Ekiti State University, commonly called EKSU, runs one of the more established medical training programmes among state universities in southwestern Nigeria through its College of Medicine. Students planning to apply for the 2026/2027 academic session need clarity on exactly which medical and health-related courses the university offers, what each one costs, and what it takes to gain admission. This article addresses all of that directly.
Overview of the College of Medicine at EKSU
The College of Medicine at EKSU was created in 2010, growing out of departments that had previously existed under other faculties. It now houses two foundation faculties: the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences and the Faculty of Clinical Sciences. The college runs its clinical training in partnership with the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), which gives students hands-on exposure to patient care during their clinical years. The flagship programme, Medicine and Surgery (MBBS), has received full accreditation from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), which means graduates are eligible to proceed through the standard licensing and housemanship process required to practice as medical doctors in Nigeria.
Beyond the MBBS programme, EKSU trains students in several other health-related disciplines that fall under or alongside the College of Medicine, including Nursing Science, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Science, Physiology, Anatomy, and Medical Biochemistry. Each of these leads to a distinct professional path, and each carries its own fee structure, which is broken down later in this article.
List of Medical and Health-Related Courses Offered at EKSU
The following courses fall under EKSU’s medical and health sciences cluster:
- Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) – a 6-year programme training students to become medical doctors.
- Nursing Science – a 4 to 5-year degree programme training professional nurses.
- Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) – a programme training pharmacists, typically running 6 years.
- Medical Laboratory Science – trains laboratory scientists responsible for diagnostic testing and analysis.
- Physiology – a basic medical science degree focused on the study of body functions, often chosen by students aiming for research, teaching, or further postgraduate clinical training.
- Anatomy – a basic medical science degree focused on the structure of the human body, also commonly pursued by students with research or academic ambitions in the health sciences.
- Medical Biochemistry – combines biochemistry with a clinical orientation, preparing students for laboratory-based and diagnostic careers.
Each of these programmes is domiciled either directly within the College of Medicine or in a closely affiliated faculty, and admission into any of them follows a similarly rigorous path involving JAMB UTME, Post-UTME screening, and O’Level credit requirements.
Medicine and Surgery (MBBS): Duration, Requirements, and Fees
Medicine and Surgery is the most demanding and most competitive course at EKSU. It runs for six years and leads to the award of Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) upon completion, after which graduates proceed for a mandatory one-year housemanship before full registration to practice.
Admission into Medicine and Surgery requires five O’Level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, obtained in not more than two sittings through WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent examination body. On the JAMB side, the course carries one of the highest cut-off marks in the university, generally placed above 250 in recent admission cycles, though the exact figure is reviewed by the university each year based on the volume and strength of applicants. Meeting the JAMB cut-off mark only qualifies a candidate for the university’s Post-UTME screening; actual admission is decided using an aggregate score that combines the UTME result, the Post-UTME screening score, and O’Level grades, typically weighted in a ratio that favours UTME performance while still giving meaningful weight to screening and O’Level results.
For the 2025/2026 fee schedule carried forward into the 2026/2027 session, Medicine and Surgery attracts a tuition fee of ₦962,500 per session for Ekiti State indigenes and ₦1,112,500 per session for non-indigenes, making it by far the most expensive course at the university. This is in addition to an acceptance fee of ₦112,000, which applies to Medicine and Surgery along with other health-related courses.
Nursing Science: Duration, Requirements, and Fees
Nursing Science at EKSU is a full university degree programme, distinct from the diploma or certificate-level nursing training offered at standalone colleges of nursing. It typically runs for a duration of 4 to 5 years, depending on whether a candidate enters through UTME or through direct entry with a relevant prior qualification.
The O’Level requirement mirrors that of Medicine and Surgery: five credits including English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. On the JAMB side, Nursing Science has consistently carried one of the higher departmental cut-off marks at EKSU, generally sitting in the 230 to 250 range in recent admission cycles, reflecting how competitive the course has become nationally.
Nursing Science falls under the same fee bracket as Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Biochemistry, and Pharmacy, attracting a tuition fee of ₦607,500 per session for indigenes and ₦757,500 per session for non-indigenes. The acceptance fee for Nursing Science, like other health-related courses, is set at ₦112,000.
Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D): Duration, Requirements, and Fees
The Doctor of Pharmacy programme trains students to become licensed pharmacists. Admission requirements again call for five O’Level credits in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, and the course has one of the higher JAMB cut-off marks at the university, generally around 240 in recent cycles.
Pharmacy shares the same fee bracket as Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, and Medical Biochemistry, meaning indigenes pay ₦607,500 per session and non-indigenes pay ₦757,500 per session, plus the ₦112,000 acceptance fee applicable to health-related programmes.
Medical Laboratory Science: Duration, Requirements, and Fees
Medical Laboratory Science trains professionals who conduct diagnostic testing, sample analysis, and laboratory-based investigations that support clinical diagnosis and treatment decisions. The programme generally runs for 5 years, and its O’Level and UTME entry requirements follow the same science-based pattern as the other clinical courses, with a JAMB cut-off mark that has recently sat around 220.
Fees for Medical Laboratory Science fall under the same ₦607,500 (indigene) and ₦757,500 (non-indigene) bracket shared with Nursing Science, Pharmacy, and Medical Biochemistry, with the standard ₦112,000 acceptance fee for health-related courses.
