The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) is one of the leading destinations for students who want to study medicine and other health-related courses in Nigeria. As a federal university, UNN charges school fees that are considerably lower than what private and even many state universities charge for similar programs. This makes the institution attractive to students from average-income families who still want quality training in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and other allied health fields. This article explains the medical courses available at UNN and gives a clear breakdown of what each course costs for the 2026/2027 academic session.
Medical Courses Offered at UNN
UNN runs its medical and health science programs mainly under the College of Medicine, with some programs domiciled in other faculties such as Pharmaceutical Sciences. The courses fall into two broad categories: courses that lead directly to clinical practice, and courses that support clinical practice through laboratory science, imaging, rehabilitation, and drug-related training.
The medical and health-related courses currently offered at UNN include:
- Medicine and Surgery (MBBS)
- Dentistry (Dental Surgery)
- Nursing Science
- Pharmacy (Pharmaceutical Sciences)
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Radiography
- Medical Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy)
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- Public Health / Community Medicine (mainly at postgraduate level)
Each of these programs has its own duration, curriculum structure, and admission cut-off mark, but they share a common academic foundation in the basic medical sciences during the first two years of study.
Medicine and Surgery (MBBS)
Medicine and Surgery is the flagship program of the College of Medicine and one of the most competitive courses to gain admission into at UNN. The program runs for six years and is divided into three broad phases. The pre-clinical phase, covering roughly the first two years, focuses on Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry, and takes place on the main Nsukka campus. The para-clinical phase, covering the third and fourth years, introduces Pharmacology, Pathology, Microbiology, and Community Medicine. The clinical phase, covering the fifth and sixth years, moves students to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) at Ituku-Ozalla in Enugu State, where they undergo hospital-based training, ward rounds, and clinical rotations. Graduates earn the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree and proceed to a mandatory one-year housemanship before their NYSC.
Dentistry
Dentistry follows a structure similar to Medicine and Surgery, combining pre-clinical science courses with clinical training in oral health, dental surgery, and related specialties. Students in this program also transition to hospital-based training in the later years of the course.
Nursing Science
Nursing Science trains students to become registered nurses with a strong theoretical and clinical foundation. The program combines classroom instruction with clinical postings in hospital wards, and graduates are qualified to sit for the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria licensing examination.
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is a five-year program under the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. It trains students in pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and clinical pharmacy practice, preparing graduates for roles in community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, drug manufacturing, and pharmaceutical research.
Medical Laboratory Science
This program trains students to become laboratory scientists who diagnose diseases through the analysis of blood, tissue, and other body samples. Students study courses in haematology, microbiology, chemical pathology, and histopathology.
Radiography
Radiography trains students in diagnostic imaging, including X-ray, ultrasound, and other imaging techniques used to detect and monitor disease. The course combines physics-based training with clinical imaging practice.
Medical Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy)
Medical Rehabilitation trains physiotherapists who help patients recover movement and physical function after injury, surgery, or illness. The program blends anatomy, biomechanics, and hands-on therapeutic practice.
UNN Medical Courses School Fees 2026/2027
School fees at UNN vary slightly by department, but medical and health science courses generally attract additional laboratory, clinical, and departmental charges compared to non-science courses. This is because of the practical and equipment-intensive nature of medical training. Below is a general estimate of what students in medical-related departments should expect to pay for the 2026/2027 session. These figures cover tuition, departmental dues, laboratory charges, library fees, ICT fees, and other compulsory charges, but exclude hostel accommodation.
| Course | Estimated Fee (Fresh Students, 100 Level) | Estimated Fee (Returning Students) |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) | ₦115,000 – ₦130,000 | ₦95,000 – ₦110,000 |
| Dentistry | ₦115,000 – ₦130,000 | ₦95,000 – ₦110,000 |
| Nursing Science | ₦110,000 – ₦125,000 | ₦90,000 – ₦105,000 |
| Pharmacy | ₦110,000 – ₦125,000 | ₦90,000 – ₦105,000 |
| Medical Laboratory Science | ₦110,000 – ₦122,000 | ₦90,000 – ₦102,000 |
| Radiography | ₦110,000 – ₦122,000 | ₦90,000 – ₦102,000 |
| Medical Rehabilitation | ₦108,000 – ₦120,000 | ₦88,000 – ₦100,000 |
These figures are estimates based on the general pattern of UNN school fees for science-based and health-related courses. Because UNN periodically reviews its fee schedule, and because departmental charges can change from one session to another, students and parents should always confirm the exact figure for their specific department on the official UNN student portal before making any payment.
