The ABSU cut off mark for Mass Communication is 150 in the UTME. That is the minimum Abia State University (ABSU) set for every regular degree course in its 2026/2027 screening notice, for candidates who chose ABSU as first or second choice. ABSU did not publish a separate figure for Mass Communication, so 150 gets you into screening, and in a course this popular you should plan to score well above it.
2027/2028 update: ABSU cut-off marks usually stay the same from one year to the next, so the figures on this page are what 2027/2028 candidates should plan with. They come from the latest official notice (2026/2027). If the 2027/2028 notice changes anything, we will update this page.
Before you pick this course for 2027/2028, note that ABSU announced in September 2026 that NUC had approved five new media degrees (Journalism and Media Studies, Film and Multimedia Studies, Public Relations, Advertising and Broadcasting) from the 2026/2027 session. That is the national move to split Mass Communication into separate degrees. ABSU has not said whether Mass Communication itself will keep taking fresh students, and it was still on ABSU’s JAMB course list when I checked on 29 October 2026. Below are the official figures, the subjects, accreditation and what to watch.
ABSU cut off mark for Mass Communication at a glance
| Item | 2026/2027 position | Source or status |
|---|---|---|
| ABSU minimum UTME score (all courses) | 150, ABSU first or second choice | ABSU notice reprinted by Osilight and Myschool, June 2026 |
| JAMB national minimum for universities | 150 | JAMB 2026 policy meeting, 11 May 2026 |
| Departmental cut-off | Not published | ABSU released no per-course figures |
| My safe target score | 200 or more | My advice, not an ABSU rule |
| JAMB course name | Mass Communication | ABSU’s JAMB course list (Myschool reprint), 29 October 2026 |
| UTME subjects | Use of English plus any three arts or social science subjects | JAMB brochure (Myschool reprint) |
| O’level | Five credits: English Language and four other arts or social science subjects | JAMB brochure (Myschool reprint) |
| Direct Entry | Two A-level passes in arts or social science subjects; no ABSU remark | JAMB brochure (Myschool reprint) |
| NUC accreditation | Full, 89.60%, after a December 2024 visit | NUC accreditation report |
| New media degrees | Five approved from 2026/2027; intake guidelines awaited | The Whistler, 29 September 2026 |
| Screening fee | ₦2,000 | Notice reprint |
ABSU Mass Communication cut-off mark history
| Session | Figure | What it means | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026/2027 | 150 | Lowest UTME score ABSU accepted for online screening in any regular degree course (ABSU as first or second choice) | ABSU notice, reprinted by Osilight and Myschool, 8 to 9 June 2026 |
| 2026 (national) | 150 | JAMB minimum for every Nigerian university | JAMB 2026 policy meeting, 11 May 2026 |
| 2025/2026 | Not confirmed | I could not open an ABSU notice for that session | Unverified |
| Mass Communication figure | None published | Blog “departmental cut-off” tables cite no ABSU document | Unofficial |
ABSU’s 2026/2027 notice gave one figure for all courses. A Mass Communication cut-off printed on a blog as official did not come from ABSU. The practical cut-off is the score of the last candidate admitted, and for this course it usually sits well above 150.
Safe target score for Mass Communication at ABSU (my advice)
Mass Communication is one of the most requested arts and social science courses in the South East. Many candidates with strong scores choose it, so the competition is closer to Law than to the quieter humanities courses. This table is my advice, not an ABSU rule.
| Your UTME score | My read for ABSU Mass Communication |
|---|---|
| Below 150 | Not eligible for screening |
| 150 to 179 | Eligible, but a long shot unless your O’level grades are excellent |
| 180 to 199 | A fair chance with strong credits |
| 200 and above | Strong |
I would aim for at least 200. If you land in the 150s or 160s, think about a less crowded course you qualify for, such as Linguistics and Communication Studies, and keep the media degrees in view for later.
