Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo, sets its departmental cut-off mark for Nursing Science at 210 and above in the UTME for the 2026/2027 academic session. The general university cut-off mark is 150, but that figure only qualifies a candidate to sit the screening exercise. To be considered for Nursing Science, a candidate needs a JAMB score of at least 210.
TSU is also written as TASU in many admission notices. In this article, TSU refers to Taraba State University in Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria, and not to any foreign university with the same initials. The sections below explain the nursing cut-off mark, the subject and O’level requirements, how the screening works, and what a candidate can do with a lower score.
Official TSU Nursing Cut-Off Mark for 2026/2027
The Nursing Science programme sits under the Faculty of Health Sciences, and TSU lists it among the courses with a reviewed (higher) UTME requirement. The approved score for Nursing Science is 210 and above. Candidates who score between 150 and 209 meet the general university benchmark but fall short of the nursing department’s requirement.
The national minimum for universities is fixed each year at the JAMB policy meeting on admissions. For 2026, that meeting took place in Abuja on 11 May 2026. Each institution then announces its own minimum, and each department can set a higher figure. TSU kept its institutional minimum at 150, while competitive courses such as Nursing Science carry a much higher bar.
| Requirement | Score for 2026/2027 | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| TSU general JAMB cut-off | 150 | Minimum score to register for the TSU post-UTME screening |
| Nursing Science departmental cut-off | 210 and above | Minimum UTME score to be considered for Nursing Science |
| Competitive admission range for nursing | Usually well above 210 | Actual admission depends on the ranking of all qualified applicants |
The last row matters. A cut-off mark is a floor, not a guarantee. Nursing Science receives far more applicants than it has spaces, so candidates who clear 210 by a wide margin and perform well at screening stand the best chance.
Subject Combination and O’Level Requirements for Nursing at TSU
A high JAMB score alone does not secure a place. The UTME subjects and O’level results must also match the requirements for Nursing Science, or the application is screened out regardless of the score.
| Requirement | Details for Nursing Science |
|---|---|
| UTME subjects | Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics |
| O’level credits | Five credits in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics |
| Number of sittings | Not more than two sittings (WAEC, NECO or NABTEB) |
| Choice of institution | TSU must be the first choice on the JAMB profile |
| Minimum UTME score | 210 and above |
Candidates who wrote the UTME with a different combination, for example Mathematics in place of Physics, should confirm whether their combination is accepted before paying for screening. A candidate who did not choose TSU as first choice can correct this through a JAMB change of institution, which must be done before the screening registration closes.
O’level results awaiting release are usually not accepted for health science courses at screening. Candidates should have their results ready, and should check that the subjects and grades on their result slips match what they enter on the portal.
Why the Nursing Cut-Off Is Higher Than TSU’s General Cut-Off
The gap between 150 and 210 comes from three factors: limited admission quota, high demand, and professional regulation.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria accredits nursing programmes and sets the number of students each university can admit per session. That quota depends on clinical facilities, the number of qualified lecturers, and access to a teaching hospital for practical training. Because the quota is small and fixed, the university cannot expand intake to match the number of applicants.
Demand for nursing is high. A Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.) leads to registration as a nurse, and the qualification is recognised for employment within Nigeria and abroad. Many candidates who apply for Medicine and Surgery also list Nursing Science as an alternative, which adds to the competition.
The programme itself is demanding. It runs for five years and combines classroom courses in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and community health with supervised clinical postings. A higher entry score helps the department admit students who are prepared for that workload.
How TSU Decides Who Gets Admitted Into Nursing
Admission into Nursing Science at TSU is merit-based, with consideration for catchment areas and educationally less developed states as required by national admission guidelines. After screening, the university ranks qualified candidates using an aggregate score, then offers admission from the top down until the nursing quota is filled.