Other Charges Medical Students Should Budget For
Beyond the basic school fees listed above, medical and health science students at UNN typically pay a number of additional charges. Understanding these costs in advance helps students and their families plan a realistic budget for the academic year.
The acceptance fee is the first payment a newly admitted student makes to confirm their admission offer. For the 2026/2027 session, this fee is ₦30,000 and is paid once, immediately after admission is confirmed. It is non-refundable and must be paid before a student can proceed with registration.
Hostel accommodation is a separate cost from school fees. UNN offers on-campus hostels for both male and female students at different price ranges depending on the hall of residence. Because bed spaces are limited, students often need to apply as soon as the hostel portal opens to secure a spot at an affordable rate. Students in the clinical years of Medicine and Dentistry, who train at UNTH Ituku-Ozalla, may also need to arrange accommodation near the teaching hospital in Enugu, which differs from Nsukka campus hostel rates.
Departmental and laboratory dues form part of a medical student’s cost of study, since courses like Medicine and Surgery, Medical Laboratory Science, and Radiography involve extensive use of laboratory equipment, specimens, and consumables. These dues are usually higher than what students in purely theoretical courses pay, and they can increase slightly as a student advances into the clinical years.
Examination and registration fees cover the cost of matriculation, identity cards, continuous assessment, and semester examinations. These are typically bundled into the general school fees but are itemized separately on the payment portal.
Textbooks, uniforms, and clinical kits represent a recurring cost for medical students. Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, Radiography, and Medical Rehabilitation students are usually required to purchase specific uniforms and small equipment such as stethoscopes, lab coats, and dissection kits, particularly from 200 Level onward.
How UNN Medical Course Fees Compare to Other Universities
UNN’s status as a federal institution keeps its medical course fees considerably lower than what students would pay at state universities or private medical schools in Nigeria. While a private university can charge several million naira per session for Medicine and Surgery, UNN keeps its charges within a few hundred thousand naira across an entire academic year, including all the additional charges listed above. Over the full six-year duration of the Medicine and Surgery program, a student can expect the cumulative cost of school fees alone, excluding accommodation and personal upkeep, to fall within the range of ₦600,000 to ₦750,000. This makes UNN one of the more financially accessible pathways to earning an MBBS degree in Nigeria, without compromising on the quality of training, given the university’s long-standing reputation for producing competent medical professionals.
Admission Requirements for UNN Medical Courses
To gain admission into any medical course at UNN, a candidate needs a minimum of five credits in relevant subjects from WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB, obtained in not more than two sittings. English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics are typically required for Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and the allied health science courses. Candidates also need a competitive JAMB UTME score, since medical courses at UNN rank among the most sought-after programs in the university and consequently require higher cut-off marks than most other courses. Candidates should select UNN as their first-choice institution on their JAMB registration, since the university generally considers only first-choice applicants for its competitive programs. After meeting the UTME requirement, candidates go through a post-UTME screening exercise conducted by the university before a final admission decision is made.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is UNN Medicine and Surgery school fees for 2026/2027?
Fresh students in Medicine and Surgery pay an estimated ₦115,000 to ₦130,000 for the first year, in addition to the ₦30,000 acceptance fee. Returning students in subsequent years pay slightly less, since the acceptance fee does not apply to them.
Is UNN Medicine and Surgery cheaper than private universities?
Yes. As a federal university, UNN’s fees for Medicine and Surgery are significantly lower than those of private universities, which can charge several million naira per session for the same program.
Does UNN offer Dentistry as a separate course from Medicine and Surgery?
Yes. Dentistry is offered as its own program with a similar structure to Medicine and Surgery, though the two are distinct courses with separate admission requirements and cut-off marks.
Do all medical courses at UNN cost the same amount?
No. While the fees for most medical-related courses fall within a similar range, Medicine and Surgery and Dentistry typically attract slightly higher departmental and laboratory charges than courses like Nursing Science or Medical Rehabilitation, due to the more intensive practical component of these programs.
Where can students confirm the exact and current UNN medical course fees?
Students should log in to the official UNN student portal with their registration details to view the exact fee breakdown for their specific department and level, since fees can be reviewed from one session to another.