Cut Off Mark for Criminology and Security Studies (2026)

The 2026 JAMB Cut off mark for Criminology and Security Studies in Nigeria is 150. But to stand a chance of being considered for admission in these Universities, candidates are advised to aim at least 200 and above due to competitiveness of the course.

Please read this post to the end so you don’t make a big mistake that could affect your admission chances in 2026.

What is Criminology and Security Studies?

Criminology and Security Studies is a degree that examines crime, criminal behavior, law enforcement, justice systems, and security management to prepare graduates for crime prevention and public safety.

If you want to study Criminology and Security Studies in any Nigerian university for the 2026/2027 admission session, the first thing you need to know is the JAMB cut-off mark. Many candidates assume there is one fixed score for all schools, but that is not how admissions work in Nigeria.

To be realistic, we usually categorized three different cut-off marks you should understand as an aspirants:

1. The minimum JAMB benchmark approved for universities, which is 150.
2. The minimum score accepted by your chosen university, you can check full list of all Universities in Nigeria and their cut off marks here.
3. The actual competitive score needed to secure admission which is usually between 180 – 220, depending on the school.

Knowing the difference can save you from making costly admission mistakes this year.

What Is the 2026 JAMB Cut Off Mark for Criminology and Security Studies?

For the 2026 admission exercise, the JAMB minimum cut off mark for criminology and security studies approved for admission into universities is 150. This means no university is permitted to admit a UTME candidate who scored below this benchmark unless admission policies change. But to be realistic, 150 is not enough.

To stand a chance, Candidates are advised to aim at least 180 – 220 because that’s the realistic cut off mark for Criminology and Security Studies in most universities, especially the federal universities that appeared in this list.

Most universities offering the course require candidates to score between 180 and 200, while highly competitive institutions may effectively admit candidates with scores above 220, depending on the number of applicants and available admission slots.

Realistic Cut off mark for Criminology and Security Studies

Although some schools may publish 180 as their minimum requirement, admission into Criminology is becoming more competitive every year.

Here is a realistic guide.

If your goal is to gain admission on your first attempt, aim for 220 or higher rather than relying on the minimum requirement, perform well in post utme and have good grades in your SSCE (WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, GCE, etc).

Why the cut off mark for criminology and security studies differs between Universities

Many candidates ask why one university accepts 180 while another expects over 200 for the same course.

Several factors determine the final departmental cut-off mark, including:

• Number of applicants.
• Available admission quota.
• Overall performance of candidates in UTME.
• Post-UTME screening performance.
• The university’s admission policy.

For example, a university receiving 3,000 applications for only 150 Criminology spaces will naturally admit candidates with higher aggregate scores than a university with fewer applicants.

This is why there is no single nationwide departmental cut off mark for Criminology and Security Studies.

Is Criminology and Security Studies a Competitive Course?

Yes.

Over the past few years, interest in Criminology and Security Studies has increased because graduates can pursue careers in:

• Law enforcement.
• Intelligence agencies.
• Correctional services.
• Private security firms.
• Immigration.
• Customs.
• Anti-corruption agencies.
• Security consulting.
• Risk management.
• Research and academia.

Because of these career opportunities, more students now choose the course during UTME registration, making admission increasingly competitive.

Can You Gain Admission With 180?

Yes, but it depends on the university.

Some universities list 180 as the minimum cut off mark for Criminology and Security Studies, while others may admit only candidates with much higher aggregate scores after the screening exercise.

Scoring exactly 180 makes you eligible to apply in many cases, but eligibility does not guarantee admission.

To improve your chances, you should also have:

• At least five O’Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics.
• The correct UTME subject combination.
• A strong Post-UTME or screening aggregate where applicable.
• The university selected as your first choice, if required by the institution.

Universities Offering Criminology and Security Studies and Their Cut Off Marks 2026

Now that you know the general JAMB benchmark, the next question is: Which universities offer Criminology and Security Studies, and what score should you target?

It is important to understand that universities usually announce a minimum UTME score for eligibility, but the final departmental admission score may be much higher depending on competition.

For the 2026 admission cycle, many universities have adopted institutional minimum scores ranging from 150 to 200, while competitive courses like Criminology often require stronger UTME and screening performance.

Federal Universities

Most federal universities cut off mark for criminology and security studies is 180+. Here are some federal universities where you can study Criminology and Security Studies, along with realistic score targets based on recent admission trends.

Although some schools may allow candidates with 180 to participate in Post-UTME, applicants scoring 220 or above, and have good grades in SSCE, plus a good post utme performance usually have a much stronger chance of being considered for admission into Criminology and Security Studies.

State Universities

Several state universities also offer the programme.

Some of the popular ones include:

• Kaduna State University
• Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University
• Adekunle Ajasin University

In most state universities, candidates with 180–200 may qualify for admission consideration, while scores above 210 provide a better chance when competition is high.

