The College of Nursing Sciences, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, is one of the leading nursing training institutions in Edo State and in Nigeria as a whole. Every academic session, thousands of candidates apply for admission into its various programmes, and one of the most common concerns among prospective and current students is the actual cost of studying there. This article explains what freshers and returning students should expect to pay for the 2026/2027 academic session, what the different fee components cover, and how payments are typically made.
Overview of the College of Nursing Sciences, UBTH
The College of Nursing Sciences, UBTH, operates under the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and runs several programmes, including the National Diploma/Higher National Diploma in Nursing, the Registered Nurse (RN) programme for post-registration candidates, the School of Post Basic Nursing (SPBN) with various specialty diplomas, and the newly introduced Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.) degree programme, which the college now runs in affiliation with the University of Benin (UNIBEN) following approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC). Because the college runs more than one category of programme, the fee structure is not identical for every student. A fresher entering the basic nursing programme through JAMB pays a different set of charges from a returning student who is already registered, and a candidate applying for a post-basic specialty diploma pays yet another set of charges.
Categories of Programmes and Their General Fee Structure
Before looking at specific figures, it helps to understand the categories of students the college admits, since fees are structured around these categories:
| Programme Category | Duration | Entry Route | Typical Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Diploma / Higher National Diploma in Nursing | Varies by level | JAMB (minimum UTME score requirement) plus Post-UTME screening | Fresh secondary school leavers |
| Registered Nurse (RN) Programme | 18 months (Post-Registration) | Direct application through the college portal | Candidates who already hold Registered Midwifery (RM) or Registered Psychiatric Nursing (RPN) certification |
| Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.) | 4–5 years | JAMB/UTME and Post-UTME screening, affiliated with UNIBEN | Fresh candidates seeking a full nursing degree |
| School of Post Basic Nursing (SPBN) | 1 year | Direct application, must be a licensed nurse | Already-registered nurses seeking a specialty diploma (e.g., Critical Care, Perioperative, Paediatric, Ophthalmic, Accident and Emergency, or Gerontology Nursing) |
Each of these tracks carries its own application, screening, and tuition charges, so applicants should first identify which programme applies to them before estimating what they need to pay.
Application and Screening Fees for Freshers (2026/2027)
For candidates applying through JAMB into the basic nursing diploma programmes or the B.N.Sc. degree, the college requires a UTME score that meets its cut-off, which is currently set at a minimum score in JAMB for the relevant session, alongside credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry obtained in not more than two sittings. Once a candidate meets this requirement, the following fees generally apply before admission is confirmed:
- Screening/Profile Fee: Candidates pay a non-refundable amount (around Two Thousand Naira) into the UBTH REMITA platform after creating a profile on the admission portal. This covers the Post-UTME screening exercise.
- Application/Admission Form Fee: This fee, which has historically ranged between Ten Thousand Naira and Fifteen Thousand Naira depending on the specific programme, is paid to obtain the official application form, either online through the college portal or in person from the office of the Principal.
- Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Fee: A separate token payment (around Five Hundred Naira) is made to the Nursing and Midwifery Council Committee, Edo State chapter, as part of the registration process for candidates entering nurse training.
For the School of Post Basic Nursing (SPBN), the application fee for most specialty diplomas is set at Twenty Thousand Naira, while other post-basic and post-registration programmes carry an application fee of Ten Thousand Naira.
Acceptance Fee
Once a candidate’s name appears on the admission list, an acceptance fee is required to confirm the offer of admission. This fee is separate from tuition and is typically a modest one-off charge paid shortly after the release of the admission list. It has historically fallen within the range of Ten Thousand to Twenty Thousand Naira, and it is non-refundable once paid.
Tuition and Other Charges for Freshers
Tuition for nursing training programmes at teaching hospital-based schools of nursing in Nigeria, including UBTH, is not usually published as a single fixed figure on the school’s public admission notices, because it is reviewed periodically by the hospital management and can differ slightly by programme category (basic diploma, degree programme, or post-basic specialty). Based on the general fee range that federal teaching hospital nursing schools in Nigeria currently charge, freshers admitted into the basic nursing and midwifery programmes at UBTH should budget within the range of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira to Two Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira per session, inclusive of tuition, library charges, medical and health services, examination fees, identity card, and departmental dues.
