The College of Nursing Sciences at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, trains students for careers in nursing and midwifery through structured diploma and post-basic programmes. Prospective applicants for the 2026/2027 academic session need clear information on what the college offers, who qualifies for admission, how much the programmes cost, and how the application process works. This article lays out that information in a straightforward, practical format.
About the College of Nursing Sciences, ATBUTH
The College of Nursing Sciences operates as a training arm of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi, Bauchi State. It exists to produce qualified nurses and midwives who go on to serve in hospitals, primary healthcare centres, and other health institutions across Nigeria. The college runs its academic and clinical training within the teaching hospital environment, giving students direct exposure to real patient care under the supervision of qualified nursing tutors and clinical instructors.
Training at the college follows the curriculum approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), which regulates nursing education standards nationwide. Graduates sit for the council’s licensing examination before they can practice as registered nurses or midwives.
Programmes Offered at the College
The College of Nursing Sciences, ATBUTH, Bauchi, runs several programmes at different levels. These typically include:
- National Diploma (ND) in Nursing — a foundational diploma programme for candidates entering the nursing profession for the first time.
- Basic Midwifery Programme — trains candidates to become registered midwives, focusing on maternal and child health.
- Direct Entry Basic Midwifery for Community Midwives — a track designed for candidates who already hold relevant qualifications and wish to specialise directly in community midwifery.
- Post Basic Nursing — an advanced programme open to candidates who are already registered nurses and want to specialise further.
- Post Basic Midwifery — an advanced programme open to registered nurses who wish to add a midwifery qualification.
Each programme has its own entry requirements and duration, so applicants should confirm which track matches their existing qualifications before applying.
Admission Requirements
Admission into the College of Nursing Sciences, ATBUTH, Bauchi, depends on the specific programme a candidate is applying for. The general requirements across most programmes include the following.
For Basic Nursing/Midwifery programmes (ND Nursing and Basic Midwifery):
- Candidates must possess a minimum of five (5) credit passes in the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), obtained from WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB.
- The five credits must include English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
- These credits must be obtained in not more than two sittings.
- Where NABTEB is used, it can only be combined with another NABTEB result, not mixed with WAEC or NECO results in a single sitting combination.
- Candidates must sit for and pass the college’s entrance examination.
- Shortlisted candidates from the entrance examination proceed to an oral interview conducted at the college premises.
- Candidates must meet a minimum age requirement, generally not younger than 16 years at the point of admission, though exact age policies can be confirmed with the college’s admissions office.
For Post Basic Nursing and Post Basic Midwifery programmes:
- Candidates applying for Post Basic Nursing must already be registered midwives.
- Candidates applying for Post Basic Midwifery must already be registered nurses.
- Candidates must present valid registration/licensing documents from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
- The same O’level credit requirement (five credits including English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics) generally applies as a baseline qualification.
- Candidates go through the entrance examination and interview process as well.
For Direct Entry Basic Midwifery for Community Midwives:
- This route is reserved for candidates with specific existing qualifications relevant to community health or midwifery, in addition to the standard O’level credit requirement.
The table below summarises the entry pathway by programme type.
| Programme | Minimum Requirement | Additional Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| ND Nursing / Basic Midwifery | 5 O’level credits (English, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics) in ≤2 sittings | Entrance exam and interview |
| Direct Entry Basic Midwifery (Community Midwives) | 5 O’level credits as above | Relevant community health qualification |
| Post Basic Nursing | 5 O’level credits as above | Must be a registered midwife |
| Post Basic Midwifery | 5 O’level credits as above | Must be a registered nurse |
Applicants should note that admission into these programmes at ATBUTH does not require a UTME/JAMB score, unlike degree-level nursing programmes run by universities. The college conducts its own entrance examination, and O’level results serve as the baseline academic requirement.
Application Process
Applying to the College of Nursing Sciences, ATBUTH, Bauchi, follows these general steps:
- Purchase the application form or scratch card. Interested candidates visit the college in person and obtain the application scratch card or an invoice for the application fee, payable at the designated Treasury Single Account (TSA) pay point of ATBUTH, Bauchi.
