Is the UNICAL cut off mark for 2026/2027 out? How can I check the UNICAL departmental cut off mark for my course? What JAMB score do I need to qualify for the University of Calabar Post-UTME screening? If YES, this article contains all the latest updates and full information you need to secure your admission this academic session.
Every year, thousands of students choose the University of Calabar as their first-choice institution. Because the competition is always tough, understanding the official UNICAL cut off mark is the first major step to securing your spot on the admission list.
Whether you want to study Medicine, Law, Nursing, or Computer Science, we have broken down the current UNICAL cut off mark requirements in a simple way that every Malabite and Malabress aspirant can easily understand. Let’s dive straight in!
What is UNICAL Cut Off Mark?
For those who don’t know, the UNICAL cut off mark is simply the minimum score you must get in your exams before the university can consider you for admission. If you do not meet this baseline score, the school portal will not even allow you to register for the screening exercise.
To make things easy, you need to understand that there are two types of cut off marks used during the admission process:
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The General JAMB Cut-Off Mark: The minimum mark set by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and accepted by the institution to qualify you for the Post-UTME registration form.
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The Departmental Cut-Off Mark: The final aggregate score required by individual departments (like Medicine, Law, or Nursing) to grant you admission.
Official UNICAL JAMB Cut Off Mark 2026/2027
The management of the University of Calabar has aligned its minimum admission baseline with the national guidelines for federal universities.
The official UNICAL JAMB cut off mark for the 2026/2027 academic session is 140. This means that if you scored 140 or above in your JAMB UTME, you are automatically eligible to purchase the UNICAL Post-UTME screening form. However, if your score is below 140, you will not be allowed to register on the application portal, and you may need to consider a JAMB change of institution to a polytechnic or college of education.
While 140 makes you eligible to buy the screening form, it is highly important to note that highly competitive professional courses require a much higher score to give you a realistic chance of success.
of success.
UNICAL Departmental Cut Off Marks for All Courses
Even though the general UNICAL cut off mark is 140, you cannot use 140 to get into highly competitive professional courses. The school senate determines the final UNICAL cut off mark for each department based on the number of applicants and how well students performed in the exams.
To give you a realistic view of your chances, here is the expected UNICAL cut off mark breakdown for individual courses this year
Faculty of Clinical Sciences & Medical Sciences
These are the most competitive programs in UNICAL. A high JAMB score combined with an excellent screening performance is crucial here.
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Medicine and Surgery: 250+ (Aggregate benchmark usually ranges around 280–320 for final merit placement)
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Nursing Science: 220+
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Medical Laboratory Science: 200+
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Radiography: 200+
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Anatomy: 160+
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Physiology: 160+
Faculty of Law
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Law (LL.B): 220+ (Competitive aggregate target falls between 240–290+)
Faculty of Management Sciences
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Accounting: 180+
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Banking and Finance: 160+
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Business Management: 170+
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Marketing: 150+
Faculty of Social Sciences
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Economics: 180+
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Political Science: 170+
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Sociology: 160+
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Public Administration: 160+
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Mass Communication: 190+
Faculty of Physical & Biological Sciences
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Computer Science: 180+
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Microbiology: 170+
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Biochemistry: 170+
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Pure / Applied Chemistry: 150+
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Physics: 140+
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Geology: 150+
Faculty of Engineering & Technology
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Mechanical Engineering: 180+
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Civil Engineering: 180+
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Electrical/Electronics Engineering: 180+
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Computer Engineering: 180+
Faculty of Arts and Humanities
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English and Literary Studies: 160+
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History and International Studies: 170+
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Theatre and Media Arts: 160+
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Philosophy: 150+
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Linguistics: 150+
Faculty of Education & Agriculture
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All Education Courses: 140–150
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Agricultural Economics: 140+
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Soil Science: 140+
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Crop Science: 140+
UNICAL Admission Requirements and Eligibility Criteria
Meeting the general UNICAL cut off mark is just the first step. You must satisfy the complete eligibility criteria set by the university administration to be cleared during the physical verification process.
Eligibility Criteria
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First Choice: You must have chosen the University of Calabar as your first choice institution during your JAMB registration. If you didn’t but scored above 140, you must quickly do a change of institution on the JAMB CAPs portal.
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Age Limit: Candidates must be at least 16 years of age by the time the academic session begins.
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O’Level Credentials: You must possess a minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, in your WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB results. This must be obtained in not more than two (2) sittings.
Read Also : TASUED Cut Off Marks For All Courses
How to Calculate UNICAL Aggregate Score
How does UNICAL select students when thousands meet the cut-off? They use an aggregate ranking system. The calculations combine your JAMB score and your Post-UTME screening score on a 50:50 ratio weighting system.
- Divide your JAMB score: Take your total JAMB UTME score (out of 400) and divide it by 8. This scales your JAMB score down to a maximum of 50 points. For example, if you scored 240 in JAMB: 240 / 8 = 30 points.
- Get your Post-UTME score: Sit for the UNICAL Post-UTME screening exam, which is typically graded out of 100 marks, and divide that score by 2. This brings the screening down to a maximum of 50 points. For example, if you score 70 in the CBT exam: 70 / 2 = 35 points.
