Bayero University, Kano (BUK) remains one of the major universities in Northern Nigeria, attracting thousands of UTME candidates who want to study professional, science, technology, health, management, social science, education and arts-related programmes.
If you are searching for the courses offered in BUK and their requirements for the 2026/2027 academic session, it is important to look beyond the general JAMB cut-off mark. Each programme can have its own UTME score benchmark and O’Level subject requirements, especially competitive programmes such as Medicine, Nursing, Law, Computer Science, Pharmacy and Engineering.
BUK currently lists 163 undergraduate programmes on its official website, alongside 19 faculties and two colleges.
The university has also opened its 2026/2027 Bayero University Kano Aptitude Test (BUKAT) application portal. The current BUKAT portal advises candidates to ensure their O’Level results have been uploaded to JAMB because candidates without O’Level results may not be cleared.
This guide explains the major BUK courses, general admission requirements, programme-specific requirements and the UTME benchmarks published by the university.
Important: Admission requirements and programme cut-off scores can change from one admission session to another. The 2026/2027 BUKAT registration is currently open, but candidates should always confirm the final programme-specific requirements on the official BUK admission portal before making an application. The programme score table below is based on BUK’s latest published BUKAT eligibility information available while preparing this guide.
BUK Courses and Requirements 2026/2027
The following table gives a useful overview of selected BUK courses and their latest published BUKAT UTME benchmarks.
| Faculty | Course/Programme | Latest Published UTME Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | Agricultural Economics & Extension | 160 |
| Agriculture | Agriculture | 160 |
| Agriculture | Fisheries & Aquaculture | 160 |
| Agriculture | Food Science & Technology | 160 |
| Agriculture | Forestry & Wildlife Management | 160 |
| Allied Health Sciences | Environmental Health Science | 160 |
| Allied Health Sciences | Medical Laboratory Science | 200 |
| Allied Health Sciences | Nursing | 220 |
| Allied Health Sciences | Physiotherapy | 190 |
| Allied Health Sciences | Radiography | 190 |
| Allied Health Sciences | Doctor of Optometry | 190 |
| Arts & Islamic Studies | Arabic | 160 |
| Arts & Islamic Studies | English | 160 |
| Arts & Islamic Studies | French | 160 |
| Arts & Islamic Studies | Hausa | 160 |
| Arts & Islamic Studies | History | 160 |
| Arts & Islamic Studies | Islamic Studies | 160 |
| Arts & Islamic Studies | Linguistics | 160 |
| Arts & Islamic Studies | Sharia | 160 |
| Basic Medical Sciences | Anatomy | 160 |
| Basic Medical Sciences | Biochemistry | 160 |
| Basic Medical Sciences | Human Physiology | 160 |
| Basic Medical Sciences | Nutrition & Dietetics | 170 |
| Clinical Sciences | Medicine & Surgery (MBBS) | 250 |
| Communication | Theatre & Performing Arts | 160 |
| Communication | Information & Media Studies | 160 |
| Communication | Mass Communication | 200 |
| Computing | Computer Science | 200 |
| Computing | Cyber Security | 190 |
| Computing | Information Technology | 170 |
| Computing | Software Engineering | 200 |
| Dentistry | Dentistry/Dental Surgery | 220 |
| Earth & Environmental Sciences | Architecture | 200 |
| Earth & Environmental Sciences | Geography | 160 |
| Earth & Environmental Sciences | Geology | 160 |
| Engineering | Civil Engineering | 180 |
| Engineering | Computer Engineering | 180 |
| Engineering | Electrical Engineering | 170 |
| Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | 160 |
| Law | LL.B | 210 |
| Life Sciences | Microbiology | 160 |
| Life Sciences | Botany | 160 |
| Pharmaceutical Sciences | Doctor of Pharmacy | 220 |
| Physical Sciences | Chemistry | 160 |
| Physical Sciences | Mathematics | 160 |
| Physical Sciences | Physics | 160 |
| Social Sciences | Economics | 160 |
| Social Sciences | International Relations | 180 |
| Social Sciences | Political Science | 160 |
| Veterinary Medicine | Doctor of Veterinary Medicine | 160 |
These figures come from BUK’s published BUKAT programme eligibility information. They should not be interpreted as guaranteed admission scores.
