How to Change Institution/Course on JAMB Portal: Essential Steps to Avoid Admission Heartbreak

You checked your score, and maybe it wasn’t exactly what you planned for. You wanted Medicine at UNILAG, but your score is looking more like 210. Or perhaps you smashed the exam, but you realized late that your subject combination for Engineering was wrong because you didn’t include Chemistry.

Panic sets in. You start thinking, “Is this how I stay at home for another year?”

Relax. It’s not the end of the world.

JAMB created the “Change of Course/Institution” window exactly for this reason. It is your second chance to fix mistakes and realign your admission chances so you don’t end up sitting at home while your mates are doing matriculation.

Here is the honest, step-by-step guide on how to change institution/course on JAMB portal without making a mess of your admission.

Table of Contents

Why Rush to Change?

Before you even log in, ask yourself: Why am I doing this?

Most students rush into this phase because of fear. But you need strategy. If you scored 180 and you are still insisting on Law at the University of Ibadan, you are setting yourself up for disappointment.

You should consider changing if:

Your score is lower than the cut-off mark for your first choice.
Your subject combination is wrong (e.g., you wrote Arts subjects but applied for a Science course).
You want to change from a University to a Polytechnic or College of Education to secure admission faster.

The Cost: Have Your ATM Card Ready

Nothing is free in Nigeria, especially not exams.

The official fee for the Change of Course/Institution is N2,500. However, you can’t just pay exactly that amount. You have to factor in Remita charges and bank fees.

If you go to a CBT center (which I highly recommend), they will charge you a service fee. So, budget around N3,500 to N4,000 to be safe. Don’t let anyone charge you N10,000 for “processing.” That’s just robbery.

Phone vs. CBT Center: Don’t Be a Hero

Here is a trap many students fall into. You have a smartphone, data, and confidence. You think, “I can do this on my browser.”

Technically, you can initiate the payment on your phone. But honestly? I advise you to go to an accredited JAMB CBT center.

Why? Because the JAMB portal can be glitchy. One wrong click on a small screen, and you’ve mistakenly changed your course to “Yoruba Language” instead of “Computer Science.” Plus, some updates require biometric thumbprint authentication, which your phone definitely cannot do.

For peace of mind, locate a center.

Step-by-Step: How to Change Institution/Course on JAMB Portal

If you are determined to understand the process (or check if the CBT center is doing it right), here is how it flows:

Log in to Your Profile: Go to the JAMB EFILITY facility. Login with the email and password you used during registration.
Locate “Registration”: On the dashboard, look for the button that says “Registration (2025 only)” or “Correction of Data.”
Select the Service: Click on “Course/Institution.”
Make Payment: The portal will generate a Transaction ID. You can pay online with your card (Verve, Mastercard, Visa) or pay at the bank.
Edit Your Choices: Once payment is successful, you will see your old choices. This is where you select the new school or new course.
Preview and Submit: Look at it twice. No, look at it three times. Once you hit submit, reversing it costs money again.

The “Combo” Mistake You Must Avoid

This is where 60% of students lose admission.

You change your course from Microbiology to Nursing because you scored high. But did you check if Nursing accepts the subjects you sat for?

According to the official JAMB Brochure, every course has specific requirements. If you change to a course that requires Physics, but you didn’t write Physics in UTME, JAMB will accept your money, but the school will reject you.

Don’t guess. Verify the subject combination before you click submit.

How Do I Know It Worked?

After you leave the café or CBT center, don’t just assume it’s done.

Wait for 24 hours, then log back into your portal. Check your “My CAPs” section on the JAMB portal or print your result slip again. Your new choice should appear there. If it still shows the old school after a few days, go back to the center and complain.

Also, keep an eye on news from reputable sources like The Punch for deadlines. JAMB closes this window eventually, and once it shuts, no amount of begging will open it.

Final Thoughts

Changing your course isn’t a sign of failure; it’s a strategic move. It’s better to study a slightly different course and be in school than to stubbornly wait at home for a “perfect” course that isn’t coming.

Be smart, check your combinations, and secure that admission letter.