If you dream of building a career in healthcare, understanding the complete list of courses under medicine and surgery in Nigeria is the essential first step. Many students assume that studying medicine means only the MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) programme. In reality, the medical and health sciences faculty in Nigerian universities offers over 30 distinct courses, each with its own career path, admission requirements, and professional opportunities.

Nigeria’s healthcare sector is one of the fastest-growing in Africa, and the demand for qualified medical professionals continues to increase every year. Whether you want to become a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, physiotherapist, radiographer, or laboratory scientist, there is a specific programme designed to prepare you for that role. The key is knowing which courses exist, what they involve, and what JAMB cut-off mark you need to gain admission.

This article presents a comprehensive list of courses under medicine and surgery in Nigeria for the 2026/2027 academic session, complete with programme duration, estimated cut-off marks, career prospects, admission requirements, and frequently asked questions.

Understanding the Medical and Health Sciences Faculty

In Nigerian universities, medical-related courses fall under the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, or Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, depending on the institution. Some universities group all health-related programmes under one broad faculty, while others separate them into specialized colleges.

The list of courses under medicine and surgery in Nigeria includes not only the core MBBS programme but also allied health programmes such as Nursing Science, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Medical Laboratory Science, Radiography, Anatomy, Physiology, and many others. These courses share a common foundation in the biological and physical sciences but diverge into specialized fields as students progress through their programmes.

All medical and health science courses in Nigeria require a strong background in the sciences at O’Level, and most share the same JAMB subject combination of English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

Complete List of 30 Courses Under Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria

Below is a detailed table showing the list of courses under medicine and surgery in Nigeria with their programme duration, estimated JAMB cut-off mark ranges, and potential career paths for graduates.

 

S/N	Course	Duration	Cut-Off Mark	Career Prospects
1	Medicine and Surgery (MBBS)	6 years	250 – 300	Medical Doctor, Surgeon, Consultant
2	Nursing Science (B.N.Sc)	5 years	200 – 260	Registered Nurse, Midwife, Nurse Educator
3	Pharmacy (B.Pharm)	5 years	220 – 270	Pharmacist, Drug Researcher, Pharma Rep
4	Dentistry (BDS)	6 years	240 – 280	Dentist, Oral Surgeon, Orthodontist
5	Medical Laboratory Science	5 years	200 – 250	Lab Scientist, Pathologist, Researcher
6	Physiotherapy	5 years	200 – 260	Physiotherapist, Sports Therapist, Rehab Specialist
7	Anatomy	5 years	200 – 240	Anatomist, Lecturer, Forensic Scientist
8	Physiology	5 years	200 – 240	Physiologist, Researcher, Lecturer
9	Biochemistry	4 years	180 – 230	Biochemist, Lab Analyst, Drug Developer
10	Pharmacology	5 years	200 – 240	Pharmacologist, Clinical Researcher
11	Medical Rehabilitation	5 years	200 – 240	Rehab Therapist, Occupational Therapist
12	Radiography	5 years	200 – 250	Radiographer, MRI Technologist, Sonographer
13	Optometry	6 years	200 – 250	Optometrist, Eye Care Specialist
14	Public Health	4–5 years	180 – 220	Health Inspector, Epidemiologist, NGO Worker
15	Veterinary Medicine	6 years	220 – 260	Veterinarian, Animal Scientist, Researcher
16	Nutrition and Dietetics	4 years	180 – 220	Dietitian, Nutritionist, Food Consultant
17	Health Education	4 years	180 – 200	Health Educator, Community Health Worker
18	Microbiology	4 years	180 – 230	Microbiologist, Lab Technologist, Researcher
19	Community Health	4–5 years	180 – 200	Community Health Officer, PHC Coordinator
20	Medical Biotechnology	5 years	200 – 240	Biotech Researcher, Genetic Analyst
21	Prosthetics and Orthotics	5 years	200 – 230	Prosthetist, Orthotist, Rehab Engineer
22	Dental Technology	4 years	180 – 220	Dental Technologist, Prosthetic Designer
23	Dental Surgery	6 years	240 – 280	Dental Surgeon, Maxillofacial Specialist
24	Speech and Language Therapy	4–5 years	180 – 220	Speech Therapist, Language Pathologist
25	Occupational Therapy	5 years	200 – 240	Occupational Therapist, Rehab Specialist
26	Environmental Health Science	4 years	180 – 200	Environmental Health Officer, Sanitarian
27	Nursing Education	5 years	200 – 240	Nurse Educator, Clinical Instructor
28	Clinical Pharmacy	6 years	220 – 270	Clinical Pharmacist, Drug Safety Expert
29	Parasitology	4 years	180 – 200	Parasitologist, Tropical Disease Researcher
30	Immunology	4–5 years	180 – 220	Immunologist, Vaccine Researcher

