Niger Delta University (NDU) Courses, Admission Requirements, & School Fees

Choosing the right university in Nigeria is one decision that can shape your future for decades, and that is why the Niger Delta University (NDU), continues to attract thousands of ambitious students every year. Whether you are a UTME candidate searching for a competitive federal university, a parent trying to understand admission requirements and school fees, or a graduate planning postgraduate studies, NDU stands out as a top choice. 

From its wide range of accredited courses to its relatively affordable fees and strong academic reputation, the Niger Delta University remains one of the most sought-after institutions in the country. In this article, we would be discussing the NDU, its courses, admission requirements, and school fees.

ALso Read: Adeleke University: Courses, Admission Requirements & School Fees

Niger Delta University (NDU): What You Need to Know

Niger Delta University is a state-owned tertiary institution located on Wilberforce Island, in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. It was established with the vision of providing high quality education and research to students from the Niger Delta region and beyond. The university has grown to become one of the prominent comprehensive universities in Nigeria, enrolling students in a wide range of academic fields and disciplines.

NDU operates several faculties including Agriculture, Arts, Basic Medical and Clinical Sciences, Education, Engineering, Law, Management Sciences, Nursing, Pharmacy, Sciences, Social Sciences, and Environmental Sciences. The institution also runs postgraduate programmes, pre-degree/joint universities preliminary examinations board (JUPEB) programmes, and offers full-time, part-time and distance learning options in some cases. 

Niger Delta University (NDU): Courses

Undergraduate Programmes

NDU offers a broad range of undergraduate degrees across several faculties. The courses span Agriculture, Arts and Humanities, Engineering and Technical, Social Sciences, Natural and Applied Sciences, Health Sciences, Law and Education. A useful and inclusive reference list of courses offered shows that the university caters to a large variety of academic interests. 

The following is a comprehensive list of undergraduate degree programmes at NDU. This list captures the current scope of disciplines you can apply for:

1. Accounting and Business Related Courses

• Accounting
• Banking and Finance
• Business Administration and Management
• Business Education
• Marketing
• Insurance
• Office and Information Management

1. Education Programmes

• Adult and Community Education
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Education and Biology
• Education and Chemistry
• Education and Economics
• Education and English Language
• Education and French
• Education and Geography
• Education and History
• Education and Integrated Science
• Education and Mathematics
• Education and Political Science
• Education and Religious Studies
• Education and Social Studies
• Educational Foundations
• Educational Management
• Guidance and Counseling

1. Sciences

• Biochemistry
• Biological Sciences
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Environmental Management
• Fisheries
• Geography
• Geology
• Human Anatomy
• Human Physiology
• Microbiology
• Physics
• Physics with Electronics
• Pure and Applied Chemistry
• Zoology

1. Engineering and Technology

• Agricultural and Environmental Engineering
• Chemical/Petrochemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Electrical/Electronics Engineering
• Marine Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering
• Quantity Surveying
• Building Construction Technology
• Architecture
• Crop Production Technology
• Livestock Production Technology
• Technical Education
• Industrial Education Technology
• Urban and Regional Planning

1. Health and Medical Sciences

• Medical Laboratory Science
• Medicine and Surgery
• Nursing (Nursing Science)
• Pharmacy

1. Arts and Humanities

• English and Literary Studies
• Fine and Applied Arts
• History and Diplomacy
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Religious Studies
• Sociology and Anthropology
• Theatre Arts
• Law
• Library and Information Science

1. Social Sciences and Other Disciplines

• Economics
• Mass Communication
• Sociology

 

This extensive list shows that NDU is structured to meet the educational needs of a diverse student population with interests across core sciences, professional fields, arts, and technical disciplines. 

Pre-Degree and JUPEB Programme

In addition to regular degree programmes, NDU runs a Pre-Degree/JUPEB programme through its School of Pre-Degree and Basic Studies. This programme lasts for one academic session divided into two semesters. It is designed for students who want direct entry admission into 200 level of Niger Delta University degree programmes or other Nigerian universities that accept JUPEB certification. Admission into this programme requires at least five credit passes at O’Level including English Language and Mathematics, in not more than two sittings. 

Niger Delta University (NDU): Admission Requirements 

For Undergraduate Studies:

Admission through UTME

To gain admission to NDU as an undergraduate student, most applicants must go through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), register Niger Delta University as their chosen institution, and meet the UTME cut-off score specified for the academic session.

For the 2025/2026 academic year, the general minimum UTME cut-off score for Niger Delta University is reported at 150 and above. However, some competitive programmes (such as Medicine, Pharmacy, Law, Nursing and Engineering) may require higher scores depending on demand and departmental criteria. 

Applicants must also have at least five (5) credit passes in their Senior Secondary Certificates (such as WAEC, NECO or NABTEB) in relevant subjects including English Language and Mathematics in not more than two sittings.

After meeting the UTME and O’Level requirements, candidates are expected to participate in NDU’s post-UTME screening exercise. This involves online registration, submission of necessary documents, payment of a screening fee, and sometimes an aptitude test or verification process. Proper participation in post-UTME screening is required before any admission offer is made. 

Direct Entry (DE) Admission

Candidates who hold advanced qualifications such as A’Level passes, National Diploma (ND), Higher National Diploma (HND), National Certificate in Education (NCE), or equivalent may apply for Direct Entry admission into 200 level. Applicants must produce relevant qualifications that align with the course they wish to study and meet departmental prerequisites.

