Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, runs one of the older and more established medical training programmes among Nigerian state universities. Its College of Medicine trains students across two faculties, Clinical Sciences and Basic Medical Sciences, and works closely with Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital for clinical postings. This article explains the medical courses available at AAU, their admission routes, and what students should budget for school fees in the 2026/2027 academic session.
Overview of AAU’s College of Medicine
The College of Medicine at Ambrose Alli University was established to train medical doctors, medical laboratory scientists, and physiologists for Nigeria’s health sector. The college is structured into two faculties: the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, which handles the medical and surgical training that comes after the pre-clinical years, and the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, which covers foundational subjects such as anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry before students proceed to clinical rotations.
Students in the college benefit from AAU’s affiliation with Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), which serves as the primary clinical training site for hands-on exposure to patient care, surgery, obstetrics, paediatrics, and community health. This partnership gives AAU medical students a functioning teaching hospital environment rather than relying solely on campus-based instruction.
Medical Courses Offered at AAU
AAU’s College of Medicine currently awards degrees in the following areas:
- Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) — the standard medical doctor training programme, covering pre-clinical and clinical years and leading to registration as a medical doctor after housemanship.
- Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS) — trains students to diagnose disease through laboratory analysis of blood, tissue, and other specimens, preparing graduates for careers as medical laboratory scientists.
- Bachelor of Science in Medical Physiology (B.Sc Physiology) — focuses on the study of how the human body functions at the organ and system level, useful for research, teaching, and further specialisation in physiology-related health fields.
- Nursing Science (B.N.Sc) — trains registered nurses at the degree level, subject to the university’s current admission quota and departmental approval for each intake.
Unlike the MBBS programme, which does not carry an honours classification, the B.Sc Medical Physiology and BMLS programmes are awarded with honours grading, meaning students graduate with a First Class, Second Class Upper, Second Class Lower, or Third Class distinction based on their cumulative performance.
Admission Routes Into AAU Medical Courses
Candidates gain admission into the MBBS programme and other medical courses at AAU through one of two routes.
| Route | Duration | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| UTME (Six-Year Programme) | 6 years | Valid JAMB UTME result with a competitive score, plus five O’Level credits in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology from WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent body, obtained in not more than two sittings |
| Direct Entry (Five-Year Programme) | 5 years | Meets the UTME O’Level requirement, plus an Advanced Level GCE pass (or equivalent qualification such as a relevant HND or degree) in the required science subjects |
For the UTME route, a strong JAMB score is essential, since Medicine and Surgery is one of the most competitive programmes at AAU and typically records one of the highest cut-off marks in the university. Allied medical programmes such as BMLS and Medical Physiology also require competitive JAMB scores, though generally lower than what MBBS demands, while Basic Medical Sciences as a general entry point has historically carried a comparatively modest cut-off mark. Candidates should always confirm the specific cut-off mark published for the current admission cycle, since these figures are reviewed by the university and by JAMB’s central admission guidelines each session and can shift from one year to the next.
Every applicant must also pass AAU’s Post-UTME screening exercise, which typically includes a computer-based test and document verification, before final admission is confirmed. Departmental interviews may also apply for the MBBS programme given its competitive nature.
School Fees for AAU Medical Courses (2026/2027)
Ambrose Alli University reviews its school fees periodically rather than every session, so the most recently published fee structure is generally treated as the reference point until an updated circular is released. As of this academic cycle, tuition for new students across the university’s faculties falls within a broad range, with medical and clinical programmes typically charging more than non-medical faculties because of laboratory use, practical sessions, and clinical training costs.
| Programme | Estimated Fee for Fresh Students (per session) | Estimated Fee for Returning Students (per session) | Acceptance Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBBS (Medicine and Surgery) | ₦250,000 – ₦450,000 | ₦180,000 – ₦300,000 | ₦75,000 |
| Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS) | ₦180,000 – ₦300,000 | ₦140,000 – ₦220,000 | ₦30,000 |
| B.Sc Medical Physiology | ₦150,000 – ₦280,000 | ₦125,000 – ₦220,000 | ₦30,000 |
| Nursing Science (B.N.Sc) | ₦150,000 – ₦280,000 | ₦125,000 – ₦220,000 | ₦30,000 |
A few clarifications apply to this table:
- Medicine carries a higher acceptance fee than every other course at AAU. While most programmes require a ₦30,000 acceptance fee after admission, students admitted into MBBS pay ₦75,000, reflecting the higher administrative and clinical placement cost associated with the programme.
- General university tuition for new students spans roughly ₦157,250 to ₦331,750 per session, depending on faculty and department, while returning students pay a reduced range of about ₦125,750 to ₦220,000. Medical programmes, because of their practical and clinical components, tend to sit at the higher end of these brackets or slightly above them once extra departmental charges are added.
- These figures exclude accommodation, feeding, and personal upkeep. Hostel fees at AAU are billed separately and vary depending on the type of room and hall selected.
- Additional charges apply on top of tuition. These include departmental dues, laboratory or practical fees for science-based courses, library fees, ICT fees, medical/health services fees, and student union dues. For clinical-year medical students, a clinical or teaching hospital fee is also common, since practical training takes place at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.
- AAU had not released a distinct 2026/2027 fee circular at the time of this review, so the figures above are based on the most recently published schedule and standard percentage adjustments the university has applied in past sessions. Prospective and returning students should confirm the exact current figures through the AAU student portal or the bursary department before making payment.
How Payment Works
AAU processes school fees through its online student portal rather than accepting fees directly at the bursary counter. A student logs into the portal using their JAMB registration number (for fresh students) or matriculation number (for returning students), selects the correct academic session, and generates a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) that is used to complete payment at a bank or through an approved electronic channel. Students are advised to keep their payment receipt and RRR confirmation for use during registration and clearance.
Career Pathways After AAU Medical Courses
Graduates of the MBBS programme proceed to a mandatory one-year housemanship at an accredited teaching hospital, followed by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year, before they can register fully with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to practise independently. BMLS graduates register with the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) after completing their internship year, which qualifies them to work as licensed medical laboratory scientists in hospitals, diagnostic centres, and research institutions. Medical Physiology graduates typically move into research, academia, or further postgraduate specialisation, while Nursing Science graduates register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) after their internship, qualifying them to practise as registered nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does AAU offer Medicine and Surgery as a standalone degree?
Yes. The MBBS programme, run through the Faculty of Clinical Sciences under the College of Medicine, is AAU’s core medical doctor training programme.
Is Direct Entry available for AAU medical courses?
Yes. Candidates with qualifying Advanced Level results or an equivalent qualification can enter the MBBS programme through the five-year Direct Entry route instead of the standard six-year UTME route.
Why is the acceptance fee higher for medicine than other courses?
AAU charges a ₦75,000 acceptance fee for MBBS admission compared to ₦30,000 for other programmes, reflecting the additional administrative processing and clinical placement arrangements tied to the medical programme.
Are medical course fees at AAU fixed every year?
No. AAU reviews its fee schedule periodically rather than annually, so a fee structure can remain unchanged across two or more sessions before an update is issued.
Where can a student confirm the exact current fee for their department?
The AAU student portal and the university’s bursary or College of Medicine administrative office publish the specific, department-level fee breakdown for each admission cycle, and this should be checked directly before payment.