The College of Nursing Sciences, Osogbo, officially known as the Osun State College of Nursing Sciences (OSSCNS), is the principal state-owned nursing training institution in Osun State. Located at Asubiaro, Osogbo, the college trains nurses under the regulation of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and holds accreditation from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for its diploma-level programmes. This article sets out what freshers and returning students should expect to pay for the 2026/2027 academic session, along with the admission requirements and payment process.
About the College of Nursing Sciences, Osogbo
The college operates under the Osun State Ministry of Health and runs a National Diploma/Higher National Diploma (ND/HND) Nursing programme that spans four years, combining classroom instruction with supervised clinical practice. The college has, in recent admission cycles, moved to requiring candidates to sit for the JAMB UTME as part of its admission process, a shift that brings it closer in line with the university-style entry route used by several other state nursing colleges across Nigeria, rather than relying solely on an independently administered entrance examination. Beyond the basic nursing programme, the college also offers a Post-Basic Perioperative Nursing programme for candidates who are already Registered Nurses and wish to specialise further.
Application Fee and Entry Requirements for Freshers
Candidates seeking admission into the College of Nursing Sciences, Osogbo, for the 2026/2027 academic session must first complete an online application through the college’s official portal. The application fee for this admission cycle is Fifteen Thousand Naira, payable strictly through the official portal rather than any offline channel or third-party agent. The college has explicitly warned prospective applicants against using unauthorised agents, stating that transactions carried out this way are done entirely at the applicant’s own risk and could lead to forfeiture of admission.
To be eligible to apply, a candidate must meet the following conditions:
- A minimum of five credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, obtained from WAEC or NECO in not more than two sittings.
- A JAMB UTME score of at least 170 from the current admission cycle’s examination.
- A minimum age of 16 years by the specified cut-off date set for that admission cycle.
- An active, reliably accessible email address, since all application updates are communicated through this channel.
- Candidates who are still awaiting their O’Level results may apply, provided the result is submitted before the admission process concludes.
Once an application is submitted and the fee paid, the candidate cannot change their selected programme, so applicants are advised to choose carefully at the point of application.
Tuition Fees for Freshers
Beyond the application fee, freshers admitted into the College of Nursing Sciences, Osogbo, are required to pay tuition for their first academic session. Based on the general figure that has applied to nursing programmes offered under Osun State’s teaching hospital and college network in recent sessions, tuition for freshers is estimated to fall within the range of One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira to Two Hundred Thousand Naira per session, though the exact figure for a given intake year should always be confirmed directly from the college once admission is offered. This tuition figure typically bundles together the cost of academic instruction, use of college facilities, basic clinical training materials, and standard administrative charges, though it usually excludes accommodation and a few other one-off charges discussed below.
| Fee Component | Estimated Amount (₦) | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | 15,000 | Freshers only (one-time) |
| Tuition (per session) | 120,000 – 200,000 | Freshers and Returning Students |
| Acceptance Fee | Confirm with college | Freshers only (one-time) |
| Accommodation | Charged separately | Optional, both categories |
| Uniform/Clinical Kit (first set) | Charged separately | Freshers only |
Tuition Fees for Returning Students
Returning students at the College of Nursing Sciences, Osogbo, generally pay a similar tuition figure to freshers for the core academic component, since the college’s ND/HND Nursing programme does not typically restructure its tuition dramatically from one year to the next. However, returning students do not pay the one-off charges tied specifically to first admission, such as the application fee and the initial acceptance fee, and they are also not expected to purchase a full new set of uniforms and clinical kits unless replacing worn or lost items. This generally makes the total amount paid by a returning student in any given session somewhat lower than what a fresher pays in their first year, even though the base tuition itself may be broadly comparable.
