Lagos State University runs a well-established College of Medicine along with several allied health science departments, positioning it as one of the more accessible state-owned options for candidates seeking a career in medicine and the health sciences. As a state university, LASU charges considerably lower fees than most private universities running similar programmes, while still requiring candidates to meet strict academic and admission standards, particularly for its most competitive courses.
The medical and health-related courses available at LASU span the full clinical spectrum: Medicine and Surgery, Nursing Science, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Science, and Radiography. Each of these programmes carries its own accreditation status with the relevant professional regulatory body, its own duration, and specific entry requirements, though LASU applies a fairly uniform fee structure across most of these departments.
List of Medical Courses Offered at LASU
LASU’s medical and health science offerings fall under its College of Medicine and its Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, alongside allied departments. The core courses available include:
- Medicine and Surgery (MBBS): The flagship clinical programme, training students to become licensed medical doctors.
- Nursing Science (BNSc): Offered through the university’s Nursing programme, producing graduates eligible for Registered Nurse licensing.
- Pharmacy: A professional degree preparing graduates for licensing as pharmacists.
- Medical Laboratory Science: Trains students in diagnostic laboratory techniques, pathology support, and clinical testing.
- Radiography: Prepares students for careers in diagnostic imaging and radiologic technology.
Each of these programmes requires science-based O’Level credits and a strong UTME score, though the specific score threshold varies significantly depending on the competitiveness of the course.
Table: LASU Medical Courses and Estimated School Fees for 2026/2027
| Course | Faculty/College | Estimated Fresh Student Fee (Per Session) |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) | College of Medicine | Approximately ₦115,750 base tuition, rising to around ₦232,250 with compulsory add-ons |
| Nursing Science (BNSc) | College of Medicine / Faculty of Health Sciences | Approximately ₦115,750 base tuition, similar total with add-ons |
| Pharmacy | College of Medicine | Approximately ₦115,750 base tuition, similar total with add-ons |
| Medical Laboratory Science | College of Medicine | Approximately ₦115,750 base tuition, similar total with add-ons |
| Radiography | College of Medicine | Approximately ₦115,750 base tuition, similar total with add-ons |
The figures above reflect a consolidated tuition rate that LASU applies fairly evenly across its health science departments, with the final total shaped by additional mandatory charges layered on top of the base tuition amount.
Breakdown of the Full Fee for Medical Courses at LASU
LASU does not simply charge one flat tuition figure for its medical courses. The base tuition of around ₦115,750 is combined with several additional mandatory charges to arrive at the total amount a fresh medical student pays. These additional charges typically include:
- Developmental fee: ₦40,000 for non-indigenes, or as low as ₦10,000 for verified Lagos State indigenes.
- Examination, ID card, and prospectus fee: Approximately ₦16,500.
- Acceptance fee: ₦30,000, paid once by all newly admitted students.
- Medical fee: An additional ₦30,000 specifically applicable to fresh students admitted into medical and health-related courses.
When these charges are added to the base tuition, the total amount a fresh Medicine and Surgery, Nursing Science, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Science, or Radiography student pays comes to approximately ₦232,250 for the first session. Returning students in these departments pay considerably less, since several of these charges, including the acceptance fee, medical fee, and ID card charges, apply only once at the point of first admission.
Why LASU Charges an Additional Medical Fee
Candidates gaining admission into any of LASU’s health science courses should note that the standard LASU acceptance fee of ₦30,000 is supplemented by an extra ₦30,000 medical fee specific to health-related programmes. This additional charge reflects the higher cost of running clinical and laboratory-intensive courses, covering aspects such as basic medical screening for new students, health-related orientation, and the additional administrative processing tied to placement into teaching hospital rotations for courses like Medicine and Surgery and Nursing Science.
Indigene and Non-Indigene Fee Differences
Lagos State University applies a largely uniform fee structure regardless of whether a student is an indigene of Lagos State, unlike some other state universities where indigenes pay substantially less than non-indigenes across the board. The one area where a clear difference applies is the developmental fee: indigenes verified through the LASU Independent Indigeneship Verification Committee pay ₦10,000, while non-indigenes pay ₦40,000 for the same charge. Every other component of the fee structure for medical courses, including the base tuition, acceptance fee, medical fee, and examination charges, applies equally to indigenes and non-indigenes alike.
