Modibbo Adama University, Yola (MAU), formerly Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH) and originally the Federal University of Technology, Yola, runs one of the more affordable Computer Science programmes among federal universities in Nigeria. As a public institution with a long-standing focus on science and technology education, MAU keeps tuition low relative to private universities, while still charging a range of departmental and administrative fees that a Computer Science student needs to plan for. This article breaks down the current school fees for Computer Science at MAU, what those fees cover, how the amount changes between fresh and returning students, and what else a prospective student needs to know before applying.
Where Computer Science Sits at MAU
Computer Science at Modibbo Adama University falls under the university’s broader science and technology cluster, alongside closely related departments such as Mathematics, Statistics, Information Technology, and Operations Research. The department award a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, typically structured as a four-year programme for UTME entrants and a shorter duration for Direct Entry admissions who join at 200 Level with a relevant prior qualification such as a National Diploma, HND, or A-Level result. Given the university’s identity as a technology-focused institution, Computer Science is one of its more established and better-resourced departments, benefiting from computing laboratories shared with related science and engineering departments on campus.
Current School Fees for Computer Science
MAU charges school fees on a differentiated basis depending on whether a student is newly admitted or already enrolled, and the amount also differs slightly by level of study for a small number of departments, though Computer Science follows a fairly consistent pattern across levels. Based on the university’s published fee schedule for the current academic session, the school fee for Computer Science is as follows:
| Student Category | Level | School Fee |
|---|---|---|
| New (Fresh) Student | 100 Level | ₦37,300 |
| New (Direct Entry) Student | 200 Level | ₦37,300 |
| Returning Student | 100 Level – 300 Level | ₦27,300 |
| Returning Student | 400 Level | ₦29,800 |
| Returning Student | 500 Level | ₦27,300 |
The gap between what a fresher pays and what a returning student pays reflects the fact that new students are charged additional one-off registration and administrative components in their first year that do not recur in later sessions. The slight increase for Computer Science returning students at 400 Level, compared to the lower amount charged in other years, reflects an additional charge that applies at that specific stage of the programme, likely tied to a final-year project or practical component, and this is consistent with the pattern seen in a small number of other departments at the university.
How Computer Science Fees Compare to Other Departments
One useful way to understand where Computer Science sits within MAU’s overall fee structure is to compare it against departments in other faculties. The table below places Computer Science alongside a sample of programmes from Engineering, the Sciences, and Agriculture, using the fresh-student fee for comparison.
| Department | Faculty | Fresh Student Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Sciences | Science/Computing | ₦37,300 |
| Mathematics | Science | ₦37,300 |
| Information Technology | Science/Computing | ₦37,300 |
| Civil Engineering | Engineering | ₦40,300 (100L) / ₦41,300 (200L) |
| Physics | Science | ₦47,300 |
| Pure Chemistry | Science | ₦47,300 |
| Geology | Earth Sciences | ₦53,200 |
| Agric Economics & Extension | Agriculture | ₦37,300 |
Computer Science sits at the lower end of the fee scale at MAU, in the same bracket as Mathematics, Information Technology, and several agriculture-based programmes. Departments that require more specialized equipment or field-based practical work, such as Geology, Physics, and Pure Chemistry, carry a noticeably higher fee, which reflects the additional laboratory and material costs those disciplines involve. This places Computer Science among the more budget-friendly options at the university despite being one of its more competitive and popular departments.
What the School Fee Covers
The school fee at MAU is not a single flat tuition charge in the way private university fees often are; it is a modest registration-style fee typical of Nigerian federal universities, where tuition itself remains heavily subsidized by government funding. The fee that a Computer Science student pays generally covers:
- Departmental and faculty registration for the session.
- Basic library access and general academic administration.
- Access to shared computing and laboratory facilities used across the department’s coursework.
- Examination processing for the session.
- Contribution toward student union and general welfare services.
Because this figure is relatively small compared to what private universities charge, students should not mistake it for the full cost of a university education. Additional charges apply on top of the base school fee, and living costs in Yola form a separate and often larger part of a student’s overall budget for the session.
Additional Charges Computer Science Students Should Expect
Beyond the core school fee listed above, a Computer Science student at MAU should budget for the following recurring or occasional charges:
- Accommodation: Students who secure a hostel room pay separately for it, with a new hostel room costing approximately ₦20,090 per session and an older hostel room costing approximately ₦8,090 per session, giving students a lower-cost option if hostel space in the newer buildings is unavailable or unaffordable.
- Foreign student surcharge: Non-Nigerian students pay an additional ₦20,000 on top of the standard school fee, regardless of department.
- Acceptance fee: A one-time charge paid by newly admitted students once an admission offer is confirmed, separate from the annual school fee.
- Departmental practicals and project costs: Particularly relevant in the final year, when Computer Science students typically undertake an individual project that may carry printing, binding, and, in some cases, hardware or hosting-related costs not covered by the base school fee.
- Personal computing equipment: While the university provides shared computing laboratory access, most Computer Science students find it useful to have a personal laptop capable of running standard development tools and software required for coursework.
Payment Process for Computer Science School Fees at MAU
Fee payment at MAU is processed through the institution’s designated payment platform rather than direct bank deposits at a counter. The general steps a Computer Science student follows are:
- Log in to the university’s student portal using the matriculation number or JAMB registration details, depending on whether the student is new or returning.
- Navigate to the fees payment section and select the correct student category, fresh or returning, and the applicable level.
- Generate a payment invoice reflecting the exact amount due for the session.
- Complete payment through the approved bank or online payment channel linked to the portal.
- Confirm that the payment reflects successfully on the portal before proceeding to course registration.
- Print or save the payment receipt for personal records and for presentation during physical registration if required by the department.
Students are generally advised to complete this process early in the session, since late payment can restrict access to course registration and, in some cases, examination eligibility.
Admission Requirements for Computer Science at MAU
Gaining admission into the Computer Science department at MAU follows the standard requirements used across Nigerian federal universities for science-based courses:
- Five O’Level credit passes, including English Language, Mathematics, and Physics, obtained in not more than two sittings through WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent recognized examination body.
- A JAMB UTME score meeting the departmental cut-off mark, with relevant subjects typically including Mathematics, Physics, and either Chemistry or a related science subject.
- Successful completion of the university’s Post-UTME screening exercise, which is factored into the final admission decision alongside the UTME score.
- For Direct Entry applicants, a relevant National Diploma, HND, IJMB, JUPEB, or A-Level result that qualifies the candidate for admission directly into 200 Level.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a fresh Computer Science student pay at MAU?
A newly admitted Computer Science student pays approximately ₦37,300 for the session, based on the university’s published fee schedule.
How much does a returning Computer Science student pay?
Returning Computer Science students generally pay approximately ₦27,300 per session, with a slightly higher amount of around ₦29,800 at 400 Level due to an additional charge at that stage.
Is Computer Science more expensive than other courses at MAU?
No. Computer Science sits at the lower end of MAU’s fee scale, in the same bracket as Mathematics and Information Technology, and is less expensive than departments such as Physics, Pure Chemistry, and Geology.
Does the school fee include hostel accommodation?
No. Hostel accommodation is billed separately, with a new hostel costing approximately ₦20,090 per session and an older hostel costing approximately ₦8,090 per session.
Do foreign students pay a different fee for Computer Science at MAU?
Yes. Foreign students pay an additional ₦20,000 on top of the standard Computer Science school fee, a surcharge that applies uniformly across departments at the university.