JAMB subject combination and O’level for Mass Communication at ABSU
| Requirement | What the JAMB brochure says |
|---|---|
| UTME | Use of English plus any three arts or social science subjects |
| O’level | Five credits: English Language and four other arts or social science subjects |
| ABSU remark | None in the UTME, O’level or Direct Entry sections |
| Exams accepted | WAEC, NECO, NABTEB |
For the UTME, I suggest Use of English, Literature in English, Government and CRS or Economics. Literature in English is not compulsory for ABSU (the remarks that demand it name UNILAG, ABU, KSU, JABU and others), but it fits the course and keeps your options open if you later apply elsewhere.
For O’level, the general line names English Language and four arts or social science credits. It does not name Mathematics, and ABSU has no remark adding it. Many other universities ask for at least a Mathematics pass through their own remarks, and ABSU’s screening notice speaks of “basic five” credits, so I would not rely on a failed Mathematics paper. Commercial students should note that credits in Economics and Government count as social science; Physics or Chemistry do not.
Which JAMB course name to pick
ABSU’s list on Myschool’s reprint of the JAMB brochure shows “Mass Communication” in the social and management sciences group. When I checked on 29 October 2026, the list did not yet include Journalism and Media Studies, Film and Multimedia Studies, Public Relations, Advertising or Broadcasting. If they appear on JAMB’s list for the 2027 UTME, read ABSU’s guidance before choosing between them and Mass Communication.
Direct Entry
The Direct Entry line asks for two A-level passes in arts or social science subjects. The brochure has no ABSU Direct Entry remark for this course, so it neither confirms ND or HND entry at ABSU nor bars Direct Entry. Several universities accept an ND in Mass Communication by their own remarks; ABSU is not one of those named. The 2026/2027 notice adds that Direct Entry candidates need the basic five O’level credits.
Mass Communication and ABSU’s new media degrees
The record so far, in date order:
| Date | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| February 2023 | At ABSU’s 29th convocation, the then Vice-Chancellor said the Department of Mass Communication had been unbundled into seven new departments, to start the following session | ThisDay |
| December 2024 | NUC panel visited ABSU Mass Communication (15 to 18 December); result Full, 89.60% | NUC report |
| 29 September 2026 | ABSU said NUC approved ten new programmes from 2026/2027, including Journalism and Media Studies, Film and Multimedia Studies, Public Relations, Advertising and Broadcasting; candidates told to wait for guidelines from the Admissions Office | The Whistler |
| 29 October 2026 | Mass Communication still on ABSU’s JAMB course list; the new media courses not yet listed | Myschool reprint |
What this means for you: if you register for the 2027 UTME, choose the course that is on JAMB’s ABSU list at the time you register. If both Mass Communication and the new media degrees are listed, ABSU will have to say which ones take fresh students. Until ABSU says so, I would not assume Mass Communication is closed, and I would not assume it is open for 2027/2028 either.
How ABSU screens Mass Communication applicants
The 2026/2027 notice was signed by the Registrar, Dr. Acho Elendu. I could not open the original on the ABSU website, so the details below come from two reprints that agree: Osilight (posted 9 June 2026) and Myschool (8 June 2026).
| Detail | What the 2026/2027 notice said |
|---|---|
| Who could apply | Candidates who chose ABSU as first or second choice, or who changed to ABSU, and scored 150 or more in the UTME |
| Direct Entry | Basic five O’level credit passes under ABSU’s entry requirements |
| Where to register | Online at www.abiastateuniversity.edu.ng |
| What to upload | UTME result, O’level result and degree certificate where applicable, on the ABSU portal (www.portal.abiastateuniversity.edu.ng) and the JAMB portal |
| Fee | ₦2,000 by e-payment through the banks named in the notice, or by debit card |
| Missing the screening | Candidates who do not register “will not be considered for admission” |
| Written test | Not mentioned; the notice describes online document screening |
| Closing date | Not stated in the reprints |
The bank names came out garbled in the reprint, so follow the payment options shown on the ABSU portal itself rather than a list copied from a blog. There was no post-UTME test in the 2026/2027 notice, so your UTME score and your O’level grades are what the university has in front of it.
Worked example for Mass Communication candidates
ABSU has not published an aggregate formula, and the 2026/2027 notice describes document screening without a test. To show how your O’level can change your position, I use an illustrative method common at Nigerian universities: UTME score divided by 8 (up to 50 points) plus O’level points for five relevant subjects, where A1 = 10, B2 = 9, B3 = 8, C4 = 7, C5 = 6 and C6 = 5 (up to 50 points). This is my example, not ABSU’s formula.
