Kwara State University (KWASU), located in Malete, is one of the newer institutions in Nigeria offering a degree in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS). The National Universities Commission approved the programme in October 2022, making KWASU one of the few state universities in north-central Nigeria training medical doctors. Because the programme is relatively young and highly sought after, many prospective candidates want clarity on exactly what it costs to study Medicine and Surgery there. This article breaks down the fee structure for the 2026/2027 academic session, covering freshers, returning students, indigenes, non-indigenes, and the extra costs that come with clinical training.
About the Medicine and Surgery Programme at KWASU
The MBBS programme at Kwara State University runs for six academic years, followed by a mandatory one-year housemanship that is not part of the university’s fee structure but is a requirement for full medical licensing. The first three years cover pre-clinical and para-clinical training, including Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Pathology, and Microbiology, while the final three years involve clinical postings in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Psychiatry, and Community Medicine, carried out at the university’s teaching hospital and other affiliated clinical sites. Because clinical years require hands-on exposure to patients, equipment, and specialist supervision, fees in those later years are typically higher than fees paid in the pre-clinical years.
Why Medicine Fees Differ From Other Courses at KWASU
Medicine and Surgery is one of the more expensive programmes at KWASU compared to courses in the humanities, social sciences, or general sciences. This is mainly because the programme carries additional charges for laboratory use, clinical postings, specialist equipment, and teaching hospital maintenance, on top of the standard tuition, registration, and library charges that every KWASU student pays. As with most Nigerian state universities, KWASU also charges indigenes of Kwara State a lower rate than students who come from other states, since state-funded universities are subsidised primarily for the benefit of residents of that state.
Fee Breakdown for Fresh (100 Level) Students
Newly admitted Medicine and Surgery students at KWASU pay a combination of one-off charges and recurring session charges in their first year. The one-off charges include the acceptance fee and initial registration-related charges, while tuition, clinical/laboratory fees, and other session-based dues recur every year the student remains in the programme.
| Fee Component | Indigene (₦) | Non-Indigene (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Fee (one-time) | 35,000 | 35,000 |
| Tuition Fee (per session) | 150,000 – 200,000 | 250,000 – 350,000 |
| Clinical/Laboratory Fee | 30,000 – 50,000 | 30,000 – 50,000 |
| Registration Fee | 10,000 – 15,000 | 10,000 – 15,000 |
| Examination Fee | 5,000 – 10,000 | 5,000 – 10,000 |
| ICT and Library Fee | 5,000 – 8,000 | 5,000 – 8,000 |
| Entrepreneurship Fee | 3,000 – 5,000 | 3,000 – 5,000 |
| Departmental/Miscellaneous Charges | 5,000 – 10,000 | 5,000 – 10,000 |
| Approximate Total for Freshers | 243,000 – 333,000 | 343,000 – 483,000 |
These figures represent the estimated range a fresher should budget for in the first session, not including accommodation or personal upkeep. Since KWASU periodically reviews its fee schedule, candidates should treat this table as a planning guide and confirm the exact figures on the university’s official student portal once admission has been offered.
Fee Breakdown for Returning Students
Returning Medicine and Surgery students, meaning those in 200 level and above, no longer pay the acceptance fee or the first-year registration charges that apply only to freshers. However, because clinical training intensifies from 400 level onward, students in the clinical years typically pay slightly more than those still in the pre-clinical years (200–300 level).
| Level Category | Indigene (₦ per session) | Non-Indigene (₦ per session) |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Clinical (200–300 Level) | 180,000 – 260,000 | 280,000 – 410,000 |
| Clinical (400–600 Level) | 220,000 – 320,000 | 330,000 – 480,000 |
The increase in clinical-year fees reflects the cost of hospital-based training, patient-care supervision, and the use of specialised medical equipment during ward rounds and clinical postings, which pre-clinical students do not yet require.
Estimated Total Cost of the Six-Year Programme
Since Medicine and Surgery at KWASU takes six years to complete, it helps to see the cumulative cost across the entire duration of study. The table below combines the fresher-year cost with the returning-student cost across all six levels.
| Level | Indigene (₦) | Non-Indigene (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| 100 Level (Fresher) | 243,000 – 333,000 | 343,000 – 483,000 |
| 200 Level | 180,000 – 260,000 | 280,000 – 410,000 |
| 300 Level | 180,000 – 260,000 | 280,000 – 410,000 |
| 400 Level | 220,000 – 320,000 | 330,000 – 480,000 |
| 500 Level | 220,000 – 320,000 | 330,000 – 480,000 |
| 600 Level | 220,000 – 320,000 | 330,000 – 480,000 |
| Total (6 Years) | 1,263,000 – 1,813,000 | 1,893,000 – 2,743,000 |
Based on this estimate, an indigene of Kwara State can expect to spend roughly between 1.26 million and 1.81 million naira across the entire MBBS programme, while a non-indigene should budget between approximately 1.89 million and 2.74 million naira. These totals exclude accommodation, feeding, textbooks, and personal expenses, and they do not include the housemanship year, which is a paid clinical training period rather than a fee-paying academic year.
