29 Less Competitive Courses You Can Study in 2025 with Low JAMB Scores

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has approved the minimum cut-off marks for tertiary admissions in the 2025 academic session. During its annual policy meeting held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, JAMB set 150 as the general minimum score for universities.

For other institutions, the minimum benchmarks are as follows:

• 140 for colleges of nursing
• 100 for polytechnics, colleges of education, and colleges of agriculture

These minimum scores serve as national guidelines, but institutions have the autonomy to raise their cut-off marks for specific courses depending on demand and capacity. However, no school is allowed to go below these set thresholds.

This development opens up opportunities for students who scored lower in their UTME but still want to secure admission. Many courses fall within the 140–180 score range and are generally considered less competitive.

Here are 29 such courses you can apply for in Nigerian universities and tertiary institutions in 2025:

Science Courses (140–180 JAMB Score)

• Fisheries – Focuses on aquatic resource management for food and commercial use.
• Agricultural Science – Covers farming, food production, and soil science.
• Home Science and Nutrition – Studies healthy living, food management, and nutrition.
• Animal Science – Involves livestock biology, breeding, and management.
• Botany – Deals with plant science, growth, and environmental impact.
• Anatomy – A foundation course for medical fields, studying the human body.
• Marine Biology – Explores ocean ecosystems and marine organisms.
• Zoology – The study of animals, behaviour, and habitats.
• Science Laboratory Technology – Prepares students for scientific research and diagnostics.

Art Courses (140–180 JAMB Score)

• Arabic Studies – Language, literature, and Islamic civilisation.
• Archaeology – Investigates human history through artefacts and remains.
• Christian Religious Studies – Focuses on Christian teachings and historical development.
• Fine Arts – Encompasses painting, sculpture, and creative expression.
• Drama/Performing Arts – Studies acting, stage production, and theatre performance.
• Theatre Arts – Includes directing, writing, and managing performances.
• English Language – Literature, grammar, phonetics, and communication skills.
• French – Language proficiency and Francophone cultural studies.
• History and International Studies – Combines historical events with global diplomacy.
• Music – Theoretical and practical music training, performance, and composition.

Commercial Courses (140–180 JAMB Score)

• Business Administration – Entrepreneurship, finance, and operations.
• Public Administration – Focuses on public sector leadership and policies.
• Marketing – Consumer behaviour, branding, and product strategy.
• Insurance – Risk analysis and financial protection systems.
• Taxation – Covers tax laws, policy, and financial regulations.
• Criminology and Security Studies – Examines crime, justice systems, and security frameworks.
• Library and Information Science – Resource organisation and information management.
• Hospitality and Tourism – Hotel management, travel operations, and guest services.
• Political Science – Political theories, governance, and public affairs.
• Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution – Focuses on peacebuilding, mediation, and conflict management.

These courses give candidates with moderate scores a real chance of gaining admission, especially if they choose wisely and apply early to less competitive institutions.