FUDMA Cut Off Marks for 2023/2024 Academic Session
The Federal University Dutse (FUDMA) is one of the federal universities in Nigeria established in February 2011. The university has continued to grow since its establishment and has become one of the most sought-after universities by UTME candidates seeking admission. A key factor that prospective students consider when choosing which university to apply to is the cut-off mark for their desired course. READ MORE HERE.
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What are Cut Off Marks?
The cut-off mark refers to the minimum score that a candidate needs to attain in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to be eligible for admission into their chosen course/programme at the university. This means you must score up to the cut-off mark or even higher to stand a chance of being considered for admission. The higher you score above the minimum cut-off mark, the higher your chances of securing admission.
Cut-off marks are usually determined based on different factors such as the number of applicants for a particular course, the number of available spaces, the average UTME performance in previous years, etc. Universities set varying cut-off marks for different courses/programmes. Courses like Medicine, Law, Engineering, etc typically have higher cut-off marks than courses in the Arts and Humanities.
The cut-off marks serve as a screening mechanism for the university to shortlist candidates for the admission process. Therefore, it is very important to find out and understand the FUDMA departmental cut-off marks for your desired course before applying.
JAMB Cut Off Mark
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) sets a benchmark minimum UTME score for all universities in Nigeria. This benchmark is commonly known as the JAMB cut-off mark. For the 2023/2024 admission process, JAMB has set 140 as the minimum cut-off mark for admission into universities.
What this means is that any candidate who scores less than 140 in UTME will not be eligible for admission into any university in Nigeria, irrespective of the cut-off mark set by the institution. You must score 140 and above in UTME before your application can be considered by any university.
However, scoring exactly 140 does not guarantee admission into FUDMA. You need to pay attention to the specific departmental cut-off marks set by FUDMA for your particular course. Just meeting the JAMB cut-off mark may not be enough.
FUDMA Departmental Cut-Off Marks
While JAMB sets a general minimum cut-off mark, universities are still allowed to specify their minimum cut-off mark for each course/department. This is known as the departmental or programme cut-off mark.
The FUDMA departmental cut-off marks for the 2023/2024 academic year are as follows:
- 150 – Accounting, Economics and Development Studies, Political Science, Sociology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Library and Information Science.
- 160 – All courses in the Faculty of Health Sciences, all courses in the Faculty of Engineering.
This means for courses like Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Anatomy, etc. under the Faculty of Health Sciences, you will need a minimum UTME score of 160 to be eligible for admission at FUDMA.
Similarly, for all Engineering courses, including Civil Engineering, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Agric Engineering, etc., you will need 160 and above.
For other courses like Accounting, Business Administration, Microbiology, Computer Science, Biochemistry, Political Science, etc. you will require a minimum score of 150 in UTME.
Please note that you may actually need more than the minimum cut-off mark for your course to stand a good chance of securing admission. The higher your scores, the better your chances.
Important Things to Note About Cut-Off Marks
There are a few important things to note when it comes to meeting cut-off marks for admission:
- The cut-off marks stated above are for the 2023/2024 academic year only. The cut-off marks may change for subsequent admission years so always confirm the current cut-off.
- Meeting the exact cut-off mark is no guarantee of admission. Admission is still competitive so aim to score as high above the cut-off mark as you can.
- Different categories of candidates such as Direct Entry, foreign students, etc. may have different cut-off marks.
- In addition to meeting the UTME cut-off mark, you must also have the basic O’level requirements for your course. For most courses you require a minimum of 5 credits in relevant subjects including English and Mathematics.
- Passing the post-UTME screening is also compulsory. You must score up to the cut-off for your course in the screening exam before you can be offered admission.
- Other factors such as catchment area, quota system, etc. may affect admission chances so it is best to exceed the minimum cut-off marks.
How are the Cut Off Marks Calculated?
The process of determining cut-off marks is quite rigorous and involves considering various factors such as:
1. Number of application slots available: The number of students a department can admit is limited by resources such as lecture spaces, hostel accommodation, etc. Courses with fewer slots will typically have higher cut-off marks.
2. Number of applicants: Courses that attract a large number of applicants tend to have higher cut-off marks. The ratio of applicants to available slots is used to determine competitive cut-off marks.
3. Academic records of previous admission candidates: The UTME and O’level performance of previous admission candidates gives an indication of what scores may be required for future candidates to stand a chance.
