Computer Science remains one of the most sought-after programmes at Obafemi Awolowo University, and prospective students consistently want a clear picture of what it costs to study there. This article explains the current departmental structure for Computer Science at OAU, the school fees applicable for the 2026/2027 academic session, and everything else a candidate needs to know before applying.
Computer Science at OAU: A Recently Restructured Programme
Computer Science at OAU has a long academic history, with the original Department of Computer Science established in 1970 as one of the foundation departments under the Faculty of Technology. For decades, students seeking a computing-related degree applied through the Faculty of Technology alongside programmes such as Electronic and Electrical Engineering and Chemical Engineering.
The department has since been upgraded into a standalone academic unit: the Faculty of Computing Science and Engineering. This restructuring split what was previously a single Department of Computer Science and Engineering into five distinct departments, each offering its own degree programmes.
| Department | Degree Programmes Offered |
|---|---|
| Department of Computer Engineering | B.Sc. Computer Engineering, B.Sc. Information and Communication Technology |
| Department of Computer Science | B.Sc. Computer Science with Economics, B.Sc. Computer Science with Mathematics, B.Sc. Cybersecurity |
| Department of Software Engineering | B.Sc. Software Engineering |
| Department of Information Systems | B.Sc. Information Systems |
| Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering | B.Sc. Intelligent Systems Engineering |
This means a candidate searching for “Computer Science at OAU” now has several more specific pathways to choose from than in earlier years. A student who wants a traditional computing degree combined with an economics or mathematics option applies specifically to the Department of Computer Science, while a student more interested in system design, security, or software development applies to the correspondingly named department under the same faculty.
Admission Requirements for Computer Science at OAU
Gaining admission into any department under the Faculty of Computing Science and Engineering requires meeting both the general university entry standard and the specific departmental conditions.
- O’Level requirement: Five credit passes in WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB, including English Language, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, obtained in not more than two sittings.
- UTME subject combination: English Language, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry (subject combinations may vary slightly by specific department, so a candidate should confirm the exact combination on the JAMB brochure entry for their chosen department).
- Competitive JAMB score: Computer Science and its related departments are among the more competitive programmes at OAU. A candidate should aim for a JAMB score in the region of 250 and above to stand a realistic chance, though the exact departmental cut-off mark is set afresh each session based on the applicant pool.
- Post-UTME screening: Candidates who meet the JAMB cut-off mark must also sit for OAU’s Post-UTME screening exercise, and the university calculates a combined aggregate score from both results to rank applicants for the limited number of admission slots.
- Direct Entry route: Candidates with a relevant National Diploma, NCE, or Advanced Level qualification can apply through Direct Entry, subject to meeting the department’s specific requirements for that entry point.
OAU School Fees for Computer Science 2026/2027
OAU does not charge a separate, isolated fee specifically labelled “Computer Science fees.” Instead, tuition is set according to the faculty group a programme falls under, and Computer Science and its related departments fall within the technology and science fee band, the same band that previously applied under the Faculty of Technology before the restructuring into the Faculty of Computing Science and Engineering.
| Student Category | Fee Payable per Session |
|---|---|
| Fresh students (Faculty of Technology / Science band, which covers Computer Science and related departments) | ₦163,200 |
| Returning students (same band) | ₦101,200 |
| Fresh students — Faculties of Arts, Law, and Humanities (for comparison) | ₦151,200 |
| Returning students — Arts, Law, and Humanities (for comparison) | ₦89,200 |
| Fresh students — College of Health Sciences and Faculty of Pharmacy (for comparison) | ₦190,200 |
| Returning students — College of Health Sciences and Faculty of Pharmacy (for comparison) | ₦128,200 |
These figures represent OAU’s officially announced fee structure, and they are inclusive of tuition, registration, examination, library, and medical fees. Fresh students pay a higher fee than returning students, largely because of the one-time charges tied to first registration, matriculation, and orientation activities that returning students do not incur again in subsequent sessions.
A few points help clarify what the Computer Science-band fee actually covers:
- The technology and science fee band is a flat rate across departments within that group. Whether a student is admitted into Computer Science with Mathematics, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, or another department under the Faculty of Computing Science and Engineering, the tuition charged sits within the same fee band as other science and technology-based programmes at OAU, since the university structures its fee schedule by faculty group rather than by individual department.
- General fees apply on top of the faculty-based tuition. All undergraduate students, regardless of faculty, pay a general fee of approximately ₦16,000 covering university-wide services such as student union dues, sports, and general administration.
- OAU’s fee structure is reviewed periodically, not every session. The current adjusted fee schedule, as confirmed through the university’s official Senate-approved communication, remains valid for the duration of an academic session and is carried forward until the university issues a new adjustment.
- Acceptance fee is separate from tuition. Every fresh student pays a one-time, non-refundable acceptance fee upon confirming their admission offer, before proceeding to register and pay the session’s tuition.
Additional Costs Beyond Tuition
Beyond the faculty-based tuition, a Computer Science student at OAU should budget for a few additional recurring and one-time costs that are not part of the core fee schedule.
- Accommodation: Students who opt for university hostel accommodation pay a separate hostel fee, which varies depending on the specific hall and room type selected. Students who choose off-campus housing in Ile-Ife pay market rent instead, which can be comparable to or higher than hostel fees depending on location and room sharing arrangements.
- Departmental practical and project costs: Computer Science and its related departments are practical-heavy programmes, so students should plan for costs associated with laboratory access, software licences, and final-year project work, particularly in the software engineering, cybersecurity, and intelligent systems tracks.
- Textbooks and study materials: As with most university programmes, textbooks, technical manuals, and access to online learning resources add to the overall cost of study, though these are not part of the university’s formal fee schedule.
How to Pay OAU School Fees
OAU processes all fee payments online through its official student portal rather than accepting payment directly from students at the bursary. A student logs into the portal, selects “Payment of Fees” from the dashboard, downloads the appropriate payment slip for the specific charge (tuition, acceptance fee, accommodation, and so on), and completes payment at any commercial bank using the generated payment reference. Keeping a copy of the payment receipt is important, since it is required during registration and course form clearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which faculty is Computer Science under at OAU now?
Computer Science is under the Faculty of Computing Science and Engineering, a standalone faculty created from the former Department of Computer Science and Engineering, which itself was previously housed under the Faculty of Technology.
How much is OAU school fees for Computer Science per session?
Fresh students in the technology and science fee band, which covers Computer Science and its related departments, pay ₦163,200 per session, while returning students pay ₦101,200.
What JAMB score is needed for Computer Science at OAU?
A competitive JAMB score of around 250 and above gives a realistic chance of admission, though the exact departmental cut-off mark is set each session based on the number and strength of applicants.
Does OAU offer Cybersecurity or Software Engineering as separate degrees from Computer Science?
Yes. Following the faculty restructuring, Cybersecurity is offered under the Department of Computer Science, while Software Engineering, Information Systems, and Intelligent Systems Engineering are each run as separate departments under the Faculty of Computing Science and Engineering.
Are Computer Science school fees at OAU different from other science courses?
No. Computer Science and its related departments fall within the same technology and science fee band as other science-based programmes at OAU, so the tuition amount is the same across that group of faculties.