18 Most Competitive Courses To Study In Nigeria

therealminaofficialLast Updated: January 17, 2024

The pressure of being a university graduate has forced many people to study courses that are irrelevant to their future careers. Therefore, it is crucial to discover the top courses to study in Nigeria.

Many secondary school graduates and their parents are often faced with the difficult decision of which courses to pursue at university.

If you’re looking for the most competitive courses to study in Nigeria, you’ve come to the correct place. I’ve compiled a list of the most competitive/applied courses in JAMB.

18 Most Competitive Courses To Study In Nigeria

Most Competitive Courses To Study In Nigeria

Below are the most competitive courses to study in Nigeria:

18. Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum engineering is one of the most popular engineering disciplines in Nigeria, and entrance to some Nigerian colleges demands a decent JAMB score. To be admitted to top Nigerian engineering universities, aspirants must have JAMB scores ranging from 210 to 240.

17. Marketing

Marketing is a very popular course in Nigeria. Marketing graduates have several work prospects in both government and private sectors. Marketing is a tough course that demands a minimum JAMB score of 200 to 250 to obtain admission to some of Nigeria’s most competitive colleges.

16. Theatre Arts

This art course is extremely competitive in Nigeria due to the large number of applicants that selected theatrical arts during JAMB registration. Meanwhile, the theatre arts JAMB and departmental cut-off marks range from 200 to 250 for top Nigerian universities (particularly competitive ones).

15. Microbiology

A large number of JAMB candidates chose microbiology. However, we rank it lower due of the low number of applications and job chances in Nigeria. In 2020, around 48,097 JAMB candidates picked microbiology, with average admission scores ranging from 200 to 250. The cut-off mark for microbiology departments in Nigeria’s top and competitive universities and polytechnics ranges from 190 to 240.

14. Civil Engineering

According to JAMB statistics, civil engineering had around 32,221 applicants who selected it as their first choice, making it one of the most popular engineering courses. Admission to civil engineering requires at least 210 to 240 JAMB scores, with a greater probability if the candidate applies to a competitive university.

13. Mass Communication and Communication Art and Public administration

Mass Communication and Communication Art and public administration are comparable courses, however some colleges teach them independently. According to JAMB statistics, around 69,736 individuals registered for JAMB, with mass communication/communication arts as their first choice course.

12. Computer Science

According to JAMB 2020 statistics, computer science was the first selected course for approximately 66,996 JAMB candidates. Candidates wishing to study computer science at Nigeria’s best and most competitive universities must have a JAMB score of 200 to 240.

11. Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Electrical and electronics engineering is a highly competitive engineering course in Nigeria, as well as one of the most popular. To acquire admission to electrical and electronics engineering, the candidate must have a JAMB score ranging from 215 to 250 for competitive universities.

10. Political Science

Political science is one of the most popular courses in Nigerian colleges. Meanwhile, political science is highly competitive, with over 69,147 aspirants selecting it as their first choice course.

Candidates applying for political science at major Nigerian universities must score between 210 and 230 to be considered for admission.

9. Biochemistry

Biochemistry is a medical-related course that around 35,318 JAMB candidates picked, according to 2020 JAMB statistics. To be admitted to some of Nigeria’s leading universities, aspirants must score between 220 and 260. Find polytechnics that provide biochemistry here.

8. Business Administration

Business administration is a competitive course at Nigerian universities. According to 2020 JAMB statistics, over 83,551 students chose business administration as their first choice course. According to statistics, business administration is one of the top five most applied-for courses in Nigerian institutions.

7. Economics

Economics is one of Nigeria’s most competitive social science courses, with over 95,967 JAMB candidates registering for it. With 95,967 JAMB candidates applying, economics is Nigeria’s third most popular university, trailing only medical and financial accounting.

To easily gain admission to a Nigerian university to study accounting, an applicant must score at least 220 to 250 on JAMB and have a decent O’ level performance.

6. Accounting & Finance

Accounting is one of the most competitive subjects in the management sciences faculty, as well as in Nigeria’s leading universities. According to the most recent JAMB figures, over 105,877 students who enrolled for the exam chose accounting and finance as their first choice course.

Aside from that, accounting is a highly recommended course for people interested in pursuing a career in management. On average, an applicant must score between 220 and 250 to obtain admission to any competitive university in Nigeria.

5. Mechanical engineering

Mechanical engineering is one of the best-selling engineering degrees in Nigeria and around the world.

Admission to top Nigerian colleges such as FUTO, FUTO, UI, UNILORIN, UNILAG, OAU, and UNIBEN is competitive. According to the JAMB data for 2020, around 32,490 applicants applied for Mechanical engineering as their first option.

Such universities recommend a departmental cut-off value of 220 to 250 JAMB scores for admission.

4. Nursing

Nursing or nursing science is a highly profitable medical course in Nigeria. Admission to Nursing requires a high JAMB score and a decent O’level performance, particularly for government universities. To gain admission to Nursing, the aspirant will need between 240 and 270 JAMB scores, particularly for competitive universities.

According to 2020 JAMB statistics, around 34,978 students chose Nursing as their first choice course. View polytechnics that provide nursing here.

3. Pharmacy

Pharmacy is one of the medical-related degrees that is highly profitable and valuable both domestically and globally. Pharmacists with a Bachelor’s degree might find work in both the pharmaceutical industry and health consultation firms.

According to the JAMB 2020 registration figures, over 34,578 JAMB candidates choose pharmacy as their first choice course.

Top Nigerian colleges require JAMB scores ranging from 240 to 270 for admission to undergraduate pharmacy degree programs.

2. Law

Law is another competitive course at Nigerian colleges. Admission to law school is difficult and competitive, particularly at elite universities.

To be admitted to Nigeria’s best universities, law students must score between 230 and 270 on the JAMB exam. According to JAMB 2020 statistics, over 85,385 JAMB candidates choose Law as their first choice course. Look at polytechnics that offer law.

1. Medicine & Surgery

Medicine and Surgery is one of Nigeria’s most professional schools, and it is the most difficult and challenging course to get admission to in 2022.

According to the 2020 JAMB report, around 119,037 candidates applied/selected Medicine and Surgery as their first choice. To be admitted to top Nigerian colleges that offer medicine and surgery, a candidate must score between 250 and 300 points.

FAQs

Can I Get Admission to A Competitive Course?

Yes, you can get admission to study a very competitive course. However, you must excel in JAMB and any other exam that you may have to write on your journey to admission.