The University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) runs one of the largest medical training colleges in north-eastern Nigeria through its College of Medical Sciences. Candidates researching medical courses at UNIMAID for the 2026/2027 academic session usually want two things at once: a clear list of the medical programmes on offer, and an accurate picture of what each one costs. This article covers both, along with the cut-off marks and admission conditions attached to each course.
Overview of the College of Medical Sciences at UNIMAID
UNIMAID is a federal university, and its College of Medical Sciences is organised into several faculties that train different categories of health professionals. Unlike a single-department arrangement, the college groups its programmes as follows: the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences (which houses Medicine and Surgery), the Faculty of Dentistry, the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences (Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Nutrition and Dietetics), and the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences (Physiotherapy, Radiography, Nursing Science, and Medical Laboratory Science). Pharmacy is also offered as part of the university’s broader health-related training, though it sits under its own faculty structure.
Because UNIMAID is federally funded, tuition for all courses, including medical courses, stays considerably lower than what students pay in state or private universities running similar programmes. This is one of the reasons medical courses at UNIMAID attract large numbers of applicants every admission cycle, alongside the practical training opportunities available through the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
List of Medical Courses Offered at UNIMAID
Students interested in the medical and health sciences track at UNIMAID can choose from the following programmes:
- Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) – a six-year programme covering pre-clinical and clinical training.
- Dental Surgery (BDS) – a six-year programme for training dentists.
- Pharmacy (B.Pharm) – a five-year programme covering pharmaceutical sciences and clinical pharmacy practice.
- Nursing Science (B.NSc) – a five-year programme for training registered nurses.
- Medical Laboratory Science – a five-year programme covering diagnostic and laboratory testing skills.
- Radiography – a five-year programme focused on medical imaging and radiologic technology.
- Physiotherapy (Doctor of Physiotherapy) – a programme focused on rehabilitation and physical therapy.
- Human Anatomy – a four-year basic medical science degree, often chosen by students aiming for research or teaching roles in anatomy.
- Human Physiology – a four-year basic medical science degree covering the study of body systems and functions.
- Nutrition and Dietetics – a four-year programme focused on clinical nutrition and dietary science.
Each of these programmes leads to a professional or basic-science qualification recognised by the relevant regulatory body, such as the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for MBBS and BDS, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria for Nursing Science, and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria for Pharmacy graduates.
School Fees for Medical Courses at UNIMAID (2026/2027)
Because UNIMAID is a federal institution, medical students pay far less than their counterparts in private universities and considerably less than students in many state universities. Fees also differ between fresh students, who pay slightly more due to one-time charges, and returning students, who pay a reduced amount from their second year onward.
| Course | Fresher (100 Level) Fee (approx.) | Returning Student Fee (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) | ₦33,000 | ₦18,000 |
| Dental Surgery (BDS) | ₦33,000 | ₦18,000 |
| Nursing Science | ₦33,000 | ₦18,000 |
| Radiography | ₦33,000 | ₦18,000 |
| Pharmacy | ₦30,000 – ₦35,000 | ₦17,000 – ₦20,000 |
| Medical Laboratory Science | ₦30,000 – ₦35,000 | ₦17,000 – ₦20,000 |
| Physiotherapy | ₦30,000 – ₦35,000 | ₦17,000 – ₦20,000 |
| Human Anatomy / Human Physiology | ₦28,000 – ₦33,000 | ₦15,000 – ₦18,000 |
| Nutrition and Dietetics | ₦28,000 – ₦33,000 | ₦15,000 – ₦18,000 |
These figures represent the core school fees bill, which bundles tuition, registration, library, ICT, medical, sports, and departmental charges into a single payment made through the university portal. Amounts can shift slightly from one session to the next depending on university policy, so admitted students should always verify the exact figure for their specific department on the official UNIMAID portal before making payment.
What UNIMAID School Fees Cover
The fee students pay each session is not a single flat charge for tuition alone. It typically bundles together:
- Tuition fee
- Registration and matriculation fee (freshers only)
- Library fee
- ICT/computer fee
- Medical/health services fee
- Sports and student union dues
- Departmental/laboratory practical fee, which tends to be higher for medical courses because of the equipment and consumables used in practicals
- Development levy
Clinical and laboratory-based courses such as Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, and Medical Laboratory Science attract slightly higher departmental charges than the basic medical science courses like Human Anatomy or Human Physiology, because of the cost of maintaining laboratories, cadavers, and clinical training facilities.