- Chiamaka scored 204 with A1 in English, B2 in Literature in English, B3 in Government, B2 in CRS, B3 in Economics from one sitting. UTME points: 204 ÷ 8 = 25.5. O’level points: 10 + 9 + 8 + 9 + 8 = 44. Illustrative total: 69.5.
- Tobenna scored 218 with C6 in English, C5 in Literature in English, C6 in Government, C6 in Economics, C5 in History across two sittings. UTME points: 218 ÷ 8 = 27.25. O’level points: 5 + 6 + 5 + 5 + 6 = 27. Illustrative total: 54.25.
- The result: Chiamaka leads by 15.25 points.
Tobenna scored 14 marks more in the UTME, but Chiamaka’s A1 in English and strong arts credits put her well ahead. For a writing course, a high English grade is worth as much as a few extra UTME marks.
How to apply for Mass Communication at ABSU, step by step
- Get a JAMB profile code: text NIN, a space and your 11-digit NIN to 55019 or 66019 from the SIM linked to that NIN. The code arrives by SMS.
- Register the UTME with the right subjects: choose Mass Communication at Abia State University with Use of English and three arts or social science subjects, ideally including Literature in English. ABSU accepted first and second choice candidates in 2026/2027, but first choice is still the cleaner position. To move ABSU up later, use a JAMB change of institution.
- Upload your O’level to CAPS: at an accredited JAMB CBT centre, once your result is out. Make sure the upload shows your English credit and four arts or social science credits.
- Register for ABSU screening: when the notice is out, go to www.abiastateuniversity.edu.ng, pay the screening fee (₦2,000 in 2026/2027) and upload your UTME result and O’level on the ABSU portal.
- Keep your receipts: save the payment receipt and the printout of your completed screening form. You may need both at clearance.
- Check your status: watch the ABSU portal and your JAMB CAPS page. ABSU offers show on CAPS before anything else.
- Accept on CAPS: log in at efacility.jamb.gov.ng, choose Check Admission Status, then Access my CAPS, and accept. JAMB gives four weeks. Our JAMB CAPS guide explains each status.
- Pay acceptance and clear: ABSU’s acceptance and school fees were not in any source I reached. Pay only the amount on your ABSU portal invoice.
Warning
Every genuine ABSU offer appears on JAMB CAPS, and JAMB said in May 2026 that admission outside CAPS is illegal. Anyone who asks for money to “process” a Mass Communication place, or to move you into one of the new media degrees, is not acting for ABSU. Pay only through the ABSU portal.
JAMB set 31 October 2026 as the 2026/2027 admission deadline for public universities such as ABSU (private universities had until 30 November and other institutions until 31 December 2026). If you applied this year, check CAPS every few days rather than waiting for a printed list.
Mass Communication at ABSU: the programme
ABSU’s main campus is at Uturu, in Isuikwuato LGA. The university began in 1981 as Imo State University and took its present name after Abia State was created in 1991. NUC’s December 2024 report places the course in the Communication and Media Studies discipline.
What you study
ABSU has not published a course outline that I could reach. Mass Communication degrees in Nigeria usually cover:
- News writing and reporting: print and online journalism, editing and feature writing.
- Broadcasting: radio and television production and presentation.
- Public relations and advertising: campaign planning, copywriting and media buying.
- Media law and ethics: defamation, press freedom and the Nigerian media regulators.
- Communication research: audience studies, research methods and a final-year project.
- Practical work: campus media, studio practice and industrial attachment.
Accreditation, degree and duration
NUC’s accreditation report for ABSU Mass Communication records full accreditation with a score of 89.60% after a visit from 15 to 18 December 2024. Staffing scored 100%, physical facilities 92.59% and the library 77.78%. The panel still listed weaknesses, including internal quality assurance, staff offices, supervision of student projects and staff development. A full result normally lasts five years. NUC’s 1990 to 2025 results publication also shows earlier denied and interim results, so the current status came after improvement. The degree is a B.Sc.; ABSU did not state the duration on any page I could open, but four years is the norm.
