The University of Abuja courses and fees structure is one of the most searched pieces of information among prospective students planning to study at this federal institution. Popularly known as UNIABUJA, the University of Abuja was established in 1988 as a dual-mode university, meaning it was designed from the outset to run both conventional, full-time academic programs and distance learning programs side by side. It remains one of the few Nigerian federal universities built with this dual mandate, and it continues to attract applicants from across the country because of its location in the Federal Capital Territory and its comparatively affordable tuition.
This article sets out the faculties and departments available at UNIABUJA, explains how the school fees structure works for new and returning students, and covers the basic admission requirements candidates need to meet before applying.
About the University of Abuja
UNIABUJA operates a two-campus system. The mini-campus, located in Gwagwalada, was the university’s original site and now houses the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Social Sciences, and the Faculty of Law. The main campus, situated along the Abuja Airport Road, hosts the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Management Sciences, the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Agriculture, and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The university also runs a College of Health Sciences, which is made up of separate faculties covering Basic Medical Sciences, Basic Clinical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Nursing and Allied Health, and Pharmacy, with clinical training carried out partly at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital in Gwagwalada.
Beyond its full-time undergraduate programs, UNIABUJA runs a School of Postgraduate Studies, a Centre for Distance Learning, an Institute of Education, and a School of Remedial Studies, giving the university a fairly wide academic footprint that goes beyond conventional degree study.
Faculties and Courses Offered at UNIABUJA
The University of Abuja currently operates across more than a dozen faculties and colleges, each broken into multiple departments. Below is an overview of the major faculties and the kind of programs each one covers.
Faculty of Arts This faculty covers language, literature, and humanities-based disciplines such as English, History, Linguistics, and Theatre and Film Arts, among others.
Faculty of Social Sciences Made up of departments including Economics, Geography, Political Science and International Relations, and Sociology, this faculty focuses on the study of society, governance, and human behavior. The university has also indicated plans to expand into additional programs such as Demography, Psychology, Mass Communication, and Urban and Regional Planning as the faculty grows.
Faculty of Management Sciences This faculty trains students for careers in business and administration, typically covering departments such as Accounting, Business Administration, Banking and Finance, and Public Administration.
Faculty of Education Located at the Gwagwalada mini-campus, this faculty trains teachers and education professionals, usually combining a teaching subject with education methodology courses.
Faculty of Law Also based at the mini-campus, the Faculty of Law offers the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree, covering core and elective legal disciplines required for legal practice in Nigeria.
Faculty of Engineering Based at the main campus, this faculty covers engineering disciplines such as Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering, among others, combining theoretical coursework with practical and laboratory-based training.
Faculty of Agriculture This faculty trains students in crop production, animal husbandry, agricultural economics, soil science, food science, and related agricultural disciplines, preparing graduates for careers in food production, agribusiness, and agricultural research.
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine One of the university’s largest faculties by department count, it trains veterinary doctors through a program that combines animal science theory with clinical veterinary practice.
College of Health Sciences This college is structured into separate faculties, namely Basic Medical Sciences, Basic Clinical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Nursing and Allied Health, and Pharmacy. Together, these faculties run the university’s Medicine and Surgery program along with Nursing Science, Pharmacy, and other health-related professional courses.
Beyond full-time study, UNIABUJA also offers part-time degree programs in faculties such as Arts, Education, and Social and Management Sciences, an Open and Distance Learning (ODL) option for candidates who need a more flexible study schedule, and degree upgrade programs that allow HND holders to convert their qualification into a full bachelor’s degree, such as an HND-to-B.Eng conversion pathway.
University of Abuja School Fees Structure
UNIABUJA’s tuition follows the general pattern seen across Nigerian federal universities, where fresh students pay more than returning students in their first session due to one-time charges, and fees vary somewhat depending on the department and the nature of the program.
| Student Category | Estimated Fee Range (per session) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh undergraduate students (100 Level/Direct Entry) | ₦80,000 – ₦230,000 | Includes tuition, acceptance fee, registration, ICT, and development levy |
| Returning undergraduate students | ₦80,000 – ₦150,000 | Lower than fresher fees since one-time charges no longer apply |
| Acceptance fee (new students only) | Around ₦30,000 | Paid once, upon confirmation of admission |
| Part-time/degree programs | ₦130,000 – ₦150,000+ | Varies by faculty and course load |
| Postgraduate programs (PGD, Master’s, PhD) | ₦150,000 – ₦250,000 | Varies by program and research requirements |
These figures represent tuition and standard fresher or returning-student charges only. Additional session-based costs, such as hostel accommodation, medical fees, and course materials, are billed separately and are not included in the tuition estimate above. Final-year students should also budget for a small alumni registration charge that typically applies only in their graduating session.
