Cross River University of Technology, now officially renamed the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), does not run a full clinical Medicine and Surgery programme leading to the MBBS degree. This is a point of confusion that circulates widely among prospective applicants, and it needs to be addressed directly before discussing courses and fees. What the institution actually operates is a Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, domiciled at its Okuku campus in Yala Local Government Area, which trains students in the foundational sciences that underpin clinical medicine rather than producing medical doctors directly. Any list claiming that CRUTECH awards degrees in Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, Pharmacy, or Nursing Science as currently constituted programmes is inaccurate, and applicants relying on such lists risk selecting a course combination on their UTME form that the institution cannot actually admit them into.
The Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences was originally established in 2007 as the Faculty of Health Sciences and was conceived from the outset as the foundation for an eventual full College of Medicine. The Cross River State Government has since approved the establishment of a Faculty of Medicine, but as of the 2026/2027 admission cycle, the clinical MBBS programme has not commenced, and candidates should not select Medicine and Surgery as a course choice at this institution until the university and the National Universities Commission (NUC) formally announce its commencement.
The Actual Medical-Related Courses Offered at CRUTECH/UNICROSS
The genuine medical-related academic offering at CRUTECH sits within the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, which currently comprises three fully accredited departments. These departments train students to the Bachelor’s degree level in the basic sciences that form the entry point into fields such as medicine, physiotherapy, forensic science, and biomedical research.
- Human Anatomy (and Forensic Anthropology): Covers the structure of the human body, dissection-based learning, histology, embryology, and forensic applications of anatomical science.
- Medical Physiology: Covers the function of body systems, including cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and neurological physiology, with laboratory-based practical components.
- Medical Biochemistry: Covers the chemical processes within the human body, metabolic pathways, and the biochemical basis of disease.
Outside the Okuku-based Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, the university’s main Calabar campus also runs Biochemistry as a standalone science department (distinct from Medical Biochemistry), which some applicants interested in health-related careers also consider, since it shares overlapping foundational content.
Table: Medical-Related Departments at CRUTECH and Estimated Fees
| Department | Faculty/Campus | Degree Awarded | Estimated Fee Range (Per Session) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Anatomy and Forensic Anthropology | Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Okuku Campus | B.Sc. | ₦105,000 – ₦128,000 (indigene); higher for non-indigenes |
| Medical Physiology | Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Okuku Campus | B.Sc. | ₦105,000 – ₦128,000 (indigene); higher for non-indigenes |
| Medical Biochemistry | Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Okuku Campus | B.Sc. | ₦105,000 – ₦128,000 (indigene); higher for non-indigenes |
| Biochemistry (general) | Faculty of Science, Calabar Campus | B.Sc. | ₦105,000 – ₦128,000 (indigene); higher for non-indigenes |
These figures represent the standard undergraduate school charge applicable across most CRUTECH departments and are not unique premium charges for the basic medical science courses. The university does not currently operate a separate, higher fee bracket exclusively for these departments the way some universities charge more for clinical or laboratory-heavy programmes.
Why CRUTECH Fees Differ Between Indigenes and Non-Indigenes
As a state-owned institution funded primarily by the Cross River State Government, CRUTECH applies a dual fee structure that favors students who are indigenes of Cross River State. Indigenous students typically pay a lower total school charge, generally falling within the ₦60,000 to ₦128,000 range depending on the course and level of study. Non-indigenous students, meaning applicants whose state of origin is outside Cross River State, pay a higher amount for the same course, sometimes reaching several hundred thousand naira depending on the specific programme and faculty. This distinction applies to the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences in the same way it applies to every other faculty at the university, so a non-indigene applicant to Human Anatomy or Medical Physiology should expect to pay noticeably more than an indigene admitted into the same department.
Acceptance Fee for Newly Admitted Students
Every candidate who receives an offer of admission into CRUTECH, regardless of department, is required to pay an acceptance fee before proceeding to pay the main school fees. This fee confirms that the candidate has accepted the offer and is generally non-refundable. The acceptance fee at CRUTECH typically falls between ₦30,000 and ₦60,000, and it applies uniformly to admissions into the basic medical science departments as it does to every other course at the institution. Payment is made through the university’s designated online portal, usually via a bank-issued reference number, and candidates must retain proof of payment for subsequent registration steps.
