Obafemi Awolowo University, located in Ile-Ife, Osun State, runs one of the oldest and most respected medical training programmes in Nigeria through its College of Health Sciences. Students who want to study Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, or any of the allied health sciences at OAU need clear information on the courses available, the entry requirements, and the school fees they should budget for in the 2026/2027 academic session. This article covers all of that in one place.
Overview of the College of Health Sciences
The College of Health Sciences is the umbrella body that houses every medicine-related programme at OAU. It is made up of several faculties and departments, including the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, the Faculty of Dentistry, the Faculty of Pharmacy, and the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences under which Nursing and other allied disciplines fall. Teaching hospital training takes place mainly at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), which gives students hands-on clinical exposure from the middle years of their programme onward.
Admission into any of these programmes is competitive because OAU is one of the most sought-after federal universities in Nigeria for health-related courses. Candidates need strong results in relevant subjects and must clear both the UTME and the university’s post-UTME screening process.
List of Medical and Health-Related Courses Offered at OAU
The following courses fall under the medical and health sciences category at OAU:
- Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) – a six-year programme leading to the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree.
- Dentistry (BDS) – Bachelor of Dental Surgery, also a six-year programme.
- Pharmacy (PharmD) – a five- to six-year Doctor of Pharmacy programme.
- Nursing Science (BNSc) – a five-year degree programme.
- Medical Laboratory Science – trains students to become laboratory scientists across specialisms such as haematology, microbiology, and histopathology.
- Physiotherapy – prepares students for careers in physical rehabilitation.
- Radiography (Diagnostic Radiography and Radiation Science) – focused on medical imaging.
- Human Anatomy – a basic medical science degree that also serves as a foundation for postgraduate study and research.
- Human Physiology – another basic medical science degree with strong research and academic career pathways.
- Nutrition and Dietetics – trains students in clinical and community nutrition.
- Public Health / Environmental Health Science – focuses on population-level health, disease prevention, and health policy.
Each of these leads to a professional or academic career in the health sector, but they differ in duration, clinical exposure, and licensing requirements after graduation.
Duration of Each Programme
Programme length varies depending on the course and the mode of entry (UTME or Direct Entry). Direct Entry candidates are usually admitted into 200 level, which shortens their total time on campus by one or two years.
| Course | Duration (UTME Entry) | Duration (Direct Entry) |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) | 6 years | 5 years |
| Dentistry (BDS) | 6 years | 5 years |
| Pharmacy (PharmD) | 5–6 years | 4–5 years |
| Nursing Science | 5 years | 4 years |
| Medical Laboratory Science | 5 years | 4 years |
| Physiotherapy | 5 years | 4 years |
| Radiography | 5 years | 4 years |
| Human Anatomy | 4 years | 3 years |
| Human Physiology | 4 years | 3 years |
| Nutrition and Dietetics | 4–5 years | 3–4 years |
Students admitted for Medicine and Surgery or Dentistry spend the first two to three years on basic medical sciences (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry) before moving into clinical postings at the teaching hospital for the remaining years.
Admission Requirements
To gain admission into any medical or health science course at OAU, a candidate generally needs the following:
- Five credit passes in the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings.
- A satisfactory UTME score in the relevant subject combination, usually Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
- A competitive score in the OAU Post-UTME screening exercise, since the university combines JAMB score and post-UTME/O’level performance to arrive at an aggregate.
Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmacy are the most competitive courses in the college. Historically, these programmes require some of the highest aggregate scores at OAU, often well above the general university cut-off mark of 200 set for the 2026/2027 admission cycle. Courses such as Human Anatomy and Human Physiology tend to have comparatively lower cut-off marks, while Nursing Science and Medical Laboratory Science sit in the middle range. Because cut-off marks change slightly from one admission cycle to another depending on the volume and strength of applicants, candidates should treat these figures as a guide rather than a fixed number and confirm the exact departmental requirement on the OAU admissions portal once the 2026/2027 exercise opens.
