UNILESA school fees 2026/2027 academic session vary by faculty and programme, with the cheapest Education and Arts programmes costing a fraction of what students in Law, Nursing and Medical Laboratory Science pay. If you have been offered admission into the University of Ilesa (UNILESA) in Osun State, or you are a returning student planning your budget, this guide explains what to expect, how the fees are structured, and how to pay without stress.
In this article, you will find a faculty-by-faculty fee overview, the acceptance fee and other charges for fresh students, details for returning students, accommodation notes, a step-by-step payment guide, budgeting tips and answers to the most common questions about University of Ilesa school fees.
About the University of Ilesa (UNILESA)
The University of Ilesa, popularly called UNILESA, is a state-owned university located in Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria. It was established by the Osun State Government to widen access to university education in the region and has grown steadily, adding new faculties and programmes over the past few years. For the 2026/2027 session, the university also announced admission into newly approved programmes, which means more options for candidates.
Because UNILESA is owned by the state government, its tuition is generally considered more affordable than that of most private universities in Nigeria. That affordability is one reason the school attracts a steady flow of applicants every year, including candidates from outside Osun State.
UNILESA School Fees 2026/2027 at a Glance
Here is a quick summary of what published schedules suggest for the 2026/2027 session:
- Lowest tuition: Arts, Education and other non-science programmes, with tuition of about ₦130,000 plus a small faculty/departmental due.
- Mid-range tuition: Natural Sciences, Computing, Management Sciences and Social Sciences, with tuition commonly listed at about ₦155,000.
- Higher tuition: Medical Laboratory Science, Public Health and similar health-related programmes, with tuition of about ₦550,000.
- Highest tuition: Law (about ₦1,250,000 tuition) and Nursing Science (about ₦1,000,000 tuition).
- Total cost for fresh students: Reported totals range from roughly ₦240,000 for the cheapest programmes to well above ₦1,500,000 for Law once the acceptance fee and other charges are added.
How the UNILESA Fee Structure Works
Before looking at the numbers, it helps to understand what your payment is made of. UNILESA school fees are usually split into two broad groups.
1. Tuition
This is the main academic fee. It is set according to your faculty or programme, and every course within the same faculty typically attracts the same tuition. This is why a student of History and a student of English pay the same tuition, while a student of Law pays far more.
2. Miscellaneous and Other Charges
These are the smaller charges that sit on top of tuition. Depending on your status and programme, they may include:
- Faculty/departmental dues (commonly listed at ₦2,500)
- Acceptance fee (paid once, by fresh students, after admission)
- Library and ICT charges
- Examination fee
- Insurance
- Medical or health service fee
- Student handbook and general studies (GNS) course materials
- Laboratory or practical charges for certain science and health programmes
Fresh students pay more than returning students in total because they carry one-time charges such as the acceptance fee, matriculation-related items and orientation materials.
UNILESA School Fees by Faculty (2026/2027)
The table below summarises the tuition amounts reported for the 2026/2027 session. Remember that your final invoice will include additional charges, so treat these as the tuition component and not the full amount.
| Faculty / Programme Group | Reported Tuition (₦) | Faculty/Departmental Due (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Arts, Humanities and Education (non-science) | 130,000 | 2,500 |
| Tourism and Hospitality Management | 130,000 | 2,500 |
| Social Sciences | 155,000 | 2,500 |
| Management Sciences | 155,000 | 2,500 |
| Natural Sciences | 155,000 | 2,500 |
| Medical Laboratory Science and similar health programmes | 550,000 | 2,500 |
| Public Health | 550,000 | 2,500 |
| Nursing Science | 1,000,000 | 2,500 |
| Law | 1,250,000 | 2,500 |
Source note: figures compiled from published 2026/2027 fee schedules. Some sources list slightly different tuition for Science, Computing and Technology programmes, so verify your programme on the official portal.
Faculty of Arts and Education
Programmes in Arts, Humanities and Education are the most budget-friendly at UNILESA. Tuition is reported at about ₦130,000, and some reports show total fresher costs for Education as low as roughly ₦242,000 once the acceptance fee and other items are included. If you want a quality degree at the lowest possible cost, these faculties are worth serious consideration.
Faculty of Science and Computing
Science and computing-related programmes, such as Computer Science, Microbiology and Biochemistry, sit in the middle of the range. Tuition is commonly listed at about ₦155,000, though a few sources report higher science totals of around ₦432,000 for freshers when all charges are combined. The gap usually comes from the acceptance fee, laboratory charges and ICT fees.
