If you already have an NCE, OND, HND, IJMB, A-levels, or another qualifying higher-level certificate and you want to join the University of Ibadan straight into 200 or 300 level, Direct Entry is your route.

It’s cleaner than repeating UTME and it rewards what you have already achieved. But it is not automatic. UI wants proof that you are prepared for the level you hope to enter.

This guide breaks down the eligibility, paperwork, portal steps, scoring logic, and practical tips to make your application as tight as possible.

Quick summary for people who hate long reads

• Direct Entry candidates must meet UI’s subject and qualification requirements for the chosen programme. See the official regulations and departmental list. UI Admissions+1
• UI opens a dedicated DE/Post-UTME portal. Expect to pay a portal access fee and a screening fee when applying. For 2025 the portal access fee is N3,000 and screening fee is N2,000. University of Ibadan+1
• Upload correct documents, follow subject combinations exactly, and watch deadlines closely. UI processes and uploads lists to JAMB CAPS when admission offers are ready. University of Ibadan+1

Those facts are the scaffolding. Everything below fills in the parts most guides skip.

Read Also: University of Ilorin Admission Requirements (2025 Guide)

Who should use Direct Entry

Use DE if you have one of the following and it is relevant to your chosen course at UI:

• Two A-level passes in appropriate subjects, or
• A relevant HND or OND with at least upper credit where applicable, or
• NCE with recommended merit/credit in relevant subject areas, or
• IJMB, Cambridge A-level, or similar pre-degree credentials accepted by UI.

If you have a foreign qualification, check UI’s approved list and conversion rules in the admissions guidance. The university publishes a definitive list of acceptable qualifications and subject requirements. Don’t assume your certificate is a fit until you confirm it. UI Admissions+1

Minimum academic requirements you can’t wiggle out of

These are the non-negotiables most people trip over:

• Five O’Level credits in relevant subjects, usually at one sitting. English Language must be included. For some programmes, six credits across two sittings are acceptable but check the departmental rules. University of Ibadan
• For HND/OND applicants, most faculties insist on an upper credit. UI accepts certain higher national awards into 200 or 300 level depending on the department. UI Admissions
• A-level candidates need the right subject combinations. For example, Engineering wants Physics and Mathematics. Medicine and related fields want Biology plus Chemistry. The UI regulations document lists subject-by-subject requirements. Don’t guess. UI Admissions

If your qualification is borderline, consider formal conversion programmes like IJMB or a relevant pre-degree to shore up eligibility. That is cleaner than trying to patch deficiencies during screening.

Step-by-step: How to apply for UI Direct Entry in 2025

1. Check official announcements. UI opens the DE/Post-UTME portal on the admissions website. Bookmark https://admissions.ui.edu.ng and use it only. Scammers love fake pages. UI Admissions+1
2. Confirm you meet the departmental requirements. Download the UI regulations PDF and the department-specific notes. These specify subject combinations and any special waivers. UI Admissions
3. Prepare your documents digitally. Typical files you will need:
   • Scanned copies of your higher-level certificate (HND, IJMB, A-levels, etc)
   • O’Level result(s) or WAEC/NECO certificates
   • Birth certificate or age declaration
   • Passport photograph in the required format
   • Proof of payment for portal and screening fees. University of Ibadan
4. Register on the admission portal with your JAMB DE or JAMB registration number. For DE candidates, the portal login usually uses your JAMB number as username and surname as initial password. Follow the exact login instructions on the portal. University of Ibadan
5. Pay fees on the portal. UI’s payment routine typically requires a portal access fee plus a screening fee. For 2025 the published fees are N3,000 for portal access and N2,000 for screening. Keep receipts and screenshots. University of Ibadan+1
6. Complete the online form carefully. Enter subjects, grades and qualification details exactly as they appear on your certificates. Mistyped grades are a surprisingly common reason for rejection. Double-check everything. University of Ibadan
7. Submit, print your screening slip and save evidence. You might be asked to present the slip later during document verification. Screenshots are not a bad idea during heavy portal traffic. University of Ibadan
8. Wait for the lists. UI ranks direct entry candidates by department and admission quota. Successful offers are uploaded to JAMB CAPS and the UI admissions portal. Once you see an offer, accept it on JAMB CAPS immediately. Instagram+1

How UI evaluates Direct Entry applicants

UI treats DE applicants as serious entrants. The university confirms:

• Validity of higher-level qualification, and that the qualification fits the target course. UI Admissions
• O’Level profile is complete and matches programme demands. University of Ibadan
• Some departments may require additional interviews or written tests for certain professional courses. Check departmental notices. University of Ibadan

The final decision is a mix of your qualification quality, O’Level points, department quota, and any special considerations such as catchment or educational background policies.

Common document and eligibility pitfalls

• Uploading O’Level results to JAMB CAPS but not to the UI portal. You must use both systems correctly. University of Ibadan
• Using the wrong subject codes or abbreviations on the portal. Always copy exactly from your certificates.
• Assuming lower credits will be accepted for HND/OND applicants. Many faculties require upper credit. Confirm before you apply. UI Admissions
• Missing the DE-specific submission window. UI deadlines are strict. Work around the portal early when traffic is light. UI Admissions

Timelines and fees you need to plan for in 2025

• Portal opens mid to late July and closes by mid-August in the 2025 cycle. Exact dates are posted on UI’s admissions page. Log in early; the portal tends to slow down close to the deadline. UI Admissions+1
• Expect to pay the portal access fee and screening fee during registration. For 2025 the portal access fee is N3,000 and screening fee is N2,000. Keep the receipts. University of Ibadan

Budget for additional costs – document scans, internet bundles, travel for verification if called – and don’t pin your application on last-minute payments.

What if you don’t meet the DE requirements for your chosen course

You have options:

• Consider a related programme with looser entry needs within the UI. Sometimes a lateral move benefits your long-term goal.
• Do a conversion route – IJMB, UACE or a relevant pre-degree programme – and reapply.
• Take an OND or NCE and reapply via DE with a stronger credential.
• Apply to other universities with different DE thresholds.

Direct Entry is efficient when you meet requirements. When you don’t, it can be more efficient to shore up credentials deliberately than to game the system.

Practical tips that actually help your application

• Start early. Don’t wait until portal traffic chokes you.
• Scan documents clearly. Fuzzy scans get rejected.
• Use a desktop browser if possible. Some portals misbehave on mobile.
• Take screenshots of every successful payment and every submission confirmation. Store them in a folder labeled Year-UI-DE.
• Read the UI regulation PDF and make a checklist from it. It’s the single best control document. UI Admissions

After you get an offer

1. Accept the offer on JAMB CAPS straight away. Delay can cost you the slot. Instagram
2. Follow UI’s instructions for clearance, medical checks, and registration. These steps usually come with separate fees and deadlines.
3. Upload original documents for verification when requested. Keep physical copies neat and accessible.

Final checklist before you click submit

•  Did you confirm your department’s DE subject and qualification requirements from the UI regulation document? UI Admissions
•  Do you have five O’Level credits including English recorded at one or two sittings as required? University of Ibadan
•  Do your scanned higher-level certificates match the portal entries exactly?
•  Have you paid the portal access fee and screening fee and kept receipts? University of Ibadan
•  Did you upload O’Level results to JAMB CAPS and the UI portal? University of Ibadan

Final thought

Direct Entry to UI is a smart route when your prior qualifications align with the course you want. UI expects completeness and accuracy. When you give the admissions office a neat, verified package, you stop competing on luck and start competing on merit. That is a much better game to play.