How to gain direct entry admission into university (2024)

Ever wondered what direct entry admission is?

Well wonder no more because this blog will not only explain what admission through DE means, it will also show you how to gain admission into any Nigerian university through direct entry.

There are several ways to get admission into university in Nigeria. One of such ways is direct entry, abbreviated as DE.

Direct entry admission is entering school without writing UTME in the admission year. Though you might have sat for UTME previously.

Though not a very convenient way to enter a Nigerian university, its worth the heck primarily because one-year advantage it gives while in school.

What does that mean?

When you gain admission into university through direct entry, you start from 200 level instead of year one. So you end up doing a four-year course for three-years.

But you want to know more about direct entry and how to get admission through it. And I’m committed to showing you the way

How to gain admission in Nigeria through direct entry in 2024/2025

First things first. You need to know that direct entry admission was not intended for everybody.

That is, there are category of students that direct entry is most suited for. That’s what you’re about to find out.

Here’s how to get direct entry admission in Nigeria.

1. Have a national diploma or degree

You are eligible for direct entry admission if you hold a national diploma or university degree. That is, a national diploma (ND) from a polytechnic or a diploma from a university or a university degree.

Maybe you graduated from a polytechnic and you still want to attend a university. OR you did a diploma course at university and have desire to have a university degree.

OR you even attended a university but didn’t like the course you study and want to try something else. You can still come back to school through direct entry.

You don’t need to write JAMB again. DE admission is for you if you have any of those diploma or university degree.

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2. Have a JUPEB certificate

JUPEB is a one-year program at a university. On completion, a successful candidate is awarded a JUPEB certificate.

This certificate is to be used to seek DE admission into a university. Either at the university you did the JUPEB or other university.

So having a JUPEB certificate puts you in a strong position for DE admission into a Nigerian university.

3. Have complete o’level result

O’level result is either WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, or GCE.

Complete o’level result means having at least 5 credits subjects relevant for the course you want to study. Having a complete o’level result makes you eligible for direct entry admission into a uni in Nigeria.

So regardless of your diploma or JUPEB certificate, an o’level is a basic requirement to get admission through direct entry.

4. Get JAMB Direct Entry (DE) form

Getting a JAMB direct entry form is the first process to getting direct entry admission. The previous tips are what qualifies you for direct entry.

Where do I get it from?

Approach JAMB, just the way you got UTME form..

JAMB direct entry form is usually sold like JAMB form. Often times, application starts once JAMB registration ends.

So you’ll immediately be issued a JAMB DE Registration Number when you get the form.

On your JAMB Direct Entry form, select your first choice university and course.

Submit your DE application form online. That’s it.

You won’t get a chance to be admitted into the university through Direct Entry if you don’t first pick JAMB Direct Entry form.

It’s the first and primary thing to do.

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5. Get your school Direct Entry form

Nigerian universities sell direct entry forms, but that’s usually after JAMB Direct Entry application has ended.

So you have to wait for further instructions from the university you chose. While some universities invite Direct Entry candidates for post utme, other universities don’t. Though all universities sell DE froms.

For example, UNIBEN and some schools conducts post utme for direct entry candidates before admission, whereas UNICAL and others don’t.

In this case, candidates are selected and admitted without any qualifying exam.

6. Wait for admission list

Direct Entry admission list is next after completing the previous processes. Most schools release their DE admission list less than 3 weeks after application ends.

In fact, most universities admission policy dictates that 10% admission slot is reserved for direct entry candidates. So in a case where 100 students are to be admitted, 90% is reserved for UTME and 10% for DE.

Though admission through DE is competitive, you have a great chance of being admitted if you have the minimum requirements mentioned earlier.

Among other things, DE gives you a chance at studying your dream course. If at all you were denied in your previous attempts through UTME.

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Latest comments (238)

Agboola favour

Good afternoon sir
Pls I want to apply for direct entry into university of Ibadan. I studied accounting in Lagoscity Polytechnic with CGPA of 3.50, is it possible for me to gain admission this year

Agboola Favour

Good afternoon sir/ma

Pls is it a must I have JUPEB certificate before I can apply for direct entry

And is there high possible chance of gaining admission into University of Ibadan. I finished from Lagoscity Polytechnic

I was told that some schools do not pick all schools that is, they select some students from other schools for direct entry

Maxwell Tega

No. JUPEB certificate is not compulsory for direct entry admission. It’s just one of the qualifications (like your diploma) accepted for direct entry in some universities.
You are also eligible for direct entry admission into University of Ibadan with your diploma certificate.

Hi sir
Please I’m currently in my final year second semester. I’m doing Anatomy (BSc) My cgpa currently at 4.0
Can I buy DE with awaiting result and then upload my result when we’re done with the session?
Or should I just get normal UTME instead?
I want to do medicine as second degree

You can actually get DE with awaiting result and upload your result when you’re done with the session. You can also get normal UTME instead. You can also get both. It’s therefore your decision to make, since you now know that you can.