How the College Compares to Similar Institutions in the Region
The table below places the College of Nursing Sciences, Osogbo, alongside a few comparable state-owned nursing colleges in southwestern Nigeria, based on application fee and JAMB cut-off mark, to give applicants a sense of where it sits within the regional landscape.
| College | State | Application Fee (₦) | JAMB Cut-Off Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of Nursing Sciences, Osogbo (OSSCNS) | Osun | 15,000 | 170 |
| EKSUTH College of Nursing Sciences, Ado-Ekiti | Ekiti | 15,500 | 180 |
| ISTH College of Nursing Sciences, Irrua | Edo | 25,000 | 150 |
| LASCON, Igando | Lagos | Not fixed | 200 |
This comparison shows that OSSCNS sits roughly in the middle of the pack among its regional peers in terms of both application cost and academic entry requirement, making it a reasonably accessible option for candidates targeting a state-owned nursing college in southwestern Nigeria.
Additional Costs to Plan For
Beyond tuition and the application fee, students of the College of Nursing Sciences, Osogbo, should budget for a few recurring or one-off costs that are standard across most nursing training institutions in Nigeria:
- Acceptance fee: A one-off, non-refundable payment made once an admission offer is confirmed, to secure the candidate’s place in the programme.
- Accommodation: Hostel or off-campus housing, typically billed separately from tuition and dependent on whether the student chooses to live on or off the college premises.
- Uniform and clinical kit: Covers the nursing uniform, name tag, and basic clinical instruments such as a stethoscope and thermometer, usually purchased once at the start of the programme.
- Medical screening: A pre-admission health check required of all newly admitted students.
- Caution deposit: A refundable deposit held by the college throughout the student’s period of study and returned at graduation or withdrawal, subject to no outstanding disciplinary or financial issues.
- NMCN registration and licensing fees: Payable closer to the point of qualification, required for professional registration as a nurse.
How to Apply and Pay
Application into the College of Nursing Sciences, Osogbo, follows a fully online process through the college’s official portal. The general sequence is as follows:
- Visit the official college admission portal and create a profile using the “Apply Now” option.
- Select the intended programme of study; note that this choice cannot be changed once payment is completed.
- Pay the application fee of Fifteen Thousand Naira through the online payment options provided on the portal, which typically include debit card, internet banking, or mobile wallet.
- Complete the application form with accurate personal, academic, and contact details, then submit.
- Print the completed application form, since it will be required at the Computer-Based Test (CBT) screening stage.
Successful candidates are subsequently notified through the college’s official channels regarding the CBT screening date, after which an admission list is released. Once admitted, students proceed to pay the acceptance fee and, afterward, their session tuition through the designated payment channels specified in their admission letter.
Important Notes for Applicants and Students
School fees at the College of Nursing Sciences, Osogbo, along with associated charges such as the acceptance fee and tuition, are set by the college management in conjunction with the Osun State Ministry of Health and may be reviewed periodically. The figures presented in this article, particularly the tuition range, should be treated as an estimate for financial planning rather than a permanently fixed schedule, since exact figures can shift slightly between admission cycles. Applicants and students are strongly advised to confirm the current fee schedule directly from the official college portal or the Department of Nursing Services at the Osun State Ministry of Health before making any payment, and to avoid engaging with unauthorised agents claiming to facilitate admission or payment on the college’s behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the application form for the College of Nursing Sciences, Osogbo?
The application fee for the 2026/2027 admission cycle is Fifteen Thousand Naira, payable only through the official college portal.
What is the JAMB cut-off mark for admission?
Candidates need a minimum JAMB UTME score of 170 from the current admission cycle to be eligible to apply.
How much is tuition for freshers at the College of Nursing Sciences, Osogbo?
Tuition for freshers is estimated to fall between One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira and Two Hundred Thousand Naira per session, though applicants should confirm the exact current figure from the college once admission is offered.
Do returning students pay less than freshers?
Yes. Returning students do not pay the one-off application fee, acceptance fee, or the cost of an initial clinical kit, so their total payment per session is generally lower than what a fresher pays in their first year, even though the base tuition may be similar.
Can a candidate still awaiting their O’Level results apply?
Yes. Candidates with results marked “Awaiting” may apply, but they must submit their completed O’Level result before the admission process is concluded.