JAMB Change of Course & Institution 2026/2027: Deadlines and Steps

This guide covers everything you need on JAMB Change of Course & Institution 2026: when the window opened, the real deadline you must not miss, the correct fee, and a step-by-step walkthrough so you don’t fall for fake agents or outdated information circulating online.

Did your UTME score not meet the cut-off mark for your first-choice school or course? Don’t panic; you’re not out of the 2026 admission race yet. JAMB’s Change of Course & Institution 2026 portal gives candidates a second (and sometimes third) chance to fix their choices before Post-UTME screenings lock in.

Note on figures: JAMB has not published a single, universally confirmed closing date or fee amount for the 2026 window as of this writing, different sources report the fee as ₦2,500, ₦3,000, or ₦3,500, and closing dates are generally tied to when individual universities begin Post-UTME screening rather than one fixed nationwide date. We’ve flagged these clearly below. Always confirm the exact fee and deadline on the official JAMB portal (portal.jamb.gov.ng) before making any payment.

When Did the 2026 Change of Course/Institution Window Open?

JAMB opened the Change of Course and Institution 2026 portal shortly after the release of UTME results, with the service going live around mid-May 2026. JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, confirmed on the board’s official channels that candidates wishing to change their institution or programme of choice could proceed to do so by visiting any of the Board’s approved CBT centres.

What Is the Deadline for JAMB Change of Course & Institution 2026?

This is the part most candidates get wrong: there is no single, fixed closing date for the entire country. Instead, your real deadline is tied to your target institution’s Post-UTME screening schedule.

Once a university opens (and especially once it closes) its Post-UTME registration, your chance to benefit from a JAMB Change of Course & Institution 2026 switch to that school for the current cycle effectively ends.

In practice, this means:

• The JAMB Change of Course & Institution 2026 portal itself may technically remain open into the admission year.
• But if you change to a school after that school has already conducted its Post-UTME screening, you will not be considered for that cycle, regardless of what your JAMB slip now shows.
• Most guidance points to June–July 2026 as the practical cut-off window, since this is when the bulk of Post-UTME registrations begin nationwide.

Bottom line: Don’t wait for JAMB to announce a “final” deadline. Treat your target university’s Post-UTME opening date as your real deadline for JAMB Change of Course & Institution 2026.

How Much Does JAMB Change of Course/Institution Cost in 2026?

Reported fees for JAMB Change of Course & Institution 2026 vary across sources, most commonly between ₦2,500 and ₦3,500 per transaction, sometimes covering both course and institution changes on a single payment, and sometimes charged separately.

Some CBT centres and cybercafés add their own service charge on top of the official JAMB fee, which is why actual amounts paid by candidates differ from town to town.

Change Type	Reported Fee Range	Notes
Change of Course only	₦2,500 – ₦3,500	May cover both course and institution in one payment on some cycles
Change of Institution only	₦2,500 – ₦3,500	Confirm with your CBT centre before paying
Change of Course + Institution together	₦2,500 – ₦5,000	Varies by portal update and CBT centre charges
Extra CBT/cybercafé service charge	₦1,000 – ₦2,500	Not an official JAMB fee — negotiate or avoid where possible

Tip: Always confirm the exact fee displayed on your JAMB eFacility dashboard before paying anyone. Never hand cash to an individual claiming to process JAMB Change of Course & Institution 2026 requests informally, this is a common scam route every admission season.

How Many Times Can You Change Course or Institution?

This also varies by source and by JAMB’s yearly policy update, with figures ranging from one correction only to up to three changes for course and institution, respectively, each requiring a fresh payment. Because this detail changes almost every cycle, treat your first change as if it were your only one; pick carefully rather than assuming you can revise repeatedly.

Step-by-Step: How to Do JAMB Change of Course & Institution 2026/2027

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility First

Before touching the portal, do your homework:

• Check the new institution’s JAMB cut-off mark and compare it with your score.
• Confirm your UTME subject combination matches the new course’s requirements.
• Check the institution’s catchment area or Direct Entry policy if relevant — some schools give preference to indigenes or candidates from specific states.

Step 2: Log In to the JAMB Portal

Visit portal.jamb.gov.ng (or the JAMB eFacility portal) and log in using the email address and password you used during your original UTME registration. If you’ve forgotten your password, use the “Forgot Password” link to reset it via your registered email.

Step 3: Locate “Change of Institution/Course”

On your dashboard, select “Registration (2026 only)”, then look for “Correction of Data” or “Change of Institution/Course.” This option only appears when the change window is officially open for your registration type (UTME or Direct Entry). If you don’t see it, the window may not be open yet, or it may have already closed.

Step 4: Select and Review Your New Choice

Choose your new institution and/or course carefully. Review the details generated by the portal — new cut-off requirements, subject combination compatibility, and institution type (university, polytechnic, or college of education) — before confirming.