4. Performance in departmental post-UTME screening: The average scores obtained in past post-UTME screenings also provides a benchmark for setting new cut-off marks. Difficult screening exams will yield higher cut-off marks.
5. Minimum academic standards: Every university strives to maintain high academic standards by admitting candidates who have demonstrated readiness for university education through their UTME/O’level results.
6. Benchmarking against other universities: Cut-off marks are sometimes influenced by what obtains in similar courses at other reputable universities.
7. University’s admission policies: Factors like catchment area, affirmative action, discretionary quotas etc. may lower or raise cut-off marks for certain categories of applicants.
8. Competitiveness of the course: Some courses like Medicine, Law, Accounting, Engineering etc. tend to attract very many highly qualified applicants so they have traditionally higher cut-off marks.
The university admission committee takes all these factors into account when fixing cut-off marks for the various courses and programmes. The aim is to admit candidates who have displayed adequate capacity to cope with and succeed in their chosen course of study.
What If You Score Below the Cut Off Mark?
If you score below the FUDMA cut-off mark for your chosen course, there are still a few options available:
- Improve your score: You can sit for UTME again and work towards improving your score to meet the cut-off mark. Keep retaking the exam until you achieve the target score.
- Change your course choice: If you do not think you can improve your score significantly, consider changing your course preference to one with a lower cut-off mark that you can meet.
- Apply to another university: Check if the cut-off mark for your course is lower in other universities and apply there instead. But don’t go for an excessively low cut-off mark as it may indicate poor quality.
- Apply as a direct entry student: If you have an OND, A/L, NCE, JUPEB or other approved qualification, you may apply as a Direct Entry candidate which may have lower cut-off marks.
- Take the pre-degree or remedial programme: Some universities offer these pre-admission programmes for candidates who do not meet up to the cut-off mark. It allows you to gain admission once you successfully complete the programme.
Scoring below the cut-off mark does not mean you cannot eventually get into university. Explore alternative admission opportunities and keep improving your scores. With persistence, you can still achieve your goal of obtaining a university education.
Conclusion
I hope this detailed article has provided you with a good understanding of FUDMA’s cut-off marks and what it takes to gain admission into the university. The key highlights are:
- You must score a minimum of 140 in UTME to be eligible for any course at FUDMA
- Different courses have varying cut-off marks ranging from 150 to 160 and above. Find out the specific cut-off mark for your course.
- Try as much as possible to score very well above the minimum cut-off mark for your course to stand a good chance of admission.
- Meeting the cut-off mark alone does not guarantee admission. Other factors like O’level grades, post-UTME performance, catchment area etc. will also be considered.
If you have any other questions regarding FUDMA’s admission processes, feel free to engage me and I will be happy to provide more clarity. I wish you the very best as you pursue your university admissions and education.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cut Off Marks
Below are some common questions and answers about university cut off marks:
Q: Are cut-off marks the same as JAMB scores?
A: No. The cut-off mark refers to the minimum score required by a particular institution for admission into a course. The JAMB score is the score obtained by a candidate in the UTME exam. The JAMB score must be up to or higher than the cut-off mark for admission eligibility.
Q: Can cut-off marks be changed by the school after being published?
A: Yes, universities can adjust their cut-off marks slightly upwards or downwards before admission closes. However, drastic changes are unlikely after publication. Candidates should check regularly for updates.
Q: Does meeting the exact cut-off mark guarantee admission?
A: No. Meeting the minimum cut-off mark only makes you eligible to be considered for admission. Admission is still competitive among all eligible candidates. The higher your scores, the better your chances.
Q: What is the difference between JAMB and Departmental cut-off marks?
A: JAMB cut-off marks are uniform across all universities. Departmental cut-off marks are set by each institution per course and may vary from university to university.
Q. Can I combine my UTME score from previous years to meet up with the cut-off mark?
A. No, you cannot combine UTME scores from different exams. You must meet the cut-off mark by scoring up to or above it in one sitting of the UTME exam.
Q: What if I don’t meet any university’s cut-off mark for my course?
A: Consider retaking the UTME to improve your score. Also explore other related courses which you meet the cut-off marks. Lastly, explore direct entry or pre-degree admission options.
Q: How important is scoring above the cut-off mark?
A: Scoring well above the minimum cut-off mark significantly improves your chances of gaining admission. Competition is high among those who merely meet the cut-off mark.
