UI Departmental Cut-Off Mark for Medicine and Surgery
University of Ibadan (UI) remains one of Nigeria’s most prestigious and competitive universities, and its Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) programme is widely regarded as one of the toughest to gain admission into. Every year, thousands of candidates compete for a limited number of spaces in the College of Medicine, making the departmental cut-off mark for Medicine and Surgery one of the highest in the institution.
For students aiming to study Medicine and Surgery at UI, understanding the departmental cut-off mark is essential because it determines whether a candidate is considered for admission after meeting the basic requirements.
What Is the UI Departmental Cut-Off Mark for Medicine and Surgery?
The departmental cut-off mark is the minimum aggregate score required for admission into a particular course after the admission screening process. At UI, the cut-off for Medicine and Surgery is not based only on Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) score. Instead, admission is usually determined using a candidate’s aggregate score, which combines multiple factors.
For the 2025/2026 academic session, Medicine and Surgery had a merit cut-off mark of 78.875—the highest departmental cut-off in UI for that cycle. This shows how competitive the programme is.
UI General JAMB Requirement for Medicine and Surgery
Before a candidate can even compete for Medicine and Surgery, they must meet UI’s general admission conditions:
Score at least 200 in JAMB (UI’s general minimum benchmark)
Choose UI as first choice institution
Possess five O’Level credits in not more than two sittings
Required subjects include:
English Language
Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Although 200 is the minimum institutional benchmark, Medicine and Surgery candidates usually need very high UTME scores to remain competitive.
In practice, many successful applicants score:
270–300 in JAMB
Strong Post-UTME screening results
Excellent O’Level grades (often A’s and B’s)
How UI Calculates Admission for Medicine and Surgery
UI generally uses an aggregate system rather than relying on JAMB alone. The admission process may include:
UTME score performance
Post-UTME screening score
O’Level performance
Departmental quota
Merit and special admission considerations
Because the admission formula can change, candidates should always confirm current details from official UI admission announcements.
Why Is Medicine and Surgery Cut-Off So High?
Several reasons explain why Medicine and Surgery has the highest cut-off:
1. High Number of Applicants
Medicine attracts one of the largest applicant pools in UI.
2. Limited Admission Quota
The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria regulates medical training capacity, which limits available spaces.
3. Strong Candidate Performance
Applicants often have very high JAMB and screening scores.
4. Academic Intensity
Medicine requires strong science performance and sustained academic excellence.
Estimated Competitive Score for UI Medicine
To improve admission chances, candidates should aim for:
JAMB: 280+
Screening: Excellent performance
O’Level: Mostly distinctions/strong credits
Aggregate: Well above minimum consideration levels
A score close to the benchmark may qualify a candidate for consideration, but stronger scores improve selection chances.
Important Tips To improve your chances of admission into Medicine and Surgery at UI:
Select UI as first choice
Target very high JAMB scores
Prepare seriously for Post-UTME
Maintain excellent O’Level grades
Use correct UTME subject combination
Follow UI admission updates carefully
Complete JAMB Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) requirements on time
Can Candidates Below the Cut-Off Gain Admission?
Generally, candidates below the departmental benchmark face major difficulty securing admission into Medicine and Surgery. In some cases, applicants may consider alternative science or health-related courses such as:
Dentistry
Medical Laboratory Science
Physiology
Biochemistry
Nursing Science
Human Nutrition and Dietetics
These programmes can provide related academic pathways.
FAQs on UI departmental cut off mark for medicine and surgery
1.JAMB score is needed to study Medicine and Surgery in UI?
While the minimum institutional benchmark may start from 200, Medicine and Surgery is far more competitive. Most strong candidates target 270–300 in the (JAMB) examination.
2. Is 250 in JAMB enough for Medicine and Surgery in UI?
A score of 250 may qualify a candidate for basic consideration, but it is usually below the stronger competitive range for Medicine at UI. Higher scores generally improve admission chances.
3. Does UI release Medicine and Surgery cut-off marks every year?
UI may release admission benchmarks after screening or during admission processing, though publication methods can vary by session.
4. Does Post-UTME affect admission into Medicine and Surgery?
Yes. Screening performance is important because admission depends on aggregate performance rather than JAMB alone.
5. Can you gain admission with two sittings?
UI may accept two sittings depending on admission policy for the session, but one sitting can strengthen competitiveness for highly selective courses.
6. What is UI aggregate score?
Aggregate score is the combined admission score used by UI to rank applicants. It may include JAMB, screening, and O’Level considerations.
7. What O’Level subjects are required?
Candidates need credits in:
English Language
Mathematics
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
These are core requirements for medicine admission.