The aggregate combines the UTME score with the result of the screening exercise, which may include an assessment of O’level grades, a computer-based test, or both. The exact weighting is set by the university each session. A widely used method across Nigerian universities converts the UTME score to 50 percent and the screening score to the other 50 percent. The example below uses that method for illustration only.
| Candidate | UTME score | UTME (÷ 8) | Screening score (out of 50) | Aggregate (out of 100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate A | 260 | 32.5 | 38 | 70.5 |
| Candidate B | 230 | 28.75 | 35 | 63.75 |
| Candidate C | 212 | 26.5 | 30 | 56.5 |
All three candidates meet the 210 departmental cut-off, but Candidate A ranks highest. If the nursing quota fills before Candidate C’s position, Candidate C may be offered an alternative course instead. This is why a score just above 210 carries more risk than a score of 240 or higher.
After the department makes its list, the admission is uploaded to JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). The candidate must log in to CAPS to accept the offer, then print the JAMB admission letter before proceeding with TSU registration.
TSU Post-UTME Screening for 2026/2027: Key Details
The online post-UTME and Direct Entry screening for the 2026/2027 session ran from 24 July 2026 to 23 September 2026. Candidates who registered within that window are now in the evaluation and admission stage. Those who missed it should watch the TSU admission portal for any supplementary screening announcement.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Screening period | 24 July 2026 – 23 September 2026 |
| Eligible candidates | Those who chose TSU as first choice in the 2026 UTME, or Direct Entry applicants |
| General minimum UTME score | 150 |
| Nursing Science minimum | 210 and above |
| Screening fee | ₦2,000, paid online by card |
| Portal | apply.tsuniversity.edu.ng |
The registration process on the portal follows these steps:
- Create an account on the TSU application portal.
- Fill in personal details, UTME information and O’level results, and upload the required credentials.
- Pay the screening fee online with a Mastercard, Visa or Verve card.
- Print the payment receipt and the acknowledgement slip, and keep both for clearance.
Direct Entry candidates applying for nursing need relevant A-level, IJMB or JUPEB passes in science subjects, in addition to the same O’level credits listed above. They must also register for Direct Entry through JAMB and select TSU.
What to Do If Your JAMB Score Is Below 210
A score between 150 and 209 rules out Nursing Science at TSU for this session, but it does not end the chance of studying at the university or entering the nursing profession. The realistic options are:
- Change to a related course at TSU. Courses such as Biochemistry, Microbiology, Public Health or Biology have lower requirements and use a similar subject combination. TSU may also offer such a course automatically to qualified candidates who miss the nursing list.
- Apply to a college of nursing. Schools of nursing and midwifery admit candidates into the basic nursing programme. Taraba State College of Nursing and Midwifery, for example, has a JAMB minimum of 160 for 2026. Graduates qualify as Registered Nurses and can later pursue a B.N.Sc. through a conversion programme.
- Rewrite the UTME in 2027. Candidates who want a university nursing degree specifically can prepare for the 2027 UTME with a target well above 210, ideally 240 or higher, to stay safely ahead of the competition.
- Use the Direct Entry route. A one-year IJMB or JUPEB programme in science subjects can lead to Direct Entry admission into 200 level, depending on the university’s nursing quota for DE candidates.
Candidates who change course should do so through JAMB’s official change of course process, so that the new course appears correctly on CAPS.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the TSU cut-off mark for Nursing Science in 2026? The departmental cut-off for Nursing Science at Taraba State University for the 2026/2027 session is 210 and above.
Can I get nursing at TSU with 150? No. A score of 150 qualifies you for the TSU screening, but Nursing Science requires at least 210.
Does a score of 210 guarantee admission into nursing? No. It makes you eligible. Admission goes to the highest-ranked candidates on the aggregate score until the quota is filled.
How many years does nursing take at TSU? The Bachelor of Nursing Science programme runs for five years, including clinical training.
How do I check my TSU admission status? Check the TSU admission portal and your JAMB CAPS profile. Accept the offer on CAPS once it appears.