How to Know a Less Competitive Course and Apply for It If Your Score Is Low: Scoring low in your UTME or Post-UTME can feel discouraging, but it doesn’t mean the end of your academic journey. In fact, there are still smart steps you can take to secure admission into a reputable university or polytechnic. One of the best strategies is to choose a less competitive course a course with lower demand, fewer applicants, and often lower cut-off marks.
This guide will show you exactly how to identify such courses and how to apply for them correctly, even with a low score.
What Is a Less Competitive Course?
A less competitive course is one that receives fewer applications from students. This could be due to a lack of awareness, low popularity, or the belief that it doesn’t lead to high-paying jobs (which isn’t always true). As a result, schools offering these courses may reduce their cut-off marks and still have space for interested candidates.
Examples of less competitive courses in many Nigerian universities include:
- Plant Science
- Fisheries and Aquaculture
- Animal Production
- Library and Information Science
- Soil Science
- Zoology
- Education courses
- Religious Studies
- Geography
- Physics
- Home Science
- Crop Production
- Archeology and Heritage studies
- Tourism Studies
- Philosophy (in some schools, not all Universities)
- Linguistics (in some schools not all Universities)
However, less competitive doesn’t mean low in value. Some of these courses lead to strong career opportunities in research, education, agriculture, ICT, and beyond.
Why Should You Consider a Less Competitive Course?
When your JAMB or Post-UTME score is low, aiming for Medicine, Law, or Engineering may not be realistic. These are highly competitive courses, often requiring scores of 200 to 300+. But schools still need to admit students for other departments.
- Choosing a less competitive course:
- Increases your chances of admission
- Gives you a chance to still pursue your academic goals
Lets you switch courses later if needed (via transfer or direct entry)
How to Know a Less Competitive Course
Now that you understand the value, let’s walk through how to identify these courses:
1. Check the JAMB Statistics
Every year, JAMB releases statistics showing how many candidates applied for each course and institution. If a course has only a few hundred applicants compared to thousands applying for Medicine or Law, then it’s considered less competitive.
Tip: Go for courses that had less than 5,000 applicants nationally.
2. Look at the Institution’s Previous Cut-Off Marks
Visit the official websites of your preferred schools. Look at the departmental cut-off marks for the last few years. Courses with cut-offs below 180 (or close to the minimum JAMB score of 140) are likely to be less competitive.
Also, look at catchment areas and educationally less developed states (ELDS) advantages some schools lower cut-offs for such candidates.
3. Explore Faculties With Fewer Applicants
Courses under Agriculture, Environmental Sciences, Arts, and Education often receive fewer applications than Medical or Engineering faculties. Explore options there.
For example:
Animal Science and Forestry in most universities rarely fill up.
Education courses are needed everywhere but often neglected by applicants.
4. Use JAMB Brochure or CAPS
JAMB’s CAPS portal and digital brochure are great tools. You can search by score, course, or institution. If a school accepts 140-160 for a course, and you’re within that range, consider it.
5. Ask Questions on Forums or Education Blogs
Join student forums like, Facebook groups, or follow education websites like CampusInformant. You’ll find real-time updates and advice from students who got admitted with low scores.
How to Apply for a Less Competitive Course
Once you identify a suitable course, follow these steps:
Step 1: Do Change of Course/Institution on JAMB Portal
Visit any JAMB accredited CBT center with your profile code or JAMB registration number for a change of course or institution to reflect the new choice. Make sure the course you’re choosing accepts your score.
Note: Changing if course or institution might have limits so make sure you make research very well before you change your course or institution.
Step 2: Reprint Your Post-UTME or Screening Form
After changing the course, return to the school’s portal and reprint your application form or screening slip with the new course. But his might take time to reflect, if you have already registered Post-UTME screening or you are about to register, the new course or institution might take some working days for it to reflect in your registration slip or the school portal.
Step 3: Upload Your O’level Results
Make sure your O’level (WAEC/NECO OR NABTEB) results are uploaded to the JAMB CAPS portal. No school will give you admission without this step, even if your score and course match.
Step 4: Monitor Your CAPS Portal
Keep checking your JAMB CAPS portal for updates. If your admission status changes to “Admission in Progress” or “Accepted“, it means your application is being considered.
Also Read
- Understanding Catchment Areas in Nigerian University Admissions
- FG Announces New Admission Policy for Nigerian Tertiary Institutions
- Avoid This Mistake: Why Some Students Will Score 0/40 in the UNN O’Level Result Score (And Other Errors That Can Stop Your Admission)
- 10 Underrated But High-Paying Courses in Nigeria You Should Know About
Conclusion
In summary, low UTME or Post-UTME scores don’t mean your dream of going to university is over. With proper research, wise choices, and quick action, you can still secure admission through less competitive courses. We also advise you to check the university admission requirements subject combination and cut-off mark properly before you choose to switch or change to any course of your choice. And remember this article is like advice coming from us, you still have the choice to choose any course of your choice as far as you are eligible to apply. Good luck, if you have any questions then use the comments section we will respond to you immediately.
Tips: Rather than staying idle or giving up, take advantage of this strategy. Your goal is to enter the university system what you do with the opportunity is what matters most.
Remember: It’s not always about the course you studied, but the skills, knowledge, and passion you bring to it. Someone that studies plant science with passion and commitment can still become successful with the course.
