The Northwest University Kano cut off mark 2026/2027 is what every JAMB candidate eyeing NWU needs to check before touching the Post-UTME/Direct Entry screening form. Registration for this session opened on 10 August and closed 23 August 2026, so if NWU is your first choice, here’s the full breakdown of what you needed to score.
About Northwest University, Kano
Northwest University, Kano (NWU) is a public university owned by the Kano State Government, established in 2012. It briefly operated under the name Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano (YUMSUK) between 2017 and late 2024, before the Kano State Executive Council reversed the name back to Northwest University in November 2024. You may still see the university referred to as NWU or YUMSUK on older admission documents and forums, but both names point to the same institution.
The university runs two campuses in Kano: the main campus along General Buhari Way, Kofar Ruwa, and a City Campus in Kano City. NWU offers programmes across Medicine and Health Sciences, Sciences, Social and Management Sciences, Arts and Islamic Studies, and Education, drawing applicants primarily from Kano State and the wider northern region.
Despite the back-and-forth over its name, NWU has kept a steady academic calendar and continues to expand its course offerings, particularly in health-related fields like Physiotherapy, Radiography, and Medical Laboratory Science, which now sit among its most sought-after programmes.
Northwest University Kano Cut Off Mark 2026/2027
Before you can even attempt Post-UTME screening at NWU, you need to clear the general benchmark the university has set for this admission cycle.
- General JAMB requirement: candidates must have chosen NWU as their first choice in the 2026 UTME or Direct Entry exercise
- Departmental cut off marks for the session range between 150 and 240, depending on the course
- Screening fee: ₦2,000, payable during the online registration window
Unlike some universities that set one flat number for every course, NWU spreads its cut off marks across a wide band — from 150 for the least competitive programmes up to 230 or more for Medicine and Law. This means your target score depends entirely on which course you’re applying for.
Full NWU Departmental Cut Off Mark Table
Below is the departmental cut off mark for each course offered at Northwest University, Kano, based on the university’s published UTME tolerable points.
| Course | Cut Off Mark |
|---|---|
| MBBS Medicine & Surgery | 230 |
| LLB Law | 210 |
| B.NSc. Nursing Science | 200 |
| D.PT. Physiotherapy | 200 |
| B.Sc. Pharmacology | 190 |
| B.Rad. Radiography | 190 |
| B.Sc. Computer Science | 180 |
| B.Sc. Human Nutrition & Dietetics | 180 |
| B.A. International Studies | 180 |
| B.MLS. Medical Laboratory Science | 180 |
| B.Sc. Cybersecurity | 175 |
| B.Sc. Information & Communication Technology | 175 |
| B.Eng. Software Engineering | 175 |
| B.Sc. Accounting | 170 |
| B.Sc. Business Administration | 170 |
| B.Sc. Anatomy | 165 |
| B.Sc. Biochemistry | 165 |
| B.A. Islamic Studies | 165 |
| B.Sc. Microbiology | 165 |
| B.Sc. Physiology | 165 |
| B.Sc. Biology | 160 |
| B.Sc. Biotechnology | 160 |
| B.Sc. Botany | 160 |
| B.Sc. Chemistry | 160 |
| B.Sc. Economics | 160 |
| B.Sc. Ed. Biology | 160 |
| B.Sc. Entrepreneurial Studies | 160 |
| Other undergraduate programmes (e.g. History & International Studies, Library & Information Science, Building Technology Education) | 150 (general minimum, unless otherwise specified during screening) |
Note: Northwest University Kano Cut Off Marks for each department can shift slightly each session based on applicant numbers and available slots. Always confirm your specific course’s current figure on the official NWU admissions portal before registering for screening.
Most Competitive NWU Courses
A handful of NWU programmes consistently pull cut off marks far above the general range, and these are the ones you need to prepare hardest for.
| Course | Cut Off Mark |
|---|---|
| MBBS Medicine & Surgery | 230 |
| LLB Law | 210 |
| B.NSc. Nursing Science | 200 |
| D.PT. Physiotherapy | 200 |
| B.Sc. Pharmacology | 190 |
| B.Rad. Radiography | 190 |
| B.MLS. Medical Laboratory Science | 180 |
| B.Sc. Computer Science | 180 |
If Medicine, Law, or Nursing is your target, a JAMB score in the 150–170 range simply won’t get you through the door. These courses draw the highest volume of applicants at NWU each session, so your Post-UTME and O’Level performance need to be just as strong as your UTME result. Physiotherapy and Radiography, both newer additions to NWU’s health sciences lineup, have also climbed into the competitive bracket as more candidates discover the career prospects tied to allied health professions in Nigeria.
How NWU Calculates Aggregate Score
NWU’s final admission decision doesn’t rest on your JAMB score alone. It combines your UTME performance with your screening result and O’Level grades using a weighted aggregate formula, the same general approach most Nigerian universities apply.
