Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (FUHSA) is a specialized federal university located in Azare, the headquarters of Katagum Local Government Area in Bauchi State. Established in 2021 under the administration that created eleven new federal universities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, FUHSA was set up specifically to expand training capacity in health sciences and address Nigeria’s shortage of qualified medical and allied health professionals. This article sets out the medical and health science courses available at FUHSA for the 2026/2027 session, explains the fee structure across its programmes, and clarifies the admission requirements a prospective candidate needs to meet.
Overview of FUHSA
FUHSA operates as a single-focus health sciences university rather than a conventional multi-faculty institution, meaning nearly every course on its academic calendar sits within medicine, dentistry, nursing, or an allied health discipline. The university is accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and admitted its first set of about 760 pioneer students for the merged 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 academic sessions. Since then, FUHSA has expanded its academic structure into several colleges and faculties, including Basic Medical Sciences, Dentistry, Allied Health Sciences, Basic Clinical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Integrated Health Sciences, and general Sciences.
Medical and Health Science Courses Offered at FUHSA
The table below sets out the full range of courses currently offered across FUHSA’s colleges and faculties.
| Faculty/College | Courses Offered |
|---|---|
| Basic Medical Sciences / Clinical Sciences | Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) |
| Dentistry | Dental Surgery (BDS) |
| Allied Health Sciences | Nursing Science; Medical Laboratory Science; Radiography and Radiation Science; Physiotherapy; Optometry; Audiology and Speech Language Pathology |
| Integrated Health Sciences | Human Nutrition and Dietetics; Environmental Health |
| Sciences / Health Informatics | Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Information Technology and Health Informatics |
A candidate applying to FUHSA selects a specific department under one of these faculties at the point of UTME registration or Direct Entry application. Each department carries its own subject combination requirement and departmental cut-off mark, since the level of competition varies significantly from one course to another.
School Fees at FUHSA
FUHSA’s fee schedule differs by course of study, reflecting the varying levels of clinical training, laboratory work, and specialized equipment each programme requires. Reported figures across recent admission cycles have shown some variation from one session to another as the university’s management periodically reviews its fee structure, so the figures below should be treated as a general guide rather than a fixed, permanent amount. The table below sets out the approximate fee ranges reported for FUHSA’s undergraduate programmes.
| Course Category | Approximate Session Fee Range |
|---|---|
| Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) / Dentistry (BDS) | ₦350,000 – ₦450,000 |
| Nursing Science, Physiotherapy, Medical Laboratory Science, Radiography | ₦200,000 – ₦380,000 |
| Human Nutrition and Dietetics | Approximately ₦336,500 |
| Optometry, Audiology and Speech Language Pathology | ₦200,000 – ₦300,000 |
| Environmental Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Health Informatics | ₦150,000 – ₦250,000 |
Given the range reported across different admission cycles, any candidate preparing to pay fees at FUHSA should confirm the exact, current figure for their specific department directly from the university’s official student portal or bursary department before making payment, rather than relying solely on a figure seen elsewhere, since the school periodically revises its approved fee schedule.
What the Fee Typically Covers
FUHSA’s session fee generally bundles the following components into a single invoice:
- Tuition — the core academic charge covering lectures, coursework, and departmental instruction.
- Registration — administrative processing of course forms and academic records for the session.
- ICT and library access — use of the university’s library resources and computer facilities.
- Laboratory and clinical training charges — particularly significant for Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, and the allied health courses, covering laboratory consumables, simulation training, and clinical placement costs.
- Examination and departmental charges — internal continuous assessment, semester examinations, and departmental levies specific to each course.
Costs that fall outside the standard session fee include hostel accommodation and a one-time acceptance fee paid by fresh students after confirming their admission offer.
