Introduction

Every year, thousands of Nigerian students sit for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination with the hope of securing admission into their desired university programs. Unfortunately, not everyone scores above 200, 250, or the highly competitive ranges required for courses like Medicine, Law, Engineering, Nursing, or Pharmacy. Many begin to panic, thinking their dreams of entering the university are over for the year.But here is the truth many students do not know:👉 There are several good, respected, career-building university courses you can still study even if you did not score very high in JAMB.Some of these courses accept moderate scores (140–180), while others consider O’level strength, post-UTME performance, catchment area, and even supplementary admissions.In this detailed guide, you will learn:

• Seven university degrees you can study with a low or average JAMB score
• Why these programs accept lower cut-off marks
• How to successfully gain admission into them
• Their career prospects and job opportunities
• Universities that commonly accept lower scores for these courses
• Smart strategies to secure admission in the current admission cycle

Let’s begin by clearing a common misconception.

Why Some Courses Accept Lower JAMB Scores

Before diving into the full list, it is important to understand the three main reasons some courses are less competitive:

1. Lower Number of Applicants

Some courses simply attract fewer students each year. When a course has 120 available slots but only 90 people apply, the university will naturally reduce the cut-off to fill the remaining spaces.

2. Less Competitive Career Paths

Courses leading to less saturated or less glamorous career paths usually have low demand. That does not make them less important or less profitable—some are highly rewarding but simply underrated.

3. Universities Want to Maintain Their Enrollment Quota

To avoid losing accreditation or funding, universities must admit a certain number of students every year. This encourages them to lower cut-off marks for some programs.With these in mind, let’s explore the seven major degrees you can study without needing a very high JAMB score.

1. Education Courses (150–170 JAMB Score)

When students fail to score above 200, one of the safest and easiest ways to still gain admission is through Education-related programs. These programs are among the least competitive in Nigeria, yet they offer stable, long-term career opportunities.

Why Education Courses Accept Lower Scores

• Less competition from applicants.
• Nigeria has a high demand for teachers at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
• Government prioritizes teacher training through Colleges of Education and faculties of education.

Popular Education Degrees You Can Study

• Education and Biology
• Education and English
• Education and Physics
• Education and Chemistry
• Education and Mathematics
• Educational Administration
• Educational Technology
• Guidance and Counselling
• Adult Education

Career Opportunities

Graduates in Education are qualified to work as:

• Teachers (private & government schools)
• Education consultants
• Administrators in schools
• Learning support specialists
• Curriculum developers
• Government education officers

Why This is a Smart Choice

With the new Teachers Registration Council (TRCN) regulation, qualified teachers with proper training are becoming more valuable. Many earn well, especially in private and international schools.

Universities That Commonly Accept Low Scores for Education

• University of Calabar (UNICAL)
• University of Uyo (UNIUYO)
• Ekiti State University (EKSU)
• Benue State University (BSU)
• Niger Delta University (NDU)
• Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA)

2. Sociology and Anthropology (160–180 JAMB Score)

Sociology is one of the most flexible social science degrees and is not extremely competitive. With a moderate score, you can easily get admission into many universities.

Why Sociology Accepts Lower Scores

• Moderate number of applicants.
• Less pressure compared to Mass Communication or Political Science.
• Universities often have large departmental capacities.

Career Prospects

Sociology is a versatile degree with opportunities in:

• Social work
• Human resource management
• NGOs & humanitarian organizations
• Public relations
• Community development
• Research institutions
• Immigration, Prisons & Civil Defense Services
• Media and communications

Why You Should Consider It

Sociology graduates are sought after for their understanding of society, behavior, and human relationships.

Schools That Accept Lower Scores

• University of Jos (UNIJOS)
• Abia State University (ABSU)
• University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID)
• Nasarawa State University (NSUK)
• Federal University Lafia (FULAFIA)

3. Fisheries, Aquaculture & Agriculture Courses (150–170 JAMB Score)

Agricultural degrees are among the most accessible university programs in Nigeria. Courses like Fisheries, Animal Science, Crop Science, or Agric Extension often accept students with low to average scores.

Why Agric Courses Accept Low Scores

• Less demand from students.
• Agriculture is essential to Nigeria’s economy, so universities keep the doors open.
• Highly practical and less theory-heavy.

Popular Agric Degrees

• Fisheries & Aquaculture
• Crop Science
• Animal Science
• Soil Science
• Food Science & Technology
• Agricultural Extension

Career Opportunities

Graduates work in:

• Government agricultural agencies
• Research institutes
• Farms and agribusiness companies
• Agro-processing factories
• Food production companies
• NGOs related to food security

Many also become successful entrepreneurs in:

• Poultry farming
• Fish farming
• Agritech startups
• Crop production

Universities That Accept Low Scores

• University of Calabar (UNICAL)
• Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB)
• Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO)
• Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUAU)
• Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU)

4. Linguistics and Nigerian Languages (150–170 JAMB Score)

Linguistics is another under-applied course. Many students are not aware of the massive job opportunities it provides.

