UNICAL)
- Federal University, Gusau (FUGUS)
- Federal University, Lafia (FULAFIA)
State Universities
Many state universities are more flexible and admit candidates with a 160 cut off mark:
- Olabisi Onabajo University (OOU)
- Enugu State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS)
- Ekiti State University (EKSU)
- Osun State University (UNIOSUN)
- Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH)
- Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT)
- Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba (AAUA)
- University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED)
- Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH)
- Edo State University (EDSU)
- Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH)
- Delta State University (DELSU)
- Abia State University (ABSU)
- Benue State University (BSU)
Private Universities
Private institutions often accept lower JAMB scores for admission, including a 160 cut off mark:
- Ajayi Crowther University – Oyo
- Crescent University – Abeokuta
- Igbinedion University – Okada, Edo State
- Novena University – Delta State
Courses You Can Study With 160 Cut Off Mark in JAMB (2025)
For candidates who scored 160 Cut Off in JAMB, there are still many viable and accredited courses you can apply for, especially in state and private universities. However, it’s important to note that highly competitive courses like Medicine, Law, Nursing, and Engineering usually require JAMB scores above 220.
Course Options at 160 Cut Off Mark
Here are examples of courses you can study with a 160 score:
Agricultural Science
Fisheries and Aquaculture
Crop Production
Animal Science
Education and Biology
Education and Economics
Christian Religious Studies
Sociology
Political Science (in some state universities)
History and International Relations
Public Administration
Library and Information Science
Peace and Conflict Resolution
Linguistics
Philosophy
N/B: Courses in Education, Social Sciences, Agriculture, and Arts are generally less competitive and often accept 160 cut off mark in many institutions.
Things to Consider Before Applying to Study With 160 Cut Off Mark in Any University
Before applying, it’s crucial to evaluate key factors that can affect your admission success and academic journey. The Key Factors to Consider are:
Accreditation
Ensure the university and chosen course are accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC). Attending a non-accredited institution may lead to complications with NYSC or job applications.Course Availability
Not all universities offer every program. Visit each school’s website or check the JAMB Brochure 2025 to confirm that your desired course is available and offered under your selected faculty.Post-UTME Screening
Most universities accepting a 160 cut off mark still require candidates to pass their internal screening. Research each school’s process and get good grades in your WAEC exams if possible (As and Bs) in all required subjects to be more qualified for any course.Location & Tuition Fees: Consider if the school is in a region you’re comfortable with and whether you can afford the tuition and living expenses.
Verify 2025 Admission Policy
Visit the school’s official website directly
Check the updated 2025 JAMB Brochure
Contact the school’s admissions office for up-to-date cut off policies
Doing this due diligence helps you apply wisely and boosts your chance of securing valid, recognized admission despite scoring a 160 cut off mark.