Benue State University, Makurdi (BSU), now formally known as Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi (MOAUM), remains one of the state-owned institutions in Nigeria training doctors through its College of Health Sciences. Students and parents researching the cost of studying Medicine and Surgery at BSU for the 2026/2027 academic session need a clear picture of tuition, admission-related charges, and other expenses tied to the six-year MBBS programme. This article breaks all of that down in plain terms.
Overview of the Medicine and Surgery Programme at BSU
The Medicine and Surgery programme (MBBS) at BSU sits under the College of Health Sciences, which the university has since organised into the Faculty of Basic and Allied Medical Sciences and the Faculty of Clinical Sciences. Students admitted into the programme spend the first two to three years on pre-clinical and basic medical science courses such as anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry, before moving into clinical training that involves ward rounds, clerkships, and hospital-based instruction, typically in affiliation with the Benue State University Teaching Hospital.
MBBS is a six-year programme for candidates admitted through UTME, while direct entry candidates with relevant qualifications such as A-Levels or a prior science degree may be placed into 200 level, shortening their duration by a year. Because the course combines laboratory work, clinical placement, and specialised equipment, fees for Medicine and Surgery are consistently higher than fees charged in the arts, social sciences, or general science faculties at BSU.
Medicine and Surgery School Fees for 2026/2027
Fees at BSU are split along two lines: whether a student is an indigene of Benue State or a non-indigene, and whether the student is a fresher (100 level) or a returning student. Indigenes pay a subsidised rate because the state government partly funds the institution, while non-indigenes cover a higher proportion of the actual cost of running the programme. Fresh students also pay slightly more than returning students in their first session because of one-time charges such as ID cards, medical screening, and matriculation fees.
Based on the fee structure published for the College of Health Sciences, the approximate cost for Medicine and Surgery students at BSU for the 2026/2027 session is as follows:
| Category | Fresher (100 Level) | Returning Student |
|---|---|---|
| Indigene of Benue State | ₦208,700 (approx.) | ₦180,000 – ₦195,000 (approx.) |
| Non-Indigene of Benue State | ₦259,800 (approx.) | ₦230,000 – ₦245,000 (approx.) |
These figures cover tuition, registration, examination charges, library access, ICT services, sports levy, medical fees, and departmental practical or laboratory charges bundled into the College of Health Sciences fee schedule. They do not include the acceptance fee, hostel accommodation, or personal clinical supplies, which are billed separately. Because public university fees in Nigeria are reviewed periodically, candidates should treat the figures above as a reliable estimate and confirm the exact amount on the official BSU student portal once admission is confirmed, since departmental charges can shift slightly from one session to the next.
What the Fees Cover
The school fees paid by Medicine and Surgery students at BSU are not limited to tuition alone. A single payment on the portal is typically broken down into several components, including:
- Tuition fee for the academic session
- Registration and matriculation charges (for freshers)
- Examination fee
- Library fee
- ICT and e-learning fee
- Sports and student welfare levy
- Medical/health services fee
- Departmental and laboratory/practical fee specific to health sciences courses
- Development levy
Students should note that this bundled fee does not include textbooks, stethoscopes, lab coats, dissection kits, or other personal medical equipment that clinical students are expected to provide from their second year onward.
Acceptance Fee and Other Admission Charges
Once a candidate receives an admission offer into Medicine and Surgery at BSU, the first payment required is the acceptance fee, which stands at ₦15,000 for all courses, including Medicine and Surgery. This fee is non-refundable and confirms that the candidate intends to take up the offered admission. It is paid before the school fee itself and before a student can proceed to register courses.
In addition to the acceptance fee, some newly admitted students pay a smaller Admission Verification fee, usually a few thousand naira, before their credentials are cleared by the admissions office. These charges are separate from the main tuition and are paid through the university’s e-payment platform using a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) generated on the BSU portal.
