Jos, the capital of Plateau State, hosts more than one nursing training institution, and this creates confusion for candidates typing “College of Nursing Sciences, Jos” into a search bar. This article clarifies which institutions in Jos actually train nurses, states their fees for the 2026/2027 session, and lays out the admission requirements each one expects candidates to meet.
Which Institution Does “College of Nursing Sciences, Jos” Refer To?
There is no single institution officially named “College of Nursing Sciences, Jos” the way there is, for example, a College of Nursing Sciences in some other states. What exists in and around Jos is a cluster of nursing training bodies, and prospective students usually mean one of the following when they use that search phrase:
- The School of Nursing, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) — the main hospital-based nursing school located in Jos, offering Basic Nursing (RN) training.
- The College of Nursing and Midwifery, Vom (also called the Plateau State College of Nursing and Midwifery) — located just outside Jos in Vom, Jos South Local Government Area, and owned by the Plateau State Government.
- The Department of Nursing, University of Jos (UNIJOS) — a federal university department offering the Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc.) degree.
Because these three account for almost all formal nursing training available around Jos, this article covers each one’s fees and requirements separately so a reader can identify the specific programme they are researching.
School of Nursing, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH)
The School of Nursing at JUTH sits within the Jos University Teaching Hospital complex and runs a three-year Basic Nursing programme leading to the Registered Nurse (RN) qualification, along with a Post Basic Midwifery programme for those who already hold the RN certificate. JUTH also runs several post-basic specialty schools (Perioperative Nursing, Anaesthesia Nursing, Nephrology Nursing, Intensive Care Nursing, and others) for nurses seeking further specialisation after their basic qualification.
JUTH School of Nursing Fees
| Fee Item | Approximate Amount (₦) | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and departmental charges (fresh students) | 150,000 – 170,000 | First-year Basic Nursing students |
| Tuition (subsequent years) | Lower than first-year figure | Returning students |
| Hostel accommodation (self-contained, off-campus) | 100,000 – 150,000 | Optional, for students who prefer lodging outside the wards provided by the hospital |
| Post-Basic specialty programme forms (e.g., Anaesthesia, Nephrology, Intensive Care) | 7,500 | Non-refundable, at application stage |
These figures exclude acceptance fees, medical screening charges, and uniform costs, which are billed separately once admission is confirmed. A fresh Basic Nursing student at JUTH should budget a total in the range of ₦250,000 to ₦320,000 for the first session once accommodation and incidental charges are added to tuition.
JUTH Admission Requirements
To qualify for the Basic Nursing programme at JUTH, a candidate needs:
- A minimum of five credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in no more than two sittings of WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB.
- A valid UTME registration through JAMB, since the college is one of the nursing training institutions that requires a JAMB score for entry.
- A competitive score at or above the cut-off mark JAMB sets annually for colleges of nursing, which currently stands at 140 as the national baseline, though JUTH’s own internal cut-off for a given session may be set higher depending on the volume of applicants.
- Successful performance at the school’s selection interview, which typically tests general knowledge, basic science understanding, and communication skills.
- Evidence of good health, usually confirmed through a medical examination the school arranges after provisional selection.
- Evidence of sponsorship or the financial capacity to self-fund the programme, since candidates are expected to demonstrate they can sustain the three-year training.
College of Nursing and Midwifery, Vom (Plateau State)
The College of Nursing and Midwifery in Vom, a short distance from Jos, is owned by the Plateau State Government and is the state-run alternative to the JUTH school. It runs the General Nursing programme leading to the RN qualification, alongside Community Midwifery and several post-basic nursing specialties, and its National Diploma (ND) track is also open to candidates through JAMB.
Vom College Fees and Admission Notes
Fees at the College of Nursing and Midwifery, Vom, sit in a similar bracket to JUTH, generally between ₦150,000 and ₦200,000 per session for fresh students, with self-contained off-campus accommodation costing an additional ₦100,000 to ₦150,000 for students who do not use the college’s own hostel space. The admission form itself costs a modest, non-refundable amount, typically around ₦5,000, obtainable from the college’s Academic Registry once the admission window for the session opens.
