DIRECT ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR MEDICINE

Are you interested in knowing the direct entry requirements for Medicine and Surgery in Nigerian universities? This article explains everything you need to know as a Direct Entry (DE) applicant, including eligibility, subject combinations, and universities that accept DE candidates.

Relax and read to the end.

Who Are Direct Entry Applicants?

A Direct Entry (DE) candidate is someone seeking admission into 200 level of a university program without starting from 100 level. To qualify as a DE applicant, you must possess any of the following qualifications:

• Interim Joint Matriculation Board Examination (IJMBE)

• Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB)

• School-Owned Diplomas (e.g., UNIMAID and KWASU Diplomas)

• Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE)

• Ordinary National Diploma (OND)

• Higher National Diploma (HND)

• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc./BOS)

Note: Not all these qualifications are accepted for direct entry into Medicine and Surgery.

Universities That Accept Direct Entry for Medicine and Surgery

Many Nigerian universities offer Direct Entry admission into Medicine and Surgery, but candidates must meet the specific requirements. Some of these universities include:

• Abia State University (ABSU)

• Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)

• Bayero University Kano (BUK)

• University of Benin (UNIBEN)

• University of Ibadan (UI)

• University of Lagos (UNILAG)

• University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)

• Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK)

• Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)

• University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT)

• Usman Dan Fodio University (UDUSOK)

• And many others

Important: Some universities like Bingham University and UNIPORT do not offer direct entry into Medicine and Surgery.

UTME Subject Combination for Medicine and Surgery

For UTME candidates, the mandatory subjects are:

• English Language (mandatory for all courses)

• Physics

• Chemistry

• Biology

Special waivers:

• UDUSOK and UNIMAID accept Mathematics in lieu of Physics.

O’Level Requirements for UTME Candidates

To apply for Medicine and Surgery via UTME, you must have five SSCE credit passes, including:

• English Language

• Mathematics

• Physics

• Chemistry

• Biology

Special notes:

• UNILORIN requires all five credits in one sitting and a minimum JAMB score of 240.

• UNIBEN, UI, IMSU, ABSU, EBSU, UNIOSUN, ANSU, DELSU, and BOWEN also require one-sitting credits.

• NDU allows credits in two sittings.

Direct Entry Requirements for Medicine and Surgery

DE applicants are required to have:

1. ‘A’ Level Passes in:

   • Physics

   • Chemistry

   • Biology or Zoology

2. Relevant Degrees (B.Sc., BOS, HND) in related fields like Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Zoology, Pharmacology, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, and other medical-related courses.

Special waivers & university-specific notes:

• UDUSOK, UNIMAID, and EBSU accept Mathematics in place of Physics.

• UNILAG requires B.Sc. First Class/Second Class Upper in medical-related fields or two A-Level passes in Chemistry, Biology/Zoology or Physics.

• UNICAL accepts Degrees in Science (not below Second Class Lower Division).

• LASU, ABSU, and UNILORIN require A-Level passes or B.Sc. with minimum Second Class Upper and O-Level credits in five subjects at one sitting.

• NDU accepts A-Level passes in Chemistry, Biology, and Physics (minimum 10 points, max two sittings) or a B.Sc. degree with Second Class Upper in relevant fields.

Note: Some universities do not accept IJMB for direct entry into Medicine (e.g., UNICAL).

Summary Table: Direct Entry Requirements

Key Points to Remember

• Direct Entry is usually into the 200 level for candidates with advanced qualifications.

• A-Level, IJMB, HND, ND, NCE, or B.Sc. are mainly accepted, depending on the university.

• Always check the specific university’s admission brochure because requirements can vary.

• DE candidates must also satisfy UTME subject combinations and O-Level requirements.