St. Philomena’s College of Nursing Sciences, located at 23 Dawson Road in the heart of Benin City, Edo State, is one of the oldest nursing training institutions in Nigeria’s mid-western region. Operating under St. Philomena’s Catholic Hospital since 1950, the college trains students in Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery, and Post-Basic Nursing programmes, and is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). Prospective students researching this institution want a clear answer on what it costs to study there, and how the fee obligations differ between newly admitted students and those continuing their training. This article lays out what is currently known about the fee structure and explains how the payment process typically works at institutions of this kind.
About St. Philomena’s College of Nursing Sciences
The college traces its history back to St. Philomena Catholic Hospital, which was established in 1941, with the nursing training programme following shortly after in 1950. For decades, it stood as one of the few institutions offering formal nursing education in the mid-western part of Nigeria, drawing students from across the region. Today, it continues to operate under the Catholic Mission, with a stated focus on training nurses who combine clinical competence with compassionate patient care, reflected in its motto, “Knowledge for Service.”
The college runs several programme tracks, including the three-year Basic Nursing programme leading to Registered Nurse (RN) qualification, the Basic Midwifery programme, and Post-Basic Nursing specialisations in areas such as midwifery, ophthalmic nursing, and accident and emergency nursing for candidates who already hold an initial nursing qualification. Admission into any of these programmes follows a structured application and entrance examination process before fee payment becomes relevant.
Current Fee Situation at St. Philomena’s College of Nursing Sciences
Unlike some larger state-run nursing colleges that publish a fully itemised fee schedule each session, St. Philomena’s College of Nursing Sciences does not consistently make a detailed, publicly available fee breakdown accessible online. What is confirmed is the cost of the entrance application form, which stands at ₦20,500 for prospective candidates applying to the General Nursing programme. This form fee is paid directly at the school premises, since the college has stated that forms are only obtainable in person rather than through third-party agents or online resellers, a precaution put in place to protect applicants from admission scams.
For the core tuition and session-based charges, reliable published figures specific to St. Philomena’s are limited. Based on the fee patterns typically charged by comparable Catholic-run and private nursing training institutions operating in the same region of Nigeria, freshers should reasonably expect to budget in the range of ₦150,000 to ₦220,000 per session for tuition and core charges, excluding the acceptance fee, uniform costs, and other first-year administrative charges. Candidates should treat this as a planning estimate rather than a confirmed figure, and should always verify the exact current amount directly with the college’s administration before making any payment, since institutions of this kind can and do adjust fees between admission cycles without wide public announcement.
Fee Components Freshers Should Expect
Newly admitted students at nursing training colleges structured like St. Philomena’s typically pay a combination of the following charges in their first session:
- Application form fee – ₦20,500, paid before admission, to cover the entrance examination process.
- Acceptance fee – a one-time payment made after an admission offer is confirmed, securing the candidate’s place in the programme.
- Tuition fee – the core academic charge covering lectures, clinical postings, and coursework for the session.
- Uniform and clinical kit fee – covers the cost of the standard nursing uniform and basic clinical equipment new students are required to have.
- Medical and caution fees – cover basic health screening and a security deposit held against damage to school property.
- Registration and administrative charges – cover identity card processing, library access, and other one-time costs tied to first-year enrolment.
Fee Expectations for Returning Students
Returning students, meaning those who have completed at least one session and are progressing into the next level of their programme, typically pay less than freshers. This is because several of the charges that apply to newly admitted students, such as the acceptance fee, uniform fee, and initial registration costs, are one-off payments that do not repeat once a student has already gone through their first session. Returning students at institutions like St. Philomena’s mainly continue paying the session tuition fee along with any recurring charges such as library dues, examination fees, and clinical posting costs that apply to every level of the programme.
Since specific published figures for returning students are not widely available for this institution, candidates already enrolled should rely on direct communication with the college’s bursary or administrative office to confirm the exact amount payable at their current level, rather than depending on general estimates.
