Last Updated on 1 month ago by Haruna Ayuba
If your JAMB score did not meet the cut-off for your chosen school or course, or you simply changed your mind after registration, you can change your institution and course of study through the JAMB portal at a fee of N2,500. This window opens after JAMB results are released and stays open for a limited period. Missing it means waiting for another cycle. This guide covers exactly how to make the change, what it costs, the deadline, and what to do if the window has already closed.
- Key Highlights
- Who Should Use the Change of Course and Institution Portal
- What You Can and Cannot Change
- JAMB Change of Course and Institution 2026: Fee Breakdown
- Step-by-Step: How to Change Course and Institution on JAMB Portal
- What to Do If the Change Window Has Closed
- How to Choose the Right Replacement Institution
- Changing From a Competitive Course to a Related One
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What to Do After Making the Change
Key Highlights
- The change of course and institution is done online at portal.jamb.gov.ng
- The fee is N2,500 per change request
- The window opens shortly after JAMB results are released and closes within a few weeks
- You can change your institution, course, or both in a single request
- Your subject combination must be compatible with your new course — if it is not, you may also need to change your subjects
- Changing institution does not guarantee admission — you still need to meet the new school’s cut-off and complete Post-UTME
- You cannot change your exam score, personal details, or registered subjects through this portal
Who Should Use the Change of Course and Institution Portal
Not everyone who performs below expectations needs to change. Before you pay the fee, be clear about why you are making the change.
You should change your institution if your score does not meet your first-choice school’s cut-off mark but meets the cut-off at another school you are comfortable attending. Staying with a school where your score clearly falls short wastes your time during the admission process.
You should change your course if the course you originally chose requires a higher score than you achieved, but a related course at the same school has a lower cut-off that your score meets. Many candidates switch from Medicine to Nursing, from Law to Political Science, or from Computer Engineering to Computer Science through this process.
You should not change purely based on pressure or panic. Research the new school or course thoroughly before paying. A change that leads to a course you have no interest in solves one problem and creates a bigger one.
What You Can and Cannot Change
| What You Can Change | What You Cannot Change |
|---|---|
| First choice institution | Your JAMB exam score |
| Course of study | Your registered name or date of birth |
| Second choice institution | Your NIN or registration number |
| Exam town (in some cycles) | Your subject combination (requires separate process) |
If your new course requires a different subject combination from the one you registered, you will need to apply for a subject combination change as a separate request. Not all cycles allow this — confirm on the JAMB portal whether it is available for 2026.
JAMB Change of Course and Institution 2026: Fee Breakdown
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Change of institution fee | N2,500 |
| Change of course fee | N2,500 |
| Both in one request | N2,500 (single transaction) |
| Reprint of updated slip | Free via portal |
Payment is made online through the JAMB portal using a debit card, bank transfer, or USSD payment. Do not pay cash to any individual claiming to process changes on your behalf.
Step-by-Step: How to Change Course and Institution on JAMB Portal
Step 1: Log Into Your JAMB Profile
Go to portal.jamb.gov.ng and log in using the email address and password you used during registration. If you have forgotten your password, use the “Forgot Password” option on the login page to reset it via your registered email.
Step 2: Navigate to the Change of Institution or Course Section
Once logged in, locate the “Change of Institution/Course” option on your dashboard. This option only appears when the change window is officially open. If you do not see it, the window may not yet be open or may have already closed for the cycle.
Step 3: Select Your New Institution
Search for your preferred new institution using the institution name or JAMB institution code. Confirm the school is listed and accepting candidates for the current session before selecting it.
Step 4: Select Your New Course
Browse or search for the course you want to change to. Confirm that your registered subject combination is compatible with the new course. If it is not, the system may flag it or reject the change. Cross-check using the JAMB brochure before proceeding.
Step 5: Review Your Selection
Before paying, review the details on screen carefully:
| Item to Confirm | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Institution name and code | Ensure it is the correct school, not a similarly named one |
| Course name and code | Confirm the exact course, not a variant you did not intend |
| Subject combination compatibility | Your current subjects must satisfy the new course requirement |
| Cut-off mark for new course | Confirm your score meets the school’s departmental cut-off |
Step 6: Make Payment
Proceed to the payment page and pay the N2,500 fee using any of the available payment options. Keep your transaction receipt or reference number until you receive confirmation that the change has been processed.
Step 7: Print Your Updated Registration Slip
Once the change is confirmed, return to your dashboard and reprint your JAMB registration slip. The updated slip will reflect your new institution and course. Use this updated slip — not the original — for all subsequent admission processes including Post-UTME registration.
