Do you want to know how to gain admission into university in Nigeria, how to gain admission without writing JAMB UTME and the requirements for admission into university this year?
The truth is that gaining admission to top universities in Nigeria, such as UNILAG, OAU, LASU, UNICAL, UNILORIN, UI, and UNIZIK, among others, has become more competitive than ever.
Professional courses such as Medicine, Law, Nursing Science, and Engineering are now the most highly sought-after, making the admission process even more competitive.
However, the good news is that with the right information and by meeting the specific admission requirements for your chosen course, you can significantly increase your chances of admission this year.
Table of Contents
Requirements for Admission into University in Nigeria
Gaining admission to a Nigerian university requires taking the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), meeting O’Level requirements (WAEC/NECO), and participating in your school’s Post-UTME screening exercise.
- You must score a minimum of 150 in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
- You must have at least five (5) credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics, in your O’Level results (WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB).
- Your O’Level results must not be more than two (2) sittings, except for Medicine and Surgery, which require one (1) sitting.
- You must be at least sixteen (16) years old on or before October 2026.
If you are a Direct Entry (DE) candidate, you must also meet requirements 1, 3, 4, and 5 listed above.
In addition, you must possess a strong grade or merit in your National Diploma (ND), Higher National Diploma (HND), JUPEB, IJMB, or any other recognised Direct Entry programme.
How to Gain Admission into University in Nigeria 2026/2027
Below are the five major ways to easily gain admission this year:
- Obtain O’level (SSCE) Result and Meet Age Requirement
- Choose a course and a school
- Register and Take 2026 JAMB UTME
- Buy and Register for 2026 Post-UTME Screening
- Wait for Admission and Monitor JAMB CAPS Portal
1. Obtain O’level (SSCE) Result and Meet Age Requirement
The first and most important requirement on how to gain admission into university in Nigeria this year is your Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) result, commonly referred to as O-level.
You must have at least five (5) credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics.
These credits must also include subjects relevant to the course you want to study.
SSCE Results Accepted for University Admission in Nigeria
All Nigerian universities require a Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) such as WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB for undergraduate admission.
| WAEC | West African Examinations Council |
| NECO | National Examinations Council |
| NABTEB | National Business and Technical Examinations Board |
| GCE | General Certificate of Education |
If you do not have your result yet, you can apply for admission using “Awaiting Result”, as long as you are sure you will get it before the 2026 admission deadline.
If you are a Direct Entry (DE) candidate, you must have a strong result or merit from any of the following recognised programmes:
| ND | National Diploma |
| HND | Higher National Diploma |
| JUPEB | Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board |
| IJMB | Interim Joint Matriculation Board |
| Other recognised DE qualifications | |
2. Choose a Course and a School
Once you have met the basic admission requirements, the next step on how to gain admission into university in Nigeria this year is to carefully research and choose a preferred course and institution.
Choose a university, polytechnic, or college of education that has a strong reputation, qualified lecturers, well-equipped facilities, and is fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and relevant authorities.
Some of the key factors to consider before choosing a school are:
- Location of the school
- Tuition fees, school fees, and hostel costs
- Off-campus accommodation and cost of living
- Lifestyle and environment
- Catchment area and admission quota
- Recent admission statistics
Furthermore, when choosing a course, do not just follow trends or pressure from family and friends.
Take time to research the course and programme you want to study before applying.
University life can be demanding, and the only way to stay motivated is to study a course that aligns with your passion and future career goals.
Avoid applying for a course just because it is popular or just because everyone is applying for it.
Choose a course based on personal convictions and not based on pressure from friends and family.
If you are confused or need help choosing the right course or school, contact School Beginner Assistant for a one-on-one consultation and guidance.
3. Register and Take 2026 JAMB UTME
After meeting the first and second admission requirements, the next step is to register for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The primary mode of admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions (Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education and Nursing) is through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Post-UTME.
To buy JAMB form, visit any JAMB-accredited centre near you or purchase it online at www.jamb.gov.ng.
4. Buy and Register for 2026 Post-UTME Screening
The fourth important step on how to gain admission into university in Nigeria in 2026 is to buy and register for Post-UTME screening.
This screening can take two forms:
- Online Screening: Where you upload your O’level result, JAMB result, and personal details to the school’s portal for verification.
- Aptitude Test: You will be invited to sit for a computer-based test (CBT) exam in the school premises or online.
For example:
- UNICAL conducts aptitude test for Post-UTME candidates, while direct entry (DE) candidates only register and submit their documents online for screening.
- On the other hand, Lagos State University (LASU) conducts online screening without any written exam for UTME and Direct Entry candidates.
To learn more about Post-UTME registration 2026/2027, including how to buy the form and register online, click on the link below:
5. Wait for Admission List and Monitor JAMB CAPS
The final step on how to gain admission into university in Nigeria in 2026 is to wait for the admission list to be released and consistently monitor your JAMB CAPS Portal.
If you are offered admission:
- Only accept if the course and school match what you applied for.
- Do not rush to accept an admission offer simply because you are tired of staying at home.
- Always remember what we discussed in Step 2 about choosing a course and school.
- Accepting a course you do not like just to run away from home, like the prodigal son, may lead to regret and frustrations in your academic journey (based on personal experience).
To learn more about JAMB CAPS Portal 2026 and how to check your name on the 2026/2027 admission list, click on the link below:
Additional Information
To gain admission easily, study hard to score above 300 in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The higher your JAMB score, the better your chances of being considered for admission, especially into top universities and competitive courses.
Once JAMB-UTME result is out, if your score is below 200, you can consider other non-competitive courses that align with your passion.
