How to Gain Admission into Covenant University: 2026 Guide

Covenant University (CU) admits via JAMB UTME plus its own Covenant University Entrance Screening (CUES). The school accepts JAMB scores from 180 and above for most courses, with Medicine, Pharmacy, Law and Engineering needing 220 or higher to be competitive after the internal screening. CU is a residential private university with a Christian faith ethos, owned by the Living Faith Church Worldwide.

Last updated: May 2026 Covenant University is in Ota, Ogun State, about 45 minutes from Lagos. The school runs three colleges: Engineering, Leadership and Development Studies, and Science and Technology. Programmes include Computer Science, Software Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Accounting, Banking and Finance, Industrial Chemistry, Microbiology, Architecture, and Mass Communication. CU also runs Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy, Nursing, Anatomy, and Physiology at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences. This guide walks through the admission process, the tuition (which is the main filter), the residential life, and the admission timeline.

CU is a serious academic and faith environment. Students live on campus throughout their degree, attend chapel services, follow a structured daily routine, and abide by a strict code of conduct. The school’s reputation rests on academic standards, employer signal, and the disciplined campus culture.

Why Covenant University

CU is consistently ranked among the top private universities in Nigeria, with strong programmes in Engineering, Computing, Business, and the Sciences. The school’s calendar is stable; it does not lose sessions to ASUU strikes because it is private. Graduates are well-represented in banks, tech companies, the oil and gas sector, and consulting firms in Nigeria.

The campus is purpose-built and modern, with lecture theatres, halls of residence, the senate building, the library, and the sports facilities all within a compact campus footprint. The school provides everything students need on campus, partly because the campus is in a relatively rural Ota location.

CU’s faith ethos shapes daily life. Chapel attendance is required at scheduled services. Dress code is enforced (no torn jeans, no revealing clothing, no excessive jewellery). The student union and clubs operate under a faith-aligned framework. Students who are not Christian can attend; the school does not screen out non-Christian applicants, but every student lives by the same code of conduct on campus.

Covenant University at a glance

Detail	Value
Full name	Covenant University
Location	Ota, Ogun State (about 45 minutes from Lagos)
Year established	2002
Type	Private University (Christian, Living Faith Church)
Number of colleges	3 main colleges plus College of Medicine and Health Sciences
JAMB minimum score	180 to 200 (most courses); 220+ working for top programmes
Internal screening	Covenant University Entrance Screening (CUES)
Tuition per session	~₦1.2 million to ₦2.5 million depending on programme
Annual intake	~2,500 to 3,500 fresh students
Website	covenantuniversity.edu.ng

Admission requirements

O Level requirements. CU requires five credits at C6 or above in not more than two sittings of WAEC, NECO or NABTEB. The five must include English Language, Mathematics, and the three subjects relevant to your course. CU sometimes requires the credits to come from one sitting for the most competitive programmes (Medicine), so check the school’s admission notice.

CU is strict on the credit grade; D7 in any required subject disqualifies the candidate. Mathematics credit is required for every science, engineering, and management programme.

JAMB UTME requirements. CU’s published JAMB minimum is 180 to 200, but the internal screening (CUES) and the post-screening admission decision tend to admit candidates with scores well above the published floor. Medicine works at 240+ JAMB; Engineering at 220 to 230+; Computing at 220+; Law at 240+. CU also runs its own screening which weighs heavily in the final decision.

The CUES screening. Candidates pay a registration fee and sit the CUES screening at the Ota campus. CUES tests aptitude, English, and subject-specific knowledge. The screening lasts about two hours. Strong CUES performance can offset a moderate JAMB score, and weak CUES performance can derail a strong JAMB candidate.

Direct Entry. CU accepts A Level, IJMB, JUPEB, and HND with at least Upper Credit. NCE holders apply for Education-related programmes. DE candidates also sit the internal screening before admission.

JAMB subject combinations by college

CU follows the JAMB brochure with internal preferences. The list below covers the major programmes.

• College of Medicine and Health Sciences (Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Anatomy, Physiology): Use of English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics.
• College of Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Petroleum, Chemical, Computer): Use of English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry.
• College of Science and Technology (Computer Science, Industrial Chemistry, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Mathematics, Industrial Physics, Architecture): Use of English plus relevant science subjects per course.
• College of Leadership and Development Studies (Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Administration, Marketing, Economics, Sociology, International Relations, Political Science, Mass Communication, English, Psychology): Use of English, Mathematics or Economics, plus subjects per course.

Cut-off marks for popular CU courses

• Medicine and Surgery: 240+ JAMB plus strong CUES
• Pharmacy: 230+ JAMB
• Nursing: 220+ JAMB
• Computer Science: 220+ JAMB
• Software Engineering: 220+ JAMB
• Petroleum Engineering: 220+ JAMB
• Civil, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering: 210 to 220+ JAMB
• Architecture: 210+ JAMB
• Accounting, Banking and Finance: 210+ JAMB
• Mass Communication: 210+ JAMB
• Economics, International Relations: 200+ JAMB
• Arts and Languages: 180 to 200+ JAMB

The CUES screening process

CU runs its own entrance screening (CUES) separate from JAMB Post-UTME. Candidates pay a screening fee and sit the test at the Ota campus on assigned dates between May and July. The screening tests general aptitude, English, and a subject-specific component aligned with the candidate’s chosen programme.

