Nursing Science students at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) can plan for about ₦148,500 to ₦193,500 as fresh students, about ₦118,500 to ₦146,500 as returning students, and about ₦123,500 to ₦169,500 in the final year. These are planning estimates, not an official Nursing price list. UNICAL has not made a separate 2026/2027 Nursing fee schedule publicly available, so the exact amount for each student appears on the bill generated from the student portal.
This guide explains how those estimates are worked out, what the charges include, how much the five-year programme can cost, and how to pay.
UNICAL Nursing Science School Fees at a Glance
UNICAL bills students by category: fresh, returning and final year. Each bill has two main parts, which are tuition and third-party charges. Fresh students pay the most because their first bill includes more one-time items, while returning students pay less. The bill rises again in the final year.
| Student category | Estimated total per session | Status of figure |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh student (100 level) | ₦148,500 – ₦193,500 | Estimate, not confirmed |
| Returning student (200 to 400 level) | ₦118,500 – ₦146,500 | Estimate, not confirmed |
| Final-year student (500 level) | ₦123,500 – ₦169,500 | Estimate, not confirmed |
| Acceptance fee (one time) | ₦25,000 – ₦40,300 | Estimate, not confirmed |
The lower end of each range comes from a 2025 breakdown that groups Nursing with the medical and allied health faculties and includes a ₦28,500 levy. The upper end comes from the science rates announced after UNICAL’s December 2023 fee increase. Students should prepare for the higher figure, since the difference between the two ends can be up to ₦46,000 in a session.
Are These the Official 2026/2027 Fees?
No. A confirmed 2026/2027 schedule specifically for Nursing Science is not publicly available at the time of writing, in November 2026. The figures above are the closest guide to what students can expect. The bill on the student portal always takes priority over any published list, including this one.
Students should also be careful with very low figures circulating online. Some lists labelled “2026/2027” show Nursing fees of about ₦43,250. These amounts do not match the increase UNICAL announced in December 2023, when even non-science tuition for fresh students reached ₦111,000. A list showing far less than that is very likely out of date and should not be used for budgeting.
The December 2023 Fee Increase and What It Means for Nursing
The most detailed public figures for UNICAL fees come from the December 2023 increase, which roughly doubled tuition from an earlier average of about ₦64,050 for fresh students. The increase covers two categories of courses, science and non-science. The table below shows these rates.
| Category | Fresh students | Returning students | Final-year students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Science tuition | ₦155,000 | ₦125,000 | ₦148,000 |
| Science third-party charges | ₦38,500 | ₦21,500 | ₦21,500 |
| Science total | ₦193,500 | ₦146,500 | ₦169,500 |
| Non-science tuition | ₦111,000 | ₦91,500 | ₦114,000 |
| Non-science third-party charges | ₦36,500 | ₦21,500 | ₦21,500 |
| Non-science total | ₦147,500 | ₦113,000 | ₦135,500 |
The announcement does not list Nursing as a separate line. Nursing students pay more than non-science students, and the science totals are the safest reference point for budgeting. The actual Nursing amount may differ slightly from the science rate, and fees may have changed since the announcement. A Nursing student comparing the two categories can expect to pay up to ₦46,000 more than a non-science student as a fresher.
Acceptance Fee for New Nursing Students
Every newly admitted student pays an acceptance fee once, before paying school fees. It secures the admission offer and is separate from the yearly bill. Available figures range from ₦25,000 to ₦40,300, and the higher amount is the safer one to budget for. The admission portal shows the exact amount for the session.
Acceptance must be paid within the period UNICAL sets. A candidate who misses this period risks losing the admission. A candidate should also accept the offer on JAMB CAPS, since both steps form part of securing the place. After payment, the student prints the receipt and goes to the department for screening before paying school fees.
What UNICAL Nursing Fees Cover and What They Leave Out
Tuition is the main part of the bill. Third-party charges are the second part, and they fund student welfare and development items such as Students’ Union dues, ICT infrastructure, accreditation and counselling. These charges are higher for fresh students because of first-year items.
