If you’re planning to study at the University of Calabar, getting accurate information on UNICAL school fees should be one of your first steps. As one of Nigeria’s leading federal universities, UNICAL attracts thousands of students every session, and knowing what to expect financially helps you plan ahead without unnecessary surprises.
This article gives you a complete breakdown of UNICAL school fees for fresh and returning students, indigenes and non-indigenes, postgraduate charges, and a detailed table covering 98 courses offered at the university for the 2026/2027 academic session.
Overview of UNICAL School Fees 2026/2027
Located in Calabar, Cross River State, the University of Calabar remains a top choice for students because federal tuition is technically free, and what students pay are consolidated charges covering development levies, ICT fees, and other compulsory dues.
For 2026/2027, UNICAL school fees for fresh students in Non-Science courses stand at around ₦111,000 plus ₦36,500 in third-party dues, bringing the total to roughly ₦147,500. Fresh students in Science, Medical, and Clinical courses pay ₦155,000 plus ₦38,500 in dues, totaling about ₦193,500. Returning students enjoy lower rates across both categories.
UNICAL Acceptance Fee for Fresh Students
Before settling your main UNICAL school fees, every newly admitted student must pay the acceptance fee. This confirms acceptance of your admission offer and allows you to proceed with registration.
For 2026/2027, the acceptance fee details are:
- Acceptance fee: ₦40,000 for CES degree students
- Diploma and pre-degree students: ₦15,000
- Payment is made through the official portal at myunical.edu.ng/acceptance/webpay
Once paid, you’ll receive a unique acceptance fee confirmation order number which you’ll need for further registration steps.
UNICAL School Fees for Fresh Students (Non-Science)
Fresh Non-Science students at UNICAL pay relatively lower charges compared to their Science counterparts. The UNICAL school fees for this category cover tuition-related consolidated charges, development levies, and third-party dues.
For 2026/2027, fresh Non-Science students should expect:
- Consolidated tuition charge: ₦111,000
- Third-party dues (SUG, ICT, sundry charges): ₦36,500
- Total: approximately ₦147,500
- Indigenes of Cross River State may pay slightly less, around ₦93,200
This applies to courses in Arts, Social Sciences, Education, and Management Sciences.
UNICAL School Fees for Fresh Students (Science and Clinical)
Fresh Science, Medical, and Clinical students pay higher UNICAL school fees due to laboratory equipment, practical sessions, and specialized training requirements.
For 2026/2027, fresh Science and Clinical students should expect:
- Consolidated tuition charge: ₦155,000
- Third-party dues: ₦38,500
- Total: approximately ₦193,500
- Indigenes may pay around ₦123,000 in some categories
Courses like Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Engineering fall under this higher fee bracket because of their resource-intensive nature.
UNICAL School Fees for Returning Students
Once you complete your first year, UNICAL school fees generally reduce because acceptance fees and some one-time charges no longer apply. This is welcome news for students managing tight budgets.
For 2026/2027, returning students should expect:
- Non-Science returning students: ₦113,000 (including dues)
- Science returning students: ₦146,500 (including dues)
- Final-year students may pay slightly more due to additional academic and administrative costs
Just like most federal universities, UNICAL school fees typically reduce as students progress through their programme, except for final-year adjustments.
UNICAL School Fees for Final-Year Students
Final-year students at UNICAL pay slightly more than regular returning students because of extra charges related to graduation processing, project supervision, and final examinations.
For 2026/2027:
- Non-Science final-year students: ₦114,000
- Science final-year students: slightly higher, depending on the department
- These charges include additional academic and administrative fees not applicable to other levels
Final-year students should confirm their exact figures on the portal since these charges can vary by faculty.
UNICAL Postgraduate School Fees
For students considering further studies, UNICAL school fees for postgraduate programmes differ significantly from undergraduate charges. The university offers PGD, Master’s, and PhD programmes across various faculties.
For 2026/2027:
- Postgraduate fees vary by programme type (PGD, Masters, PhD)
- New postgraduate students pay higher charges than returning postgraduate students
- Fees cover tuition, registration, ICT, and supervision charges
Prospective postgraduate students are advised to check the official UNICAL postgraduate fees schedule for their specific programme before making payment.
What’s Included in UNICAL School Fees
Understanding what your UNICAL school fees actually cover helps you avoid confusion during registration. The consolidated charges typically include:
- Development levy
- ICT fees for portal access and e-learning resources
- Library charges
- Students’ Union Government (SUG) dues
- Sundry fees covering administrative processing
- Medical and health services charges
Altogether, these sundry fees and dues add up to around ₦28,500, which forms part of the total UNICAL school fees payable each session.
How to Pay UNICAL School Fees Online
Paying your UNICAL school fees correctly ensures smooth registration and access to lectures. Here’s the process:
- Visit the official UNICAL portal at myunical.edu.ng
- Log in using your JAMB registration number (freshers) or matric number (returning students)
- Generate your invoice based on your programme and student category
- Make payment online through the approved payment platforms
- Print your payment receipt for your records
- Proceed with course registration once payment is confirmed
Always confirm you’re on the official UNICAL portal before entering any payment details to avoid fraudulent websites.