Admission Requirements for LASU Medical Courses
Gaining admission into LASU’s medical and health science courses requires meeting both the university’s general entry standards and additional, more demanding requirements specific to these competitive programmes.
- O’Level requirement: Candidates need five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings. For Medicine and Dentistry specifically, the university applies a stricter O’Level sitting requirement compared to other courses.
- UTME cut-off mark: While LASU’s general institutional cut-off mark sits at 190 to 195, courses like Medicine and Surgery require candidates to score considerably higher, often in the range of 270 to 300, reflecting the intense competition for the limited number of available slots.
- First-choice institution requirement: Candidates must select Lagos State University as their first choice on their UTME registration to be considered for admission.
- Indigene verification: Candidates claiming Lagos State indigene status must undergo verification through the university’s Independent Indigeneship Verification Committee to benefit from the reduced developmental fee.
- Direct Entry route: Candidates holding a relevant prior qualification, such as a Bachelor’s degree with Second Class Upper Division in a related discipline, may apply through Direct Entry for programmes like Nursing Science, subject to departmental approval and available slots.
Payment Procedure for LASU Medical Course Fees
LASU processes school fees for all its courses, including its medical and health science departments, through its official online payment portal. The general steps are:
- Complete LACACA registration and obtain a matriculation number after admission is confirmed.
- Log in to the school fees payment portal using the assigned matriculation number.
- Generate the invoice for the applicable fee, which will reflect tuition, developmental fee, examination charges, acceptance fee, and the medical fee for health science departments.
- Make payment through the designated bank channels or online payment options linked to the portal.
- Print or save the payment confirmation for use during physical registration and departmental clearance.
Students are advised to complete payment before the university’s stated deadline, as late payment attracts a penalty ranging between ₦10,000 and ₦20,000, and continued delay can affect a student’s ability to complete registration for the session.
Additional Costs Beyond School Fees
Students in LASU’s medical courses should budget for expenses beyond the core school fee, particularly as they progress into the clinical years of programmes like Medicine and Surgery and Nursing Science:
- Hostel accommodation: Optional and billed separately from tuition, with costs varying depending on room type and hostel block.
- Clinical and laboratory materials: Dissection kits, laboratory coats, and other practical requirements for Anatomy, Physiology, and clinical rotations.
- Textbooks and departmental handouts: A recurring cost across the years of a medical or health science programme.
- Professional body registration: As students approach graduation, courses like Medicine and Surgery, Nursing Science, and Pharmacy require registration with their respective professional regulatory bodies before full licensing.
Duration of LASU’s Medical and Health Science Programmes
Programme duration varies across LASU’s medical course offerings. Medicine and Surgery runs for six years, structured into a preclinical phase covering foundational sciences followed by a clinical phase involving teaching hospital rotations. Nursing Science, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Science, and Radiography typically run for four to five years, combining classroom instruction with practical and clinical placement components specific to each discipline. Students who switch into a course like Nursing Science at the 200 level from another department are required to meet a minimum GPA standard, generally Second Class Upper Division, to qualify for the transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Medicine and Surgery cost at LASU per session?
The total fee for a fresh Medicine and Surgery student at LASU is approximately ₦232,250, combining base tuition of around ₦115,750 with the developmental fee, examination and ID card charges, acceptance fee, and the additional medical fee applicable to health science courses.
Do all of LASU’s medical courses cost the same amount?
Yes, largely. Medicine and Surgery, Nursing Science, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Science, and Radiography are billed at a similar consolidated rate at LASU, since the university applies a fairly uniform fee structure across its health science departments.
What UTME score is needed for Medicine and Surgery at LASU?
While LASU’s general cut-off mark is around 190 to 195, Medicine and Surgery is significantly more competitive, with successful candidates typically scoring in the range of 270 to 300 in the UTME.
Do Lagos State indigenes pay less for LASU medical courses?
Indigenes pay a reduced developmental fee of ₦10,000 compared to ₦40,000 for non-indigenes, but every other component of the medical course fee, including tuition, acceptance fee, and the medical fee, applies equally to both groups.
Can a student switch into Nursing Science at LASU after starting a different course?
Yes, but only from the 200 level and only if the student’s GPA meets the Second Class Upper Division threshold required for the transfer.