The University of Ilorin, commonly known as UNILORIN, is a federal government-owned university located in Ilorin, Kwara State. As a federal institution, its tuition is significantly lower than what private universities charge, and Computer Science is one of the departments that regularly draws a high volume of applicants because of the low relative cost of studying it here compared to private alternatives. This article explains exactly what a Computer Science student at UNILORIN can expect to pay for the 2026/2027 academic session, covering tuition, acceptance fee, hostel charges, and other compulsory payments.
Does UNILORIN Offer Computer Science, and How Competitive Is It?
Yes, Computer Science is offered at UNILORIN under the Faculty of Physical Sciences, and it consistently ranks among the more sought-after science programmes at the university. For the 2026/2027 admission cycle, the departmental cut-off mark for Computer Science stands at 210, well above the university’s general minimum cut-off of 180 required to qualify for post-UTME screening. This places Computer Science in the same competitive bracket as programmes like Nursing, meaning candidates need a strong UTME score and solid O-level results (with more A’s and B’s than C’s) to stand a realistic chance of admission.
UNILORIN Computer Science School Fees Structure
UNILORIN follows a federal university fee model, which means tuition itself is heavily subsidised and the bulk of what a student pays comes from a combination of university-wide charges and faculty/departmental charges, rather than a single flat “tuition” figure the way private universities structure it. Because of this, UNILORIN fees are usually broken into two broad categories: charges paid by every student regardless of course, and charges specific to the Computer Science department.
For a fresh (100 Level) Computer Science student, departmental charges have historically been around ₦25,000, with an additional charge in the region of ₦27,000 applying once the student moves into 200 Level. From 200 Level upward, Computer Science departmental fees have been reported in the range of roughly ₦14,900 to ₦18,900 depending on the level, generally trending slightly lower at the higher levels. These departmental figures are added on top of the general university and faculty charges that every student in the Faculty of Physical Sciences pays.
When departmental charges are combined with the general university and faculty fees, science-based students at UNILORIN — which includes Computer Science — typically pay a combined total in the region of ₦114,000 to ₦217,000 for a session as freshers, with returning students paying noticeably less since some one-time charges (such as the acceptance fee and certain registration fees) apply only in the first year.
| Fee Component | Approximate Amount (Freshers) | Approximate Amount (Returning) |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance fee (one-time) | ₦25,000 – ₦40,000 | Not applicable |
| University & faculty charges | Included in combined total | Included in combined total |
| Computer Science departmental fee | ₦25,000 (100 Level) | ₦14,900 – ₦18,900 (200–400 Level) |
| Combined estimated session total | ₦114,000 – ₦217,000 | Lower than freshers’ total, since one-time charges no longer apply |
These figures are drawn from recent fee schedules and give a realistic working range, but UNILORIN, like all Nigerian universities, reviews its fee schedule from one session to another, so a prospective student should treat this table as a planning guide and confirm the exact current figures on the official UNILORIN student portal before making any payment.
UNILORIN Acceptance Fee
The acceptance fee is separate from tuition and is the first payment a newly admitted student makes. It confirms that the candidate is taking up the admission offer rather than declining it, and it is strictly non-refundable — once paid, a student cannot reclaim it even if they later decide not to attend UNILORIN. Reported figures for the acceptance fee have ranged between ₦20,000 and ₦40,000 depending on the admission cycle, with ₦25,000 being the most commonly cited figure in recent sessions. This fee must be paid before a fresher can proceed to pay school fees or begin other registration steps, and missing the payment window can put the admission offer at risk.
Other Charges Computer Science Students Should Expect
Beyond tuition and the acceptance fee, a Computer Science student at UNILORIN typically budgets for several additional, largely unavoidable charges:
- ICT and library fees: Standard charges applied to every student, covering access to the university’s digital learning infrastructure and library resources.
- Medical fee: Covers access to the university health centre for the session.
- Departmental practical/laboratory fee: Computer Science involves practical coursework in programming labs, so a portion of departmental charges goes toward maintaining lab access and computing resources.
- Student union and sports fees: Minor administrative charges bundled into the general university fee.
- Late registration fee: UNILORIN typically allows a short grace period of about one week after the official registration deadline, after which a late fee applies. Students who miss both the main and grace period deadlines risk being blocked from registering courses for the semester.
- Hostel accommodation fee: Charged separately from tuition for students who secure a spot in university hostels, since hostel space is allocated on a competitive basis and not guaranteed to every student.
How UNILORIN Computer Science Fees Compare to Other Programmes
Federal universities like UNILORIN generally apply a similar fee structure across most departments, with the real difference showing up in programmes with heavier resource demands, such as Medicine, Nursing, and some Engineering courses, where departmental charges run higher because of specialised equipment and clinical training costs. Computer Science, while classified as a science programme, does not carry the same premium as Medicine or Nursing, since it does not require clinical facilities. A rough comparison looks like this:
| Programme | Approximate Departmental Fee Range (200–400 Level) |
|---|---|
| Arts and Humanities | ₦14,900 – ₦16,900 |
| Computer Science | ₦14,900 – ₦18,900 |
| Engineering courses (e.g., Computer Engineering) | ₦16,900 – ₦22,900 |
| Nursing | ₦22,800 – ₦24,800 |
| Medicine | ₦39,300 – ₦41,300 |
This places Computer Science fees close to the general science and engineering range, and well below what Medicine and Nursing students pay, reinforcing why UNILORIN remains one of the more budget-friendly options for prospective computer science undergraduates compared to private universities offering the same course.
How to Pay UNILORIN Computer Science School Fees
Payment at UNILORIN is done entirely through the official student portal, and the process follows a consistent pattern each session:
- Log in to the UNILORIN student portal using your Matriculation Number (for returning students) or JAMB Registration Number (for freshers) along with your portal password.
- Navigate to the “School Fees” section on the portal.
- Generate a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) number, which is tied to the exact amount payable for your level and department.
- Complete payment either online using a debit card through Remita, or by visiting any designated bank branch with the RRR number.
- Print or save the payment receipt once the transaction is confirmed, as it is required for course registration and departmental clearance.
Students are strongly advised to pay before the stated deadline each session, since late payment can delay course registration and, in more serious cases, affect eligibility to sit examinations for that semester.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is UNILORIN Computer Science school fees for 2026/2027?
Combined university, faculty, and departmental charges for a fresh Computer Science student are estimated at roughly ₦114,000 to ₦217,000 for the session, with returning students paying less since certain one-time charges no longer apply. Exact figures should be confirmed on the official student portal.
Is Computer Science more expensive than other courses at UNILORIN?
No. Computer Science fees fall within the general science and engineering fee range, well below what Medicine, Nursing, and some clinical-based programmes charge.
What is the UNILORIN acceptance fee for new students?
The acceptance fee has ranged between ₦20,000 and ₦40,000 in recent sessions, with ₦25,000 being the most frequently cited figure. It is a one-time, non-refundable payment made after an admission offer is confirmed.
Can UNILORIN school fees be paid in installments?
UNILORIN generally requires fresh and returning students to pay their fees in full before the registration deadline for the session, rather than in installments, though students should confirm current arrangements directly with the university.
Does UNILORIN Computer Science fees include hostel accommodation?
No. Hostel accommodation is billed and applied for separately from tuition, and space is allocated competitively rather than guaranteed to every student.