How to Do a “Change of Institution/Course” on the JAMB Portal Correctly
So, the JAMB results are out, or maybe you just realized you made a terrible mistake during registration. You picked “Medicine” but didn’t include Physics in your subject combination. Or perhaps you scored 180, but the university you chose requires 200.
Panic mode, right?
Relax. It’s not the end of the world. In fact, thousands of Nigerian students face this exact issue every year. The good news? The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has a “Green Card” for you. It’s called the Change of Course/Institution form.
But here is the problem: Doing it is easy. Doing it correctly is where most students fail.
I have seen students pay for this form, change their course, and still get denied admission because they repeated the same mistake in a different way. We don’t want that for you.
In this guide, we are going to look at how to do a “Change of Institution/Course” on the JAMB portal correctly, step-by-step, without wasting your money or your admission chances.
What is JAMB Change of Institution/Course?
The JAMB Change of Institution/Course is an official online service that allows candidates to modify the data they provided during UTME registration. This includes changing your First Choice University, switching your course of study, or correcting bio-data, usually to align with your actual UTME score or O’Level results.
Before You Rush to the Cyber Cafe (Read This First)
Wait. Don’t run to the CBT center yet.
Before you spend your N2,500 (approximate cost), you need to do some homework. The computer doesn’t know if you are making a sensible choice; it just processes what you input.
1. Check the Cut-Off Mark If you scored 145, don’t change your institution to UNILAG or OAU. You are just donating money to JAMB. Be realistic. If your score is on the lower side, you need to look for schools that match your reality. We actually have a detailed list of universities that accept 140 cut-off mark which you should check out before making a move.
2. Verify Subject Combinations This is the biggest killer of admission. You cannot study Mass Communication if you didn’t write Literature-in-English. It doesn’t matter if you change the course; if the subjects don’t match, the admission is void.
3. Is the School Actually Selling Forms? Some schools close their Post-UTME registration early. Confirm that the school you want to change to hasn’t already finished their screening exercise.
How to Do a “Change of Institution/Course” on the JAMB Portal Correctly
Now that you have done your homework, let’s get into the technical part. While I always advise going to an accredited CBT center to avoid stories that touch, you need to know the process so you can monitor what they are doing.
Step 1: Log into Your Profile Visit the official JAMB EFILITY facility. You will need the email address and password you used during registration.
Step 2: Navigate to “Registration Support” On your dashboard, look for the menu bar (usually on the left side or a drop-down on mobile). You will see a tab labeled “Registration (2025 only)” or “Correction of Data.” Click on it.
Step 3: Select “Change of Course/Institution” You will see different options like “Change of Name,” “Date of Birth,” etc. Click strictly on Change of Course/Institution.
Step 4: Payment Nothing in Nigeria is free, right? The portal will ask you to pay. This is usually done via Remita. You can pay with your ATM card instantly. Once payment is successful, you will be redirected to the data correction page.
Step 5: Make Your Changes This is the critical moment.
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Preferred Institution: Select your new First Choice.
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Preferred Course: Select the new course.
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Second/Third/Fourth Choices: You can update these too, though most admission focus is on the First Choice.
Step 6: Submit and Print Once you hit submit, the changes reflect on the JAMB CAPS system. Ensure you print the JAMB Change of Institution Slip. You will need this for your Post-UTME screening.
The “Trap” Areas: Common Mistakes to Avoid
I need to be honest with you. The process above sounds simple, but the devil is in the details. Here are the traps students fall into.
The “Catchment Area” delusion You might think, “I have a high score, so I can go anywhere.” Not exactly. Some state universities heavily favor students from their own state. If you are from Lagos and you apply to a state university in the North without checking their catchment policy, you might be at a disadvantage.
However, if you are looking for specific regions, like the north, ensure you check the quality of the schools first. For instance, knowing the best schools in Kano State can help you make an informed decision if you plan to study in that region.
Changing to a “High Cake” Course with a Low Score I see this every year. A student scores 220 and changes their course to Medicine because their pastor said “miracles happen.” Miracles do happen, but university admission officers follow guidelines. If you are aiming for competitive courses, you need competitive scores. If you are determined to study a medical course, ensure you actually meet the requirements for the best universities in Nigeria for Medicine. If not, consider related courses like Anatomy or Physiology.
Not Monitoring the Cyber Cafe Guy Never, and I mean never, write your choices on a piece of paper, give it to the cafe attendant, and walk away. Stand there. Watch the screen. Ensure he selects “Civil Engineering” and not “Chemical Engineering.” One click can change your destiny.
Real-Life Application: Why Timing Matters
Imagine you wait until the last minute to do your change of course. The new school you picked has already released their Post-UTME form, and the deadline is tomorrow. The JAMB portal might take 24 hours to reflect the change. You miss the deadline.
It’s painful.
Also, consider the cost of private universities if federal admission isn’t working out. If you want to change to a private school but are worried about funds, you don’t have to break the bank. There are options. For example, you can look at the most affordable private university in Abuja. Changing to a private university is often easier and faster, but you must do the change of institution on the portal first.
The Exam Corner (Likely Questions)
Let’s test your knowledge. These are scenarios you might face or questions people ask.
Scenario 1: Chinedu wants to change his course from Chemistry to Pharmacy. He scored 240. However, he didn’t check the O’Level requirement. The university requires a Credit in Physics, but Chinedu has a D7. Question: Should Chinedu proceed with the change of course? Answer: No. Even if JAMB approves the change, the university will reject him during screening because of the O’Level deficiency.
Scenario 2: Fatima has done a change of institution once. She made a mistake again. Can she do it a second time? Answer: It depends. Usually, JAMB allows it multiple times, but each time attracts a separate fee. However, some years they place a limit (e.g., 2 times). Always try to get it right the first time.
Scenario 3: Does the change reflect immediately on the school’s portal? Answer: Not always. It can take between 24 hours to a few days for the school to receive your updated data from JAMB CAPS.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How much does the Change of Institution form cost? A: officially, it is usually N2,500. However, if you use a Cyber Cafe or CBT center, they will add their service charge, so budget around N3,000 to N3,500.
Q: Can I do it on my phone? A: technically, yes. But I strongly advise against it. The JAMB portal is sensitive. One mistake on a small screen, or a browser refresh error, and you might select the wrong school. Use a desktop computer or visit a CBT center.
Q: When is the deadline? A: JAMB doesn’t usually announce a strict “closing date” for this immediately, but universities have their own deadlines for Post-UTME. Once your school of choice closes their portal, the change becomes useless.
Q: Can I change from a University to a Polytechnic? A: Yes, you can. In fact, this is a smart move if your UTME score is low. Polytechnics generally accept lower cut-off marks.
Conclusion
Using the “Change of Institution/Course” option is a second chance. It’s a lifeline. But like any lifeline, it only saves you if you hold onto it correctly.
Don’t just change courses because your friends are doing it. Look at your score, look at your O’Level result, and look at your pocket.
Have you checked the requirements for the new school you want to choose? If you are confused about which school fits your score, drop a comment below. Let’s solve it together.