What to Do If the Change Window Has Closed
If JAMB’s change window has officially closed for the 2026 cycle, you have the following options depending on where you are in the process.
If admission has not yet been offered to anyone, monitor the JAMB portal. JAMB occasionally reopens the change window for a brief period before admission lists are released. This is not guaranteed every cycle but has happened in previous years.
If the first admission list has already been released and you were not offered admission, you may still be considered in the second or supplementary admission batches, particularly if your second choice institution has vacancies. Ensure your profile remains active on the JAMB CAPS portal.
If you were admitted but want to switch schools or courses, that process is no longer handled by JAMB — it becomes an internal transfer matter governed by the institutions themselves. Direct entry and inter-university transfers have separate procedures entirely.
How to Choose the Right Replacement Institution
If you are changing because your score fell short, use this approach to identify a suitable replacement rather than guessing.
First, note your exact score. Then go through the JAMB cut-off marks list and identify schools where your score comfortably meets the institutional and departmental cut-off — not just barely clears it. A score that exactly meets the cut-off still risks being screened out during Post-UTME.
Second, confirm the school offers your course and that it is accredited for it in the current JAMB brochure. A school that offers a course informally or is awaiting accreditation will not process your admission through CAPS.
Third, check the school’s Post-UTME format. Some schools weight their Post-UTME scores heavily alongside JAMB scores. A school that uses a 50:50 weighting gives you more room to recover with a strong Post-UTME performance than one that admits purely on JAMB score.
Changing From a Competitive Course to a Related One
This is one of the most practical uses of the change window. Many candidates who fall short of their original course find a strong alternative in the same faculty.
| Original Course | Possible Alternative | Typical Score Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine & Surgery | Nursing Science | 40 – 60 points lower cut-off |
| Medicine & Surgery | Medical Laboratory Science | 50 – 70 points lower cut-off |
| Law | Political Science | 30 – 50 points lower cut-off |
| Computer Engineering | Computer Science | 20 – 40 points lower cut-off |
| Pharmacy | Biochemistry or Microbiology | 30 – 50 points lower cut-off |
| Architecture | Urban & Regional Planning | 20 – 40 points lower cut-off |
| Chemical Engineering | Industrial Chemistry | 20 – 40 points lower cut-off |
| Economics | Accounting or Business Admin | 10 – 30 points lower cut-off |
These are approximate ranges based on historical cut-off patterns. Always confirm actual departmental cut-offs for the 2026 session using the cut-off marks guide before making your decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times can I change my course and institution on JAMB?
JAMB typically allows one change per cycle. Once you submit and pay, the change is processed and treated as final. Review your selection carefully before confirming.
Can I change back to my original institution after making a change?
Technically yes, if the window is still open. But each change costs N2,500. You would pay again to revert. Make your decision carefully the first time.
Will changing my institution affect my chances of admission?
It depends on the school you change to. If your score comfortably meets the new school’s cut-off, your chances are solid. If you change to a school where your score is still marginal, the problem remains. The goal is to find a school where your score is genuinely competitive, not just technically eligible.
I changed my course but my subject combination does not match. What happens?
Your application may be rejected during screening if your subjects do not satisfy the requirements for your new course. Resolve the subject combination issue first — either through a separate change request if JAMB allows it, or by selecting a course that your current combination covers.
Can I change to a different institution type, for example from a university to a polytechnic?
Yes. The change portal allows you to select any accredited institution in JAMB’s database including polytechnics and colleges of education. The minimum score requirement drops to 100 for polytechnics and colleges of education.
Is the N2,500 fee refundable if my change is rejected?
No. JAMB’s change fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome. Confirm all details before submitting payment.
What if I changed institution but forget to update my Post-UTME registration?
Your Post-UTME registration must reflect your updated institution. If you register for Post-UTME at your old school after changing, your application will be inconsistent and may not be processed. Always use your updated registration slip for all subsequent steps.
What to Do After Making the Change
Once your change is confirmed and your updated slip is printed, do not wait. The Post-UTME screening window at your new institution may already be open or opening soon. Missing it after successfully changing your institution means you have done the hard work but missed the outcome.
Check the Post-UTME screening dates and requirements for your new institution immediately. Confirm the application deadline, the screening format, and any documents required. Then register and prepare.
If you need to identify which schools still have open Post-UTME windows after your change, check the Post-UTME screening dates guide for all universities updated for the 2026 session.
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