Programs housed under the College of Health Sciences, particularly Medicine and Surgery, tend to sit toward the higher end of the fee range because of the added cost of clinical training, laboratory work, and hospital-based instruction. Similarly, Engineering and Veterinary Medicine programs, which require significant laboratory and practical components, generally cost more than programs in the Arts, Education, or Social Sciences.
Since UNIABUJA is a federal university, tuition does not carry the sharp indigene versus non-indigene distinction common at state universities. Fees are broadly the same for Nigerian students regardless of their state of origin, though exact figures can still shift slightly from one session to another as the university reviews its fee schedule.
How School Fees Payment Works
Payment of University of Abuja school fees is handled through the university’s official fees portal rather than direct payment at the bursary counter. The general process works as follows:
- Log in to the official UNIABUJA school fees portal using your matriculation number or the credentials issued at the point of admission.
- Generate the correct fee invoice or bill for your faculty, department, and student status (fresh or returning).
- Complete payment through the approved payment channel linked to the portal, typically via a designated commercial bank or an online card payment option.
- Confirm that your payment reflects on the portal and print or save your official receipt for future reference.
- Present your receipt where required, particularly during physical registration and course form collection at your department.
Students are strongly advised to make payments only through the official portal and to avoid handing money to unofficial intermediaries claiming to process registration or payment on their behalf.
Admission Requirements for UNIABUJA Programs
To be considered for admission into an undergraduate program at the University of Abuja, a candidate generally needs to meet the following baseline requirements:
- A minimum of five credit passes in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE), including English Language and Mathematics, obtained in not more than two sittings. A General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level with an equivalent set of credits is also acceptable.
- A satisfactory score in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) administered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), with the required cut-off varying by faculty and department. Competitive programs, particularly those under the College of Health Sciences, Law, and Engineering, typically demand a higher UTME score than less competitive programs.
- Direct Entry candidates are considered separately and are generally expected to hold a relevant National Diploma, NCE, IJMB, or A-Level qualification, alongside the same underlying five-credit O’Level requirement applied to UTME candidates.
An important detail for JAMB registration is that the University of Abuja does not admit candidates who selected the institution as a second choice. Applicants who intend to study at UNIABUJA should ensure the university is selected as their first choice of institution during JAMB registration, since being listed as a second choice will not lead to consideration for admission there.
Application routes also differ depending on the type of program. Undergraduate admission is processed through the JAMB portal, postgraduate admission is handled through the university’s dedicated postgraduate portal, and Distance Learning admission is processed through the Centre for Distance Learning (CDL) portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to study at the University of Abuja per session? Fresh undergraduate students typically pay between ₦80,000 and ₦230,000 per session, depending on the faculty and department, while returning students pay a reduced amount, generally between ₦80,000 and ₦150,000, since one-time fresher charges such as the acceptance fee no longer apply.
Does UNIABUJA charge indigenes and non-indigenes differently? No. As a federal university, UNIABUJA does not apply a state-of-origin-based fee structure the way many state universities do. Tuition is broadly the same for Nigerian students regardless of which state they come from.
What faculties does the University of Abuja have? The university runs faculties including Arts, Social Sciences, Management Sciences, Education, Law, Engineering, Agriculture, and Veterinary Medicine, alongside a College of Health Sciences that covers Basic Medical Sciences, Basic Clinical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Nursing and Allied Health, and Pharmacy.
Can I gain admission into UNIABUJA if I selected it as my second choice on JAMB? No. The University of Abuja only considers candidates who selected the institution as their first choice during JAMB registration.
Does UNIABUJA offer part-time or distance learning programs? Yes. The university runs part-time degree programs in faculties such as Arts, Education, and Social and Management Sciences, as well as an Open and Distance Learning program through its Centre for Distance Learning for candidates who need a more flexible study arrangement.