How to Change Course on JAMB 2026: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Change Course on JAMB 2026

Did you register for the wrong course? Want to switch institutions? Not happy with the cut off for your original choice? JAMB allows candidates to change their course and institution of choice after the UTME — and it’s more straightforward than most people think. Here’s exactly how to do it in 2026.

What Is JAMB Change of Course and Institution?

JAMB’s Change of Course and Institution facility lets UTME candidates modify their choices after the exam. Specifically, you can change your: course of study, institution of first choice, institution of second choice, or all of the above. This window is opened for a limited period after UTME results are released, so you need to act quickly if you want to make changes.

Note: you cannot change your four JAMB subjects through this process. If you registered for the wrong subjects, that’s a different — and more complicated — situation.

Why Would You Want to Change Course or Institution?

A few common scenarios: your JAMB score came out lower than expected and your first-choice institution now seems unrealistic. You’ve realised the course you registered for isn’t actually what you want to study. The cut off mark for your course at your chosen institution is higher than your score. You want to take advantage of a better opportunity at a different university.

All of these are valid reasons and JAMB provides this facility specifically for situations like these.

How to Change Course on JAMB 2026 — Step by Step

The process is done online through the JAMB portal. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Visit the official JAMB portal at jamb.gov.ng and log in to your JAMB profile using your registration number and password.

Step 2: Navigate to the “Change of Course and Institution” section. This link only appears during the change window — if you don’t see it, the window hasn’t opened yet or it has closed.

Step 3: Select your new course from the dropdown list. You can also change your institution of first or second choice at the same time.

Step 4: Pay the Change of Course fee. JAMB charges a fee for this service — it has historically been around ₦2,500 to ₦3,500. Payment is made online through the portal.

Step 5: Confirm your changes and save. You’ll receive a confirmation SMS or email. Print or screenshot the confirmation for your records.

When Does the JAMB Change Window Open in 2026?

JAMB typically opens the Change of Course and Institution window a few weeks after UTME results are released. The window usually stays open for two to four weeks. Once it closes, no further changes are allowed for that UTME cycle. Monitor the JAMB website and your registered phone number for the official announcement.

Things to Know Before You Change

Make sure the new course you’re switching to is compatible with your JAMB subject combination. If you registered Sciences subjects (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology) and now want to study Law — which requires Arts subjects — you cannot make that switch. Your subject combination is fixed. The change only works for courses that accept your existing subject combination.

Also, do your research on the new institution and course before changing. Check the cut off marks and whether your score is competitive for the new choice. A change to an institution or course where your score still doesn’t qualify doesn’t help.

Can You Change More Than Once?

JAMB typically allows one change per UTME cycle. Make sure you’re confident in your new choice before confirming — you can’t easily undo it.

What If You Miss the Change Window?

If the window closes before you make your change, you’ll need to work with your original choices during that cycle’s admission process. You can either proceed with admission for a different course than you intended (and possibly transfer later) or wait and re-sit JAMB in the next year. Neither is ideal, which is why acting quickly when the window opens matters.

Wrapping Up

Changing your course or institution on JAMB is a simple process — as long as you do it during the right window and your subject combination supports the new course. Don’t delay if you’ve decided to change. Bookmark this page and we’ll update it with the official 2026 Change of Course window dates as soon as JAMB announces them.