NDA cut off mark for International Relations 2026/2027

NDA requires a UTME score of 237 for International Relations in 2026. The institution ranks 12th out of 32 institutions offering the course in this guide, sitting in the upper half.

Compared to 2025, the figure ticked up 3 points, reflecting the stronger national candidate pool and rising demand for the course at NDA.

Clearing 237 at UTME is the threshold to be considered, not a guarantee of admission. The post-UTME or screening aggregate decides who actually gets the place. A typical aggregate for International Relations at NDA that secures an offer sits broadly in the 71.6+ range on the 100-point scale, though the exact threshold moves year to year with applicant volume.

Nigerian Defence Academy uses the standard Nigerian aggregate model for International Relations: a weighted blend of UTME score, post-UTME or screening result, and O'level grade points. The most common federal-university split is 50% UTME, 30% post-UTME, 20% O'level, scaled to a 100-point aggregate.

Worked example: a candidate with a UTME of 250 (= 31.25 of 50), a post-UTME score of 65 of 100 (= 19.5 of 30) and five A1 grades at O'level (= 20 of 20) finishes on an aggregate of 70.75, comfortably above typical International Relations thresholds at most institutions. A weaker O'level pulls the number down materially, which is why many candidates underestimate the role of secondary-school results in the admission decision.

Each component matters in proportion to its weight. UTME at 50% remains the largest single component, but post-UTME at 30% is enough to lift or sink an otherwise borderline application. O'level grades at 20% reward consistent strength across the school years.

Federal universities such as NDA often follow this model closely, but check the institution's current admission policy each cycle, as small adjustments to weights are not uncommon.

A realistic plan for International Relations at NDA starts with a UTME target above the cut-off, not at the cut-off. Aim for 252+, which gives a comfortable margin and protects against last-minute rises in the cut-off. Candidates who score exactly at the cut-off are often squeezed out by post-UTME aggregates, because higher-scoring candidates rank above them on the final list.

Post-UTME performance matters as much as the UTME score. Even a candidate at 252+ needs a strong post-UTME to translate eligibility into admission. Past papers, focused revision of the post-UTME syllabus and timed practice are the standard preparation.

If 237 looks out of reach, consider second-choice institutions for the same course at lower cut-offs in this guide, or related courses at NDA with lower cut-offs. The change-of-course window during the cycle is the formal route to switch, and many candidates use it to recover from a UTME score that fell short of the first-choice target.

The cut-off has risen against 2025, so plan with the assumption that the 2027 cycle could push it further upward. Confirm the official NDA admission portal for any mid-cycle adjustments before paying any fees.