Private Universities

Private universities generally have lower admission competition, although candidates must still satisfy the university’s admission requirements.

Examples include:

• Crawford University
• Nile University of Nigeria
• Chrisland University

Many private universities accept candidates with 150–180, provided they meet the O’Level requirements and complete the admission process successfully.

O’Level Requirements for Criminology and Security Studies

Apart from your JAMB score, you must also meet the O’Level requirements.

You are expected to have at least five credit passes, including:

• English Language
• Mathematics
• Government or History
• Economics, Literature in English, Geography or another relevant Social Science subject
• One other relevant subject

Most universities accept results from WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB, with not more than two sittings, depending on the institution’s admission policy.

Correct JAMB Subject Combination

Choosing the wrong UTME subjects can cost you admission, even if you score very high.

The commonly accepted subject combination is:

• English Language (Compulsory)
• Government
• Economics
• One other Arts or Social Science subject such as Literature in English, History, CRS, IRS or Geography.

Always confirm your preferred university’s requirements before applying because a few institutions may have slight variations.

What If You Score Below 180?

Scoring below 180 does not automatically mean you cannot gain admission.

You still have several options:

• Apply to universities that accept lower institutional minimum scores.
• Consider changing to a less competitive course.
• Apply to eligible private universities.
• Register for the next UTME if your preferred university requires a much higher score.

Remember that meeting the minimum cut-off only makes you eligible to apply—it does not guarantee admission. Your Post-UTME performance, O’Level grades, and the number of competing applicants also play a major role.

How Universities Calculate Admission for Criminology and Security Studies

One of the biggest mistakes candidates make is believing that a high JAMB score alone guarantees admission. In reality, most universities consider your aggregate score, which combines your UTME score with your Post-UTME or screening performance.

For example, if you score 230 in JAMB but perform poorly in the Post-UTME, a candidate with 215 in JAMB and an excellent screening score could be admitted ahead of you. This is why you should prepare seriously for every stage of the admission process.

How Aggregate Scores Are Calculated

Each university has its own admission formula, but the common methods include:

• 50% JAMB + 50% Post-UTME
• 60% JAMB + 40% Post-UTME
• JAMB score combined with O’Level grades
• JAMB score only, for institutions that no longer conduct Post-UTME but use online screening

Always check your chosen university’s admission guidelines because the formula differs from one institution to another.

What JAMB Score Gives You the Best Chance?

If your goal is simply to meet the minimum requirement, then 180 may be enough in some universities.

However, if you want to maximize your chances of admission, these targets are more realistic:

Admission also depends on the number of applicants and the available quota in your chosen university.

Common Reasons Candidates Lose Admission

Many qualified candidates fail to gain admission every year because of avoidable mistakes.

Some of the most common reasons include:

• Choosing the wrong UTME subject combination.
• Having incomplete O’Level requirements.
• Selecting a university whose cut-off is above their score.
• Poor performance in the Post-UTME.
• Failing to upload O’Level results to the JAMB CAPS portal.
• Not accepting the admission offer on JAMB CAPS before the deadline.

Avoiding these mistakes can significantly improve your chances of being admitted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I study Criminology and Security Studies with 170 in JAMB?

It is possible in a few universities if their admission benchmark permits it, but your options will be limited. Candidates with 180 or above generally have more opportunities.

Is 180 the cut off mark for Criminology and security studies?

No. There is no single national departmental cut off mark for Criminology and Security Studies. While the national minimum benchmark for universities is 150, individual universities decide the minimum score they will accept for the course, and many require 180–200 or higher.

Can I gain admission without Post-UTME?

Yes. Some universities admit candidates through online screening rather than a written Post-UTME examination. In such cases, your JAMB score and O’Level results carry greater weight.

Is Criminology and Security Studies a good course?

Yes. It is one of the fastest-growing social science programmes in Nigeria. Graduates can pursue careers in the police, correctional services, immigration, customs, intelligence agencies, private security companies, corporate risk management, research, and postgraduate studies.

Career Opportunities 

Graduates can work in the Police, DSS, EFCC, ICPC, Immigration, Customs, Correctional Service, private security firms, intelligence agencies, risk management, research, and academia.

Final Verdict

For the 2026/2027 admission session, the national JAMB minimum benchmark for universities is 150, but that should not be mistaken for the admission score required for Criminology and Security Studies.

Most universities expect candidates to score at least 180, while competitive institutions often admit applicants with 200 to 240 or more, depending on demand and their admission policy.

If you are serious about studying Criminology and Security Studies, aim for 220 or higher in UTME, meet all your O’Level requirements, choose the correct subject combination, and prepare thoroughly for your university’s screening exercise.

Doing so will place you among the strongest candidates for admission in the 2026/2027 academic session.

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