Acceptance Fee and Other One-Time Charges
Once a candidate is offered admission into any medical course at UNIMAID, an acceptance fee of ₦25,000 is required to confirm the offer. This fee is non-refundable and is paid before a student proceeds to register for courses or pay the main school fees. A separate registration fee of about ₦10,000 may also apply for new students during the documentation stage, covering processing of admission letters and academic records.
Students admitted through Post-UTME screening also pay a screening fee at the point of registering for the exercise, which has historically been around ₦2,000, though this is a much smaller cost compared to the acceptance and school fees paid after admission is confirmed.
Admission Requirements and Cut-Off Marks for Medical Courses
Medical courses at UNIMAID are among the most competitive in the university, and each carries a cut-off mark well above the general institutional minimum. Admission into these programmes follows three categories: Merit, Catchment Area, and Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS), each with a slightly different minimum score.
For the 2026/2027 admission cycle, the approved cut-off marks for medical and health-related courses are:
- Medicine and Surgery (MBBS): Merit 250, Catchment/ELDS 220
- Dental Surgery (BDS): Merit 250, Catchment/ELDS 220
- Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Nutrition and Dietetics: Merit 220, Catchment 200, ELDS 220
- Physiotherapy, Radiography, Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science: Merit 220, Catchment 200, ELDS 220
Beyond meeting the UTME cut-off mark, candidates for any medical course at UNIMAID need at least five credit passes in relevant O’Level subjects, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings. The correct UTME subject combination (typically English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics for Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Physiology, and related courses) is compulsory, and candidates must also participate in the university’s Post-UTME screening exercise, which further ranks applicants beyond the JAMB score alone.
Direct entry applicants with a relevant HND, NCE, or first degree may also be considered for some medical courses, subject to the specific requirements of each department and available space at 200 level.
How to Pay UNIMAID School Fees
Payment of fees for any medical course at UNIMAID follows the university’s standard e-payment process:
- Visit the official UNIMAID student portal and log in using the JAMB registration number for freshers or the matriculation number for returning students.
- Select the fees payment option and choose the specific fee being paid, such as acceptance fee, school fees, or hostel fee.
- Generate a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) for the transaction.
- Complete payment using a bank card online, or take the RRR to any bank branch that accepts Remita payments.
- Confirm that payment reflects on the student portal, then proceed to register courses for the session.
Students should complete payment ahead of the deadline announced each session, since late payment can attract penalty charges and may delay a student’s ability to register courses or sit for examinations.
Additional Costs for Medical Students at UNIMAID
Aside from the official school fees, students in medical courses at UNIMAID typically plan for a few other recurring expenses:
- Hostel accommodation: UNIMAID operates several hostels for male and female students, with accommodation fees that are generally modest compared to private lodging around the university.
- Textbooks and clinical materials: Stethoscopes, lab coats, dissection kits, and standard reference textbooks become necessary once a student advances past the first year, especially for MBBS, BDS, and Medical Laboratory Science students.
- Clinical posting expenses: Students on hospital postings, particularly in the clinical years of Medicine, Dentistry, and Nursing, budget for transport and, in some departments, uniforms.
- Feeding and upkeep: As with any Nigerian university, feeding and personal upkeep make up a significant part of a student’s overall session budget, and the demanding schedule of clinical years often requires more careful planning.
Why UNIMAID Medical Courses Remain Affordable
Because UNIMAID is a federal university that benefits from government subvention, its school fees for medical courses remain far lower than what students pay for the same programmes in private universities, where Medicine and Surgery or Dentistry can cost several hundred thousand to a few million naira per session. Even compared to some state universities, UNIMAID’s medical courses are on the lower end of the fee scale, making the institution a common first choice among candidates who want quality medical training without the heavier financial burden associated with private medical education.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Medicine and Surgery school fees at UNIMAID?
Fresh students in Medicine and Surgery pay approximately ₦33,000 as school fees, while returning students pay around ₦18,000, in addition to the one-time acceptance fee.
What is the cut-off mark for Medicine and Surgery at UNIMAID?
The Merit cut-off mark for MBBS at UNIMAID is 250, while the Catchment and ELDS categories require a minimum of 220.
Which medical courses does UNIMAID offer?
UNIMAID offers Medicine and Surgery, Dental Surgery, Pharmacy, Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Radiography, Physiotherapy, Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, and Nutrition and Dietetics.
How much is the acceptance fee at UNIMAID?
The acceptance fee for newly admitted students at UNIMAID, including those admitted into medical courses, is ₦25,000.
How many years does it take to complete Medicine and Surgery at UNIMAID?
Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) at UNIMAID takes six years for candidates admitted through UTME at 100 level.