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Direct Entry (DE)

Enter directly into 200 level with A-Level, ND, NCE, HND, IJMB, or JUPEB qualifications. Save a full year of study.

Skip 100 Level 2026/2027 Session
DE skips UTME but not O'Level You still need five SSCE credits including English and Mathematics for any DE application — verify before paying the JAMB form fee.

What Direct Entry actually is

Direct Entry (DE) is the JAMB-managed admission pathway that allows candidates holding advanced post-secondary qualifications to enter a Nigerian university at 200 level, skipping the standard 100 level year entirely. It is not a separate exam — it is a separate JAMB application process that runs in parallel with UTME registration each year.

The pathway exists because Nigerian universities recognise that candidates who have already completed A-Levels, an ND, an NCE, an HND, or an A-Level equivalent like IJMB or JUPEB have already covered material equivalent to 100 level. Forcing them through 100 level would duplicate study time. DE compresses the standard 4-year degree to 3 years for the holder of a qualifying credential.

Qualifications that qualify you for Direct Entry

JAMB accepts the following qualifications for DE admission. Each university may impose additional minimums on top of the JAMB baseline:

  • A-Level (Cambridge, Edexcel, AICE): 2–3 passes (E grade or higher). The two-A-Level route is the standard international school path.
  • National Diploma (ND) with Upper Credit or Distinction. ND with Lower Credit may be considered for less competitive courses at less competitive institutions.
  • Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) with Merit or Distinction. NCE Pass is sometimes accepted at the awarding-equivalent course only.
  • Higher National Diploma (HND) with Upper Credit. HND holders typically use DE to convert to a BSc/BEng in the same field.
  • IJMB: minimum 7 points across 3 subjects. Most federal universities require 8+ for competitive courses.
  • JUPEB: minimum 8 points across 3 subjects. UNILAG and other JUPEB-affiliated universities require 10+ for top courses.
  • ICAN / ACCA stages for Accounting courses at select universities.
  • Recognised foreign degree-equivalent qualifications: Cambridge Pre-U, International Baccalaureate (IB).

Who should take the DE route

DE is the right pathway if any of the following apply:

  • You completed an A-Level (Cambridge or Edexcel) and want to enter a Nigerian university for your degree.
  • You hold an ND or HND and want to convert to a BSc.
  • You hold an NCE and want a BEd in the same teaching subject.
  • You completed IJMB or JUPEB and are now applying to a university.
  • You sat UTME and missed admission, and would rather complete IJMB/JUPEB than re-sit UTME.

DE is also useful for candidates who fall just outside the UTME admission window because their UTME score was below the cut-off for their target course. Spending 9 months on IJMB or JUPEB and entering at 200 level via DE is often faster than re-sitting UTME the next year.

The DE application process

  1. Register on the JAMB portal. At efacility.jamb.gov.ng, select "Direct Entry" rather than "UTME" as the application type.
  2. Pay the DE form fee. Currently around ₦4,700 (subject to JAMB review). Pay only through official JAMB channels.
  3. Upload your supporting credentials. A-Level result statement, ND/HND/NCE transcript, or IJMB/JUPEB result — depending on your qualifying credential.
  4. Choose your institution and course. You can select two institution choices. Verify each institution accepts your specific qualification for your target course.
  5. Confirm your O\'Level credits. You still need five SSCE credits including English and Mathematics. DE waives UTME, not O\'Level.
  6. Register for the institution\'s DE screening. Each university screens DE candidates separately from UTME candidates. Screening fees range from ₦2,000 to ₦5,000.
  7. Accept on CAPS. Once admitted, log in to JAMB CAPS and accept the offer.

Timing — DE versus UTME admission

DE admission lists typically release a few weeks after UTME admission lists in the same cycle. If you are choosing between waiting for a UTME admission and proceeding with DE, the practical pattern is:

  • UTME admissions: lists release between August and November of the cycle year.
  • DE admissions: lists release between October and January, often into the following calendar year.

You can hold a UTME offer and a DE offer simultaneously only if they are at different institutions. JAMB CAPS allows only one active offer per cycle, so if you accept a UTME offer at School A, your DE application at School B becomes secondary.

Common Direct Entry mistakes

  • Assuming every university accepts your qualification. Always verify with the specific institution before applying. Some universities accept IJMB but not JUPEB; others accept HND but not NCE for the same course.
  • Skipping the O\'Level requirement. DE waives UTME but not SSCE credits. Five credits including English and Mathematics remain mandatory.
  • Choosing the wrong course. DE places you in 200 level, so you cannot change course internally as easily as 100 level UTME students can. Confirm the course before paying.
  • Missing the institution screening deadline. Each institution sets its own DE screening window; missing it forfeits the application even after a successful JAMB DE application.

See IJMB admission guide and JUPEB admission guide for A-Level equivalent routes. Browse cutoff marks for the DE cut-off at your target institution. Use the admission checker to test DE chances by course and school.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to write JAMB UTME if I am applying via Direct Entry?
No. DE candidates skip the UTME exam entirely. You apply through the JAMB DE portal instead of the UTME portal. The DE form fee is separate from the UTME fee.
Can I hold a UTME offer and a Direct Entry offer at the same time?
Only at different institutions. JAMB CAPS allows only one active offer per candidate per cycle. If you accept a UTME offer at School A, your DE application at School B becomes secondary unless you reject the UTME offer first.
Is HND with Lower Credit accepted for Direct Entry?
Some universities accept it for less competitive courses; most prefer Upper Credit or higher. Verify with the target institution's DE policy. HND holders with Lower Credit often pursue a Postgraduate Diploma route instead.
How much does Direct Entry cost compared to UTME?
JAMB DE form fee is around ₦4,700. UTME form fee is around ₦7,200. DE is cheaper at the JAMB stage but typically incurs institution-specific screening fees of ₦2,000–₦5,000 on top.
Can I do Direct Entry into Medicine?
Yes, but rarely. Most federal universities run a 6-year MBBS — DE candidates typically enter at the 200 level pre-clinical stage, saving one year. The qualifying credentials are typically a strong A-Level in Biology, Chemistry, Physics or an HND in a related field.
When do DE admission lists release?
Most Nigerian universities release DE admission lists between October and January, after UTME admissions close. Some institutions release rolling DE admissions throughout the year. Check the specific institution's admission portal for current timing.