Many prospective medical students search for the cost of studying Medicine and Surgery at Al-Qalam University, Katsina (AUK) before applying through JAMB. This article gives a direct, accurate answer based on the university’s current academic structure, so students and parents can plan properly instead of relying on guesswork.
Does Al-Qalam University, Katsina Offer Medicine and Surgery?
As of the 2026/2027 academic session, Al-Qalam University, Katsina does not run a Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) degree programme. The university currently operates five colleges:
- College of Computing and Information Science
- College of Education
- College of Humanities
- College of Natural and Applied Sciences
- College of Social and Management Sciences
None of these colleges houses a School of Medicine, a College of Health Sciences, or a Faculty of Clinical Sciences. AUK is also not listed among the universities accredited by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to train medical doctors. MDCN accreditation is compulsory for any Nigerian university before it can admit students into Medicine and Surgery, because the council is the body responsible for approving medical training standards and issuing the quota of students each accredited school may take per session.
This means that candidates who choose Al-Qalam University, Katsina as a JAMB institution while hoping to study Medicine and Surgery will not find that course on the university’s list of approved programmes. Some candidates confuse AUK with other Katsina State institutions, or assume that because the university has a growing Natural and Applied Sciences college, it automatically offers clinical medicine. That is not the case. Programmes in the College of Natural and Applied Sciences at AUK include courses such as Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Science Laboratory Technology, which are science-based but distinct from the clinical training that leads to an MBBS qualification.
What AUK Offers Instead in the Sciences
Students interested in a health-related or science career path at Al-Qalam University, Katsina can consider the following undergraduate programmes, which are fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC):
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
- Science Laboratory Technology
- Mathematics
- Software Engineering
These programmes prepare graduates for postgraduate study, laboratory practice, research, and further professional certification, but they do not confer a medical degree or license a graduate to practice as a doctor.
General School Fees Structure at Al-Qalam University, Katsina
Even though Medicine and Surgery is not on offer, it helps to understand how AUK generally prices its programmes, since a science-related course is the closest equivalent for a student drawn to the medical field. Tuition at AUK varies by college and level, and the university is known for pricing itself lower than most other private universities in Nigeria. For the 2024/2025 session, the published 100-Level tuition figures were as follows:
| College/Programme Category | Approximate 100-Level Tuition (per session) |
|---|---|
| Education courses | ₦255,887 |
| Social and Management Sciences | ₦350,950 |
| Computing and Natural/Applied Sciences | ₦402,950 |
These figures cover tuition only. Additional charges that apply across most Nigerian private universities, including AUK, typically include an acceptance fee, a Post-UTME/screening fee, accommodation fees for students who choose to live on campus, an examination fee, a library fee, and other departmental charges. Fees are generally reviewed at the start of each academic session, so the amount payable in a later session may differ from the figures above. Candidates should always confirm the current session’s approved fee schedule directly from the university’s Student Information System (SIS) portal or the bursary department before making any payment.
How Payment Works at AUK
Al-Qalam University, Katsina does not operate an installment payment plan for the majority of its programmes. Fees are expected in one lump sum at the point of registration for each session, except where the university management specifically approves a staggered payment arrangement, which is uncommon and usually tied to special circumstances. Payment is processed through a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) generated on the university’s online portal, after which the student uploads proof of payment along with their academic credentials for verification.
Late payment attracts penalties. A student who fails to complete payment within the stipulated deadline may be barred from writing semester examinations, or in more serious cases, may lose the admission slot entirely. This policy applies uniformly across the university’s colleges and is not specific to any single programme.
What to Do If You Want to Study Medicine and Surgery
For candidates whose primary goal is a career in clinical medicine, the practical step is to select a university that is officially accredited by the MDCN for the Medicine and Surgery programme. Nigeria currently has a mix of federal, state, and private universities with this accreditation, spread across regions including the North-West, where Katsina State is located. Neighbouring options in the northern part of the country include federal universities such as Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Bayero University, Kano, both of which run MDCN-accredited MBBS programmes. Private universities such as Bingham University and Nile University of Nigeria also offer the course, though tuition at private medical schools tends to run considerably higher than at federal or state institutions.
Candidates should verify accreditation status directly through the MDCN’s published list before applying, since accreditation status can change and new universities occasionally receive approval to commence the programme. Relying on outdated blog posts or unverified claims about a university’s course offerings can lead to a wasted JAMB choice, especially for a course as competitive and tightly regulated as Medicine and Surgery.
Admission Requirements That Would Apply If AUK Introduces Medicine in the Future
Universities that later introduce Medicine and Surgery typically require the same baseline requirements as already-accredited schools:
- Five credit passes in the SSCE (WAEC or NECO), including English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, obtained at one sitting, or in some cases two sittings depending on the institution’s policy.
- A competitive UTME score, since Medicine and Surgery consistently carries one of the highest cut-off marks among all courses in Nigeria, generally ranging from 220 to above 250 depending on the institution.
- A pass in the university’s Post-UTME or screening exercise.
- An interview, in some cases, particularly for private universities.
If Al-Qalam University, Katsina secures MDCN accreditation for Medicine and Surgery in a future session, these are the categories of requirements prospective applicants should expect, alongside a tuition structure that would likely be set higher than the university’s current science-based programmes, in line with the cost of running clinical training, laboratories, and teaching hospital partnerships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Al-Qalam University, Katsina have a college of medicine?
No. AUK currently has five colleges, and none of them is a college of medicine or health sciences.
Can I apply for Medicine and Surgery at Al-Qalam University, Katsina through JAMB?
No. Since the course is not on the university’s list of NUC-approved and MDCN-accredited programmes, JAMB CAPS will not show it as an available option for AUK.
What are the closest science-related courses to Medicine at AUK?
Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Science Laboratory Technology are the closest options currently available at the university.
Is Al-Qalam University, Katsina a recognized university?
Yes. AUK is officially recognized and accredited by the National Universities Commission, and its existing undergraduate programmes carry full accreditation status.
Will AUK offer Medicine and Surgery in the future?
There is no official confirmation of this as of the 2026/2027 session. Prospective applicants should monitor the university’s official website and NUC/MDCN announcements for any change in programme offerings.