Other Costs Medicine Students Should Plan For
Beyond the core academic fees, Medicine and Surgery students at KWASU should set aside money for costs that are not part of the official tuition schedule but are necessary for completing the programme comfortably.
- Hostel accommodation: KWASU’s on-campus hostels typically cost between ₦20,000 and ₦50,000 per session, depending on the room type and facilities. Students who prefer off-campus housing in Malete can often find comparable or cheaper alternatives.
- Textbooks and study materials: Medical textbooks, atlases, and dissection guides are significantly more expensive than materials for most other courses, and students should budget between ₦30,000 and ₦80,000 per session for these.
- Clinical equipment: A stethoscope, lab coat, reflex hammer, and other basic clinical tools are usually purchased once, in the early years of the programme, at a combined cost of roughly ₦15,000 to ₦30,000.
- Clinical posting materials: During clinical years, students may need additional supplies for specific postings, which can cost an extra ₦10,000 to ₦25,000 per clinical year.
- Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) provisional registration: Final-year students typically pay a one-time registration fee, estimated between ₦30,000 and ₦50,000, before they can proceed to housemanship.
Students should also be aware that KWASU applies a late payment penalty, often set at around 20 percent of the outstanding balance, to encourage students to clear their fees within the stipulated deadline. Failure to pay on time can also affect eligibility to sit for examinations, so it is advisable to complete payment as early as possible within each semester.
How Medicine and Surgery Fees at KWASU Compare to Other Universities
One reason KWASU’s Medicine and Surgery programme attracts strong interest is its relative affordability compared to both federal and private universities offering the same degree. The table below places KWASU’s fee range side by side with a few other institutions for context.
| University | Ownership | Approximate Medicine Fees Per Session (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Kwara State University (Indigene) | State | 180,000 – 333,000 |
| Kwara State University (Non-Indigene) | State | 280,000 – 483,000 |
| University of Ilorin | Federal | 350,000 – 400,000 |
| University of Lagos | Federal | 250,000 – 500,000 |
| A typical private university | Private | 1,500,000 – 4,000,000 |
Even for non-indigenes, KWASU’s Medicine and Surgery fees remain considerably lower than what private universities in Nigeria charge for the same six-year MBBS training, which makes it an attractive option for families looking for quality medical education without the cost burden associated with private institutions.
How to Pay School Fees at KWASU
Payment of school fees at Kwara State University is done entirely online, and the university does not accept direct bank deposits for tuition. The general procedure follows these steps:
- Log in to the KWASU student portal using your registered username and password.
- Select the correct academic session and your current level of study.
- Choose the fee type you intend to pay (school fees, acceptance fee, or other applicable charges).
- Generate a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) through the portal.
- Complete payment using an ATM-enabled debit card linked to the RRR, either directly on the portal or at any bank that accepts Remita payments.
- Confirm the payment status on the portal and print the receipt for your records.
KWASU also allows some students to pay their session fees in two instalments, commonly around 60 percent at the point of resumption and the remaining 40 percent later in the session, although this arrangement can vary and should be confirmed directly with the Bursary Department or the student portal each session.
Admission Requirements for Medicine and Surgery at KWASU
Candidates interested in the programme need to meet both UTME and post-UTME requirements before an admission offer and, subsequently, fee payment become relevant.
- A minimum of five credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained in one sitting at WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB level.
- A competitive UTME score, since Medicine at KWASU typically demands a much higher score than the university’s general cut-off mark, often in the range of 220 to 250 or above, due to strong competition for limited slots.
- KWASU as the first-choice institution on the JAMB registration, or a completed change of institution through JAMB where necessary.
- Successful completion of the KWASU post-UTME screening exercise, which usually attracts a modest screening fee.
- A minimum age requirement, generally set at 16 years, at the point of admission.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do indigene students pay for Medicine and Surgery at KWASU?
Indigene freshers should budget approximately ₦243,000 to ₦333,000 for the first session, while returning indigene students pay between ₦180,000 and ₦320,000 per session depending on whether they are in the pre-clinical or clinical years.
How much do non-indigene students pay?
Non-indigene freshers should budget approximately ₦343,000 to ₦483,000 for the first session, while returning non-indigene students pay between ₦280,000 and ₦480,000 per session depending on their level.
Is the KWASU Medicine and Surgery programme accredited?
Yes. The National Universities Commission approved the MBBS programme at KWASU in October 2022, and graduates are eligible for provisional registration with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria before proceeding to housemanship.
Can Medicine students pay their fees in instalments?
KWASU sometimes permits payment in two instalments within a session, but the full fee must be cleared before a student is allowed to sit for examinations. This arrangement should be verified each session through the student portal, as it is subject to change.
Are these fee figures fixed and official?
The figures in this article are estimates based on the general fee range published for the programme and should be treated as a budgeting guide. Since KWASU reviews its fees periodically, applicants and students should always confirm the exact current amount through the official KWASU student portal or the Bursary Department before making any payment.