Good daySir I am curious, I graduated with a upper credit in Biochemistry and I want to study medicine as a second degree via DE do I have to create a new jamb account to apply for DE and what are my chances of getting admission in a university like unn or university of Ibadan

Maxwell Tega

Your chances are good. You don’t have to create a new jamb account unless you are also interested in writing jamb.
For Direct entry, what you have to do is to ‘get jamb direct entry form’ once application opens. Please note that JAMB UTME and JAMB Direct Entry are two different applications.

Mesarawon Deborah

Sir I’m in my ND 2 second semester, can I buy DE form or it’s till after I get my ond
Then must it be the course I studied in ond that I must put in DE?
Hoping for a reply sir

Maxwell Tega

Get your OND first before buying DE form, to avoid placing yourself in a difficult situation.
No. It’s not only the course you studied that you must put in DE. You can choose another course that is closely related with what you studied in ond.

Sir I have a JUPEB certificate. Do I need to write jamb exam for direct entry? I’m seeing online to go to the Jamb site for the direct entry form. It’s confusing. Thanks in advance.

Maxwell Tega

Yes. Even though you already have JUPEB certificate, you’re also required to get JAMB Direct Entry (DE) form and select the university you prefer. This is a mandatory step for direct entry admission in Nigeria.
And in your own case, JUPEB certificate will then serve as your qualifying document, making you eligible for direct entry admission to start from 200 level in the university.
Hope this helps.

No, ND in SLT falls below the entry requirement for direct entry admission to study nursing at most universities in Nigeria. You can check with jamb brochure for your specific university if they allow it.

What about biochemistry and MLS which do I have a higher chance of getting admission into University of Abuja with my current CGOA

Maxwell Tega

You have equal chance for entry into the two courses, though MLS is a more competitive than Biochemistry.

Maxwell Tega

Yes, because according to jamb brochure, you’re eligible for direct entry admission into uniben with lower credit. The good thing is that you studied a relevant programme for your BSc, making you eligible for admission to study pharmacy in UNIBEN.

Ude Veradine

I am currently in my final year in a university studying microbiology and will be graduating around April with a CGPA of above 4.0. I want to apply for a direct entry to another university for nursing sciences this year. How do I go about it?
Thank you.

Maxwell Tega

All you have to do is pick jamb direct entry form, select your preferred university and choose nursing. Depending on your chosen university, you may need to sit for an aptitude test prior to admission.

Hello sir, as a computer science student at Lens polytechnic offa, kwara state
I enter with dpt form
So after when I finish my ND level
can I get direct entry into the university of Ilorin to further in computer science ?
And please what is the minimum cgpa in order to be given admission

Maxwell Tega

Yes you can enter unilorin to further through direct entry. You must have a graduated with a minimum of upper credit in your ND to gain direct entry admission to study computer science at unilorin.

Good morning sir, I finished my ND (accounting) 2016 in lagos state poly and I came out with upper credit and now I want go for DE into university next year how do I go about it.

Maxwell Tega

Get jamb direct entry form when it becomes available. Select your preferred university and course, and wait for information from your chosen university regarding direct entry admission.

Maxwell Tega

No, so that you don’t spend money unnecessarily. You should resolve the CO first. When you are through and now have your certificate, you can apply for direct entry admission to any university of your choice.

Onyibor jane chidimma

I will be finishing my ND program this year in pharmaceutical technology so I want to ask if I can apply for direct entry into university to study pharmacy with the CGPA of 3.74 out of 4.00
How possible is it

Sir,I want to ask this question.How does direct entry CGPA generated by schools of candidates choice without summission of transcripts.I mean how does the school get to know Direct Entry students CGPA…For admission process

Maxwell Tega

They don’t really know your cgpa unless you submit transcript.
In another case, the class of diploma (lower or upper credit) you submitted when registering for jamb direct entry is used to assess you too.

Okay thank you for your response sir, i was thinking it’ll show in my transcript that i had an extra year or something.
Pls sir can i use awaiting result for D.E, maybe if my result isn’t out by then.

And also sir my jamb combination was English, maths, economics and biology
Wouldn’t it affect picking a school that uses does courses to study estate management

Maxwell Tega

I understand. Regardless, if your school decides to include it in your transcript (as a passed course in extra year), you will still be offered direct entry admission into university, as long as you get 3 point.
And yes, you can use awaiting result to apply for jamb DE. But you’re required to upload your complete diploma certificate to jamb DE portal before your choice university start their admission process.
It won’t affect, because in jamb direct entry admission, jamb subject combinations is not a criteria. Focus is more on your national diploma certificate and o’level result subjects.

Maxwell Tega

Certificate of completion (your National Diploma certificate), not semester course result. And your certificate need to be ready by the time university admission start, because it would be part of the documents you’ll need for registration once you have been offered admission.

Hello sir, pls is l just finished my ND this year but i have C.O in a course and i will be redoing it, i was on 3.03 before but the C.O dropped me to 2.983 its a 3 unit course i am hoping to step back to 3. When i redo it. Then take D.E. what are the chances of getting admissioj sir. Cus i am scared the extra year might affect me

Ajiwe Blessing Adeola

Hello sir, as an SLT student at Lens polytechnic offa, Quara state
I enter with dpt form
So after when I finish my ND level
can I get direct entry into the university of Ilorin to further in studing Nursing ?

