University candidates to submit secondary admission applications for vacant course places from 5 to 9 October

University applicants for the 2026 academic year will have a further opportunity to apply for remaining vacant places across higher and vocational education programmes, the National Assessment and Examinations Centre (NAEC) announced on Friday.

According to the Centre, the portal for the secondary admissions round will open from 11:00 on Monday 5 October until 18:00 on Friday 9 October, allowing eligible candidates to select available higher and vocational courses.

“Candidates are eligible to participate in the secondary clearing round if they:

* Passed the required minimum competency threshold in every subject during the 2026 Unified National Examinations, but were not awarded a place in the initial allocation;
* Failed to pass the minimum competency threshold for university entry in every subject at the 2026 Unified National Examinations, but met the required threshold established for vocational educational programmes,” the NAEC stated in an official advisory.

“Detailed guidance regarding course selection, along with updated information on higher and vocational institutions, available programmes, and student intake quotas, is published in the Centre’s updated online handbook, the Handbook for Applicants,” the announcement added.

The initial phase of secondary allocations began on 14 September. According to NAEC figures, 1,242 applicants secured places at higher and vocational institutions during the first clearing phase, representing 73 per cent of total clearing participants.