Every JAMB admission season, one search phrase floods Google from candidates in the South-South region: University of Cross River State, Calabar cut off mark for nursing. It sounds like a simple question, yet the honest answer requires a bit more context than most quick-answer blogs give you. This article walks you through exactly where things stand for the 2026/2027 session, what UNICROSS genuinely offers right now, and where nursing hopefuls in Cross River State can turn instead.
Meet UNICROSS: A Fast-Growing State University
University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), previously known as Cross River State University of Technology (CRUTECH), runs four campuses across Calabar, Ogoja, Okuku, and Obubra. Under its current leadership, the university has pushed hard for new programme accreditation, expanded infrastructure, and improved academic administration. Its Calabar campus houses engineering, environmental sciences, and science-related faculties, while Ogoja handles management sciences and Obubra covers agriculture. Anyone digging into the University of Cross River State, Calabar cut off mark for nursing should first understand this multi-campus structure, since course availability differs by location.
Setting the Record Straight: Is Nursing Available at UNICROSS?
Let’s address this directly, since guesswork here costs candidates a full academic year. For the 2026/2027 admission cycle, UNICROSS does not list a complete, JAMB-selectable Nursing Science (B.NSc) degree. What the university currently runs instead includes Human Kinetics, Health Education, and Basic Medical Sciences programmes covering Human Anatomy, Physiology, and Medical Biochemistry. A dedicated nursing degree remains under development, awaiting full National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation before JAMB can open it for candidate selection.
So, technically speaking, the University of Cross River State, Calabar cut off mark for nursing is not something the university has published, simply because the course itself has not reached that stage of official recognition. This is different from institutions withholding information; it reflects a genuine gap in course availability at this time.
Don’t Mix Up Basic Medical Sciences With Nursing
A common mistake among applicants is assuming Basic Medical Sciences automatically leads to a nursing career. It does not. Basic Medical Sciences trains students in foundational subjects like anatomy and physiology, often as a stepping stone toward medicine, physiotherapy, or related health professions, but it does not carry the clinical nursing curriculum or the licensing pathway supervised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). If your goal is to practice as a registered nurse, verify that any course you select genuinely leads to NMCN registration before committing your JAMB choice to it.
UNICROSS General Admission Benchmark for 2026/2027
Even without a nursing-specific figure, UNICROSS keeps one of the most accessible general cut off marks among Nigerian universities. The institution has maintained a general JAMB cut off mark of 150 for recent sessions, allowing a wide pool of candidates to qualify for post-UTME screening across its currently accredited programmes. This friendly entry point makes UNICROSS a popular backup or first-choice option for courses in engineering, agriculture, computer science, and management-related fields.
Where Nursing Hopefuls in Cross River State Should Look Instead
If nursing remains your goal, here are proven, fully accredited paths within the same state:
- University of Calabar (UNICAL): A federal university in Calabar running an accredited Nursing Science programme, with departmental cut off marks recently sitting around 200 and above.
- Cross River State College of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, Itigidi: A specialized nursing college offering National Diploma and Higher National Diploma tracks, fully recognized by the NBTE and NMCN.
- Private and mission-run nursing colleges nearby: Several accredited colleges across the South-South zone provide diploma-level nursing training as an alternative route into the profession.
Choosing any of these keeps you on a direct, licensable path, rather than risking a delay while UNICROSS completes its accreditation process.
Requirements for UNICROSS’s Currently Available Programmes
If you plan to apply to UNICROSS for one of its existing accredited courses, keep these requirements in mind:
Minimum O’Level credits: Five credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics, from WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent examination body.
JAMB UTME threshold: A score of 150 or higher, matching the university’s general cut off mark for 2026/2027.
Post-UTME screening: UNICROSS typically runs this through an online, point-based evaluation rather than a physical written test.
Minimum age: Candidates generally need to be at least 16 years old at the point of admission.
Keeping Track of Future Nursing Course Updates at UNICROSS
- Bookmark the official UNICROSS website and check it periodically for accreditation news.
- Watch the JAMB brochure release each year, since new courses only appear once formally approved.
- Follow trusted education-focused news sources that specifically track NUC accreditation exercises nationwide.
- Call or visit the UNICROSS admissions office directly for the most reliable, real-time confirmation.
Application Steps for the 2026/2027 UNICROSS Admission Cycle
- List UNICROSS as your institution of choice on your JAMB UTME form, picking from its currently approved courses.
- Score at least 150 in your UTME to qualify for consideration.
- Register for post-UTME screening once the university opens its official portal.
- Complete the online screening process, following the point-based assessment structure.
- Monitor your admission status through the JAMB CAPS portal after the release of the admission list.
- Accept your offer and finish registration before the university’s stated deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does University of Cross River State currently run a Nursing Science degree?
No, not yet. As of 2026/2027, the course remains in the accreditation pipeline, though related health courses exist.
What score do I need for general admission into UNICROSS?
A minimum JAMB score of 150 qualifies candidates for post-UTME screening across UNICROSS’s currently available courses.
Is there a nursing school near UNICROSS I can consider instead?
Yes, the University of Calabar and the Cross River State College of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, Itigidi, both offer accredited nursing training close by.
Can Basic Medical Sciences graduates become registered nurses?
Not directly. The programme covers foundational medical subjects but does not include the clinical training required for nursing licensure.
Might UNICROSS add a Nursing Science programme in future sessions?
It’s possible, given the university’s ongoing push for new programme accreditation. Keep checking official channels for confirmation.
How does UNICROSS conduct its post-UTME screening?
The university typically uses an online, point-based evaluation system rather than requiring candidates to sit a physical exam.
Final Thoughts
Chasing accurate information saves you real time, and knowing the true state of the University of Cross River State, Calabar cut off mark for nursing keeps you from wasting a JAMB selection on a course that isn’t officially available yet. UNICROSS still offers real value through its accessible general cut off mark and growing list of accredited programmes, so it remains worth considering for other fields. But if nursing is your true calling, UNICAL and the Itigidi college of nursing give you a clear, accredited, and licensable route forward. Always confirm course listings through the JAMB brochure and UNICROSS’s official website before locking in your final decision for the 2026/2027 session.