General BUK Admission Requirements for 2026/2027
Before discussing individual courses, prospective students should understand the basic requirements that apply to undergraduate admission.
For UTME admission, BUK’s academic regulations require candidates to sit for JAMB UTME and obtain an acceptable score for their chosen programme. Candidates may also be required to participate in the university’s post-UTME or screening process.
A candidate should generally have:
- A valid UTME result.
- BUK selected as the required choice for the admission exercise.
- The required UTME score for the intended programme.
- The required O’Level credits.
- Appropriate UTME subjects for the chosen course.
- Successful completion of the university’s admission screening or aptitude test where applicable.
- O’Level results uploaded to the JAMB profile.
BUK’s general regulations also state that candidates must be at least 16 years old for admission into its degree programmes.
For many programmes, the basic O’Level requirement is five relevant credits, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings. However, the exact subjects depend on the programme.
For example, science and health-related courses commonly require combinations involving Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. BUK’s general regulations specifically indicate that Mathematics is required for science-based programmes, Management Sciences and Economics.
BUK Courses Offered Under Agriculture
The Faculty of Agriculture offers programmes for candidates interested in farming, agricultural economics, food production, fisheries and natural-resource management.
Major programmes include:
- Agricultural Economics and Extension
- Agriculture
- Fisheries and Aquaculture
- Food Science and Technology
- Forestry and Wildlife Management
The latest published BUKAT information gives a benchmark of 160 for these listed Agriculture programmes.
Candidates should have relevant O’Level subjects. Depending on the specific programme, these may include English Language, Mathematics, Biology or Agricultural Science, Chemistry and other relevant science subjects.
BUK Health and Medical Courses
BUK is also known for competitive health-related programmes. These courses generally have more demanding admission requirements because of the nature of the programmes.
The major programmes include:
- Nursing
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Physiotherapy
- Radiography
- Environmental Health Science
- Doctor of Optometry
- Anatomy
- Biochemistry
- Human Physiology
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Medicine and Surgery
- Dentistry
- Doctor of Pharmacy
- Veterinary Medicine
BUK Nursing Requirements
Nursing is one of the most competitive courses at BUK. The university’s Nursing Science admission information states that UTME candidates need five O’Level credits in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings.
Candidates are also required to have good grades in the relevant science subjects and pass the university’s screening process.
For the latest published BUKAT information, Nursing had a 220 UTME benchmark.
BUK Medicine and Surgery Requirements
Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) is among the most competitive programmes at Bayero University. The latest published BUKAT information lists 250 as the UTME benchmark for MBBS.
Applicants should expect strict requirements in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, as well as the required UTME subject combination and screening performance.
A candidate should not assume that scoring 250 automatically guarantees admission. Competitive admission depends on the number of applicants, available spaces, screening performance and the university’s final admission criteria.
BUK Medical Laboratory Science
Medical Laboratory Science is another competitive programme.
The latest published BUKAT eligibility information lists 200 as the programme’s UTME benchmark.
Applicants should normally have the required science subjects at O’Level, particularly English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
BUK Physiotherapy, Radiography and Optometry
The latest BUKAT information lists:
| Programme | Published UTME Benchmark |
|---|---|
| Physiotherapy | 190 |
| Radiography | 190 |
| Doctor of Optometry | 190 |
Because these are health programmes, candidates should carefully check the exact JAMB subject combination and O’Level requirements before applying.
BUK Courses in Arts and Islamic Studies
Students interested in humanities and language-based programmes can choose from several courses.
These include:
- Arabic
- English
- French
- Hausa
- History
- Islamic Studies
- Linguistics
- Sharia
The latest published BUKAT benchmark for the listed programmes in this faculty is 160.
