2024 JAMB UTME Change of Course: Healthcare Options

Nigeria recently completed a nationwide computer-based test known as the “Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination” (UTME). JAMB (Joint Admission Matriculation Board) is the body in charge of overseeing the UTME exam for admission to Nigerian universities. So, before you can successfully gain admission to any Nigerian university of your choice, you must first take the UTME and, of course, pass the exam with at least the minimum score established by JAMB for that academic session. “The cut-off mark for university admission for the 2024/2025 academic session is 160”, as per School Pursuit.

The 2024 JAMB UTME is over, and it was found that this examination had a startling 77% failure rate. This is heartbreaking not only for the students, but also for all of those who assisted them in exam preparation, such as parents, teachers, and private tutors. But do you know who is the most stressed out about the UTME this year? The aspiring healthcare professionals. If they do not meet the cut off mark for courses like medicine or nursing, they wouldn’t be able to apply to universities that offer that course for at least one year, until the next JAMB UTME.

However, the healthcare field is huge, with several career paths. In many parts of the world, including Nigeria, parents encourage their children to pursue medicine or nursing, which are traditional healthcare careers. However, those are not the only options available, and you should not be discouraged if you did not meet the requirements for medicine or nursing for this year’s UTME.

If you genuinely want to pursue either course, you’ll have to wait until the next JAMB UTME to take another exam. However, if you are eager and cannot bear the thought of writing another JAMB UTME, you can purchase the JAMB change of course or institution form to change either your course or the institution (university). Aside from medicine and nursing, here are some more healthcare courses you can choose from:

Global Healthcare

• Epidemiology
• Health system
• Healthcare education
• Global Health Policy and Management
• International Public Health
• Global Health Ethics
• Tropical Medicine
• Disaster Relief and Humanitarian Aid

Medical studies

• Medicine
• Cardiology
• Medical science
• Human Anatomy
• Physiology
• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Pathology
• Microbiology
• Immunology

Allied Health

• Medical assisting
• Medical imaging
• Laboratory science
• Radiology
• Respiratory Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Radiologic Technology
• Medical Laboratory Science
• Emergency Medical Technology (EMT)
• Dental Hygiene
• Dietetics and Nutrition

Nursing studies

• Nursing
• Nursing assisting
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
• Nurse Midwife
• Nurse Anesthetist
• Nurse Educator

Alternative medicine

• Complementary medicine
• Traditional medicine
• Holistic medicine
• Acupuncture
• Ayurveda
• Homeopathy
• Naturopathy
• Massage Therapy

Healthcare studies

• Healthcare management
• Home healthcare
• Health administration
• Public Health
• Health Informatics
• Health Policy
• Healthcare Management

Dental studies

• Dentistry
• Dental assisting
• Dental surgery

Pharmaceutical medicine

• Pharmacy
• Pharmaceutical science
• Pharmacy technician training
• Drug Discovery and Development
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Biomedical studies

• Medical research
• Medical microbiology
• Biomedical science
• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Genetics
• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Neuroscience

Mental healthcare

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Social Work
• Counseling
• Marriage and Family Therapy

Conclusion

You don’t have to abandon your ambition to become a healthcare practitioner because of one setback. There is always a next time to attempt. If you don’t want to try again, you can change your course to any of the listed healthcare courses.

As you can see, that’s a pool of courses. If there is one thing the world needs, it is more healthcare practitioners; there is enough space for everyone.