Some costs fall outside the main bill. Nursing students should plan for these separately:
- Hostel accommodation, for students who secure university housing
- Off-campus rent and feeding in Calabar
- Textbooks, lecture materials and laboratory supplies
- Nursing uniforms and clinical items such as a stethoscope
- Transport to clinical postings
- Faculty and departmental dues, where these apply
These costs vary from student to student. Clinical items usually become a larger expense when students begin hospital postings, so it helps to set money aside before that stage.
Total Cost of the Five-Year Nursing Programme
The Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) normally runs for five years. A student pays one fresh bill, three returning bills and one final-year bill. The table below adds these together, using the estimates above and assuming no change in the rates.
| Stage | Lower estimate | Higher estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 100 level (fresh) | ₦148,500 | ₦193,500 |
| 200 to 400 level (three returning bills) | ₦355,500 | ₦439,500 |
| 500 level (final year) | ₦123,500 | ₦169,500 |
| Total for five levels | ₦627,500 | ₦802,500 |
The acceptance fee is an additional one-time cost. Any fee review during the programme raises the final total. Spreading the total across five years gives a yearly savings target of about ₦125,500 to ₦160,500, before accommodation, feeding and clinical items. This total is for planning only and does not replace the bill issued each session.
How to Pay UNICAL School Fees
UNICAL students generate a bill on the student portal and then pay through an approved bank. Fee details are available through myunical.edu.ng, and students log in through portal.unical.edu.ng. Portal addresses and procedures can change, so students should follow the most recent university notice. The usual steps are:
- Log in to the portal with a registration or matriculation number.
- Generate and print the bill for the current session.
- Check the name, programme, level and amount on the bill.
- Check the approved bank list for the programme of study.
- Pay at the approved bank through the e-Transact platform.
- Collect the payment slip showing the confirmation order number.
- Log back in to the portal and enter the bill number to complete the process.
Keep every bill and payment slip until graduation, because the department or bursary may ask for them during clearance. Students should pay only through the official process and should not give money to agents or into personal accounts.
Payment Deadlines and Late Registration
UNICAL announces its payment and registration dates by notice each session, and the dates change from year to year. A student who pays late may face a late registration charge, and a student who does not register at all risks losing the session. For a Nursing student, a lost session can add a year to the programme, along with the extra fees and living costs. It is best to pay well before the closing date, as portals and banks often get busy in the final days.
Financial Support for UNICAL Nursing Students
Students who find the charges difficult can apply for a loan from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which supports eligible students in public tertiary institutions. Under this scheme, the institutional fee portion goes directly to the university, and approved students may also receive an upkeep allowance. Repayment begins after the student completes the programme and starts working.
State governments, local governments and private foundations also offer scholarships and bursaries to health science students. Applications open at set times and requirements differ, so students should check with their state’s scholarship board.
Admission Requirements for Nursing Science at UNICAL
Nursing Science is one of the more competitive courses at UNICAL, and it sits with the university’s medical and allied health programmes. Candidates usually need the following:
- O’Level results: five credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
- UTME subjects: English Language, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
- JAMB score: a score above the general minimum for the university, which is about 140 to 160. Nursing candidates usually need much more than this to be competitive, and UNICAL does not publish a fixed departmental cut-off for the course.
- Post-UTME screening: required when the university invites candidates.
Requirements for direct entry candidates differ, and they can include professional nursing registration. Candidates should confirm the current rules in the JAMB brochure and on UNICAL’s admission portal before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the UNICAL Nursing school fee for fresh students?
Fresh students can plan for about ₦148,500 to ₦193,500, plus the one-time acceptance fee. The exact amount appears on the bill generated from the student portal.
Do Nursing students pay more than other UNICAL students?
Yes, compared with non-science students. Nursing fees are closer to the science rates, which are the higher of the two main categories.
Is the UNICAL acceptance fee refundable?
Acceptance fees are generally treated as non-refundable, so a candidate should be sure of the admission before paying.
Has UNICAL released its 2026/2027 Nursing fees?
A separate Nursing schedule for 2026/2027 is not publicly available as of November 2026. Students should rely on the bill shown on the portal.