Faculty of Management and Social Sciences
Courses such as Accounting, Business Administration, Economics and Mass Communication fall here. Tuition is typically reported at about ₦155,000, plus the small departmental due. Some schedules divide the faculty into sub-groups (for example, A, B and C) with slightly different totals, so check which group your course belongs to.
Fees for Fresh Students (100 Level)
If you are a newly admitted student, you should plan for more than tuition alone. Fresh students are generally expected to pay:
- Tuition for their faculty
- Faculty/departmental dues
- Acceptance fee
- Library, examination, ICT and insurance charges (where applicable)
- Student handbook and course material fees
What Is the UNILESA Acceptance Fee?
The acceptance fee is a one-time payment that confirms you are taking up your admission offer. Reports for the 2026/2027 session vary: some schedules list ₦80,000 for health-related programmes and ₦100,000 for others, while an earlier published figure for the university was ₦50,000. Because of this variation, rely on the amount shown on your admission portal rather than any third-party website.
Estimated total for fresh students: As a rough planning guide, expect around ₦240,000 to ₦330,000 for Education, Arts and most non-science programmes, and higher totals for science, technology and professional courses.
Fees for Law, Nursing and Health Programmes
Professional and specialised programmes cost more because of clinical training, accredited practical work, specialised equipment and strict regulatory requirements. According to published schedules, programmes such as Medicine, Law, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, Optometry, Physiotherapy and Radiography fall into the higher fee bracket.
Law
Law is the most expensive programme on most schedules, with tuition reported at about ₦1,250,000. When the acceptance fee and other charges are added, some reports put the total for fresh Law students at around ₦1,562,000.
Nursing Science
Nursing tuition is reported at about ₦1,000,000, with additional items such as the acceptance fee (reported at ₦100,000), GNS course materials, the student handbook and departmental dues. One published breakdown puts the combined cost for fresh nursing students above ₦1,100,000.
Medical Laboratory Science and Public Health
These programmes are commonly listed with tuition of about ₦550,000. One published breakdown for Medical Laboratory Science shows library (₦10,000), examination (₦20,000), insurance (₦2,000) and an acceptance fee of ₦80,000, bringing the subtotal to about ₦678,500 for fresh students. Some sources place the total for health-related courses closer to ₦725,500.
If you are applying for one of these courses, make sure you are financially prepared before accepting the offer, because admission can lapse if you fail to complete payment within the stated period.
Fees for Returning Students
Returning students (200 level and above) generally pay less than freshers, because they no longer pay one-time charges such as the acceptance fee. In most published schedules, the tuition and faculty dues for returning students match those of fresh students in the same faculty, while the extra one-off charges fall away.
Returning students should still budget for:
- Tuition and faculty/departmental dues
- Examination and library fees where applicable
- Course registration and any levies announced by the department
- Project or practical charges in final-year and clinical programmes
Unlike what some students assume, fees do not necessarily drop in higher levels at UNILESA. Check the current schedule each session, as the amount can change with new approvals.
Indigene vs Non-Indigene: Is There a Difference?
This is one of the most searched questions about UNILESA school fees. Some unofficial websites publish separate fee ranges for Osun indigenes and non-indigenes. However, the schedules that follow the university’s own faculty-based format list a single fee per faculty, with no separate indigene and non-indigene columns.
The safest approach is to rely on the invoice generated for you on the student portal. If you believe you qualify for any concession or are charged incorrectly, contact the Bursary Department directly and keep proof of your state of origin ready.
Hostel and Accommodation Costs
Accommodation is usually separate from school fees. Fresh and returning students who want a bed space in the university hostels typically pay a hostel fee on top of their tuition, and this fee is not part of the faculty fee schedules shown above. Many students also choose private hostels or rooms in Ilesa town, where prices depend on location, facilities and distance from campus.
When budgeting for housing, remember to include:
- Hostel or rent payment for the session
- Caution fee, if applicable
- Electricity, water and security charges in private accommodation
- Transport to and from campus
Check the official UNILESA website or the Student Affairs office for the current hostel fee, because it can change from session to session.
How to Pay UNILESA School Fees
Payment is done through the university’s approved channels, usually via the student portal and designated banks or online payment platforms. Follow these steps:
- Visit the official UNILESA website (unilesa.edu.ng) and open the student or admission portal.
- Log in with your JAMB registration number (for fresh students) or your matriculation number (for returning students).
- Select the school fees or acceptance fee option and confirm your faculty and programme.
- Generate your payment invoice or reference number so that the correct amount is displayed.
- Pay online or at an approved bank using the generated reference. Avoid paying into any private account.
- Save your receipt and confirm that the portal has updated your payment status.
