JAMB 2026: 29 Courses With Low Competition and Their Expected Cut-Off Marks
Thousands of candidates sit for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination every year, but many struggle to gain admission because they choose highly competitive courses such as Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, and Nursing.
For the 2026 admission season, education experts have advised candidates to consider less competitive courses with lower cut-off marks and wider admission opportunities across Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
These courses remain valuable in the labour market and can also serve as pathways to professional careers, entrepreneurship, and postgraduate studies.
Below are some less competitive courses in Nigeria for 2026 and their commonly accepted JAMB cut-off marks in many institutions.
29 Less Competitive Courses in Nigeria and Their Cut-Off Marks
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Fisheries and Aquaculture: 140 – 160
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Crop Science: 140 – 170
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Soil Science: 140 – 160
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Animal Science: 150 – 170
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Forestry and Wildlife Management: 150 – 180
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Home Economics: 140 – 160
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Library and Information Science: 150 – 180
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Adult Education: 140 – 170
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Educational Management: 150 – 180
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Guidance and Counselling: 150 – 180
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Religious Studies: 140 – 170
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Philosophy: 160 – 180
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History and International Studies: 160 – 190
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Linguistics: 160 – 180
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Theatre Arts: 160 – 180
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Hospitality and Tourism Management: 150 – 180
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Estate Management: 160 – 190
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Urban and Regional Planning: 150 – 180
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Wood Production Engineering: 140 – 170
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Metallurgical Engineering: 160 – 190
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Marine Transport and Nautical Science: 160 – 200
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Geology: 160 – 190
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Statistics: 160 – 190
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Environmental Science: 150 – 180
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Special Education: 140 – 170
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Agricultural Economics: 150 – 180
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Archaeology: 160 – 180
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Peace and Conflict Resolution: 150 – 180
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Cooperative Economics and Management: 140 – 170
Why Candidates Should Consider Less Competitive Courses
Many of these programmes attract fewer applicants compared to professional courses, increasing the chances of admission for qualified candidates. Some universities also offer flexible admission requirements for these courses.
In addition, several of the listed programmes provide career opportunities in government agencies, private companies, agriculture, education, tourism, environmental management, and research institutions.
Admission experts also advise candidates to check the specific requirements of their preferred institutions because cut-off marks may vary depending on the university and the number of applicants.
Important Advice for 2026 JAMB Candidates
Candidates are encouraged to:
- Choose courses that align with their strengths and interests
- Research university admission requirements carefully
- Consider less competitive programmes to improve admission chances
- Prepare properly for Post-UTME screenings
- Monitor official updates from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and their chosen institutions
While cut-off marks may change during the admission process, selecting a less competitive course can significantly improve a candidate’s opportunity of securing admission in 2026.
