If you’ve been rejected for your first-choice course at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), or you didn’t make the primary admission list, you’ve probably come across the terms “Shopping” or “Advert” admission.
This guide explains what the UNN Shopping/Advert Admission List means for the 2026/2027 academic session, how the process works, what it currently costs, and answers the specific questions candidates keep asking.
Contents
What Is the UNN Shopping/Advert Admission List?
The UNN Shopping (also called Advert) admission process is a secondary route into the university, separate from the regular Post-UTME merit-based admission.
It’s designed for candidates who:
- Did not get admitted into their originally chosen course at UNN, or
- Want to switch into a different course than the one they applied for through JAMB, provided a vacancy exists in that department.
Essentially, “shopping” means browsing available courses that still have open slots after the primary admission list has been released, and applying (or “advertising” your interest) for one of them, subject to meeting that department’s entry requirements.
This differs from the Supplementary Admission List, which is UNN’s internally generated list of candidates recommended for admission into alternative courses based on their existing scores; shopping/advert, by contrast, is an active application process candidates initiate by purchasing a form.
Is the UNN Shopping/Advert Form Out for 2026/2027?
As of now, the UNN Shopping/Advert form for the 2026/2027 academic session has not been released.
This is expected, since the process traditionally only opens after the UNN First/Merit/Primary Admission List has been published for the session.
If you’re an aspirant checking for this, the honest answer is: hold on, because you should wait for your primary admission list first; the shopping form comes later.
Also important: at the time of writing, UNN has not officially published a departmental cut-off mark for shopping/advert candidates for 2026/2027.
Treat any specific figures shared online for this session as unofficial estimates based on past trends, not confirmed university announcements.
Be cautious of anyone claiming to have “leaked” official cut-offs before UNN itself has published them.
How the UNN Shopping/Advert Process Typically Works
Based on how the process has run in recent sessions, here’s what you can generally expect once the form opens:
- Visit the official UNN portal (unn.edu.ng or unnportal.edu.ng).
- Log in using your JAMB Registration Number to generate a payment invoice, which will include a Remita number.
- Pay the required Advert/Shopping processing fee at any commercial bank or through your preferred online payment channel. In the most recent session, the fee was ₦10,000, but this may change, so confirm the current amount once the 2026/2027 form is officially released.
- Enter your Invoice Number correctly during payment; errors here can delay your confirmation.
- Obtain your confirmation slip, which will contain a Confirmation Number alongside your Invoice Number.
- Return to the portal to complete your Shopping/Change of Course form using your JAMB number, Confirmation Number, and Invoice Number.
- Select from the list of departments with available vacancies, provided you meet that department’s specific entry requirements.
Eligibility Requirements for UNN Shopping/Advert Admission
While exact figures for 2026/2027 haven’t been officially confirmed, based on how recent sessions have been run, candidates are generally expected to:
- Meet a minimum combined UTME and Post-UTME average score (in the most recent comparable session, this was set at 160).
- Have sat for the correct UTME subject combination matching the course they intend to shop into.
- Meet the university’s general and departmental entry requirements for the specific course selected during shopping.
- Have their O’Level results properly uploaded to the JAMB portal, since incomplete O’Level uploads can block admission processing entirely, regardless of shopping eligibility.
What Happens After You “Shop” a Course?
Once you’ve completed your Shopping/Change of Course application and it’s processed:
- Your admission status should reflect on JAMB CAPS (Central Admissions Processing System), not just on the UNN portal alone.
- If you were offered admission through shopping, you’ll typically need to accept the offer through JAMB CAPS or via text message to JAMB before UNN can process it further.
- You should then print your admission slip and complete UNN’s Acceptance Form, followed by other fee payments and registration steps as instructed on the university’s website.
Remember that any admission gained through shopping/advert is still provisional until fully processed and confirmed, similar to supplementary admissions.
Shopping vs Supplementary Admission: What’s the Real Difference?
Many candidates confuse these two, so here’s the simple distinction:
- Shopping/Advert Admission: You actively choose to apply for a different available course by purchasing a specific form and selecting from open vacancies yourself.
- Supplementary Admission: UNN reviews candidates who didn’t make the primary list and proactively recommends them for a different course based on their existing scores. You don’t purchase a separate form for this; you’re included on a released list.
Both routes ultimately require you to formally accept the offer through JAMB CAPS before your admission becomes valid.
Common Mistakes That Delay Shopping/Advert Admission
- Paying the shopping fee before confirming your eligibility for the department you intend to select; this doesn’t guarantee a slot exists.
- Forgetting to re-check JAMB CAPS after being told your name appears on a shopping-related list; some candidates assume the UNN portal alone is enough confirmation.
- Not uploading O’Level results early, which stalls admission processing even after a successful shopping application.
- Relying on unofficial cut-off figures being shared before UNN has made any official departmental announcement for the current session.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the UNN Shopping/Advert form available right now for 2026/2027?
Not yet.
It typically becomes available only after UNN’s First/Merit/Primary Admission List is released, and as of now, that step hasn’t triggered the shopping form’s release either.
2. How much does the UNN Shopping/Advert form cost?
In the most recent comparable session, the processing fee was ₦10,000, but this should be reconfirmed once the 2026/2027 form is officially announced, since fees can be revised.
3. Can I shop into any course I like, regardless of my score?
No. You can only shop into courses that both have available vacancies and match your minimum UTME/Post-UTME requirements, along with the correct subject combination for that course.
4. What’s the real difference between shopping admission and supplementary admission?
Shopping is an active application you initiate by purchasing a form and picking from open courses yourself.
Supplementary admission is when UNN reviews unsuccessful candidates and recommends them for an alternative course without requiring a separate purchased form.
5. My name appears on a shopping list; does that mean I’m automatically admitted?
Not immediately. You still need to formally accept the offer through JAMB CAPS (or by text message to JAMB, depending on current instructions) before UNN can fully process your admission.
6. Why does my JAMB CAPS still show “Not Admitted” even though other candidates say they’ve been admitted?
Admission processing doesn’t happen at the same time for everyone.
Different candidates may see updates at different times, so continue checking your own JAMB CAPS status regularly instead of comparing timing with others.
7. Is there an official departmental cut-off mark for shopping candidates in 2026/2027?
Not officially, as of now. Any specific cut-off figures circulating for this exact session are based on past trends and estimates, not a confirmed university publication.
8. What if I haven’t uploaded my O’Level results yet?
You should do this urgently through a JAMB-approved CBT centre. Admission, including through shopping, cannot be processed until your O’Level results are properly uploaded and confirmed on JAMB CAPS.
9. Can I pay my acceptance fee before formally accepting admission through JAMB CAPS?
It’s safer to complete the formal acceptance step on JAMB CAPS first, since payment sequence requirements can vary, and skipping the proper order may create processing complications later.
10. What should I do if I don’t see my name on any list at all?
Stay calm and keep monitoring both the UNN portal and JAMB CAPS regularly, since updates can roll out gradually.
If concerns persist, reach out directly to UNN’s admissions office rather than relying only on speculation from unofficial sources.
Final Thoughts
Don’t spend money on any shopping/advert form based on unofficial cut-off marks or rumours about “connections” securing admission.
UNN’s process is merit-based and tied to actual available vacancies.
Wait for the official announcement, confirm every figure directly from UNN’s portal, and keep your JAMB CAPS status as your primary source of truth throughout the process.
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