CUES results are released within two weeks of sitting. CU then combines the JAMB score and CUES result to produce an admission ranking, which determines the offer on CAPS and on the CU portal.

Prepare for CUES the same way you prepared for JAMB; the syllabus overlaps significantly. CU also runs preparatory programmes for prospective candidates; check the school’s admission portal for details.

If your CUES score is weak, the admission committee considers the JAMB result, O Level grades, and your interview (some programmes interview shortlisted candidates) before making the final decision.

Tuition, accommodation and what it costs in 2026

Tuition is the main filter for CU admission. Fees run between ₦1.2 million and ₦2.5 million per session depending on the programme. Medicine, Pharmacy, and Engineering sit at the higher end of the range. Accounting, Business Administration, Mass Communication and Arts sit at the lower end. A six-year MBBS programme at CU costs total around ₦12 million to ₦15 million over the full degree.

CU is fully residential; every student lives on campus throughout the four to six year degree. Accommodation is part of the tuition package; the school assigns each student a hostel room. Off-campus living is not the default; students typically only live off campus if they have family in the immediate Ota area.

Beyond tuition, candidates pay acceptance fee, ID, examination, and faculty levies, totalling ₦100,000 to ₦200,000 additional per session. Personal expenses (food not covered by the canteen plan, books, transport, allowance) add ₦25,000 to ₦50,000 a month.

The total annual cost at CU therefore runs between ₦1.5 million and ₦3 million for most programmes, and ₦2.5 million to ₦3.5 million for Medicine. This is significantly higher than federal universities but typical of established private universities in Nigeria.

The CU admission timeline

• January to February: JAMB UTME registration; pick Covenant University as first choice.
• April to May: sit JAMB UTME.
• May to June: CU opens CUES registration on the school portal; sit CUES at Ota.
• June to July: CUES results released; CU shortlists candidates for admission.
• July to August: admission decisions upload to CAPS and to the CU portal; accept the offer.
• August to September: pay tuition for first session; complete online clearance.
• September: resumption at Ota campus; orientation, registration, hostel allocation.
• October onwards: first semester lectures begin.

How to check your CU admission status

1. Log into the Covenant University admission portal at covenantuniversity.edu.ng. Check your application status.
2. Cross-check on JAMB CAPS at portal.jamb.gov.ng; accept the offer if uploaded.
3. Pay the acceptance fee within the published window.
4. Pay the first session tuition fee.
5. Upload O Level credits, JAMB result, CUES result, and other required documents on the CU portal.
6. Report to the Ota campus on the resumption date for orientation and registration.

Frequently asked questions

How much is Covenant University tuition?

Tuition runs between ₦1.2 million and ₦2.5 million per session depending on the programme. Medicine, Pharmacy and Engineering sit at the higher end; Arts and Business at the lower end. Accommodation is bundled into the tuition for most programmes. Confirm the current cycle’s fee on covenantuniversity.edu.ng before applying; CU adjusts fees year on year. The total cost of a four-year degree at CU runs roughly ₦5 million to ₦10 million; a six-year MBBS programme runs ₦12 million to ₦15 million.

Do I need to be a Christian to study at CU?

CU does not screen out non-Christian applicants, and the student body includes Muslims and students of other faiths. However, every student lives by the campus code of conduct, which is rooted in the Christian faith ethos of the founding church. Chapel attendance at scheduled services is required for all students. Dress code is enforced. Some practices (alcohol on campus, certain social behaviours) are prohibited. Non-Christian students who can live by the campus code do well at CU; those who chafe against the structure may be unhappy.

How competitive is admission at CU?

CU is competitive for the most popular programmes (Medicine, Engineering, Computing, Law) but more accessible than UI or UNILAG for the same programmes because the cost filter excludes most candidates. Working JAMB cut-offs at CU are 30 to 50 marks lower than at top federal universities. The internal CUES screening matters; a strong CUES can lift a moderate JAMB into admission range. The CUES is not a back door for weak candidates but a second chance to demonstrate ability.

Is CU residential for every student?

Yes. CU is fully residential and every student lives on campus throughout the four to six year degree. The hostel assignment is part of the admission package. Living off campus is not the standard practice; even students whose families live in Ota typically live in the hostel during semesters. This residential model is part of CU’s identity and is non-negotiable.

Are CU degrees recognised by Nigerian employers?

Yes, and well. CU graduates are well represented in major Nigerian banks, oil and gas companies, consulting firms, and tech companies. The school’s reputation in Engineering, Computing, Business and the Sciences carries strong employer signal. The CU alumni network is active and well organised, which helps recent graduates with internships and job placement. For Medicine, CU graduates write the same MDCN licensing exam as federal university graduates.

Can I apply for a scholarship at CU?

CU offers a limited number of scholarships through the Covenant University Centre of Excellence and through alumni-funded scholarships. These are typically merit-based, awarded to candidates with exceptional JAMB and CUES scores plus strong O Level grades. The school also has need-based assistance for a small share of admitted students. Apply for scholarships through the CU scholarship portal during the application window; the awards do not cover full tuition for most recipients but offset a portion.

Related guides

• How to gain admission into UNILAG
• How to gain admission into LASU
• Subjects required to study Medicine in Nigeria
• JAMB 2026 Subject Combinations

Sources

Covenant University official website at covenantuniversity.edu.ng; CU admission portal; JAMB brochure; National Universities Commission (NUC) approved programmes list; MDCN accreditation list.