The OAU cut off mark 2026/2027 is the first number every JAMB candidate targeting Obafemi Awolowo University needs to check before registering for Post-UTME screening. OAU has set 200 as its general institutional minimum, but as one of Nigeria’s most competitive federal universities, several of its departments demand scores well beyond that baseline.
About Obafemi Awolowo University
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) is a federal government-owned institution located in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Founded in 1961 as the University of Ife, it commenced classes in October 1962 and was renamed in 1987 to honour Chief Obafemi Awolowo. OAU is Nigeria’s third-oldest federal university and consistently ranks among the top three nationally, spread across an 11,861-hectare campus often described as one of the most beautiful in Africa.
OAU’s teaching hospital, OAUTHC, is one of Nigeria’s leading referral hospitals, giving its medical students exceptional clinical exposure early in their programme. The university’s Faculties of Science, Law, and Technology are especially competitive, and OAU publishes its merit admission list strictly by aggregate score, with no special admissions outside its published merit and supplementary lists.
OAU Cut Off Mark 2026/2027 – General
Before diving into departmental figures, know the baseline OAU has set for candidates applying this session.
- General JAMB cut off mark: 200 and above for candidates who chose OAU as their first choice
- Candidates scoring below 200 will not be shortlisted for Post-UTME screening, regardless of their preferred course
- OAU typically combines JAMB and Post-UTME scores using a 50% JAMB / 50% Post-UTME formula, though this can vary by faculty
Unlike some universities where a modest JAMB score can be offset by a strong Post-UTME performance, OAU is explicit that candidates well below a department’s benchmark cannot compensate through screening alone. A high JAMB score remains the foundation of a competitive OAU application.
Full OAU Cut Off Mark Table – Departmental
Below is the complete OAU cut off mark for courses offered at Obafemi Awolowo University for the 2026/2027 admission cycle, along with the approximate aggregate score typically needed.
| Course | Faculty | JAMB Cut Off | Approx. Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine and Surgery | Clinical Sciences | 280 | 70%+ |
| Dentistry | Dentistry | 270 | 68%+ |
| Pharmacy | Pharmacy | 265 | 66%+ |
| Nursing Science | Clinical Sciences | 245 | 62%+ |
| Physiotherapy | Clinical Sciences | 245 | 62%+ |
| Law | Law | 260 | 65%+ |
| Computer Science | Science | 255 | 64%+ |
| Biochemistry | Science | 235 | 60%+ |
| Microbiology | Science | 230 | 58%+ |
| Mathematics | Science | 230 | 58%+ |
| Chemistry | Science | 225 | 57%+ |
| Physics | Science | 225 | 56%+ |
| Botany | Science | 215 | 54%+ |
| Zoology | Science | 215 | 54%+ |
| Civil Engineering | Technology | 250 | 63%+ |
| Electrical Engineering | Technology | 250 | 63%+ |
| Mechanical Engineering | Technology | 250 | 63%+ |
| Chemical Engineering | Technology | 245 | 62%+ |
| Food Science and Technology | Technology | 230 | 58%+ |
| Architecture | Environmental Design | 240 | 62%+ |
| Urban and Regional Planning | Environmental Design | 210 | 52%+ |
| Economics | Administration | 245 | 62%+ |
| Accounting | Administration | 240 | 60%+ |
| Business Administration | Administration | 235 | 59%+ |
| English Language | Arts | 220 | 55%+ |
| Geography | Social Sciences | 215 | 54%+ |
| Sociology and Anthropology | Social Sciences | 215 | 54%+ |
| History and International Studies | Arts | 200 | 50%+ |
| Philosophy | Arts | 200 | 50%+ |
| Education (all subjects) | Education | 200 | 50%+ |
Note: these figures reflect recent admission data and realistic benchmarks; OAU’s actual departmental cut off can shift slightly each session based on applicant volume and available slots. Always confirm your specific course’s current figure on the official OAU admissions portal before registering for screening.
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Most Competitive OAU Courses
A handful of OAU programmes consistently pull the highest cut off marks in the country, and these deserve the most serious preparation.
| Course | JAMB Cut Off |
|---|---|
| Medicine and Surgery | 280 |
| Dentistry | 270 |
| Pharmacy | 265 |
| Law | 260 |
| Computer Science | 255 |
| Civil Engineering | 250 |
| Electrical Engineering | 250 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 250 |
| Nursing Science | 245 |
| Chemical Engineering | 245 |
| Economics | 245 |
If any of these is your first choice, treat 200 as the absolute floor, not the target. OAU’s Faculties of Sciences, Law, and Clinical Sciences are consistently among the most competitive in Nigeria, and candidates who eventually secure admission into these programmes typically score well above the departmental minimum.
How to Calculate Your OAU Aggregate Score
OAU combines your JAMB score with your Post-UTME screening performance to produce a final aggregate, typically using an even split between the two.