Comparison of Freshers and Returning Students Fee Obligations
The table below summarises the general pattern in how fee obligations typically differ between freshers and returning students at nursing training colleges structured like St. Philomena’s.
| Fee Component | Freshers (New Students) | Returning Students |
|---|---|---|
| Application Form Fee | ₦20,500 (before admission) | Not applicable |
| Acceptance Fee | Payable once, upon admission | Not applicable |
| Tuition Fee | Full session charge | Full session charge |
| Uniform and Clinical Kit Fee | Payable once, for first set | Not applicable |
| Registration and Administrative Charges | Full first-year charges | Reduced, recurring charges only |
| Overall Session Total | Higher, due to one-off charges | Lower, since one-off charges are removed |
Admission Requirements Linked to Fee Payment
Before any fee payment becomes relevant, prospective students must first go through the college’s application process. This involves purchasing the entrance application form at the school premises, completing it accurately, and submitting it along with photocopies of relevant O’Level qualifications, such as WAEC, NECO, or GCE results. Candidates for the General Nursing programme generally need at least five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, Mathematics, and the core sciences, obtained in an acceptable number of sittings. After submission, candidates proceed to sit for the entrance examination, and only those who pass this stage and are offered admission move on to settling the acceptance fee and subsequent tuition charges.
How to Pay School Fees at St. Philomena’s College of Nursing Sciences
Given the limited availability of a formally published online fee schedule, students and prospective applicants are advised to follow this approach when handling payments:
- Visit the school premises directly to purchase the application form and confirm the current fee structure, since forms and fee information are primarily handled in person rather than online.
- Avoid third-party agents claiming to sell admission forms or process payments on behalf of the college, since the institution has specifically warned against this to protect applicants from scams.
- Confirm the exact tuition and session charges with the college’s bursary or administrative office once admission has been offered, rather than relying solely on estimates found elsewhere.
- Settle the acceptance fee promptly after receiving an admission offer, since this is typically required to confirm the candidate’s place in the programme.
- Retain all payment receipts, including bank tellers or official school receipts, since these serve as proof of payment during registration and subsequent clearance.
Additional Costs to Plan For
Beyond tuition and the core registration charges, students at St. Philomena’s College of Nursing Sciences should also budget for costs that fall outside the standard fee schedule but form part of the realistic expense of training at the institution. These include accommodation, since students who require hostel space typically pay this separately from tuition, feeding, transportation to and from clinical posting sites, textbooks, and personal clinical equipment such as stethoscopes, thermometers, and other basic nursing tools required for practical training.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the admission form for St. Philomena’s College of Nursing Sciences?
The entrance application form for the General Nursing programme costs ₦20,500 and is obtainable only at the school premises, not through third-party agents.
How much are the school fees for freshers at St. Philomena’s College of Nursing Sciences?
A fully detailed, publicly confirmed fee schedule is not consistently available for this institution. Based on comparable Catholic-run nursing colleges in the region, freshers should budget an estimated ₦150,000 to ₦220,000 per session for tuition and core charges, excluding the acceptance fee and other first-year costs, and should confirm the exact figure directly with the college.
Do returning students pay less than freshers at St. Philomena’s College of Nursing Sciences?
Yes, in line with the general pattern at similar nursing training colleges, returning students typically pay less than freshers because one-off charges such as the acceptance fee and uniform fee do not apply again after the first session.
What programmes does St. Philomena’s College of Nursing Sciences offer?
The college offers Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery, and Post-Basic Nursing specialisations, including midwifery, ophthalmic nursing, and accident and emergency nursing for candidates with an existing nursing qualification.
How can prospective students avoid admission scams when applying to St. Philomena’s College of Nursing Sciences?
Prospective students should purchase application forms only at the school premises and avoid making any payment to individuals or platforms claiming to sell forms or guarantee admission on behalf of the college.