O’Level subject requirements vary according to the course. Candidates should ensure that their UTME subject combination corresponds with the specific programme they select.
READ ALSO: BUK School Fees for Fresh and Returning Students 2026/2027
BUK Computing Courses and Requirements
Technology-related degrees have become increasingly attractive to Nigerian students because of opportunities in software development, information technology, cybersecurity and other digital careers.
BUK offers programmes including:
- Computer Science
- Cyber Security
- Information Technology
- Software Engineering
The latest published BUKAT benchmarks are:
| Course | UTME Benchmark |
|---|---|
| Computer Science | 200 |
| Cyber Security | 190 |
| Information Technology | 170 |
| Software Engineering | 200 |
Software Engineering has specific requirements. BUK’s Faculty of Computing states that UTME candidates should have English Language, Mathematics, Physics and one other acceptable science subject. It also requires five O’Level credits including English, Mathematics, Physics and two other acceptable science subjects, normally in not more than two sittings.
For Direct Entry into Software Engineering, BUK also lists relevant A-Level qualifications and relevant ND/HND qualifications among the routes that may be considered.
BUK Engineering Courses
The Faculty of Engineering includes several professional engineering programmes:
- Agricultural Engineering
- Automotive Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronics Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Telecommunication Engineering
The latest published BUKAT information gives the following benchmarks:
| Engineering Course | UTME Benchmark |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Engineering | 160 |
| Automotive Engineering | 160 |
| Chemical Engineering | 160 |
| Civil Engineering | 180 |
| Computer Engineering | 180 |
| Electrical Engineering | 170 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 160 |
| Mechatronics Engineering | 170 |
| Petroleum Engineering | 170 |
| Telecommunication Engineering | 160 |
Civil Engineering, for example, requires credits including English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics. UTME candidates must also perform acceptably in the relevant UTME subjects and the university’s screening process.
BUK Law Requirements
Bayero University offers the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.).
The latest published BUKAT information gives Law a 210 UTME benchmark.
Candidates should have the required O’Level credits and appropriate JAMB subject combination. Because Law is highly competitive, candidates should not treat the minimum benchmark as an admission guarantee.
A strong UTME result, appropriate O’Level subjects and good performance in the university’s screening exercise can improve a candidate’s admission prospects.
BUK Management Sciences Courses
Students interested in accounting, banking, business and public-sector administration can consider:
- Accounting
- Banking and Finance
- Business Administration
- Entrepreneurship
- Public Administration
- Taxation
The latest published BUKAT eligibility information gives programme-specific benchmarks ranging from 160 to 170/180 depending on the course. Accounting is listed at 170, Business Administration at 180, while Banking and Finance, Entrepreneurship, Public Administration and Taxation are listed at 160.
Mathematics is particularly important for Management Sciences. BUK’s general academic regulations state that a credit in Mathematics is required for Management Sciences.
BUK Social Science Courses
Social Science programmes include:
- Criminology
- Economics
- International Relations
- Political Science
- Sociology
The latest published BUKAT benchmarks are:
| Course | UTME Benchmark |
|---|---|
| Criminology | 170 |
| Economics | 160 |
| International Relations | 180 |
| Political Science | 160 |
| Sociology | 160 |
Candidates for Economics should pay particular attention to Mathematics because BUK’s general admission regulations specifically require Mathematics for Economics.
BUK Physical Sciences Courses
The Faculty of Physical Sciences offers programmes such as:
- Chemistry
- Electronics with Physics
- Forensic Science
- Industrial Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Statistics
The latest published BUKAT information lists 160 as the benchmark for these programmes.
However, candidates still need to meet the relevant O’Level and UTME subject requirements. Meeting the UTME score alone does not remove the need for the correct subject combination.
BUK Life Sciences Courses
The major Life Sciences programmes include:
- Applied Biology
- Botany
- Microbiology
- Zoology
The latest published BUKAT benchmark for the listed programmes is 160.
Candidates interested in Microbiology and related biological sciences should pay attention to Biology and other relevant science subjects at O’Level and in UTME.