Maxwell Tega

It depends on whether the course you had your diploma in was recognized by jamb at the time of your diploma admission. Otherwise, it’s generally not necessary before registering for direct entry.

Maxwell Tega

No. There is difference between JAMB utme and JAMB DE. In utme, you write the normal jamb exam you know. But JAMB has no exam for DE candidates. They only end up writing post utme of the university (if they are invited for such exams by the university).

Segun Ayomide

Good day sir,I just ended my ND programme and i came out with a cpga of 3.40 in business administration i don’t know if i am eligible for a D.E into university of Abuja.

Okeke Amarachukwu comfort

Good morning sir
Please I came out with first class in community health, I want to do direct entry for medicine in University of Calabar.
Please will I get admitted

Olabisi Bisola Ayomide

Sir I just finished my ND and I came out with 2.95 can I use it to study in any university,
Federal university sir
Accounting or any related course to accounting

Sulaiman Adesola Rukayat

Sir can I apply direct entry with my first class certificate in community health into any university of my choice to study public health or doctor of pharmacy. And please What are the necessary things to do

Mozie Blessing

Good day Maxwell Tega, I am currently writing my final exams in the department of zoology and environmental biology, Unical with a current CGPA of 4.0 and I wish to seek admission into uniport into the department of Nursing, please is it going to work out? And how to I go about it?

Maxwell Tega

Normally, you pick jamb direct entry form, select uniport as first choice, then pick the university direct entry form, and take part in their screening. That is the process. As for working out, it depends on the specific entry criteria set by the senate of any university in question.

Good day, thank you for this informative post. I am a biotechnology graduate from FUTO. I have a CGPA of 3.56.
Can I obtain a direct entry admission into Pharmacy in Unilag, Uniben or OAU ?

Pls it’s been more than 13 years I left university, I v a Bsc, I hope there’s no requirement to provide my previous jamb result or jamb admission no, cos I can’t locate my previous jamb result, I need to run another program through DE. Thanks

Victor David edy

Please sir ,when you are admitted through direct entry, into any university,what are the the requirements the school that admitted you wil need from your previous school you obtained the ND from, during your registration and clearance processing…..

Maxwell Tega

CAPS mean Central Admission Processing System. No, simply get jamb direct entry form, buy your school post utme form, and admission is next. So, caps is just a term used by jamb for admission purposes and not what a candidate need or don’t need.

Rasidi Aminat

Good day sir, I graduated from kwara state college of health tech as an x-ray technical with upper class 3.20, and I want to obtain direct entry form to further more as a radiographer, my O’ level is good and other necessary credentials. Please any advice on which school can accept my result to further as a radiographer

Hello sir I have an nce certificate in electrical/ electronics engineering,can I apply for direct entry at the university of Lagos and please what course can I apply for using this certificate

Chibuzor john oguego

Please can I get admission to any federal universities with a lower credit 2.97 Statistics National Diploma
And I want to switch to course like Agricultural economics or Agricultural Extension or just Economics
Wat of International relations .pls I need your advice thanks

Maxwell Tega

Yes you can get admission, but you may not be eligible to switch to agriculture or economics through direct entry since your diploma was in statistics. You can only be able to continue in statistics or related fields through direct entry. Otherwise you start all over.

I have degree in microbiology and seeking for direct entry to study nursing in any of Nigeria universities…what I don’t understand is this JUPEB certificate….what is all about and must I have it before getting admission?thanks

Maxwell Tega

JUPEB is just another way to get direct entry admission apart from the other ways you may already know. And then, a degree in microbiology does not normally meet the requirement for direct entry admission to study nursing.

Sunday oluwarotimi

As an ND holder in accountancy
Am i eligble to Process DE in ABUJA UNIVERSITY with 2.23

What of if you have Upper Credit And Complete O’Level and Also Collecting The DE Form from Jamb And the School Of your Choice, won’t This Process Lead You To Gaining Admission without JUPEB

Maxwell Tega

Yes, you don’t really need JUPEB to gain direct entry admission. As long as you have ND Upper Credit, you already qualify for direct entry admission also into any Nigerian university.

Maxwell Tega

UNICAL hasn’t conducted entrance exam for direct entry candidates before. A minimum of upper credit is required if you are using bachelor’s degree. But the requirement is different if you’re applying with a diploma or other certificate.

Babalolanahum

Hello sir please am un graduate but will graduate this year can I gain direct admission into unilorin with an awaiting result and again sir can a worker also gain direct admission into university, worker such as a teacher?

Sir please did school of nursing automatically gives ND which can qualify to D.E? again Sir,if I have the ND for Nursing,can I apply D.E for pharmacy in UNI s with it? thanks

No, that diploma don’t meet the requirements for admission into Nursing through direct entry. Perhaps you can consider other programs for direct entry admission such as microbiology, genetics and biotechnology, public health technology and others.