UNICAL School Fees 2026/2027 Academic Session: Amount, Payment Guide and Other Charges
If you are searching for UNICAL school fees 2026/2027 academic session, you are probably trying to find out how much students of the University of Calabar are expected to pay, whether you are a new student or a returning student.
The University of Calabar (UNICAL) is a federal university in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Like other Nigerian universities, the amount students pay can depend on their student category, programme and other approved charges.
For the 2026/2027 academic session, several education websites have published different figures for UNICAL school fees. This difference is important because students should not rely on an old or unverified amount when making payment.
Based on currently available information, figures published online include amounts ranging from the lower ₦30,000s for some categories to substantially higher totals when tuition, third-party charges and other fees are combined. One widely reproduced schedule lists ₦35,750 for fresh science students, ₦34,750 for fresh non-science students, ₦43,250 for MBBS and Nursing students, ₦32,000 for returning science students and ₦31,000 for returning non-science students.
However, other recent sources report different figures, including schedules based on previous fee reviews. This means students should confirm the amount displayed on the official UNICAL student portal before making payment. A recent report also advises students to check their current fee breakdown through the university’s student portal.
What Is UNICAL School Fees for 2026/2027?
The commonly published 2026/2027 UNICAL fee schedule currently available online gives the following figures:
| Student category | Programme/category | Amount per session |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh students | Science | ₦35,750 |
| Fresh students | Non-Science | ₦34,750 |
| Fresh students | MBBS | ₦43,250 |
| Fresh students | Nursing | ₦43,250 |
| Returning students | Science | ₦32,000 |
| Returning students | Non-Science | ₦31,000 |
| Returning students | MBBS | ₦39,500 |
| Returning students | Nursing | ₦39,500 |
| Final-year students | Science | ₦35,250 |
| Final-year students | Non-Science | ₦34,250 |
| Final-year students | MBBS | ₦42,750 |
| Final-year students | Nursing | ₦42,750 |
These figures are published by multiple education-focused websites, although the university’s official portal should remain the final authority for the amount applicable to an individual student.
UNICAL School Fees for Freshers
Fresh students are students who have newly gained admission into UNICAL. The published schedule places fresh science students at ₦35,750 per session, while fresh non-science students are listed at ₦34,750.
Students admitted to MBBS and Nursing are listed at ₦43,250 per session.
It is important to understand that the term “school fees” does not always mean every naira a new student will spend before completing registration. Fresh students may also have to pay acceptance and other approved charges.
UNICAL School Fees for Returning Students
Returning students are students who were already enrolled at UNICAL before the 2026/2027 academic session.
The commonly published schedule lists:
- Science students — ₦32,000
- Non-science students — ₦31,000
- MBBS students — ₦39,500
- Nursing students — ₦39,500
Returning students may pay less than fresh students because some charges associated with new admission are one-time or applicable only to newly admitted students.
Students should nevertheless check their individual fee bill because the amount displayed on the portal is more reliable than a general article or social media post.
UNICAL School Fees for Final-Year Students
Final-year students can have a different fee structure because they may have additional academic requirements associated with completing their programme.
The published 2026/2027 schedule lists the following amounts:
- Final-year science students — ₦35,250
- Final-year non-science students — ₦34,250
- Final-year MBBS students — ₦42,750
- Final-year Nursing students — ₦42,750
Final-year students should also look out for charges relating to projects, clearance, examinations, graduation or other activities where applicable.
UNICAL Acceptance Fee 2026/2027
The UNICAL acceptance fee is separate from the normal school-fee payment.
A commonly published 2026/2027 schedule lists the acceptance fee for fresh students as ₦25,000.
The acceptance fee is generally paid by newly admitted students as part of the admission process. It should not automatically be added to the tuition figure unless the university’s payment bill specifically combines the charges.
Because fee schedules can change, newly admitted students should check the amount shown on their official admission or student portal before payment.
Other UNICAL Charges Students Should Know
Apart from tuition or the main school-fee charge, students may encounter other approved charges.
The widely published schedule lists the following:
- Acceptance fee for fresh students — ₦25,000
- Project supervision — ₦3,000
- Portal charges — ₦2,500
- Late registration — ₦3,000
- Academic gown — ₦2,000
Not every student will necessarily pay every charge listed above. For example, project supervision may apply at the appropriate stage of a student’s programme, while an academic gown charge may be relevant to students involved in graduation activities.
This is why students should look at the complete bill generated for their particular programme instead of assuming that every published charge applies to everyone.
Is UNICAL School Fees the Same for All Courses?
No student should assume that every programme has exactly the same total cost.
UNICAL has different faculties and programmes, including arts, social sciences, sciences, engineering, medical and other professional programmes. Programmes involving laboratories, clinical training, practical work or special academic requirements may have additional charges.
Historical UNICAL fee schedules have also shown differences between faculties and student categories. For example, a fee schedule published by the university’s social media account in 2024 showed different totals for arts, social sciences, engineering, medical-related programmes and other faculties.
This is one reason why online articles giving one flat amount for “all courses” should be treated carefully.
How Much Is UNICAL School Fees Per Semester?
Students often ask whether the published UNICAL school fees are paid per semester.
The figures commonly published for the 2026/2027 session are presented as per session, rather than as two separate semester amounts.
Therefore, students should not simply divide the advertised amount by two and assume that this is the official first-semester payment.