 

Note: Cut-off marks are estimated ranges based on recent admission trends across multiple Nigerian universities. Specific institutions may require higher or lower scores. Duration includes clinical rotations and housemanship where applicable. Always confirm details on your chosen university’s official website.

Most Competitive Medical Courses in Nigeria

While the full list of courses under medicine and surgery in Nigeria contains many options, some programmes stand out as significantly more competitive than others due to high demand and limited admission slots:

Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) remains the most competitive medical course in Nigeria. Top federal universities like UI, UNILAG, OAU, and ABU require JAMB scores of 270 and above, combined with outstanding Post-UTME performance. Only about 100 to 200 students gain admission per university each year out of thousands of applicants.

Dentistry (BDS) is almost as competitive as MBBS, with cut-off marks typically between 240 and 280. The course trains students to become dental surgeons and specialists in oral healthcare.

Pharmacy (B.Pharm) attracts strong competition, with cut-off marks ranging from 220 to 270. Pharmacy graduates enjoy excellent career prospects in hospital pharmacy, pharmaceutical companies, and drug regulatory agencies.

Nursing Science (B.N.Sc) has grown increasingly competitive in recent years, with cut-off marks rising to 200 to 260 at top universities. The global demand for qualified nurses makes this course an attractive option for students seeking international career mobility.

General Admission Requirements for Medical Courses

Regardless of which specific course you choose from the list of courses under medicine and surgery in Nigeria, the general admission requirements remain consistent across most universities:

JAMB (UTME) Requirements

• Subject Combination: English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. This combination applies to virtually all medical and health science courses.
• Minimum Score: The national JAMB minimum is 180, but medical courses typically require 200 to 300 depending on the course and university.
• First Choice: You must select your preferred university as your first-choice institution during JAMB registration.

O’Level Requirements

• A minimum of five O’Level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
• For Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) and Dentistry (BDS), most universities require all five credits in a single sitting.
• Results from WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB are accepted.
• Strong grades (A1 to B3) give you a competitive advantage, especially for top-tier programmes.

Post-UTME Screening

Most Nigerian universities conduct a Post-UTME screening examination after JAMB. Your JAMB score and Post-UTME performance are combined to calculate an aggregate score, which determines your position on the admission merit list. For medical courses, the aggregate cut-off is typically very high, often above 70% to 80%.

Top Universities Offering Medical Courses in Nigeria

When reviewing the list of courses under medicine and surgery in Nigeria, it is equally important to know which universities are accredited to offer these programmes. The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and the National Universities Commission (NUC) regulate accreditation for medical programmes. Some of the top institutions include:

• University of Ibadan (UI) – Consistently ranked as the best medical school in Nigeria with world-class facilities and faculty.
• University of Lagos (UNILAG) – Known for excellent clinical training at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
• Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) – Offers a comprehensive range of medical programmes with strong research output.
• Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) – The leading medical university in Northern Nigeria with extensive teaching hospital facilities.
• University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) – Offers medical training at the Enugu Campus through the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH).
• University of Benin (UNIBEN) – A top choice for medical students in the South-South region with a well-established medical school.
• Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) – Offers medical training at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi.
• Bayero University Kano (BUK) – One of the best options for medical studies in the North-West region.