- Print your receipt and fee clearance for course registration and clearance exercises.
Beware of fraud: Never send money to individuals who claim they can “reduce” your fees, secure admission or process payments for you. Only pay through the channels shown on the official portal, and report suspicious requests to the school authorities.
Can You Pay UNILESA School Fees in Installments?
Installment arrangements depend on current university policy and are not guaranteed. If you cannot pay the full amount at once, write to the Bursary Department early and ask whether a payment plan is available for your programme. Do not assume a plan exists until you receive approval in writing.
Payment Deadlines and Late Payment
Every session, the university announces deadlines for acceptance fee payment, school fees payment and course registration. Missing these dates can lead to late payment penalties, delayed registration, restricted access to the portal or, for fresh students, the loss of an admission offer. Keep an eye on the university’s official notices, the 2026/2027 academic calendar and the admission portal so that you do not miss any deadline.
Tips for Budgeting and Funding Your Education
Plan for the Full Cost, Not Just Tuition
Add up tuition, acceptance fee, departmental dues, accommodation, feeding, textbooks, transport and data. For many students, living costs equal or exceed tuition in non-professional programmes.
Start Saving Early
Breaking the total into monthly targets is easier than finding a large sum at the last minute. Even small, consistent savings add up before resumption.
Explore Loans, Scholarships and Bursaries
Eligible Nigerian students in public institutions may be able to access the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to help with tuition, subject to the programme’s current eligibility rules. You can also look into scholarships and bursaries from the Osun State Government, corporate organisations, alumni groups, religious bodies and non-governmental organisations. Always apply through official channels and confirm requirements directly.
Save on Learning Materials
Buy used textbooks, share resources with coursemates, and make full use of the university library and e-learning platforms.
Choose Your Programme Wisely
If cost is a major concern, compare the total fees of the programmes you qualify for. Some courses under lower-cost faculties lead to strong career paths, so weigh affordability alongside your interests and job prospects.
Frequently Asked Questions About UNILESA School Fees
How much is UNILESA school fees for 2026/2027?
It depends on the faculty. Published tuition ranges from about ₦130,000 for Arts and Education to about ₦1,250,000 for Law, with total fresher costs ranging from roughly ₦240,000 to over ₦1,500,000 once other charges are added.
Which course is the cheapest at UNILESA?
Education and Arts programmes are generally the cheapest, followed by Social Sciences, Management Sciences and Natural Sciences.
Which course is the most expensive at UNILESA?
Law is typically the most expensive, followed by Nursing Science and then Medical Laboratory Science and Public Health.
Is UNILESA a state university or a private university?
UNILESA is a state university owned by the Osun State Government. Some websites incorrectly describe it as private, so rely on official sources.
Is the UNILESA acceptance fee included in school fees?
It is usually a separate one-time payment, though some schedules show it as part of the total fresher cost. Your invoice will show how it applies to you.
Do returning students pay the same fees as fresh students?
Returning students usually pay the same tuition but avoid one-time fresher charges such as the acceptance fee, so their total is lower.
Are UNILESA school fees refundable?
Refund policies vary and are rarely automatic. Contact the Bursary Department to find out whether any refund applies in your situation before paying.
Does UNILESA increase school fees every year?
Fees can be reviewed from session to session, especially when new programmes are approved or costs rise. Always check the current schedule at the start of each session.
Where can I confirm the official UNILESA school fees?
Visit the official University of Ilesa website, the school fees page on the portal, or the Bursary Department. Third-party websites, including this one, are guides and not substitutes for the official invoice.
You can read also;
- Nasarawa State University School Fees 2026/2027: Complete Guide for New and Returning Students
- Miva Open University School Fees 2026/2027: Comprehensive Breakdown and Payment Plans
- Bingham University School Fees 2026/2027 Academic Session
Conclusion
The UNILESA school fees 2026/2027 structure is built around your faculty: Arts and Education programmes sit at the affordable end, Sciences, Computing, Management and Social Sciences occupy the middle, and professional programmes like Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing and Law carry the highest costs. Fresh students should plan for tuition plus the acceptance fee and other one-time charges, while returning students can expect a lower overall bill.
Because published figures differ across websites, the most reliable step you can take is to log in to the official portal, generate your invoice and pay only through approved channels. Start planning early, explore funding options, keep your receipts, and watch the university’s notices for deadlines. With the right preparation, paying your fees and settling into university life at UNILESA can be smooth and stress-free.
Disclaimer: This article is for information only and is not an official publication of the University of Ilesa. Fee amounts are compiled from publicly available reports and may change. Confirm all figures with the university before making payment