Full Table: UNICAL School Fees for All Courses 2026/2027
Below is a detailed table showing UNICAL school fees for 98 courses, comparing fresh students and returning students. Figures represent total estimates in Naira, including consolidated charges and dues.
| S/N | Course | Fresh Students (₦) | Returning Students (₦) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Accounting | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 2 | Banking and Finance | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 3 | Business Administration | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 4 | Economics | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 5 | Marketing | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 6 | Insurance | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 7 | Industrial Relations and Personnel Management | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 8 | Public Administration | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 9 | Cooperative Economics and Management | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 10 | Taxation | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 11 | Political Science | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 12 | International Relations | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 13 | Sociology | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 14 | Criminology and Security Studies | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 15 | Social Work | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 16 | Mass Communication | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 17 | English and Literary Studies | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 18 | History and International Studies | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 19 | Philosophy | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 20 | Religious and Cultural Studies | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 21 | French | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 22 | Linguistics | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 23 | Theatre Arts and Cultural Studies | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 24 | Fine and Applied Arts | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 25 | Music | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 26 | Geography | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 27 | Library and Information Science | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 28 | Education and English | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 29 | Education and Economics | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 30 | Education and Biology | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 31 | Education and Chemistry | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 32 | Education and Mathematics | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 33 | Education and Physics | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 34 | Guidance and Counselling | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 35 | Educational Management | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 36 | Adult and Continuing Education | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 37 | Early Childhood Education | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 38 | Special Education | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 39 | Human Kinetics and Health Education | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 40 | Vocational and Technical Education | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 41 | Science Education | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 42 | Computer Science | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 43 | Information Technology | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 44 | Cyber Security | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 45 | Software Engineering | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 46 | Mathematics | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 47 | Statistics | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 48 | Physics | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 49 | Chemistry | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 50 | Biochemistry | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 51 | Microbiology | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 52 | Botany | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 53 | Zoology | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 54 | Cell Biology and Genetics | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 55 | Marine Biology | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 56 | Geology | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 57 | Environmental Science | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 58 | Applied Geophysics | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 59 | Civil Engineering | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 60 | Electrical/Electronics Engineering | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 61 | Mechanical Engineering | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 62 | Chemical Engineering | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 63 | Computer Engineering | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 64 | Petroleum Engineering | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 65 | Agricultural Engineering | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 66 | Architecture | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 67 | Building Technology | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 68 | Estate Management | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 69 | Quantity Surveying | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 70 | Surveying and Geo-informatics | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 71 | Urban and Regional Planning | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 72 | Law | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 73 | Medicine and Surgery | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 74 | Dentistry | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 75 | Nursing Science | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 76 | Pharmacy | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 77 | Physiology | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 78 | Anatomy | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 79 | Medical Laboratory Science | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 80 | Public Health | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 81 | Radiography | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 82 | Physiotherapy | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 83 | Agricultural Economics | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 84 | Crop Science | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 85 | Animal Science | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 86 | Soil Science | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 87 | Fisheries and Aquaculture | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 88 | Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 89 | Food Science and Technology | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 90 | Nutrition and Dietetics | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 91 | Home Economics | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 92 | Project Management Technology | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 93 | Entrepreneurship Studies | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 94 | Hospitality and Tourism Management | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 95 | Local Government and Development Studies | 147,500 | 113,000 |
| 96 | Psychology | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 97 | Actuarial Science | 193,500 | 146,500 |
| 98 | Transport and Logistics Management | 147,500 | 113,000 |
Note: These figures are estimates compiled from official UNICAL fee announcements and verified third-party sources. Always confirm exact amounts for your specific programme through the official student portal since fees may be reviewed each session.
Frequently Asked Questions About UNICAL School Fees
1. How much is UNICAL acceptance fee for 2026/2027? The acceptance fee is ₦40,000 for CES degree students and ₦15,000 for diploma and pre-degree students.
2. Do indigenes and non-indigenes pay the same UNICAL school fees? No. Indigenes of Cross River State typically pay less than non-indigenes, with savings of around ₦20,000–₦30,000 depending on the category.
3. Why do Science students pay more than Non-Science students? Science, Medical, and Clinical courses require laboratory equipment, practical sessions, and specialized training, which increases overall costs.
4. Do returning students pay less than freshers? Yes, returning students pay lower fees since acceptance fees and some one-time charges only apply to fresh students.
5. How do I pay UNICAL school fees online? Log in to myunical.edu.ng with your registration details, generate your invoice, and complete payment through the approved platforms.
6. Are UNICAL postgraduate school fees different from undergraduate fees? Yes, postgraduate fees vary by programme type and are generally higher than undergraduate consolidated charges.
Final Thoughts
Having accurate information on UNICAL school fees helps you plan your finances confidently and avoid registration delays. Whether you’re a fresher excited about starting your academic journey or a returning student preparing for a new session, always confirm your exact figures through the official UNICAL portal before making any payment. With this guide, you’re well-prepared to budget for the 2026/2027 academic session at the University of Calabar.