BUK Earth and Environmental Sciences Courses
Courses in this area include:
- Architecture
- Environmental Management
- Estate Management
- Geography
- Geology
- Meteorology
- Quantity Surveying
- Urban and Regional Planning
The latest published BUKAT information lists Architecture at 200, while the other listed programmes have a benchmark of 160.
Specific requirements vary. For example, BUK’s Environmental Management admission information requires five relevant credits including Mathematics and English, with subjects selected from areas such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Economics and Agriculture.
BUK Education Courses
BUK offers several Education programmes, including:
- Adult Education and Community Services
- Arabic Education
- Early Childhood Education
- Economics Education
- English Education
- Hausa Education
- History Education
- Islamic Studies Education
- Primary Education
- Special Education
- Agricultural Education
- Biology Education
- Chemistry Education
- Geography Education
- Health Education
- Mathematics Education
- Physical and Health Education
- Physical Education
- Physics Education
- Library and Information Science
The latest published BUKAT information places the listed Education programmes at a 160 UTME benchmark.
Candidates should still check the exact O’Level requirements for the Education subject they want to study.
BUK Communication Courses
Communication-related programmes include:
- Theatre and Performing Arts
- Information and Media Studies
- Mass Communication
The latest published BUKAT information gives 160 for Theatre and Performing Arts and Information and Media Studies, while Mass Communication is listed at 200.
Information and Media Studies has a modern curriculum that includes areas such as multimedia, web technologies, digital media, data-driven journalism and social media networks.
BUK Pharmaceutical Sciences
BUK offers Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D).
The latest published BUKAT information lists 220 as the UTME benchmark for the programme.
Because Pharmacy is a professional health programme, candidates should pay close attention to the required science subjects and O’Level credits.
BUK Veterinary Medicine
BUK also offers Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).
The latest published BUKAT information lists a 160 UTME benchmark for Veterinary Medicine.
Prospective candidates should nevertheless verify the exact O’Level and UTME subject requirements for the programme before completing their application.
BUK Direct Entry Requirements
Candidates who already possess qualifications such as ND, NCE, IJMB, A-Level or other recognised qualifications may be eligible to apply through Direct Entry, depending on the programme.
Requirements vary significantly between departments.
For example, BUK’s published part-time admission information lists relevant qualifications such as ND, NCE, IJMB and A-Level qualifications for certain Direct Entry routes, while individual departments can impose additional requirements.
Software Engineering, for example, lists relevant A-Level passes and Upper Credit ND/HND qualifications in related disciplines among its Direct Entry considerations.
Therefore, Direct Entry applicants should not rely on a general requirement alone. The department’s specific admission information should be checked.
How to Check Your BUK Course Requirements
If you want to confirm the requirements for a particular BUK course for the 2026/2027 admission exercise, use this process:
First, identify the exact programme you want to study.
Next, check the BUK admission or BUKAT portal to confirm whether the programme is included in the current admission exercise.
Then compare your JAMB UTME score with the applicable programme benchmark.
After that, check your O’Level subjects. Having five credits is not enough if one or more of the subjects required for your programme are missing.
You should also confirm your UTME subject combination.
Finally, ensure that your O’Level result has been properly uploaded to your JAMB profile. BUK’s current 2026 BUKAT portal specifically warns candidates about the importance of O’Level result upload and states that JAMB will not clear candidates without O’Level results.
Does Meeting the BUK Cut-Off Mark Guarantee Admission?
No. This is one of the most important things candidates should understand.
A programme’s published UTME benchmark is an eligibility threshold; it is not automatically a promise of admission.
For competitive programmes, many candidates can meet or exceed the minimum score. Admission decisions can therefore depend on factors such as available spaces, UTME performance, screening performance, O’Level qualifications, subject combinations and the university’s admission policies.
For this reason, a candidate applying for a competitive programme such as Medicine, Nursing, Law or Computer Science should aim to perform substantially better than the minimum where possible.