If UNICAL permits a particular payment arrangement, the terms should be confirmed through the official student portal or an official university announcement.
How to Pay UNICAL School Fees
The safest approach is to pay through the university’s approved payment process.
A commonly published payment procedure is as follows:
Step 1: Log in to the UNICAL portal
Use the official student portal and enter your registration number, matriculation number or other required login details.
Step 2: Generate your fee bill
After logging in, locate the school-fee or payment section and generate the appropriate bill.
The bill is important because it should show the charges applicable to your student category and programme.
Step 3: Review the amount
Before making payment, carefully check:
- Your name
- Registration or matriculation number
- Academic session
- Programme
- Student category
- Amount payable
- Payment reference or bill number
Step 4: Make payment through the approved channel
Follow the payment instructions provided by UNICAL. A published payment guide describes a process involving generation of a bill, payment through an approved bank/e-Transact channel and confirmation through the portal.
Do not transfer money to a personal bank account because someone claims to be collecting UNICAL school fees.
Step 5: Confirm your payment
After payment, return to the official portal and confirm the transaction where required.
Keep your payment receipt, teller, transaction reference and other evidence of payment until your registration for the session is complete.
What Happens If You Do Not Pay UNICAL School Fees on Time?
Students should take payment deadlines seriously.
Late payment or failure to complete registration within the period announced by the university may lead to additional charges or restrictions on registration and other academic activities.
Some published UNICAL fee guides state that late registration can attract an additional charge. One commonly reproduced schedule lists ₦3,000 for late registration.
However, students should rely on the deadline communicated by the university rather than an old blog post. Deadlines can change from one session to another.
Does UNICAL Allow Payment in Installments?
Students should not assume that installment payment is automatically available.
Whether students can pay their fees in installments, and under what conditions, depends on the university’s current policy. If an installment option appears on the official portal or is announced by UNICAL management, students should follow those instructions.
If there is no official announcement, it is safer to confirm with the appropriate university office before making a partial payment.
Why Are There Different UNICAL School Fees Figures Online?
This is one of the biggest problems students face when searching for UNICAL school fees 2026/2027.
A search engine may show several websites with completely different amounts. For example, recent online publications have reported figures such as ₦150,000, ₦50,000, amounts in the ₦30,000–₦40,000 range and other figures based on older fee schedules or estimates.
There are several possible reasons for this:
- Different academic sessions: An article may still contain an old fee schedule.
- Different student categories: Freshers, returning students and final-year students may not pay the same amount.
- Different programmes: Medical, nursing, engineering and laboratory-based programmes may have additional charges.
- Tuition versus total charges: Some websites quote tuition alone while others combine tuition with third-party or other charges.
- Estimated figures: Some articles openly publish estimates instead of confirmed fees.
For this reason, students should never make payment solely because an amount appears in a blog post.
What Should You Budget for Besides UNICAL School Fees?
Planning for university expenses requires more than looking at tuition.
A student may also need money for:
- Acceptance fee
- Accommodation
- Feeding
- Transportation
- Textbooks and study materials
- Internet/data
- Departmental academic requirements
- Practical or laboratory expenses where applicable
- Project expenses
- Printing and photocopying
- Registration-related charges
- Personal expenses
Accommodation, feeding and transportation can become a significant part of the total cost of studying at university. Your actual budget will depend on your lifestyle, accommodation arrangement and course requirements.
UNICAL School Fees 2026/2027: Important Advice for Freshers
If you have just been offered admission into UNICAL, do not rush to pay based on a screenshot, WhatsApp message or social media post.
First, confirm your admission and log into the appropriate university portal. Check the fee bill attached to your student record and compare the details with any official announcement from the university.
Also remember that acceptance fee and school fees are not necessarily the same payment.
If you are unsure about a charge, ask the appropriate university office before paying. This can save you from making a payment to the wrong account or paying an outdated amount.
Frequently Asked Questions About UNICAL School Fees
How much is UNICAL school fees for 2026/2027?
A widely published 2026/2027 schedule lists ₦34,750 for fresh non-science students, ₦35,750 for fresh science students, ₦43,250 for MBBS and Nursing students, ₦31,000 for returning non-science students and ₦32,000 for returning science students. However, students should confirm their personal fee bill on the official UNICAL portal because other online sources report different figures.
How much is UNICAL acceptance fee for 2026/2027?
The commonly published schedule lists the UNICAL acceptance fee for fresh students as ₦25,000. Confirm the amount on the official portal before payment.
Is UNICAL school fees the same for freshers and returning students?
No. The published schedule gives different amounts for fresh and returning students. Fresh students may also have additional admission-related charges.
How much is UNICAL school fees for Nursing?
The commonly published 2026/2027 schedule lists ₦43,250 for fresh Nursing students and ₦39,500 for returning Nursing students.
How much is UNICAL school fees for Medicine and Surgery?
The published schedule lists ₦43,250 for fresh MBBS students and ₦39,500 for returning MBBS students. Students should confirm the exact amount on their official fee bill.
Can I pay UNICAL school fees online?
UNICAL uses an online student portal for fee-related processes. Students should follow the current payment instructions displayed on the official portal and retain evidence of payment.
Are UNICAL school fees paid every semester?
The commonly published figures are stated as amounts per session. Do not assume that the official payment is simply half of the annual amount unless UNICAL specifically provides that arrangement.