Admission into the General Nursing programme at Vom requires the same core O’Level combination as JUTH — five credits in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics in not more than two sittings — plus a JAMB UTME score, with the college’s internal cut-off historically set around 170 for candidates who select it as their first choice on the JAMB portal. Selecting the college as a first choice materially improves a candidate’s chances, since institutions running JAMB-based admission give priority to first-choice applicants when shortlisting for post-UTME screening.
Department of Nursing, University of Jos (UNIJOS)
For candidates specifically looking for a degree rather than a diploma-level RN certificate, the Department of Nursing at the University of Jos offers a Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc.) programme spanning four years of full-time study across eight semesters. As a federal university department, its fees are considerably lower than what a private nursing programme would cost, generally falling between roughly ₦193,000 and ₦355,000 annually depending on the level of study, inclusive of tuition, departmental charges, and other compulsory fees.
Admission into the UNIJOS Nursing programme requires five O’Level credits in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, a UTME registration with the University of Jos selected as the institution of choice, and a score that meets the departmental cut-off for Nursing, which tends to sit well above the university’s general cut-off mark because Nursing is one of the more competitive courses at the institution. Successful candidates additionally go through a post-UTME screening exercise and, in many admission cycles, a departmental interview before final admission is confirmed. Students then complete their clinical training and practical rotations at the Jos University Teaching Hospital and other affiliated health facilities in the state.
Comparing the Three Nursing Training Routes in Jos
| Institution | Type of Award | Duration | Approximate Annual Fee (₦) | Requires JAMB? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| School of Nursing, JUTH | RN Certificate (Basic Nursing) | 3 years | 150,000 – 170,000 (fresh) | Yes |
| College of Nursing and Midwifery, Vom | RN Certificate / ND | 3 years | 150,000 – 200,000 (fresh) | Yes |
| Department of Nursing, UNIJOS | B.NSc. Degree | 4 years | 193,000 – 355,000 | Yes |
The clearest distinction among the three is the type of qualification each one leads to. The RN-track institutions (JUTH and Vom) award a diploma-level certificate that qualifies a graduate to register as a Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and begin practising, while UNIJOS awards a full bachelor’s degree that also leads to NMCN registration but typically carries more weight for candidates aiming at postgraduate study, senior clinical roles, or work opportunities abroad that specify a degree qualification.
Application Process Across the Institutions
Regardless of which institution a candidate settles on, the sequence of steps for applying is broadly consistent:
- Register for JAMB UTME and select the chosen institution as the preferred choice, since first-choice candidates are given priority during screening.
- Upload O’Level results (WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB) to the JAMB CAPS portal, as institutions cannot process admission for candidates whose results are not visible on the portal.
- Purchase and complete the institution’s post-UTME or admission screening form once the sales window opens, usually announced on the institution’s official notice board or website.
- Attend the screening exercise or interview where required, and await the release of the provisional admission list.
- Pay the acceptance fee promptly after being offered admission to secure the place, followed by tuition payment before the start of lectures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there one official “College of Nursing Sciences” located in Jos?
No single institution carries exactly that name. The main nursing training bodies in or near Jos are the School of Nursing at JUTH, the College of Nursing and Midwifery at Vom, and the Department of Nursing at the University of Jos, each offering a different type of qualification.
Which of the three is the cheapest option?
The School of Nursing, JUTH, and the College of Nursing and Midwifery, Vom, charge broadly similar fees for fresh students, both generally under ₦200,000 per session, while the University of Jos degree programme costs somewhat more per year, though it still remains affordable compared with private nursing programmes elsewhere in the country.
Do all three institutions require a JAMB UTME score?
Yes. Unlike some private nursing schools in other states that admit through their own entrance examinations alone, JUTH, Vom, and UNIJOS all require candidates to register for and pass JAMB UTME before proceeding to institutional screening.
What is the minimum JAMB score needed for these nursing programmes in Jos?
JAMB’s national baseline for colleges of nursing sciences currently stands at 140, though individual institutions set their own internal cut-off marks that can run higher, especially for UNIJOS, where Nursing is one of the more competitive departments and typically requires a score well above the university’s general cut-off.