In addition to tuition, freshers typically also pay for:
- Accommodation, for students who wish to live in the hostel provided by the college, charged separately from tuition.
- Stationery and practical materials, covering items needed for clinical and laboratory demonstrations.
- Uniform and clinical kit, including the nursing uniform, name tags, and basic clinical instruments such as a stethoscope and thermometer where required.
- Caution deposit, a refundable deposit held by the school and returned at the point of graduation or withdrawal, provided there is no outstanding damage or infraction.
Because these additional charges vary depending on whether a student opts for hostel accommodation or stays off-campus, the total amount freshers pay in their first session is usually higher than what returning students pay in subsequent sessions.
Fees for Returning Students
Returning students, meaning those already enrolled and progressing from one level to the next, generally pay a reduced package compared to freshers. This is because charges such as the acceptance fee, application form fee, matriculation fee, and initial clinical kit purchase are one-off payments made only in the first year. From the second year onward, a returning student’s fees mainly cover:
- Tuition for the new academic session or level
- Library and departmental dues
- Examination fees
- Accommodation renewal (if the student remains in the hostel)
- Medical/health service charges
Because of this reduction in one-off charges, returning students typically pay less overall than freshers in the same programme, even though the core tuition component often remains close to what freshers pay, since tuition itself is not usually reviewed every single session.
| Fee Component | Freshers | Returning Students |
|---|---|---|
| Application/Screening Fee | Required | Not applicable |
| Acceptance Fee | Required | Not applicable |
| Tuition | Required | Required |
| Matriculation/ID Card | Required | Not applicable (unless replacing lost card) |
| Clinical Kit/Uniform (first set) | Required | Not applicable (only if replacing worn-out items) |
| Accommodation | Optional | Optional (renewal) |
| Library/Departmental Dues | Required | Required |
| Examination Fee | Required | Required |
How Payments Are Made
All payments to the College of Nursing Sciences, UBTH, are made through the UBTH Treasury Single Account (TSA) via the Remita platform, which can be accessed at any commercial bank or through internet banking. Candidates and students are advised to always generate their Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) from the official college portal before making any payment, and to avoid paying into personal accounts or through unofficial agents, as the college does not authorise payment through any third party. After payment, students should print and keep their payment receipt, as this is usually required during registration and clearance.
Important Notes for Applicants and Students
Fees at the College of Nursing Sciences, UBTH, are subject to periodic review by the hospital management, and the specific figures for a given session are usually confirmed only through the official admission notice or the college’s own portal (conubth.edu.ng) once the application process for that session opens. Prospective students should treat any fee amount from unofficial sources, including this article, as an estimate for budgeting purposes rather than a final figure, and should always verify the exact current amount from the college’s bursary or admission office before making payment. Candidates are also encouraged to keep an eye on the college’s official communication channels, since programme-specific charges, such as those for the Bachelor of Nursing Science degree newly introduced in affiliation with UNIBEN, may differ from the charges applicable to the diploma and post-basic tracks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tuition fee the same for all programmes at the College of Nursing Sciences, UBTH?
No. The National Diploma/HND nursing programme, the Registered Nurse post-registration programme, the Bachelor of Nursing Science degree, and the School of Post Basic Nursing specialty diplomas each have their own fee structure, so the amount payable depends on which programme a candidate is admitted into.
Do returning students pay the same amount as freshers?
No. Returning students do not pay one-off charges such as the application fee, screening fee, acceptance fee, and initial clinical kit, so their overall payment for a session is usually lower than what freshers pay, although the core tuition charge is similar.
Where should fees be paid?
All fees are paid through the UBTH Treasury Single Account (TSA) using the Remita platform, accessible at designated commercial banks or via internet banking, after generating a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) from the official college portal.
Is the acceptance fee refundable?
No. The acceptance fee is a non-refundable charge paid to confirm a candidate’s admission once their name appears on the admission list.
How can a candidate confirm the exact current fee for a specific programme?
The most accurate and current figures are obtained directly from the College of Nursing Sciences’ official portal (conubth.edu.ng) or from the college’s admission office, since fees are reviewed from time to time and may not always match figures found on third-party websites.