Hostel Accommodation at FUHSA
FUHSA provides on-campus accommodation, and hostel fees vary depending on the type of room and facilities allocated. A distinguishing feature of FUHSA’s accommodation policy is that hostel accommodation is compulsory for students in the Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) and Dentistry (BDS) programmes, given the demanding clinical schedules and hospital rotations these courses require, while accommodation remains optional for students in other professional courses. Allocation of hostel space is managed directly by the university, and students seeking a place must agree to abide by the hostel’s regulations, including any disciplinary measures applicable in case of a violation.
JAMB Cut-Off Marks for FUHSA Courses
FUHSA uses a tiered cut-off mark system, meaning different courses require different minimum UTME scores rather than a single uniform figure applying across the entire university. For the current admission cycle, Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) and Dentistry (BDS) require a minimum UTME score of 220 to be eligible for the university’s Post-UTME screening exercise, though this figure represents only the eligibility floor; actual admission typically goes to candidates with stronger combined UTME and screening scores well above this baseline. Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Radiography, Physiotherapy, Optometry, and Audiology carry a cut-off mark of 200 and above for the current session, while the university’s official senate-approved minimum for Nursing sits somewhat lower, around 170, though the realistic competitive threshold for actual admission into Nursing generally falls between 200 and 220.
Candidates should confirm the specific, current cut-off mark for their chosen department directly from FUHSA’s official admissions portal before applying, since these figures are reviewed and can shift slightly from one admission cycle to the next based on applicant volume and departmental capacity.
Admission Requirements at FUHSA
Admission into any undergraduate course at FUHSA follows a structured process that combines UTME performance, O’Level qualifications, and a Post-UTME screening exercise. The general requirements are as follows:
- UTME registration: Candidates must sit for the JAMB UTME examination and select FUHSA as their first choice, or apply for a change of institution if FUHSA was not their original choice.
- O’Level qualification: A minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, obtained in not more than two sittings from WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent examination body. Science-based courses additionally require credit passes in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
- Meeting the departmental cut-off mark: Candidates must score at or above the specific cut-off mark set for their chosen course.
- Post-UTME screening: Shortlisted candidates participate in a screening exercise, which in recent admission cycles has taken the form of a physical screening conducted on the Azare campus over a scheduled period.
- Direct Entry route: Candidates holding an ND, HND, NCE, IJMB, or an equivalent qualification can apply through JAMB Direct Entry, subject to meeting the specific departmental requirements for their chosen course.
Candidates should also note that the minimum age requirement for admission into FUHSA’s undergraduate programmes is generally 16 years, alongside the standard O’Level and UTME requirements outlined above.
Postgraduate Programmes at FUHSA
Beyond its undergraduate offerings, FUHSA also runs postgraduate programmes in various health-related disciplines, including options at the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) level in fields such as Medical Biotechnology and Medical Microbiology. Fee structures for postgraduate study differ significantly from undergraduate fees and are billed according to the specific programme, level of study, and research requirements involved, so prospective postgraduate applicants should request the current postgraduate fee schedule directly from the university’s postgraduate school.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the JAMB cut-off mark for Medicine and Surgery at FUHSA?
The current cut-off mark for Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) and Dentistry (BDS) is 220, though this is only the eligibility floor; competitive admission typically requires a stronger combined score.
How much does Medicine and Surgery cost at FUHSA?
Reported figures place the session fee for Medicine and Surgery between approximately ₦350,000 and ₦450,000, though this should be confirmed directly from the university’s current fee schedule.
Is hostel accommodation compulsory at FUHSA?
Yes, but only for students in the Medicine and Surgery and Dentistry programmes. Accommodation is optional for students in other professional health courses.
Can a candidate apply to FUHSA through Direct Entry?
Yes. Candidates with an ND, HND, NCE, IJMB, or equivalent qualification can apply through JAMB Direct Entry, subject to meeting the specific departmental requirements for their chosen course.
What courses does FUHSA offer besides Medicine and Dentistry?
UHSA offers Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Radiography, Physiotherapy, Optometry, Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Environmental Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Information Technology and Health Informatics.