Careers
- Reporter, editor or producer in print, broadcast and online media.
- Public relations and corporate communications officer.
- Advertising copywriter, account executive or media planner.
- Content creator, social media manager or digital marketer.
- Information officer in government ministries and agencies.
- Postgraduate study in journalism, communication or media studies.
Mass Communication or a related ABSU course?
| Course | Status | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Mass Communication | On JAMB list; NUC Full (December 2024 visit) | Candidates who want a broad media degree |
| Journalism and Media Studies | NUC approval reported September 2026; not yet on JAMB list | Candidates set on news reporting |
| Broadcasting | NUC approval reported September 2026; not yet on JAMB list | Candidates set on radio and TV |
| Linguistics and Communication Studies | On JAMB list; NUC Full, maturity 2028 | Candidates who like language and communication theory |
More on each: ABSU Journalism and Media Studies, ABSU Broadcasting, ABSU Public Relations and ABSU Linguistics and Communication Studies cut-off mark.
If you are writing in 2027, read when JAMB 2027 registration starts, and when results are out, see how to check your JAMB result. If your score or subjects do not fit, our JAMB change of course guide shows how to switch before admission closes.
Mistakes that cost Mass Communication applicants an ABSU place
- Science subjects in the UTME: all three subjects after English must be arts or social science.
- Science credits in the O’level: the four credits besides English must be arts or social science.
- Aiming for 150: it gets you screened, but this course fills from the top.
- Paying for a “new course” slot: the new media degrees go through JAMB and CAPS like any other.
- Missing the CAPS window: JAMB’s 2026 rule gives four weeks to accept.
ABSU Mass Communication: frequently asked questions
Is Mass Communication still available in ABSU for 2027/2028? It was on ABSU’s JAMB course list on 29 October 2026, but ABSU has announced five new media degrees and has not said whether Mass Communication will keep taking new students. Check JAMB’s list when you register.
Is Literature in English compulsory for Mass Communication in ABSU? No. The brochure line asks for any three arts or social science subjects, and the remarks that make Literature compulsory name other universities, not ABSU.
Do I need Mathematics for Mass Communication in ABSU? The brochure does not name Mathematics for this course and ABSU has no remark adding it. I would still have at least a pass, since ABSU screens for five basic credits and many universities ask for one.
Is ABSU Mass Communication accredited by NUC? Yes. NUC’s report records full accreditation with 89.60% after a visit in December 2024.
Sources and updates
The 150 minimum, the first and second choice rule, the Direct Entry line, the ₦2,000 fee, the registration and upload steps and the warning about candidates who fail to register come from ABSU’s 2026/2027 screening notice signed by the Registrar, Dr. Acho Elendu, as reprinted by Osilight (9 June 2026) and Myschool (8 June 2026); I could not open the original on the ABSU website. The national minimum of 150, the four-week CAPS window and the warning on admissions outside CAPS come from the News Agency of Nigeria (11 May 2026). The 31 October 2026 deadline for public universities comes from Legit (28 September 2026). The UTME, O’level and Direct Entry rules come from Myschool’s reprint of the JAMB brochure entry for Mass Communication, which ABSU’s JAMB course list links to (fetched 29 October 2026); no ABSU remark appears on the page. The accreditation details come from NUC’s report on ABSU Mass Communication and its accreditation results, 1990 to 2025 publication. The new media degrees come from The Whistler (29 September 2026), and the 2023 unbundling statement from ThisDay (8 February 2023). Campus and history details come from Wikipedia. The safe target table and the worked example are my own advice and illustration. ABSU’s fees were not published in any source I reached. Checked on 29 October 2026; this page will be updated if ABSU publishes a departmental cut-off or new requirements.
I am Jude Chinecherem, a final-year MBBS student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I know what it feels like to want an education your family cannot afford. When my parents could not pay for my schooling, I had to learn how to find scholarships and work the system out on my own, with nobody to guide me. I came out the other side, and now I share everything I learned so the next student does not have to figure it out alone. This is the advice I wish someone had given me back then.