Aggregate Score = (JAMB Score × 50%) + (Post-UTME Score × 50%)
Here’s a worked example:
- A candidate scores 250 in JAMB, out of a possible 400 → this converts to 62.5% on the JAMB side
- The same candidate scores 65% in OAU’s Post-UTME screening
- Combining these using the 50/50 split gives an aggregate of roughly 63.75%
This aggregate is then compared against the approximate benchmark for the chosen department. Because OAU weighs Post-UTME just as heavily as JAMB, a candidate who barely clears the JAMB threshold still needs an excellent screening performance to be competitive — and conversely, a strong JAMB score can be undermined by a weak Post-UTME result.
OAU Admission Quota System
Like other Nigerian federal universities, OAU doesn’t fill its slots by ranking every applicant nationally on aggregate alone. Admission follows a quota structure guided by federal character policy.
- Merit Admission: the largest share of slots, filled strictly by aggregate score ranking within each department
- Catchment Area Admission: a portion reserved for candidates from Osun State and neighbouring states considered part of OAU’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 intake for ND (Upper Credit or above), A-Level, and IJMB/JUPEB holders, admitted directly into 200 Level
This quota structure is part of why two candidates with similar aggregates can see different admission outcomes depending on their state of origin.
How OAU Determines Final Admission
Meeting a course’s cut off mark puts you in contention, but OAU weighs several other factors before releasing its admission list.
- Your combined JAMB and Post-UTME aggregate ranking within your chosen department
- The carrying capacity approved for that specific department in the current session
- O’Level results: a minimum of five credit passes in WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB in not more than two sittings, including English Language and Mathematics
- Additional science credits (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) for Science and Medical programmes
- Verification of original credentials, since OAU does not accept photocopies for clearance purposes
OAU places particularly high value on one-sitting O’Level results for Medicine, Law, and Pharmacy, so candidates targeting these programmes should ensure their credits were obtained in a single sitting wherever possible.
Tips to Boost Your OAU Admission Chances
Given how competitive OAU admission is, a well-planned strategy makes a real difference.
- Aim well above the departmental minimum: OAU’s own guidance stresses targeting the departmental benchmark, not the 200 institutional floor
- Prepare seriously for Post-UTME: OAU’s aggregate weighs screening performance as heavily as JAMB, and its questions are known to be more concept-based and analytical than many other universities
- Use OAU-specific past questions: rote memorisation is less effective at OAU than understanding core principles, particularly in Science and Technology subjects
- Sort out your O’Level results early: OAU requires results to be in order before the screening deadline, and candidates without all required credits at clearance time will not be registered regardless of their aggregate
- Prepare your document checklist in advance: JAMB result slip, O’Level certificate, birth certificate, local government certificate of origin, and recent passport photographs should all be ready well before resumption
What to Do If Your Score Is Below the Cut Off
A score below the OAU cut off marks for your target department’s doesn’t have to end your OAU ambitions entirely.
- Consider a less competitive department: courses in the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Education, such as Philosophy, History and International Studies, and most Education combinations, sit at or near the 200 institutional minimum
- Check your catchment eligibility: candidates from Osun State or OAU’s designated catchment states may benefit from a more favourable quota allocation
- Apply through Direct Entry if eligible: candidates with an ND Upper Credit or above, two A-Level passes, or IJMB/JUPEB certificates can bypass JAMB UTME and enter directly at 200 Level
- Consider a change of institution: if OAU’s benchmark for your desired course remains out of reach, some other universities have lower requirements for similar programmes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the general OAU cut off mark for 2026/2027?
The general institutional JAMB cut off mark is 200, but OAU cut off marks for each department run considerably higher — up to 280 for Medicine and Surgery, 260 for Law, and 255 for Computer Science.
Is OAU Post-UTME compulsory?
Yes. All candidates seeking undergraduate admission must register for and sit the Post-UTME screening. Meeting the JAMB cut off alone is not sufficient — the combined aggregate of JAMB and Post-UTME determines eligibility.
What is the OAU cut off mark for Law?
Law requires a competitive JAMB benchmark of approximately 260, alongside strong O’Level results including credits in English Language and Literature in English, plus an excellent Post-UTME performance.
Can I gain OAU admission through Direct Entry?
Yes. Direct Entry candidates can present an ND Upper Credit or above, two A-Level passes in relevant subjects, or IJMB/JUPEB certificates to be admitted directly into 200 Level, bypassing the JAMB UTME process.
What departments at OAU accept candidates with 200 in JAMB?
Departments in the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Education, including Philosophy, History and International Studies, Linguistics, and most Education combinations, typically sit at or near the 200 institutional minimum, though a strong Post-UTME score is still needed for a competitive aggregate.
Conclusion
The OAU cut off mark 2026/2027 gives you a starting point, but real admission at one of Nigeria’s most competitive federal universities depends on how your JAMB score and Post-UTME performance combine into a final aggregate. Use the departmental table above to set a realistic target for your chosen course, prepare thoroughly for both stages of the process, and keep checking the official OAU admissions portal for updates as the 2026/2027 session progresses.