- Complete and submit the form. Candidates fill in the application form with their personal details, academic history, and choice of programme, then return the completed hard copy to the college within the stipulated deadline.
- Await the entrance examination schedule. The college publishes a date for the written entrance examination, usually conducted at the college premises in Bauchi.
- Sit for the entrance examination. Candidates who meet the O’level requirement sit for a written test covering basic subjects relevant to nursing/midwifery training.
- Attend the interview. Candidates who pass the entrance examination are shortlisted and invited for an oral interview.
- Check the admission list. Successful candidates from the interview stage are placed on the admission list, which is typically displayed on the college’s notice board and may also be published through the school’s official communication channels.
- Pay acceptance and school fees. Admitted candidates proceed to pay the required acceptance fee and tuition to secure their place before resumption.
Application windows for the college typically open and close within a set period each year, so candidates should stay in contact with the admissions office or check official notices regularly to avoid missing deadlines.
School Fees Structure
School fees at the College of Nursing Sciences, ATBUTH, Bauchi, are paid mostly as a single lump sum per session, since institutions of this type rarely offer instalment payment plans. Based on the fee patterns the college has followed in recent sessions, prospective students should budget for the following categories of payment.
| Fee Type | Approximate Range (₦) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application/Screening Fee | 5,000 – 7,000 | Paid before the entrance examination; varies slightly by programme |
| Acceptance Fee | 20,000 – 40,000 | Paid once, after being offered admission |
| Tuition and Other Compulsory Charges | 100,000 – 200,000 | Covers tuition, medicals, library, ID card, and related charges per session |
| Hostel Accommodation (if applicable) | Varies | Depends on availability and choice of accommodation |
These figures represent typical ranges reported across recent sessions and are meant to guide budgeting rather than serve as the exact, current official figure. Nursing training institutions review their fee schedules from time to time, and the College of Nursing Sciences, ATBUTH, Bauchi, is no exception. Prospective and returning students should always confirm the exact, current amount directly from the college’s admissions or bursary office, or through the official notice displayed at the school, before making any payment. Payments are generally required at designated TSA pay points connected to ATBUTH, Bauchi, and candidates receive an official invoice or receipt that must be kept for verification during registration.
Duration of Programmes
The National Diploma in Nursing and the Basic Midwifery programme typically run for a period spanning multiple years of combined classroom instruction and supervised clinical practice, in line with the curriculum set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. Post Basic programmes, since they build on an existing nursing or midwifery qualification, generally run for a shorter duration, often around one to two years, depending on the specific specialty.
Why Choose the College of Nursing Sciences, ATBUTH, Bauchi
Training within a teaching hospital setting gives students at this college practical exposure that complements classroom learning. Because ATBUTH functions as a full referral hospital, students handle a broad range of clinical cases during their practicals, which strengthens their competence before they qualify. The college’s programmes are also structured to meet the standards required for licensing by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, meaning graduates are eligible to register and practice as qualified nurses or midwives anywhere in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the College of Nursing Sciences, ATBUTH, Bauchi, require a JAMB/UTME score for admission?
No. Admission into the college’s nursing and midwifery programmes is based on O’level results, an entrance examination, and an interview conducted by the college, not on a UTME score.
What is the minimum O’level requirement for admission?
Candidates need five credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics from WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB, obtained in not more than two sittings.
Can someone with only WAEC and NABTEB combined results apply?
NABTEB results can only be combined with other NABTEB results. A candidate cannot mix a NABTEB sitting with a WAEC or NECO sitting to make up the five required credits.
How much should a fresh student budget for school fees?
Based on recent sessions, a fresh student should budget roughly ₦100,000 to ₦200,000 for tuition and compulsory charges, in addition to a separate acceptance fee and application fee. Candidates should confirm the exact current figures with the college before making payment.
Is Post Basic Nursing open to fresh O’level candidates?
No. Post Basic Nursing is reserved for candidates who are already registered midwives, while Post Basic Midwifery is reserved for candidates who are already registered nurses.
Where does the entrance examination and interview take place?
Both the entrance examination and the interview for the College of Nursing Sciences are conducted at the college’s premises within ATBUTH, Bauchi.