What You Should Do If Your Score Is Below Your Preferred Course’s Benchmark
If your UTME score is below the published benchmark for your first-choice course, do not immediately assume that your university admission journey is over.
First, check whether BUK has published any updated programme-specific requirements for the current session.
You can also examine other programmes for which you meet the eligibility requirements, provided you genuinely have an interest in them.
However, you should never select a course simply because its cut-off appears lower. Your O’Level subjects, UTME combination, career interests and long-term educational plans should all be considered.
BUK 2026/2027 Admission: Important Reminder
BUK has announced that the 2026/2027 BUKAT application portal is open. The university’s announcement advises prospective candidates to complete their applications online and provide accurate information.
The current BUKAT portal also states that payment for registration has been extended to 15 September 2026, so candidates applying during this admission cycle should check the portal for any further updates or changes.
Candidates should use BUK’s official channels for admission information rather than relying solely on social-media posts, unofficial WhatsApp messages or blogs that have not updated their information.
Conclusion
Choosing a course at Bayero University is about more than checking a JAMB score. You need to consider the course requirements, O’Level subjects, UTME subject combination, programme competitiveness and the current BUK admission process.
For the Courses Offered in BUK and Their Requirements 2026/2027, the most important step is to verify the requirements for your specific programme before submitting your application. BUK currently has a broad undergraduate portfolio covering Agriculture, Arts, Computing, Engineering, Health Sciences, Law, Management Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, Education and other disciplines.
Also remember that the programme-specific scores cited in this guide are based on BUK’s latest published BUKAT eligibility information available at the time of writing. The university can revise requirements or benchmarks, so candidates should treat the official 2026/2027 admission information as the final authority.
Frequently Asked Questions About BUK Courses and Requirements
What are the courses offered by BUK?
Bayero University offers undergraduate programmes across Agriculture, Arts and Islamic Studies, Allied Health Sciences, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Communication, Computing, Dentistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Education, Engineering, Law, Life Sciences, Management Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, among others. The university currently lists 163 undergraduate programmes.
What is the minimum UTME score for BUK?
There is no single programme-specific score that applies to every BUK course. The latest published BUKAT eligibility information shows different benchmarks, with many programmes at 160 and more competitive courses requiring higher scores.
What is the BUK cut-off mark for Medicine and Surgery?
The latest published BUKAT programme information lists 250 as the UTME benchmark for Medicine and Surgery (MBBS). However, meeting 250 does not automatically guarantee admission.
What is the BUK cut-off mark for Nursing?
The latest published BUKAT information lists 220 for Nursing. Candidates must also meet the required O’Level and relevant science-subject requirements.
Does BUK require five O’Level credits?
Yes. BUK’s general admission regulations require candidates to possess the relevant O’Level qualifications, including credit passes in English Language and other subjects relevant to the chosen programme. The exact subjects depend on the course.
Can I use two sittings for BUK admission?
For many undergraduate programmes, BUK permits the required O’Level credits to be obtained in not more than two sittings. However, candidates should verify the specific requirements of their chosen programme.
Is Mathematics compulsory for BUK?
Mathematics is not necessarily a requirement in exactly the same way for every course. However, BUK’s general regulations specifically require a Mathematics credit for science-based programmes, Management Sciences and Economics.
Does BUK accept Direct Entry?
Yes. BUK has Direct Entry admission routes for eligible candidates, but the requirements vary by programme. Relevant qualifications may include IJMB, A-Level, NCE, ND and other recognised qualifications, depending on the course.
Has BUK started the 2026/2027 admission process?
Yes. BUK announced that its 2026/2027 BUKAT application portal is open. The current portal is also providing registration updates for prospective candidates.
Where can I confirm the latest BUK admission requirements?
Candidates should confirm requirements through Bayero University’s official website and current admission/BUKAT portal. This is especially important because programme benchmarks and application deadlines can change during an admission cycle.
An education writer and editor at MyEduTrend, with a decade of experience in the education sector, Zaid covers Nigerian admissions, examinations, scholarships and guides with a focus on accurate, well-researched information.