An In-Depth Look at the School Fees for the University of Abuja, Gwagwalada
The University of Abuja, located in Nigeria’s capital city of Abuja, is one of the top federal universities in the country. The university has a main campus in Gwagwalada and a smaller campus at the permanent site along the Abuja airport road.
With over 40,000 students spread across 12 faculties, the University of Abuja offers a wide range of academic programs for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
One of the most frequently asked questions by prospective students is about the school fees—how much does it cost to study at the University of Abuja? In this detailed article, we take an in-depth look at the school fees structure of the University of Abuja, Gwagwalada campus.
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An Overview of School Fees at the University of Abuja
The school fees for the University of Abuja vary depending on the program of study and the level of study (i.e. undergraduate or postgraduate). Generally, the fees range from ₦84,000 to ₦250,000 per academic session. This covers the basic tuition fees, registration fees, accommodation fees, and other charges. Additional fees may apply depending on the student’s faculty and program.
For undergraduate programs, new students typically pay between ₦84,000 to ₦225,000 per session while returning students pay ₦82,000 to ₦225,000. For postgraduate programs, both new and returning students pay ₦250,000 per session. These fees are revised periodically, usually increasing slightly year-on-year.
Below is a summary of the baseline school fees at the University of Abuja as of 2022/2023 session:
| Program of Study | Level of Study | School Fees (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | New Student | ₦84,000 – ₦225,000 |
| Undergraduate | Returning Student | ₦82,000 – ₦225,000 |
| Postgraduate | New Student | ₦250,000 |
| Postgraduate | Returning Student | ₦250,000 |
Breakdown of Undergraduate School Fees
The undergraduate school fees for new students at the University of Abuja range from ₦84,000 to ₦225,000 depending on the program of study. This covers the following:
- Tuition fees: This forms the bulk of the fees, ranging from ₦50,000 to ₦150,000 depending on the faculty. Tuition is paid per session which is equivalent to one academic year.
- Registration fees: This is around ₦10,000 for new students and covers administrative charges for registration.
- Accommodation fees: For students staying in the school hostels, accommodation fees range from ₦15,000 to ₦40,000 depending on the hostel.
- Medical fees: A standard medical fee of ₦10,000 is paid by all students per session. This covers basic healthcare on campus.
- Identity card fee: All new students pay ₦1,000 for the issuance of student ID cards.
- Caution fees: A refundable fee of ₦3,000 is paid to cover damages.
In addition to these standard fees, some faculties like Engineering, Medicine, Sciences, etc also charge special faculty fees. For instance, Engineering students pay laboratory fees of about ₦15,000 per session.
The total fees for new students range from ₦84,000 in faculties like Arts, Social Sciences, Law, Management Sciences, Education, Vet. Medicine to ₦225,000 for high-end faculties like Medicine, Pharmacy, Engineering, Environmental Sciences.
Returning undergraduate students typically pay slightly less school fees of ₦82,000 to ₦225,000 since the caution fee and ID card fee are no longer applicable.
Breakdown of Postgraduate School Fees
For postgraduate programs, both new and returning students at the University of Abuja pay a flat rate of ₦250,000 per session. This covers the following:
- Tuition fees – ₦150,000
- Registration fees – ₦20,000
- Accommodation – ₦40,000
- Medical fees – ₦10,000
- Identity card – ₦1,000 (new students only)
- Caution fees – ₦3,000 (new students only)
- Departmental charges – ₦10,000
- Thesis supervision – ₦10,000
- Examination fees – ₦5,000
- Library fees – ₦1,000
Unlike undergraduate school fees which vary across faculties, the postgraduate fees are uniform across all faculties and departments. Both new and returning postgraduate students (Masters, PhD, PG Diploma, etc) pay ₦250,000 per session.
Payment Deadlines and Options
The school fees for the University of Abuja are paid per academic session. Each session is an academic year divided into two semesters.
For new students, the fees must be fully paid as part of the admission process, before the student can be officially matriculated.
For returning students, the deadline for payment is usually set at the beginning of each new session, around July/August. Students have up until the end of the registration period to make payments.
Multiple payment options are available including:
- Direct bank deposits – into the University’s official bank accounts
- Remita Platform – online payments powered by Remita
- Bank drafts – obtained from a financial institution and payable to the University of Abuja.
- POS terminals – available at designated centers and offices within the University
Students can pay the full fees upfront or structure an installment payment plan spreading costs over 3-4 months.
Additional Fees to Factor In
Aside from the base school fees highlighted above, students also need to factor in some additional costs associated with studying at the University of Abuja. Here are some to keep in mind:
- Departmental/Faculty requirements – Some departments and faculties may require additional payments for field work, excursions, experiments, etc. These are usually between ₦5,000 to ₦50,000 depending on the program.
- SIWES fees – For programs like Agriculture, Engineering etc that require SIWES (Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme), additional fees of around ₦10,000 apply.
- Project/Thesis fees – Final year/postgraduate students may have to pay ₦10,000 to ₦20,000 for supervisory and evaluation fees for their projects and theses.
- Graduation fees – In final year, students pay between ₦10,000 to ₦30,000 for gown rentals, convocation fees, transcripts, etc.
- Miscellaneous fees – Other small costs may apply for student union dues, departmental associations, campus events etc. These are usually a few thousand naira annually.
Students should budget for these additional costs as they progress through their program.
Conclusion
In summary, the baseline school fees for the University of Abuja, Gwagwalada ranges from ₦84,000 to ₦250,000 depending on program of study and level. Undergraduate students typically pay ₦84,000 to ₦225,000 per session while postgraduates pay a flat rate of ₦250,000. Additional costs apply for accommodation, departmental requirements, graduation, and other expenses. The fees are paid per academic session and multiple flexible payment options are available. With its relatively affordable fees compared to other federal universities, the University of Abuja continues to be an attractive choice for students from all over Nigeria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are there different fees for indigenes and non-indigenes of Abuja at the University of Abuja?
A: No, the University of Abuja does not differentiate school fees based on state of origin. All students pay the same baseline fees regardless of indigene status.
Q: How much is the acceptance fee for new students at the University of Abuja?
A: Upon admission, new students are required to pay a non-refundable acceptance fee of ₦20,000 before they can officially accept their offer and proceed with registration and payments.
Q: Does the University of Abuja charge per credit hour or per semester?
A: The fees at University of Abuja are charged per academic session, not per credit hour. An academic session covers two semesters of study within one academic year.
Q: Are there any scholarships or financial aid opportunities at the University of Abuja?
A: Yes, the University of Abuja offers a limited number of scholarships, bursaries, and financial assistance programs based on merit and/or need. Interested students should inquire.
