Scored between 150 and 200 in JAMB and worried that you may not get admission? A low or moderate JAMB score does not mean you have no options.
For the 2026/2027 admission session, the national minimum tolerable UTME score for universities is 150. However, this does not mean that every university or course will accept 150. Institutions can set higher minimums, especially for competitive programmes.
The important question is therefore not simply “What course can I study with my JAMB score?” but:
“Which courses am I eligible for at the institutions where my score meets their requirements?”
## What Is Considered a Low JAMB Score?
There is no official JAMB definition of a “low JAMB score.” Students commonly use the term to describe scores around 150–199, especially when comparing their scores with highly competitive courses.
For this guide, we will use:
## 150–159
Meets the 2026 university national minimum, but options may be more limited
## 160–169
More institutions and programmes may become possible
## 170–179
Wider range of potential options
## 180–199
More choices, although competitive courses may still require higher scores
## 200+
Generally gives you more options, but does not guarantee admission
These ranges are not official course cut-off categories. They are simply a practical way to understand your position.
## Courses You May Consider With a Low JAMB Score
There is no single nationwide list saying that a particular course requires exactly 150, 160 or 170.
However, candidates with lower scores can investigate programmes that are generally less competitive at institutions where those programmes are offered and where the institution's current requirements permit the candidate's score.
Examples can include:
## 1. Education Courses
Depending on the institution, candidates may consider programmes such as:
● Education and Biology
● Education and Chemistry
○ Education and Mathematics
● Education and Physics
● Education and English
● Guidance and Counselling
● Educational Management
● Early Childhood Education
● Primary Education
Education programmes can be worth considering if your main goal is to obtain admission while building a career in teaching, education administration or related fields.
However, you must still check the specific university's requirements and the UTME subject combination for the programme.
## 2. Agricultural Courses
Agriculture-related programmes can also be worth investigating, depending on the institution.
Examples include:
● Agriculture
○ Agricultural Economics
● Animal Science
● Crop Science
○ Fisheries
● Forestry and Wildlife
● Soil Science
The availability and competitiveness of these programmes vary between universities.
## 3. Arts and Humanities Courses
Some institutions may have less competitive options within the arts and humanities.
Examples include:
● History
● Religious Studies
● Philosophy
● Linguistics
● Theatre and Film Studies
● Archaeology
○ Cultural Studies
This does not mean that every university will admit candidates into these courses with 150 or 160. The institution's requirements still apply.
## 4. Social Science Courses
Depending on the institution and the level of competition, candidates can investigate programmes such as:
○ Sociology
○ Political Science
○ Social Work
○ Psychology
○ Geography
○ Economics
○ Demography and Social Statistics
Some of these programmes can also be competitive at particular universities, so don't assume that a 150 score automatically qualifies you.
## 5. Science-Related Courses
Candidates with lower scores should not assume that every science course is unavailable.
Depending on the university, possible programmes to investigate can include:
● Biology
● Botany
○ Zoology
● Environmental Biology
● Environmental Management
● Geology
○ Mathematics
● Statistics
Again, institution and programme requirements matter more than the course name alone.
## What About Medicine, Nursing, Law and Engineering?
This is where many candidates make a mistake.
A candidate may see a post saying:
“You can study Medicine with 150.”
That statement is misleading if it is presented as a general rule.
Medicine, Nursing, Law, Engineering and other highly sought-after programmes can have significantly more competition and may have higher institutional or programme-specific requirements.
Therefore, if you scored 150, you should not assume that meeting JAMB's national minimum means you qualify for Medicine, Law or another competitive course.
Instead, check the exact institution and programme.
## Your JAMB Score Is Only One Part of Eligibility
Your UTME score is important, but it is not the only requirement.
JAMB's official IBASS Eligibility Checker asks candidates to select their institution and programme and then provide information including their O'Level subjects and UTME subject combination before checking programme eligibility.
This means two candidates with the same JAMB score can have different admission possibilities.
For example:
## Candidate A
JAMB: 165
Correct UTME subjects
Required O'Level credits
Programme available at the chosen institution
## Candidate B
JAMB: 165
Wrong UTME subject combination
Missing required O'Level subject
Having the same score does not make both candidates equally eligible.
## How to Know Which Courses You Can Actually Study
Instead of relying on random lists on social media, use this process.
## Step 1: Know Your JAMB Score
Write down your actual UTME score.
Don't make your decision based on an estimated score or somebody else's score.
## Step 2: Choose the Institutions You Are Considering
Your options depend heavily on the institution.
A course may be realistic at one university but much more competitive at another.
## Step 3: Check the Course Requirements
Check:
• Required O'Level subjects
• Required UTME subjects
• Minimum score
• Any additional institutional requirements
• Whether the programme is available for the admission session
## Step 4: Use JAMB IBASS
JAMB's Eligibility Checker allows candidates to select their entry mode, institution and programme, then check their eligibility using their O'Level and UTME information.
This is much safer than trusting a generic article claiming:
“150 JAMB can study these 50 courses.”
## Step 5: Check the University's Current Admission Information
Even if IBASS indicates eligibility, check the university's current admission information before making a final decision.
## What If Your Score Is 150?
Don't panic.
JAMB's 2026 Policy Meeting approved 150 as the minimum tolerable admission score for universities. But 150 is a minimum benchmark, not an automatic admission score.
With 150, your best approach is to investigate institutions and programmes where:
● The institution's current minimum requirement allows your score.
● You have the required O'Level subjects.
● Your UTME subject combination matches the programme.
● You meet any additional requirements.
● You understand the level of competition for that programme.
## What If You Scored 160, 170 or 180?
The same principle applies.
A higher score generally gives you more possibilities, but it does not automatically make you eligible for every course.
For example, 180 does not automatically qualify a candidate for every university or competitive programme.
Your score must still be considered alongside the institution and programme requirements.
## Should You Change Your Course Because of a Low Score?
Not immediately.
Before changing your course, check whether your original course is actually unavailable to you.
Consider:
○ Your JAMB score
○ The institution you selected
○ The programme's requirements
Your O'Level results
○ Your UTME subject combination
○ The competitiveness of the programme
If your original course is unrealistic at your chosen institution, then you can investigate related programmes rather than choosing a completely unrelated course simply because someone said it accepts a lower score.
## Don't Choose a Course Just Because the Cut-Off Is Low
This is one of the most important things to remember.
Getting admission into a course you have no interest in can create a different problem later.
Before changing your course, ask:
Do I actually want to study this?
Does it fit my career plans?
Do I meet the subject requirements?
Does the institution offer the programme?
What can I do with the degree after graduation?
A lower entry requirement should not be your only reason for choosing a course.
## Final Advice
If your JAMB score is below 200, don't conclude that your admission journey is over.
But also don't believe posts promising that “150 can study any course” or giving a universal list of courses for each score.
For 2026/2027, the university national minimum tolerable score is 150, but institutions can maintain higher requirements. JAMB's own eligibility system also considers the institution, programme, O'Level qualifications and UTME subjects.
Your safest strategy is simple:
Know your score → choose realistic institutions → check the exact course requirements → verify your eligibility → then make your admission decision.
A low JAMB score may reduce some of your options, but it does not mean you have no options.