Career Prospects for Medical Graduates in Nigeria

Graduates from courses on the list of courses under medicine and surgery in Nigeria enjoy some of the strongest career prospects in the country. The healthcare sector offers both local and international opportunities across various settings:

• Government Hospitals and Teaching Hospitals: The largest employer of medical graduates in Nigeria. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals work in federal and state hospitals nationwide.
• Private Clinics and Hospitals: Private healthcare is booming in Nigeria, creating thousands of positions for qualified medical professionals.
• International Opportunities: Nigerian-trained doctors, nurses, and pharmacists are in high demand in countries like the UK, USA, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Australia. Many graduates pursue licensing exams abroad.
• Research and Academia: Medical graduates can pursue postgraduate studies and academic careers as lecturers, researchers, and professors.
• Pharmaceutical Industry: Pharmacy and pharmacology graduates find lucrative careers in drug manufacturing, regulatory affairs, and pharmaceutical sales.
• Public Health and NGOs: International organizations like WHO, UNICEF, and MSF actively recruit Nigerian health professionals for global health programmes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Many Courses Are Under Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria?

There are over 30 courses that fall under the medical and health sciences faculties in Nigerian universities. These range from Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) itself to allied health programmes like Nursing, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Anatomy, and many others.

What Is the JAMB Cut-Off Mark for Medicine and Surgery?

The JAMB cut-off mark for Medicine and Surgery ranges from 250 to 300 depending on the university. Top institutions like UI, UNILAG, and OAU typically require 270 and above. Always aim to score well above the published minimum.

Is Mathematics Required for Medical Courses?

Mathematics is not a JAMB subject for medical courses — the required combination is English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. However, Mathematics is required as an O’Level credit (WAEC/NECO) for admission into most medical programmes.

Can I Study Medicine with Two Sittings?

Most universities require all five O’Level credits (English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics) in a single sitting for Medicine and Surgery and Dentistry. However, some other medical courses like Anatomy, Physiology, and Public Health may accept two sittings. Always verify with your chosen university.

Which Medical Course Is Easiest to Get Into?

Courses like Health Education, Community Health, Environmental Health Science, and Nutrition and Dietetics generally have lower cut-off marks (180 to 200) and face less competition compared to MBBS, Pharmacy, or Nursing. These are excellent options for students who want a career in healthcare without the extreme competition.

How Long Does It Take to Study Medicine in Nigeria?

The MBBS programme takes 6 years of academic study plus 1 year of housemanship (internship) and 1 year of NYSC service. Other medical courses range from 4 to 6 years depending on the programme. See the table above for specific durations.

Are Private Universities Good for Studying Medicine?

Several private universities in Nigeria offer accredited medical programmes with modern facilities and smaller class sizes. Institutions like Babcock University, Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Nile University, and Bowen University are known for strong medical programmes. However, tuition fees at private universities are significantly higher than federal institutions.

Conclusion

The complete list of courses under medicine and surgery in Nigeria gives aspiring healthcare professionals a clear view of the many pathways available in the medical field. From the prestigious MBBS programme to specialized courses like Radiography, Prosthetics, and Medical Biotechnology, there is a healthcare career for every student with a passion for science and a desire to help others.

Your success starts with choosing the right course, scoring above the required JAMB cut-off mark, securing strong O’Level results in a single sitting where possible, and preparing thoroughly for the Post-UTME screening. Use this guide as your reference throughout your admission journey, and always confirm the latest requirements on your chosen university’s official website.

We wish every aspiring medical student reading this the very best. The list of courses under medicine and surgery in Nigeria is your starting point — now go out, prepare well, and secure your place in one of Nigeria’s top medical schools.