The reason is that non-competitive courses have lower JAMB and Post-UTME cut-off marks, making it easier for you to gain admission.
Personally, when I was applying for admission, I had two courses in mind (Law and Psychology).
Law was my first option, and Psychology my second.
Furthermore, if you are a direct entry candidate and your ND, HND, IJMB, or JUPEB result is lower than a credit, do not apply for highly competitive courses like Medicine, Nursing, and Law, unless you have the right connection.
These courses are competitive and have a high cut-off mark.
Lastly, a wrong UTME subject combination can automatically disqualify you from admission, even if you score high.
How to Gain Admission Without Writing JAMB 2026/2027
Although JAMB-UTME remains the primary method of gaining admission into higher institutions in Nigeria, it is not the only option available.
There are other means that have enabled many of our students to gain admission to their universities of choice without the stress of taking UTME.
The only requirement for admission without JAMB is five (5) credit passes, including Mathematics and English.
Below are the 7 major ways to gain admission without writing JAMB this year:
| 1. | Admission through JAMB Direct Entry |
| 2. | Admission through IJMB Programme |
| 3. | Admission through JUPEB Programme |
| 4. | Admission through Diploma Programme |
| 5. | Admission through Pre-degree Programmes and Part-time |
| 6. | Study at NOUN |
| 7. | Study Abroad |
1. JAMB Direct Entry Admission
If you have IJMB, JUPEB, ND, HND or a degree, you can apply for JAMB direct admission and start from 200 level.
No exam is required, just JAMB direct entry registration.
2. IJMB Programme
Without writing JAMB this year, you can still gain admission through the Interim Joint Admission Matriculation Board (IJMB).
IJMB is a nine (9) month advanced-level programme.
Once you have completed the 9-month IJMB programme, you will be offered admission into 200 level to study your desired course.
3. JUPEB Programme
Through the Joint Universities Preliminary Examination Board (JUPEB), you can gain admission without taking JAMB-UTME.
JUPEB programme is a one-year advanced-level course that enables students to gain direct admission into 200-level.
The curriculum is equivalent to A-level qualifications and provides intensive preparation.
Once you have completed the 1-year JUPEB programme, you will be offered admission into 200 level.
4. Diploma Programme
Many universities, such as Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) and the University of Calabar (UNICAL), offer diploma programmes in Law, Accounting, Political Science, and other courses.
Diploma is a 1-2 year programme, depending on the course you are applying to study.
Once you have completed the diploma programme, you will be offered admission into 200 level to study your desired course.
5. Pre-degree Programmes and Part-time
With Pre-degree programmes, you can get admitted into school this year without sitting for UTME.
Pre-degree programmes equip students with the foundational knowledge and skills for degree-level studies.
University of Calabar (UNICAL) is one of the top schools that run pre-degree admission, available to both science and arts students.
Once you have completed the pre-degree programme, you will be offered admission into 100 or 200 Level.
6. Study At NOUN Online School
NOUN offers distance learning programmes that allow students to gain admission without writing JAMB-UTME.
You can apply for National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes by visiting www.nou.edu.ng.
7. Study Abroad
If you have the means, you can consider international education; many foreign universities do not require JAMB for admission.
However, you must meet specific academic and language requirements, such as proof of English proficiency and relevant academic records.
List of Schools and How to Gain Admission
| 1. | How to Gain admission in FUBK |
| 2. | How to Gain admission in FUAM |
| 3. | How to Gain admission in FUD |
| 4. | How to Gain admission in FUDMA |
| 5. | How to Gain admission in FUGASHUA |
| 6. | How to Gain admission in FUGUS |
| 7. | How to Gain admission in FUKASHERE |
| 8. | How to Gain admission in FULAFIA |
| 9. | How to Gain admission in FUNAAB |
| 10. | How to Gain admission in FUNAI |
| 11. | How to Gain admission in FUOTUOKE |
| 12. | How to Gain admission in FUOYE |
| 13. | How to Gain admission in FUPRE |
| 14. | How to Gain admission in FUTA |
| 15. | How to Gain admission in FUTMINNA |
| 16. | How to Gain admission in FUTO |
| 17. | How to Gain admission in FUWUKARI |
| 18. | How to Gain admission in MAUTECH |
| 19. | How to Gain admission in MOUAU |
| 20. | How to Gain admission in OAU |
| 21. | How to Gain admission in POLAC |
| 22. | How to Gain admission in UDUSOK |
| 23. | How to Gain admission in UI |
| 24. | How to Gain admission in UNIABUJA |
| 25. | How to Gain admission in UNIBEN |
| 26. | How to Gain admission in UNICAL |
| 27. | How to Gain admission in UNILAG |
| 28. | How to Gain admission in UNILORIN |
| 29. | How to Gain admission in UNIMAID |
| 30. | How to Gain admission in UNIPORT |
| 31. | How to Gain admission in UNIUYO |
| 32. | How to Gain admission in UNIZIK |
| 33. | How to Gain admission in UNN |
| 34. | How to Gain admission in ABU |
| 35. | How to Gain admission in AFIT |
| 36. | How to Gain admission in ATBU |
| 37. | Admission in BUK |
Conclusion
Once you have been offered admission and confirmed your name on the 2026 JAMB Matriculation List, pay acceptance fee, complete online registration, wait for resumption date for new students to be announced and go for physical screening.
You may want to check out our expert guides on:
- How to Pass JAMB and Score High
- Things to Know About JAMB Mock
- JAMB Cut off Marks for All Schools
- Schools Whose Post UTME Form is Out
- How to Gain Admission without JAMB
All the best!