Why Linguistics Accepts Lower Scores

• Fewer applicants.
• Universities have wide capacity.
• Many students prefer Mass Communication or English.

Popular Linguistic Degrees

• Linguistics
• Linguistics & Nigerian Languages
• Yoruba/Igbo/Hausa Studies
• Linguistics and Communication Studies

Career Paths

Linguistics graduates are highly employable in:

• Media & broadcasting
• Translation & interpretation
• Publishing
• Speech therapy
• Language technology companies
• Education sector
• Content creation
• Voice-over & communication roles

Universities That Accept Low Scores

• University of Ibadan (UI)
• UNN
• UNILAG
• Bayero University Kano (BUK)
• University of Calabar (UNICAL)

Despite being top schools, many of them still accept relatively low scores for Linguistics.

5. Philosophy (150–180 JAMB Score)

Philosophy is one of the least competitive Arts courses in universities. Yet it shapes some of the world’s best critical thinkers and leaders.

Why Philosophy Accepts Lower Scores

• Low competition.
• Large departmental quotas.
• Often categorized as a non-professional course.

Career Advantages

Philosophy develops:

• Critical thinking
• Logic and reasoning
• Problem-solving
• Analytical writing
• Ethical decision-making

These skills apply to careers in:

• Law (many philosophers become lawyers)
• Civil service
• Politics
• NGOs
• Journalism
• Public relations

Universities That Accept Low Scores

• University of Benin (UNIBEN)
• UNICAL
• UNILORIN
• University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN)
• Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)

6. History and International Studies (160–180 JAMB Score)

History is another highly respected Arts course that does not require high scores due to its moderate demand.

Why History Accepts Lower Scores

• Fewer applicants compared to Political Science or International Relations.
• Universities encourage enrollment to preserve the discipline.
• Not considered highly competitive.

Career Opportunities

History graduates excel in:

• Diplomacy
• Civil service
• Journalism
• Immigration services
• Museum and archival research
• Teaching
• International NGOs
• Political analysis

Many also transition into:

• Law
• Governance
• Academia

Schools that Accept Lower Scores

• UNICAL
• EKSU
• OAU
• Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
• UNN

7. Library and Information Science (150–170 JAMB Score)

This is one of the easiest courses to gain admission into, yet one of the most underrated degrees with huge career value.

Why LIS Accepts Low Scores

• Limited number of applicants.
• Growing need for trained information managers.
• Many universities run the program under the Faculty of Education, which typically accepts lower scores.

What You Study

• Digital library systems
• Data management
• Information retrieval
• ICT for records management
• Archiving
• Knowledge systems

Career Paths

• Librarian (schools, universities, ministries, research centres)
• Digital information manager
• Records officer
• Data archivist
• Media researcher
• Documentation specialist
• Knowledge management officer
• Corporate information analyst

LIS graduates are needed in:

• Government agencies
• Big corporations
• Tech companies
• Educational institutions
• NGOs
• Research organizations

Universities That Accept Low Scores

• University of Ibadan (UI)
• UNN
• UNILORIN
• UNIBEN
• Federal University of Lafia (FULAFIA)

Bonus Courses You Can Also Study With Low JAMB Scores

If the above seven don’t interest you, here are extra options:

Additional Courses (Low–Moderate Competition)

• Religious Studies
• Archaeology
• Social Work
• Geography
• Environmental Management
• Forestry & Wildlife
• Home Science & Management
• Peace & Conflict Studies

How to Gain Admission Even With a Low JAMB Score

Even if your JAMB score is not high, you can still secure admission by using these smart strategies:

1. Choose Less Competitive Courses

Avoid courses with massive pressure such as:

• Medicine
• Law
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Engineering
• Mass Communication

Choosing a moderate course increases your chances.

2. Switch to a Less Competitive University

Some schools accept lower scores because they receive fewer applicants.

Examples:

• Federal University Dutsin-Ma
• Federal University Otuoke
• Federal University Lafia
• State Universities (e.g., EKSU, AKSU, BSU, IMSU)

3. Use Supplementary or Change of Course

Almost every university offers supplementary admission each year for less competitive courses.

4. Perform Well in Post-UTME

A strong post-UTME score can compensate for a low JAMB score.

5. Consider Pre-degree, JUPEB or Part-Time Programs

These programs allow you to gain admission without relying on JAMB.

Conclusion

Scoring low in JAMB does not mark the end of your academic journey. There are many good courses with promising careers that accept moderate or even low JAMB scores. The key is to choose strategically and understand admission trends.The 7 courses listed in this guide—Education Courses, Sociology, Agriculture & Fisheries, Linguistics, Philosophy, History, and Library & Information Science—provide real opportunities for admission, personal growth, and professional success.If you use smart strategies such as changing to less competitive courses, performing well in post-UTME, and exploring supplementary admissions, your chances of gaining admission this year are very high.