Aggregate Score = (JAMB Score ÷ 8) + (Post-UTME/Screening Score ÷ 2) + O’Level points
Here’s a worked example:
- A candidate scores 185 in JAMB → 185 ÷ 8 = 23.1
- The same candidate scores 60 in NWU’s screening exercise (out of 100) → 60 ÷ 2 = 30
- O’Level credits in relevant subjects contribute a smaller weighted score, commonly out of 10
Adding these together gives the final aggregate that NWU compares against each department’s admission threshold. Two candidates with identical JAMB scores can land very differently once screening and O’Level results are factored in, which is why treating Post-UTME as an afterthought is a costly mistake.
Northwest University Kano Admission Quota System
Like other Nigerian government-owned universities, NWU doesn’t fill its slots by ranking every applicant nationally on merit alone. Admission follows a quota structure shaped by state and institutional policy.
- Merit Admission: the largest share of slots, filled strictly by aggregate score ranking within each course
- Catchment/State Quota: a portion of slots reserved for candidates from Kano State and neighbouring states considered part of NWU’s catchment area
- Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS) Quota: a smaller allocation for candidates from states classified as educationally disadvantaged
- Direct Entry Quota: a separate, smaller intake for ND, HND, NCE, and A-Level holders admitted directly into 200 Level
This quota system is part of why two candidates who scored the same JAMB mark can receive different admission outcomes depending on their state of origin and admission category.
How NWU Determines Final Admission
Meeting the Northwest University Kano Cut Off Mark cut Puts you in the running, but NWU weighs several other factors before releasing its admission list.
- Your final aggregate score ranking within your chosen course and quota category
- The carrying capacity NWU has approved for that department in the current session
- Complete and accurate registration on the screening portal, including correct O’Level upload
- Verification of original credentials during the screening exercise
- Final approval and confirmation through JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS)
A high score improves your odds considerably, but skipping any single step in the process — from screening registration to CAPS acceptance — can still cost you a slot you otherwise qualified for. Candidates who assume a strong UTME score alone guarantees admission are often the ones caught off guard when the final list comes out.
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Tips to Boost Your NWU Admission Chances
A bit of strategy at the right stage can make the difference between admission and disappointment. These tips can help.
- Match your course to your score: if your JAMB result sits closer to 150 than 200, avoid Medicine, Law, or Nursing this cycle and pick a programme with a realistic cut off
- Don’t relax after JAMB: NWU’s screening score carries real weight in your final aggregate, so prepare for it as seriously as you did for UTME
- Upload your O’Level results correctly: errors on the JAMB portal or late uploads have disqualified otherwise-qualified candidates in past sessions
- Register within the screening window: NWU’s Post-UTME/DE screening runs on a fixed schedule, and missing the deadline removes you from consideration entirely
- Explore Direct Entry if you qualify: candidates with an ND, HND, NCE, or A-Level result can bypass UTME and apply directly into 200 Level
What to Do If Your Score Is Below the Cut Off
Missing Northwest University Kano Cut Off Mark for your choosing course isn’t the end of your admission chances. You still have practical options.
- Switch to a lower-demand course: NWU offers several programmes with a cut off mark of 150 to 160 that still lead to solid careers
- Check your catchment eligibility: candidates from Kano State or NWU’s designated catchment states often benefit from a more favourable quota allocation
- Consider a change of institution: if the Northwest University Kano Cut Off Mark for your course remains out of reach, JAMB’s change of institution window lets you apply to a university with a lower requirement for the same course
- Prepare to try again: if none of these work this cycle, use the coming year to strengthen your JAMB score and reapply
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the general cut off mark for Northwest University Kano 2026/2027?
There’s no single flat cut off mark at NWU — Northwest University Kano Cut Off Mark for the 2026/2027 session range from 150 for less competitive courses up to 230 for Medicine and Surgery.
What is the Northwest University Kano Cut Off Mark for Medicine and Surgery?
MBBS Medicine and Surgery has a cut off mark of 230, the highest of any course at NWU.
Is Northwest University Kano the same as Yusuf Maitama Sule University?
Yes. The university was renamed Yusuf Maitama Sule University in 2017 and reverted to its original name, Northwest University, Kano, in November 2024. Both names refer to the same institution.
Can I apply to NWU if it wasn’t my first choice in JAMB?
Only first-choice candidates are eligible for NWU’s Post-UTME/Direct Entry screening, so if you didn’t choose NWU initially, you’ll need to change your institution through JAMB’s portal before the screening deadline.
Does NWU accept Direct Entry candidates?
Yes. ND, HND, NCE, and A-Level holders can apply through the Direct Entry route for admission directly into 200 Level, separate from the UTME screening process.
Conclusion
The Northwest University Kano cut off mark 2026/2027 gives you a clear target, but where you land depends on your course choice, your full aggregate score, and the quota category you fall under. Use the departmental table above to pick a course that honestly matches your JAMB score, take the screening exercise seriously, and keep checking the official NWU admissions portal for updates as the 2026/2027 admission process continues.