Admission Requirements for Basic Medical Science Courses
Candidates seeking admission into Human Anatomy, Medical Physiology, or Medical Biochemistry at CRUTECH follow the standard science-based entry route used by most Nigerian universities offering pre-clinical or biomedical training. The general requirements include:
- O’Level credits: A minimum of five credit passes in the Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB), including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings.
- UTME registration: Candidates must select CRUTECH (now listed as UNICROSS on the JAMB portal) as their institution of choice, with the correct department selected under the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences.
- UTME subject combination: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English Language are the standard subjects required for these departments.
- Post-UTME screening: Candidates must sit and pass the institution’s own screening examination, which typically tests English Language, Mathematics, and general subject knowledge relevant to the chosen course.
- Minimum age: Applicants are generally expected to be at least 16 years old at the point of admission.
Direct Entry candidates holding a relevant National Diploma, HND, or A-Level qualification in a related science subject may also apply for admission into the second year of these programmes, subject to the department’s specific Direct Entry requirements.
Other Costs Beyond the School Fee
Students admitted into the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences at Okuku, or into any science-based department at CRUTECH’s other campuses, should budget for costs beyond the core school fee:
- Departmental practical and laboratory materials: Courses such as Human Anatomy require dissection kits, laboratory coats, and consumables for practical sessions, which are typically purchased separately from the main school fee.
- Accommodation: Okuku campus, being a smaller and more remote location than the main Calabar campus, has limited hostel space, and many students rent accommodation within the host community.
- Textbooks and departmental handouts: Basic medical science courses rely heavily on anatomy atlases, physiology and biochemistry textbooks, which represent a recurring cost across the years of study.
- Identity card, library, and other administrative charges: Standard charges applied to all students at registration, usually bundled within the total school fee figure but occasionally itemized separately depending on the session.
How Payment Is Made
CRUTECH/UNICROSS processes school fees and acceptance fees through its official online student portal. The general steps students follow are:
- Access the school fees portal using the matriculation number or JAMB registration details provided after admission is confirmed.
- Generate a fee invoice specific to the department, level, and indigene/non-indigene status.
- Make payment through the designated bank channel linked to the portal, using the reference number generated.
- Print or download the payment receipt as proof for course registration and physical clearance at the department.
Late payment beyond the university’s published deadline typically attracts a penalty and, in some sessions, can affect a student’s eligibility to sit for semester examinations, so candidates are advised to complete payment promptly once the portal opens for their session.
Career Pathways After Basic Medical Science Courses at CRUTECH
Graduates of Human Anatomy, Medical Physiology, and Medical Biochemistry from CRUTECH are not licensed medical doctors, since these are Bachelor of Science degrees in foundational biomedical disciplines rather than clinical training. Graduates typically pursue further study, including postgraduate degrees in the same specialty, entry into medical school through graduate-entry pathways where available, careers in medical laboratory research, teaching at the tertiary level, forensic science practice (particularly for Anatomy and Forensic Anthropology graduates), pharmaceutical research, and biomedical research roles in hospitals, research institutes, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CRUTECH/UNICROSS offer Medicine and Surgery (MBBS)?
No. As of the 2026/2027 session, CRUTECH does not run a clinical Medicine and Surgery programme. It operates a Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences offering Bachelor’s degrees in Human Anatomy, Medical Physiology, and Medical Biochemistry. A full College of Medicine has been approved in principle by the state government but has not commenced admissions.
Are the fees for basic medical science courses higher than other courses at CRUTECH?
No. These departments are charged at the same general school fee rate applied across most undergraduate courses at the university, which falls between roughly ₦105,000 and ₦128,000 per session for indigenes, with non-indigenes paying more.
Where is the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences located?
It is located at the Okuku campus in Yala Local Government Area, Cross River State, separate from the main Calabar campus where most other faculties are based.
Can a candidate apply for Pharmacy, Dentistry, or Nursing Science at CRUTECH?
No. These programmes are not currently offered at CRUTECH/UNICROSS. Candidates interested in these specific fields should apply to universities where these programmes are formally accredited and operational.