- Add both scores together: Add your scaled JAMB points and scaled Post-UTME points together to find your final aggregate percentage score. Using our examples: 30 (JAMB) + 35 (Post-UTME) = 65% total aggregate.
Your calculated aggregate percentage (e.g., 65%) is what the department will use to measure your standing against other applicants on the merit list.
How to Apply for UNICAL Post-UTME Screening
When the sales of forms begin, follow this direct step-by-step guide to log onto the application portal and register properly without making mistakes that could cost you your admission.
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Go directly to the official UNICAL Admission Portal via
myunical.edu.ng. -
Click on the “UTME Admission Screening” link displayed on the homepage.
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Enter your correct 10-digit JAMB Registration Number in the required field.
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Generate a Payment Invoice containing your unique Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) code.
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Take the invoice to any commercial bank nationwide to make a payment of ₦2,000 (excluding banking/remita service charges) or complete the payment online using your debit card.
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Return to the portal after making payment, log in with your JAMB registration number, and complete the bio-data registration form.
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Upload your passport photograph and scan copies of your O’Level results.
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Double-check all information before clicking the submit button. Print out your registration confirmation slip for screening day.
How to Check UNICAL Admission Status On JAMB CAPs
Once the screening examinations are over and the university publishes the final batches, you can verify your admission status using two separate official methods.
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Log on to your personal dashboard at
jamb.gov.ng/efacility. -
Enter your registered email address and password to log in.
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Scroll down and locate the “Check Admission Status” tab.
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Select your examination year, input your JAMB registration number, and click on “Access my CAPS”.
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Click on “Admission Status” to check if your department has offered you admission. You can then choose to accept or reject the offer.
How to Check Admission Status on UNICAL Portal
To check your admission status on the school porrtal, follow the step-by-step process outlined below:
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Visit the school portal at
myunical.edu.ng. -
Click on the “Check Admission Status” link.
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Type your JAMB registration number and your screening pin/serial number.
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Click “Check” to view your status.
Important Notice for All Aspirants
Please take note of these critical institutional guidelines to make sure your processing runs smoothly without hitches:
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O’Level Upload: Ensure you upload your O’Level results (WAEC/NECO) onto the official JAMB Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) portal at an approved CBT center. If you do not upload your O’Level records on CAPS, UNICAL cannot process your admission on merit, no matter how high your score is.
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The Federal Quota System: Federal university admissions in Nigeria are distributed based on standard statutory policies: 45% on pure academic merit, 35% for catchment areas (neighboring states), and 20% for educationally less developed states (ELDS) (Owan et al., 2020).
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Catchment Area States: For the University of Calabar, the catchment area states include Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, and Delta. Candidates from these regions may sometimes find their departmental benchmark slightly adjusted compared to general national merit applicants.
Estimated UNICAL School Fees
Knowing the school fees beforehand will help your parents or sponsors plan appropriately. UNICAL remains relatively affordable as a federal university, though fees vary slightly between new students and returning students.
| Category of Student | Science Courses | Non-Science/Arts Courses |
| Freshers (New Students) | ₦130,000 – ₦160,000 | ₦115,000 – ₦135,000 |
| Returning Students | ₦65,000 – ₦85,000 | ₦55,000 – ₦70,000 |
Note: Professional courses like Medicine and Law attract separate specialized laboratory, clinical, or judicial training levies during registration.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I apply for UNICAL Post-UTME if I scored 135 in JAMB?
No, you cannot. The absolute minimum UNICAL cut off mark for the 2026/2027 registration is 140. If your score falls short of this mark, your registration number will be rejected by the portal. You should do a change of course or institution to a polytechnic or college that accepts lower scores.
Does UNICAL accept two sittings for O’Level results?
Yes, the University of Calabar accepts two sittings. You can combine WAEC and NECO, WAEC and WAEC, or NECO and NECO to complete your 5 required credits.
What is the difference between JAMB cut-off and departmental cut-off?
The JAMB cut-off mark (140) is just the minimum score required to purchase the Post-UTME screening form. The departmental cut-off mark is the final combined aggregate score you must achieve to be admitted into your actual chosen field of study.
Is the UNICAL Post-UTME exam a Computer Based Test (CBT)?
Yes, the University of Calabar conducts its Post-UTME screening as a Computer Based Test (CBT). Candidates will be tested on their JAMB subject combinations and general paper/current affairs.
I have checked my JAMB CAPS and it says “Admission in Progress,” what does it mean?
Admission in Progress (AIP) is a very good sign! It means that UNICAL has considered you for admission and your credentials are currently being vetted and verified by JAMB for final approval. Keep checking back regularly, as it will soon change to “Congratulate, you have been offered admission.”
Conclusion
Securing your admission into the University of Calabar requires you to stay ahead of information and prepare well. Now that you know the official UNICAL cut off mark is 140, do not just relax if your score is exactly at the baseline. Aim to smash the Post-UTME screening test with an excellent performance to boost your aggregate score above the competitive departmental criteria.
Keep your documents ready, ensure your O’Level result is properly uploaded on JAMB CAPS, and follow the registration guidelines carefully. You’ve got this! Best of luck with your admission processing this year.