Physiology and Anatomy: Duration, Requirements, and Fees
Physiology and Anatomy are basic medical science degrees that many students pursue either as a primary career path in research, academia, or laboratory work, or as an alternative route into postgraduate clinical training. Both programmes require the same core science O’Level credits as the other medical courses and generally carry a more moderate JAMB cut-off mark compared to Medicine and Surgery or Nursing Science.
Physiology and Anatomy are priced lower than the other College of Medicine programmes, with tuition set at ₦532,500 per session for indigenes and ₦607,500 per session for non-indigenes. The acceptance fee of ₦112,000 still applies, since both programmes are grouped with the health-related courses for acceptance fee purposes.
Medical Biochemistry: Duration, Requirements, and Fees
Medical Biochemistry blends core biochemistry training with a clinical and diagnostic focus, preparing graduates for laboratory-based and diagnostic-support careers within the health sector. Its entry requirements follow the same O’Level pattern as the other science-based medical courses, and its JAMB cut-off mark has recently been placed around 180, making it comparatively more accessible than Medicine and Surgery or Nursing Science while still requiring solid science grades.
Medical Biochemistry shares the ₦607,500 (indigene) and ₦757,500 (non-indigene) fee bracket with Nursing Science, Pharmacy, and Medical Laboratory Science, along with the ₦112,000 acceptance fee.
Full Fee Comparison Table
The table below summarizes tuition for the 2025/2026 approved schedule, which forms the base carried into the 2026/2027 session pending any fresh review by the university management.
| Course | Tuition (Indigene) | Tuition (Non-Indigene) | Acceptance Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) | ₦962,500 | ₦1,112,500 | ₦112,000 |
| Nursing Science | ₦607,500 | ₦757,500 | ₦112,000 |
| Doctor of Pharmacy | ₦607,500 | ₦757,500 | ₦112,000 |
| Medical Laboratory Science | ₦607,500 | ₦757,500 | ₦112,000 |
| Medical Biochemistry | ₦607,500 | ₦757,500 | ₦112,000 |
| Physiology | ₦532,500 | ₦607,500 | ₦112,000 |
| Anatomy | ₦532,500 | ₦607,500 | ₦112,000 |
These figures apply specifically to newly admitted students at the point of entry. Returning students in higher levels of these programmes have historically paid somewhat reduced tuition compared to fresh intakes, since a portion of first-year charges covers one-off costs like matriculation and initial clearance that do not recur every session.
General Admission Requirements Across Medical Courses
Every course under the College of Medicine cluster at EKSU shares a similar entry pathway, which includes the following steps:
- Registering and sitting for the JAMB UTME with EKSU selected as the choice institution and the specific medical course selected as the intended programme.
- Meeting the minimum O’Level requirement of five credit passes, including English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, in not more than two sittings.
- Meeting or exceeding the departmental JAMB cut-off mark, which varies by course and is reviewed annually by the university.
- Participating in the EKSU Post-UTME screening exercise, which contributes to the final admission aggregate alongside the UTME score and O’Level grades.
- Being selected through the university’s merit-based admission list, since meeting the cut-off mark only qualifies a candidate for consideration rather than guaranteeing a place.
Because places in Medicine and Surgery, Nursing Science, and Pharmacy are limited each session, candidates aiming for these courses are generally advised to score comfortably above the stated cut-off marks to improve their competitive standing on the admission list.
Other Costs to Budget For
Aside from tuition and the acceptance fee, students admitted into EKSU’s medical courses should plan for additional charges that are separate from the core school fees, including:
- Hostel accommodation, which is limited and not guaranteed to every student
- Departmental practical and laboratory charges tied to specific courses
- Clinical posting or attachment-related costs during the practical training years
- Course registration and examination-related charges
- Identity card, library, and other one-off registration charges typically settled during the matriculation process
Students and sponsors should treat the tuition figures in this article as a foundation for financial planning rather than the complete cost of a session, since miscellaneous charges can add a meaningful amount on top of the core fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which medical course at EKSU has the highest school fees?
Medicine and Surgery has the highest tuition at EKSU, currently set at ₦962,500 per session for indigenes and ₦1,112,500 for non-indigenes, reflecting the extended clinical training, equipment, and hospital-based instruction the programme requires.
Do Ekiti State indigenes pay less than non-indigenes for medical courses at EKSU?
Yes. Across every medical course at EKSU, indigenes of Ekiti State pay a lower tuition rate than non-indigenes, with the difference ranging from ₦75,000 to ₦150,000 per session depending on the specific course.
Is Nursing Science at EKSU the same as attending a college of nursing?
No. Nursing Science at EKSU is a full university degree programme requiring UTME admission and running through the standard undergraduate structure, while a college of nursing typically offers certificate or diploma-level training with a shorter, more direct entry pathway.
What is the minimum JAMB score needed for Medicine and Surgery at EKSU?
The departmental cut-off mark for Medicine and Surgery at EKSU has recently been placed in the 250 to 260 range, though meeting this mark only qualifies a candidate for Post-UTME screening rather than guaranteeing admission, since final selection depends on the aggregate score.
Are EKSU medical course fees the same every academic session?
No. EKSU reviews its fee schedule periodically, and figures can be adjusted from one session to the next. Prospective and returning students should always confirm the exact current amount through the official EKSU student portal before making any payment.