University of Mkar (UMM), also known as Mkar University or the “Hilltop University,” does not run a Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) programme. This is the direct answer for anyone searching for medicine and surgery fees at this institution: the course does not currently exist on the university’s list of NUC-accredited programmes, and UMM has no College of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, or teaching hospital affiliation that would support training medical doctors.
This article explains what University of Mkar actually offers, why it has no medical programme at present, what the university’s real fee structure looks like for its existing courses, and where prospective medical students in Benue State and the wider North Central region can find accredited Medicine and Surgery programmes instead.
Does University of Mkar Offer Medicine and Surgery?
No. University of Mkar is a private, faith-based institution located at the foot of the Mkar Hills in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, established in June 2005 by the Universal Reformed Christian Church (URCC), also known as the Nongu u Kristu u I Ser Sha Tar (NKST). The university received its operating licence from the National Universities Commission (NUC) on 6 June 2005 and has since grown into a mid-sized private university, but its academic structure has never included a medical school.
UMM currently organises its programmes under five colleges: the College of Food Science and Technology, the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, the College of Science and Education, the College of Arts, and the College of Social and Management Sciences. None of these colleges houses a Department of Medicine, a School of Clinical Sciences, or any equivalent unit responsible for training MBBS students. The university’s core academic strengths lie in food science and technology, the natural and applied sciences, education, the arts, and management-related disciplines, not clinical medicine.
Running a Medicine and Surgery degree in Nigeria requires far more than general NUC accreditation. A university must also obtain separate approval from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), secure a functional teaching hospital or a formal clinical affiliation, and meet demanding staffing and infrastructure benchmarks across the pre-clinical and clinical years of training. These requirements are capital-intensive, and University of Mkar has not gone through this accreditation process. Some older, unverified listings online have referenced a “Clinical Science (Medicine and Surgery)” fee at UMM, but this does not correspond to any programme found on the university’s official course list or its current accredited offerings, and prospective students should not rely on it.
What University of Mkar Actually Offers
Since UMM has no medicine programme, students researching the institution are usually better served understanding its real academic scope. The university runs a broad set of undergraduate degrees across science, education, food science, arts, and management. Courses include Biochemistry, Computer Science, Food Science and Technology, Home Science, Nutrition and Dietetics, Accounting, Business Administration, Business Management, Banking and Finance, Mass Communication, and several combined Education degrees such as Education and Biology, Education and Chemistry, and Education and Mathematics. This range reflects UMM’s identity as a comprehensive private university built around applied sciences, food-related disciplines, and teacher education, rather than a health sciences or medical institution.
University of Mkar School Fees for 2026/2027
UMM operates a tiered tuition structure that distinguishes between Benue State indigenes and students from other states, alongside separate categories for freshers and returning students. The table below summarises the general fee range that applies across the university’s undergraduate programmes.
| Student Category | Fee Range (₦) |
|---|---|
| Benue State indigenes | 436,000 – 552,200 |
| Non-indigenes (other states) | 491,000 – 623,700 |
| Late registration penalty | 10,000 |
These figures cover tuition and the standard components bundled into the university’s fee schedule, including instructional costs, library access, health services, and general student welfare charges. Some course-specific and level-specific variations exist, so the exact amount a student pays depends on their programme, their year of study, and whether they are a fresh or returning student. Students who choose on-campus accommodation should also budget for a separate hostel fee, which the university has historically charged per semester rather than folding into the general tuition figure.
UMM enforces a mandatory residency policy for all undergraduate students, meaning students are required to live on campus rather than seek off-campus housing. The university also runs a pay-as-you-eat catering system, so students are not permitted to cook in their hostels or purchase food from outside the campus, which is a cost factor worth planning for beyond the tuition and hostel fees themselves.
Where to Study Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria Instead
Students who specifically want to study Medicine and Surgery need to apply to a university holding active MDCN accreditation for the programme. Within Benue State and the broader North Central zone, options include Benue State University, which runs an MDCN-accredited MBBS programme with clinical training through an affiliated teaching hospital, along with federal institutions further afield such as the University of Jos, Ahmadu Bello University, and the University of Ilorin, all of which operate six-year MBBS programmes backed by dedicated teaching hospitals.
A number of private universities across Nigeria have also introduced Medicine and Surgery programmes in recent years after securing MDCN approval, though private medical training tends to cost significantly more than public universities since it is not subsidised by government funding. Students should expect private MBBS fees in Nigeria to run into several million naira per session, compared to a few hundred thousand naira at most federal and state universities.
Before applying anywhere, prospective medical students should confirm two things directly with the institution: current NUC approval for the general undergraduate programme, and separately, current MDCN accreditation status specifically for Medicine and Surgery, since NUC recognition alone does not authorise a university to award a medical degree.
How to Confirm Current Fee Information Directly
Because fee schedules are revised from one academic session to the next, and because outdated or inaccurate information about a “medicine” programme at UMM continues to circulate online, prospective and current students should verify details directly with the university rather than relying solely on third-party listings. The most reliable approach is to:
- Visit the official University of Mkar website and review the current list of NUC-accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programmes for the 2026/2027 session.
- Contact the university’s admissions office or bursary directly to confirm the exact fee applicable to a specific course and student category (indigene, non-indigene, fresher, or returning student).
- Cross-check any fee figure found on third-party websites against the amount generated on the university’s official student portal before making any payment.
- Avoid engaging with agents or unofficial contacts who claim to guarantee admission into a “Medicine and Surgery” programme at University of Mkar, since no such accredited programme currently exists at the institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does University of Mkar have a College of Medicine?
No. As of the 2026/2027 academic session, UMM operates five colleges — Food Science and Technology, Natural and Applied Sciences, Science and Education, Arts, and Social and Management Sciences — none of which includes a College of Medicine or clinical sciences unit.
Is University of Mkar planning to introduce Medicine and Surgery?
There is no public announcement from the university or from the NUC indicating an active accreditation process for a Medicine and Surgery programme at University of Mkar.
What is the general range of school fees at University of Mkar?
Fees for Benue State indigenes generally range from ₦436,000 to ₦552,200 per session, while non-indigenes pay between ₦491,000 and ₦623,700, depending on the programme and level of study.
Does University of Mkar offer Nursing?
No. UMM does not currently offer Nursing as a standalone programme, similar to its absence of a Medicine and Surgery programme.
Where can I study Medicine and Surgery in or near Benue State?
Benue State University runs an MDCN-accredited MBBS programme within the state, while federal universities such as the University of Jos and Ahmadu Bello University offer established medical programmes in the wider North Central and northern Nigeria region.