Step 5: Make Payment

Pay the displayed fee through the JAMB portal using a debit card, bank transfer, or USSD. Do this online yourself where possible; if you must use a CBT centre, go with an accredited one only.

Step 6: Confirm and Reprint Your Slip

Once the change reflects successfully (usually within 24–48 hours), return to your dashboard and reprint your JAMB registration slip. It should now show your updated institution and/or course. Keep this slip safe — you’ll need it for Post-UTME registration.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During JAMB Change of Course / Institution

• Waiting too long: The biggest risk with JAMB Change of Course & Institution 2026 isn’t the JAMB portal closing — it’s your target school’s Post-UTME closing first.
• Choosing a course above your score: Changing to a course whose cut-off mark is higher than your UTME score wastes your payment; you won’t be considered for admission regardless of the change.
• Ignoring subject combination mismatches: If your new course requires different UTME subjects from your original registration, you may need a separate subject combination correction — not all cycles allow this, so confirm on the portal first.
• Paying unofficial agents: Only pay through the official JAMB portal or an accredited CBT centre. Cash payments to “runs” agents are a leading cause of failed or fraudulent changes.
• Changing after CAPS admission: Once a university has offered you admission on JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), you can no longer use JAMB Change of Course & Institution 2026 to switch — you would need to reject the offer first, which carries its own risks.

What If the Window Has Already Closed?

If you missed the JAMB Change of Course & Institution 2026 window entirely, you still have options:

• Register for Post-UTME with your current details and hope your chosen institution still considers you — success isn’t guaranteed, but some schools show flexibility during screening.
• Consider a polytechnic or college of education with a lower cut-off, especially if your score sits between 140 and 180.
• Explore IJMB or JUPEB programmes, which allow direct entry into 200 level the following year.
• Wait for the next UTME cycle and register afresh with better preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions on JAMB Change of Course & Institution 2026

1. When does the JAMB Change of Course/Institution 2026 portal close?

There is no single confirmed nationwide closing date. Your practical deadline is your target institution’s Post-UTME screening date, generally trending around June–July 2026 based on previous cycles.

2. How much does JAMB Change of Course & Institution cost in 2026?

Reported figures range from ₦2,500 to ₦3,500 per transaction, depending on the source and whether you’re changing course only, institution only, or both. Confirm the exact amount on your JAMB eFacility dashboard before paying.

3. Can I change both my course and institution at the same time?

Yes, in most cycles JAMB allows you to change your course, institution, or both in a single session on the portal, sometimes on one payment.

4. Can I change to a course with a higher cut-off than my score?

You can technically select it, but you won’t be considered for admission unless your score meets or exceeds that course’s cut-off mark. Choose a course and institution your score can realistically win.

5. What happens if my new course requires different subjects from my original registration?

You may need to apply for a separate subject combination correction. Not every cycle permits this, so check availability on the JAMB portal before assuming it’s automatic.

6. Can I switch from a university to a polytechnic or college of education?

Yes. Many candidates with scores in the 150–180 range successfully move to polytechnics or colleges of education, where cut-off marks are typically lower and more competitive for their score.

7. Is the change fee refundable if my request is rejected?

Generally no — the fee is treated as non-refundable once submitted, so review your new choice carefully before paying.

8. Can I still change my institution after I’ve been offered admission on CAPS?

No. Once an institution offers you admission on JAMB’s CAPS portal, the Change of Course/Institution option no longer applies to that admission. You would need to reject the offer through CAPS first, which is a separate and riskier process.

9. Do I need to register for Post-UTME again after changing institutions?

Yes. Changing your institution on JAMB does not automatically register you for your new school’s Post-UTME. You must visit your new institution’s portal and register for screening separately, usually with a fresh Post-UTME fee.

10. How will I know if my change was successful?

Log back into the JAMB portal after 24–48 hours and reprint your registration slip. If the change was successful, your new institution and/or course will reflect on the updated slip.

11. Is it safe to use a cybercafé to process my change?

Only use JAMB-accredited CBT centres. Ordinary cybercafés may charge extra unofficial fees, and some can mishandle your login details. Where possible, process the change yourself using your own email and password.

12. How many times can I use JAMB Change of Course & Institution in 2026?

This detail is not consistently confirmed across sources for 2026, with reports ranging from one-time-only corrections to up to three changes each for course and institution. Treat each change as limited and choose deliberately rather than assuming unlimited attempts.

Conclusion

JAMB Change of Course & Institution 2026 can genuinely rescue an admission cycle that started off looking disappointing, but only if you act early and use official channels. The biggest trap isn’t a JAMB-imposed deadline; it’s your target institution’s Post-UTME screening closing before you’ve made your move. Confirm your new cut-off mark, check your subject combination, pay only through the official JAMB portal, and reprint your slip to confirm the change worked.

For the latest confirmed deadlines, fees, and portal updates on JAMB Change of Course & Institution 2026, always cross-check directly on portal.jamb.gov.ng before making any decision or payment. Bookmark MyUniPress for more updates as new information is officially released.