Direct Entry candidates also submit their credentials for screening and must meet the minimum O’Level and programme requirements. Processing is usually done through the NDU portal and JAMB Direct Entry procedures if applicable. 

International Students

International applicants are required to meet equivalent academic standards set by NDU and the Nigerian educational authorities. They often submit certificates evaluated by Nigerian examination bodies and sometimes undergo English language proficiency verification where applicable. Applicants should check the university’s official admissions portal for detailed procedures.

For Postgraduate Programmes

NDU offers a wide range of postgraduate programmes including the following categories:

• Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) programmes
• Master’s degrees (such as MSc, MA, MEd, MBA)
• Integrated Master-PhD options
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees

These programmes are available across many faculties such as Education, Engineering, Management Sciences, Law, Sciences, Basic and Clinical Medical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, and others. Education can be pursued on full-time or part-time bases. 

Admission requirements vary by level:

• For Postgraduate Diploma, candidates must have at least a good Bachelor’s degree or a relevant higher qualification such as HND with a minimum grade.
• For Master’s programmes, applicants are typically required to have a Bachelor’s degree with at least a Second Class Lower Division or equivalent CGPA, along with additional supporting documents such as NYSC discharge or exemption certificates.
• For PhD programmes, applicants should hold a relevant Master’s degree with a specified CGPA requirement (often a minimum of Second Class or a good Master’s degree with a specified grade point average) and may also need to provide referees’ reports, research proposals and other stipulated documents.
• For integrated Master-PhD options, students may begin postgraduate studies leading to a PhD subject to satisfactory performance in the Master’s component. 

Niger Delta University (NDU): School Fees

School fees at Niger Delta University vary by programme, faculty and whether the student is new (fresh student) or returning. Fees also differ between indigenes of Bayelsa State and non-indigenes.

Acceptance Fees

Freshly admitted students are required to pay a non-refundable acceptance fee in order to secure their place in the university. For the 2025/2026 academic session, the acceptance fee is commonly cited at ₦40,000 for all new students regardless of indigene or non-indigene status. 

Undergraduate Tuition and School Fees

The total amount payable each academic session includes tuition and other levies. Although slight variations may occur from year to year, current guidance for full-time undergraduate school fees suggests the following approximate ranges for the 2025/2026 academic session:

Tuition and Levies for Fresh and Returning Students

• Basic Medical Sciences, Pharmacy and Nursing: approximately ₦150,000 to ₦200,000 per session depending on whether the student is an indigene or non-indigene.
• Law: approximately ₦130,000 to ₦180,000 per session.
• Engineering: approximately ₦120,000 to ₦170,000 per session.
• Management Sciences, Social Sciences, Arts, Agricultural Science, Education and Science: approximately ₦110,000 to ₦160,000 per session.

These figures show that programmes in medical and specialised areas are typically more expensive than arts or social sciences disciplines, and fees for non-indigenes are often slightly higher than those for Bayelsa indigenes. 

Hostel Accommodation Fees

Students wishing to live on campus can apply for hostel accommodation. The cost of hostel fees is generally separate from tuition and school fees and is commonly reported around ₦15,000 per academic session for standard hostel space. Hostel charges can vary by hostel type and level of accommodation. 

Other Fees

In addition to tuition and acceptance fees, students are typically responsible for additional charges that include:

• Registration fees
• Library and ICT levies
• Examination processing and assessment fees
• Certificates and clearance fees
• Medical or health services levy
• Student union and other statutory fees

The combination of all these fees contributes to the total cost of an academic session.

Payment Policies

Students are usually required to pay their fees within a given period after admission and registration. Late payment can lead to penalties, inability to sit for examinations, or constraints on registration. Many students also have the option to pay fees in instalments depending on the university’s current policy and timetable outlined by the bursary or finance department. 

Niger Delta University: How to Apply

Undergraduate Application Steps

1. Register and sit for the JAMB UTME and score the required minimum cut-off mark for NDU.
2. Ensure that NDU is selected as your first choice institution on your JAMB profile.
3. Apply for NDU’s Post-UTME screening by visiting the NDU admissions portal.
4. Upload your UTME results, O’Level certificates, passport photograph and other required credentials.
5. Attend and complete the Post-UTME screening exercise.
6. Wait for the admission list to be published on the university portal and JAMB CAPS.
7. Once offered admission, accept your offer and pay your acceptance fee by the deadline.
8. Complete clearance procedures, pay your school fees and register for your courses. 

Postgraduate Application Steps

Postgraduate applicants generally begin by purchasing the relevant application form through the NDU postgraduate portal, supplying educational credentials (Bachelor’s or Master’s degree transcripts), NYSC discharge or exemption documents, letters of reference, and any required research proposals or additional forms as specified in the prospectus. After application and screening, successful candidates are notified and proceed to enrol.

Conclusion

Niger Delta University (NDU) is a dynamic and comprehensive university offering a full range of academic and professional programmes from undergraduate to postgraduate levels. The university caters to diverse educational requirements with courses in Engineering, Medicine, Law, Management Sciences, Education, Sciences, Social Sciences and Arts among others. Therefore, we recommend this school for you, as it will offer you the foundation to becoming prominent personalities in different fields in the society.