If you’re aiming to secure admission into UNIPORT for the 2025/2026 academic session, one of the first things you need to know is the official JAMB UTME cut-off mark. As one of Nigeria’s most respected federal universities, UNIPORT has set a minimum benchmark score for UTME candidates who wish to be considered for Post-UTME screening and potential admission. In this guide, we’ll break down the JAMB Cut-Off Mark for University of Port Harcourt, departmental expectations, and everything else you need to prepare effectively for the admission process.

For the 2025/2026 academic session, the University of Port Harcourt has set a minimum UTME cut‑off mark. Applicants who has scored the benchmark or higher in the 2025 UTME and have selected the University of Port Harcourt as their first-choice institution to be eligible for the university’s Post-UTME screening exercise. This figure marks the entrance threshold into a carefully calibrated admission process, one that balances encouragement of accessibility with maintenance of academic excellence.

Historical Overview of the University of Port Harcourt

The University of Port Harcourt is one of Nigeria’s most prominent federal institutions, a beacon of academic achievement and a hub of advanced research. However, it is situated in Rivers State, in the heart of the Niger Delta, the university has played a pivotal role in the intellectual and socio-economic development of the region and the nation at large. Its journey from a modest university college to a globally recognised research university is not only inspiring but also reflective of Nigeria’s broader educational evolution.

The origin of the University of Port Harcourt dates back to 1975, when it was established as University College, Port Harcourt. The decision to site the institution in Port Harcourt was a strategic one, aimed at expanding higher education access in the oil-rich Niger Delta region. From the outset, it was envisaged not just as an academic centre, but as a federal research-oriented institution poised to contribute to Nigeria’s scientific and industrial advancement.

By 1977, merely two years after its inception, the institution was granted full autonomous status and formally became known as the University of Port Harcourt. This transformation marked the beginning of a new era in which the university would gain national and international recognition as a seat of learning, innovation, and development. Its establishment during this period of national restructuring in Nigeria underscored the government’s commitment to decentralising education and promoting regional inclusion in tertiary education.

Over the decades, the university has experienced tremendous growth, both in its physical infrastructure and academic scope. Presently, it operates from multiple campuses, with the main site located in Choba and additional facilities in Aluu. These campuses form the physical and intellectual backbone of the university, supporting a dynamic academic community of between 35,000 and 40,000 students. The university’s academic architecture is organised into fourteen faculties, each tailored to respond to the diverse and evolving demands of education, science, industry, and society. These faculties includes; Engineering, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Law, Computing, Humanities, Management Sciences, and Agriculture. This impressive academic spread has made the University of Port Harcourt a destination of choice for students across Nigeria and Africa.

However, the university is particularly celebrated for its research impact, especially in disciplines that speak to the geopolitical and economic identity of the Niger Delta. The university is a recognised leader in petroleum engineering, aligning with Port Harcourt’s status as the hub of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Its partnerships with multinational corporations, governmental research bodies, and international universities have fostered a culture of scientific inquiry, innovation, and problem-solving. Complementing its academic and research strengths is a robust infrastructure network. The Donald Ekong Library, named after the university’s first Vice-Chancellor, is a central feature of campus life. It serves as an intellectual sanctuary with thousands of volumes, digital resources, and research databases, making it one of the most functional university libraries in Nigeria. The library’s modern ICT infrastructure supports e-learning and research, aligning with global academic trends.

In the area of healthcare and clinical education, the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) stands as a flagship institution. It is not only a training facility for students of medicine, nursing, and allied health sciences, but also a comprehensive tertiary hospital providing specialised medical services to thousands of Nigerians annually. The symbiotic relationship between the university and UPTH enhances the quality of training for medical students and contributes to national healthcare delivery.

The school’s journey has not gone unnoticed on the global stage. In 2015, it earned a remarkable accolade when it was ranked among Africa’s top universities by the Times Higher Education global rankings. This recognition affirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence, impactful research, and societal contribution. The university continues to maintain a competitive edge, thanks in part to its strategic focus on global relevance, cross-border academic collaboration, and adherence to international best practices.

Eligibility and the General UTME Cut‑Off for the University of Port Harcourt

The 150 UTME Requirement:The University of Port Harcourt has formally adopted 150 as its general JAMB UTME cut‑off mark for 2025/2026. This requirement is aligned with the national baseline established by JAMB and ensures that only candidates who have demonstrated sufficient proficiency in the UTME are eligible to proceed. It is essential that candidates also designated University of Port Harcourt as their first-choice institution in their JAMB registration to qualify for further screening.
What Eligibility Entails:Scoring 150 in UTME and selecting the University of Port Harcourt as first choice does not guarantee admission. Instead, it grants access to University’s Post-UTME screening process, typically involving data capture, result verification, and possibly a further performance assessment depending on the programme. Although, successful admission is contingent upon further evaluation, including O’Level validation, aggregate scoring, and alignment with programme-specific cut‑offs.

Departmental Cut-Off Ranges at UNIPORT

While the general cut-off mark is 150, many competitive departments set higher internal thresholds. These scores reflect demand, programme difficulty, and available space. Based on historical trends and previous admission cycles, here are typical ranges:

Medicine and Surgery: 250–270
Law: 240–260
Nursing Science: 230–250
Engineering Courses: 220–240
Pharmacy and Dentistry: 240–260
Accounting, Economics, Political Science: 200–220
Less Competitive Courses (e.g., Philosophy, Sociology): 150–180

Candidates applying to any of these high-demand programmes should aim to exceed the general cut-off by a comfortable margin.

How UNIPORT Calculates Aggregate Scores

The admission process involves evaluating candidates based on a combined performance metric. This includes:

UTME score (usually weighted to 50%)
O’Level results (converted into points across 5 subjects relevant to the chosen course)
Post-UTME screening (if applicable for the year)

For example, a UTME score of 240 and strong grades in O’Level may yield an aggregate that makes a candidate competitive for high-demand programmes. Keep in mind, some departments may also conduct oral interviews or additional assessments for Direct Entry applicants.

What the UNIPORT Post‑UTME Involves

Qualified candidates will be invited to complete ...‑UTME process, which usually includes:

Online registration via the official portal
Payment of a non-refundable fee (often ₦2,000)
Upload of UTME and O’Level results
Biometrics/data verification

In some years, the university administers a short computer-based test (CBT), while in others, it may use a results-verification-only approach. Applicants are advised to check the official portal regularly for guidelines and timelines.

Checklist for UNIPORT Aspirants (2025/2026)

Scored 150 or above in 2025 UTME
Selected University of Port Harcourt as First Choice in JAMB
Valid and complete O’Level results in required subjects
Follow official updates on the university portal https://www.uniport.edu.ng
Prepare to upload documents and register for Post‑UTME
Monitor departmental trends for target aggregate scores
Avoid third-party agents; all official processes are conducted online via the school’s platform

Wrap Up

Furthermore, the 150 UTME cut‑off mark at the University of Port Harcourt is an essential gateway into its admission. It enables wide access while upholding a base academic standard. However, for competitive departments especially in Health Sciences, Engineering, and Law, attaining higher scores is often necessary to secure admission. Success at university depends on strategic preparation, academic discipline, and exceeding both general and programme-specific thresholds.