School Fees for Medical Courses at OAU 2026/2027
OAU is a federal university, so tuition itself is heavily subsidised by the government. What students pay each session is largely made up of registration charges, medical fees, ICT levies, library fees, laboratory/practical charges, sports fees, identity card fees, and other administrative costs rather than a traditional “tuition” figure in the way private universities charge it.
For the College of Health Sciences, which includes Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and the other allied health courses, the schedule of charges is the highest among all colleges and faculties at OAU because of the additional cost of laboratory materials, clinical training, and medical equipment usage.
| Category of Student | Approximate Fee Range |
|---|---|
| New (100 Level / Direct Entry) students, College of Health Sciences | ₦180,000 – ₦200,000 |
| Returning students (200 Level and above), College of Health Sciences | ₦100,000 – ₦130,000 |
| One-time Development Levy (new students only) | ₦18,000 |
| TISHIP Health Insurance (all students, mandatory) | ₦2,000 |
| Departmental dues | ₦5,000 – ₦10,000 |
| Course/practical materials (varies by course) | ₦10,000 – ₦20,000 |
New students generally pay more than returning students because their fees include one-off charges such as the development levy and other first-year administrative costs, while returning students only pay recurring session charges. Clinical students in Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy may also incur extra costs for lab coats, dissection kits, clinical instruments, and hospital posting materials once they move into the clinical years of their programme.
These figures are based on the most recent published schedule of fees and typical yearly adjustments. Because federal universities occasionally revise charges before a new session begins, prospective and returning students should always verify the exact figure on the official OAU student portal (https://eportal.oauife.edu.ng) once fee assessment opens for the 2026/2027 session, rather than relying solely on any third-party estimate, including this one.
How to Pay OAU School Fees
The payment process for all courses, including medical courses, follows the same steps:
- Log in to the OAU e-portal using your matriculation number (returning students) or JAMB number (new students).
- Navigate to the “Payment of Fees” or “Payment Activities” section.
- Select the appropriate session and generate a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) for the fee category you want to pay (school fees, accommodation, acceptance, etc.).
- Pay the generated RRR either online with a debit card or at any commercial bank that accepts Remita payments.
- Return to the portal after payment to confirm that the transaction reflects and print your receipt for records and clearance purposes.
Students should always keep a printed or digital copy of every payment receipt, since departments request proof of payment during registration and at the point of writing examinations.
Other Costs to Budget For
Beyond official school fees, medical and health science students at OAU should plan for a few additional recurring expenses:
- Accommodation: Hostel fees are separate from school fees and are paid once a bed space is secured. Students are advised against paying for accommodation before confirming they have been allocated a room, since the payment is non-refundable.
- Textbooks and materials: Medical textbooks, dissection manuals, and laboratory coats can be a significant expense, particularly in the first two years of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy.
- Feeding and transportation: Living costs in Ile-Ife are moderate compared to many other Nigerian university towns, but students in the clinical years who commute to the teaching hospital should factor in daily transport costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OAU’s medical school fee the same for all courses in the College of Health Sciences?
No. While courses under the College of Health Sciences generally fall into the highest fee bracket at OAU, the exact charge can differ slightly by department due to differences in practical and laboratory costs. Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy typically sit at the top of that bracket.
Does OAU offer scholarships for medical students?
Yes, OAU students can apply for various need-based and merit-based scholarships offered by the university, government agencies, and private organisations, though these are not automatic and require a separate application process.
Can Direct Entry candidates apply for Medicine and Surgery at OAU?
Yes. Direct Entry candidates with the required A-Level, ND, HND, or equivalent qualifications in relevant science subjects can apply and, if admitted, typically join at 200 level, shortening their overall duration by one year.
How often does OAU change its school fees?
School fees are reviewed periodically, usually before the start of a new academic session. Any change is announced through the official university website and portal, so students should check there for the most current figures each admission cycle.