Rivers State University is a government-owned institution based in the Diobu (Mile III) area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. It holds the distinction of being the first university of its kind in the Niger Delta region, and it carries that legacy into how competitive its admission process has become. The university offers programmes across a wide range of disciplines, including Agriculture, Medical Sciences, Engineering, Law, Management Sciences, and the Social Sciences.
Understanding RSU’s Cut Off Mark System
RSU’s admission process works differently from a simple JAMB score threshold. There are two layers to understand:
- The general JAMB cut off mark — the minimum UTME score a candidate needs to be eligible to purchase RSU’s Post-UTME screening form.
- The departmental composite (aggregate) score — a separate calculation specific to each department, used to determine actual admission after Post-UTME screening.
The composite score is calculated using this formula:
Composite Score = (JAMB Score ÷ 8) + Post-UTME Score
For example, a candidate who scores 200 in JAMB and 25 in the Post-UTME screening would have a composite score of 50 (200 ÷ 8 = 25, plus 25 = 50).
RSU’s General JAMB Cut Off Mark
For the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions, Rivers State University set its general JAMB cut off mark at 190. This means candidates need a UTME score of at least 190 to be eligible to obtain and complete the Post-UTME screening form. Meeting this figure does not guarantee admission — it only qualifies a candidate to proceed to the next stage, where the departmental composite score becomes decisive.
RSU Departmental Composite Cut Off Marks (2025/2026)
Below is the officially released composite cut off mark for each department, grouped by faculty.
Faculty of Agriculture
| Department | Cut Off |
|---|---|
| Agric & Applied Economics/Extension | 38 |
| Animal Science | 39 |
| Crop/Soil Science | 44 |
| Fisheries & Aquatic Environment | 43 |
| Food Science & Technology | 37 |
| Home Science & Management | 46 |
Medical Sciences
| Department | Cut Off |
|---|---|
| Human Anatomy | 48 |
| Human Physiology | 48 |
| Medicine & Surgery | 71 |
| Nursing | 66 |
| Public Health Sciences | 48 |
| Physiotherapy | 48 |
| Radiography | 56 |
| Medical Laboratory Science | 58 |
Communication & Media Studies
| Department | Cut Off |
|---|---|
| Broadcasting | 50 |
| Development & Communication Studies | 48 |
| Journalism & Media Studies | 53 |
| Public Relations & Advertising | 52 |
Faculty of Education
| Department | Cut Off |
|---|---|
| Business Education | 38 |
| Adult & Communication Education | 39 |
| Educational Management | 39 |
| Library & Information Science | 40 |
| Science Education | 40 |
| Vocational/Technical Education | 40 |
Faculty of Engineering
| Department | Cut Off |
|---|---|
| Agric & Environmental Engineering | 39 |
| Chemical/Petrochemical Engineering | 34 |
| Civil Engineering | 49 |
| Computer Engineering | 55 |
| Electrical Engineering | 54 |
| Marine Engineering | 49 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 53 |
| Petroleum Engineering | 46 |
Environmental Sciences
| Department | Cut Off |
|---|---|
| Architecture | 55 |
| Environmental Management | 40 |
| Estate Management | 35 |
| Geography | 43 |
| Quantity Surveying | 35 |
| Surveying & Geomatics | 42 |
| Urban & Regional Planning | 44 |
Humanities
| Department | Cut Off |
|---|---|
| English & Literature in English | 38 |
| French | 49 |
| History & International Diplomacy | 38 |
| Philosophy | 38 |
| Religious Studies | 42 |
| Theatre Arts | 35 |
Law
| Department | Cut Off |
|---|---|
| Law | 69 |
Management Sciences
| Department | Cut Off |
|---|---|
| Accountancy | 57 |
| Banking & Finance | 35 |
| Employment & Human Resources Management | 38 |
| Logistics & Supply Chain Management | 45 |
| Management/Business Administration | 53 |
| Marketing | 35 |
| Office & Information Management | 33 |
Sciences
| Department | Cut Off |
|---|---|
| Animal & Environmental Biology | 41 |
| Biochemistry | 43 |
| Chemistry | 37 |
| Computer Science | 57 |
| Geology | 35 |
| Maritime | 38 |
| Mathematics | 43 |
| Microbiology | 45 |
| Physics | 47 |
| Plant Science & Biotechnology | 39 |
Social Sciences
| Department | Cut Off |
|---|---|
| Economics | 33 |
| Political Science | 47 |
| Psychology | 40 |
| Sociology | 36 |
Source: Officially released RSU departmental cut off marks for the 2025/2026 admission session. Figures for the current cycle may be adjusted; always confirm with RSU’s official admissions channels.
The Most Competitive Programmes at RSU
Based on the composite scores above, a handful of programmes stand out as the toughest to gain admission into:
- Medicine & Surgery — the highest composite requirement at 71.
- Nursing — close behind at 66.
- Law — requiring a composite of 69.
- Medical Laboratory Science — at 58.
- Computer Science — the most competitive Science course, at 57.
- Accountancy — at 57, among the highest in Management Sciences.
By contrast, courses like Office & Information Management, Economics, Banking & Finance, Marketing, Estate Management, and Quantity Surveying have some of the lowest composite requirements, generally in the low-to-mid 30s.
General Admission Requirements
Beyond meeting the JAMB and departmental cut off marks, candidates seeking admission into RSU should also:
- Possess at least five O’Level credit passes in subjects relevant to their course of study, including Mathematics and English Language, in no more than two sittings.
- Select Rivers State University as their first choice institution. Candidates who did not do so are advised to update their preference through JAMB.
- Undergo mandatory fingerprint verification before Post-UTME exams commence.
- Monitor the JAMB CAPS portal for admission updates once results are released.
Tips for Improving Your Chances
- Know your composite score before applying. Use the formula (JAMB ÷ 8) + Post-UTME score to calculate where you stand relative to your desired department’s cut off.
- Aim well above the cut off for competitive courses. Programmes like Medicine, Law, Nursing, and Computer Science draw intense competition, so a composite score comfortably above the published minimum improves your odds.
- Have a backup department in mind. If your composite score falls short for a highly competitive course, RSU’s less competitive departments (many in Agriculture, Humanities, and parts of Management Sciences) may still be within reach.
- Take Post-UTME seriously. Since the composite formula weighs Post-UTME score heavily, strong performance there can meaningfully lift your overall standing even with an average JAMB score.
- Stay updated through official channels. RSU’s cut off marks are reviewed and republished each admission cycle, so confirming the current session’s figures directly with the university avoids relying on outdated information.
Final Thoughts
Rivers State University’s admission process hinges on two numbers: the general JAMB cut off mark, set at 190 for recent sessions, and a department-specific composite score calculated from both JAMB and Post-UTME performance. Medicine & Surgery, Nursing, and Law sit at the top of the competitiveness scale, while many other departments remain considerably more accessible. Because these figures can shift each academic year, prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to verify the current session’s official cut off marks directly through Rivers State University’s admissions office or official website before finalizing their course choices.
This article is based on publicly available information as of the 2025/2026 admission cycle. Cut off marks are subject to change; please confirm current figures with Rivers State University’s official admissions channels.
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