2025 JAMB: 5 Admission Options For Candidates With Low UTME Scores

• All hope is not lost for candidates who scored low marks in the just-concluded 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME)
• UTME candidates who scored low marks can still be offered admission to study courses of their choice in Nigerian universities
• This article highlights the five admission options UTME candidates with low scores can explore to fulfill their dreams

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering basic and tertiary education in Nigeria and worldwide

FCT, Abuja - There are several alternative admission pathways for candidates who scored low marks in the 2025 UTME.

Some programmes offer second chances to people with low JAMB scores and allow them to qualify for full-time degree courses.

According to The Nation, these programmes can serve as solid stepping stones to academic success.

• Diploma Programmes

Diploma programs are short-term academic courses that usually last for two years.

They focus on practical and foundational knowledge in specific fields such as Business Administration, Mass Communication, or Engineering.

Many universities and polytechnics offer these programmes in Nigeria.

• JUPEB/Foundation Courses

The Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) program is a one-year academic program.

JUPEB allows successful candidates to gain direct entry admission into 200 level in participating Nigerian universities.

It does not require UTME for successful candidate to gain admission.

• Pre-degree/Remedial Programmes

Pre-degree or remedial programs typically run for 6 to 12 months at universities.

They are to help candidates who did not meet admission requirements improve their academic standing.

Pre-degree/Remedial Programmes improve admission chances in the next academic session.

It gives an academic head start before full university life.

Some schools reserve slots for pre-degree students who perform well.

• Part-time/Weekend Degree Programmes

Admission into part-time or weekend programs in Nigerian universities does not require high JAMB scores or may not require JAMB at all.

It is good and open for working-class individuals or students who want flexible schedules.

Admission is often based on O’Level results and internal exams.

• Direct Entry (For ND/NCE Holders)

Candidates with National Diploma (ND), National Certificate in Education (NCE), or IJMB/JUPEB qualification, can apply for Direct Entry admission into 200 level in any Nigerian university.

JAMB: Courses that require High UTME scores

Recall that the 2025 UTME candidates are required to get higher scores in their recently concluded examination conducted by JAMB.

This is because certain courses require higher UTME scores for admission into Nigerian universities, regardless of the general cut-off marks set by JAMB.

The top seven of these courses have been outlined as JAMB wraps up the 2025 UTME exercise, and candidates are looking forward to securing admission this year.

DSS arrests 20 for hacking JAMB's UTME 2025

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that security operatives arrested 20 suspects for allegedly hacking the computer-based UTME 2025 conducted by JAMB.

The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The suspects are reportedly part of a syndicate believed to have over 100 people who specialise in hacking the computer servers of examination bodies like JAMB and the National Examinations Council (NECO),

Source: Legit.ng