Admission Requirements for Medicine and Surgery at BSU
Medicine and Surgery is one of the most competitive courses at BSU, and admission is guided by a higher departmental cut-off mark than most other programmes. For the 2026/2027 admission cycle, candidates need:
- A UTME score of at least 220, which is the departmental cut-off for Medicine and Surgery, well above the general institutional cut-off of 160 used for less competitive courses.
- Credit passes in five relevant subjects at SSCE (WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB) in not more than two sittings, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
- Relevant UTME subject combination of English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
- A strong performance in the BSU Post-UTME screening exercise, since Medicine and Surgery applicants are usually screened alongside other high-demand courses such as Pharmacy and Law.
- For direct entry applicants, an A-Level pass or equivalent qualification in relevant science subjects, or a first degree in a related field, along with the required UTME registration.
Because seats in Medicine and Surgery are limited each session, meeting the minimum cut-off does not automatically guarantee admission; candidates are usually ranked based on a combination of UTME score, post-UTME performance, and O’Level results.
How to Pay BSU School Fees
Payment of school fees at BSU follows a straightforward process through the university’s official student portal:
- Log in to the BSU portal using the JAMB registration number (for freshers) or matriculation number (for returning students).
- Navigate to the fees or payment section of the portal.
- Generate a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) for the specific fee being paid, whether acceptance fee, school fees, or hostel fee.
- Complete payment online with a debit card, or take the RRR to any designated bank branch to pay in cash.
- Print the payment receipt and confirm that the payment reflects on the portal before proceeding to course registration.
Students are advised to pay before the deadline announced for each session, as late payment can attract a penalty and, in some cases, delay course registration and access to the examination hall.
Other Costs Medicine and Surgery Students Should Budget For
Beyond the official school fees, Medicine and Surgery students at BSU typically budget for a few recurring expenses that are not part of the tuition bill:
- Hostel accommodation: BSU hostel fees generally range from about ₦20,000 to ₦50,000 per session, depending on the hall of residence and available facilities. Students who prefer off-campus housing near the College of Health Sciences or the teaching hospital should budget separately for rent.
- Textbooks and clinical materials: Standard medical textbooks, dissection sets, lab coats, and a stethoscope are recurring costs once a student advances into pre-clinical and clinical years.
- Practical and clinical posting expenses: Transport to and from hospital postings, and in some cases uniforms for clinical rotations, add to a student’s yearly expenses.
- Feeding and personal upkeep: As with any university programme, feeding and daily upkeep form a significant part of a medical student’s overall budget, and this is usually higher than average because of the demanding, often irregular schedule of clinical years.
How BSU Fees Compare for Medicine and Surgery
Compared to private universities in Nigeria, where Medicine and Surgery can cost anywhere from several hundred thousand to a few million naira per session, BSU remains one of the more affordable options for studying medicine, particularly for indigenes of the state. Federal universities offering Medicine and Surgery often charge lower tuition than BSU due to heavier federal subsidy, but BSU’s fees remain moderate relative to other state-owned institutions running the same six-year MBBS programme, especially when the quality of clinical exposure at the teaching hospital is taken into account.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Medicine and Surgery school fees at BSU for indigenes?
Indigenes of Benue State pay approximately ₦208,700 as a fresher and a slightly lower amount as a returning student, subject to confirmation on the BSU portal each session.
How much do non-indigenes pay for Medicine and Surgery at BSU?
Non-indigenes pay approximately ₦259,800 as a fresher for the Medicine and Surgery programme, higher than the indigene rate due to the subsidy structure of the university.
What is the cut-off mark for Medicine and Surgery at BSU?
The departmental cut-off mark for Medicine and Surgery at BSU is 220 in UTME, compared to the general institutional cut-off of 160 used for most other courses.
Does the acceptance fee count as part of the school fees?
No. The ₦15,000 acceptance fee is a separate, one-time, non-refundable payment made after receiving an admission offer, and it is distinct from the tuition and departmental charges billed as school fees.
How many years does it take to complete Medicine and Surgery at BSU?
The programme runs for six years for UTME candidates admitted at 100 level, while qualified direct entry candidates may complete it in five years.