UI Part-Time School Fees 2026: The Complete Guide Every Student Needs
Choosing the University of Ibadan for your part-time degree is one of the smartest academic decisions you can make in Nigeria. But before you fill that form, there is one question you absolutely must answer: how much does it cost? UI part-time school fees 2026 is the most searched financial question among prospective students of the University of Ibadan’s Continuing Education Centre (CEC), and this guide answers it completely.
From tuition fees per faculty to sundry charges, one-time payments, and smart ways to manage the financial load, this article covers every dimension of UI part-time school fees 2026 so you can plan with clarity and apply with confidence. No guesswork. No surprises.
About the University of Ibadan Part-Time Programme
The University of Ibadan, Nigeria’s premier university, runs part-time undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes through the Continuing Education Centre (CEC). The CEC exists to make higher education accessible to working professionals, career-changers, and mature students who cannot pursue full-time study.
Classes hold on evenings and weekends throughout the academic session, and the programme spans four to five years depending on the course. Upon graduation, students receive a degree certificate identical in status to that of a full-time UI graduate — same logo, same title, same recognition. That is the power of a UI degree, part-time or not.
Knowing UI part-time school fees 2026 in advance allows you to plan every naira of your investment, avoid mid-session financial pressure, and enter the programme with total peace of mind.
How UI Part-Time School Fees 2026 Are Structured
UI part-time school fees 2026 are divided into two main components. The first is tuition, which covers the academic cost of your programme and varies by faculty. The second is institutional/sundry fees, which are uniform charges covering access to university facilities, examination administration, and student services. Both components are payable at the start of each academic session.
UI Part-Time School Fees 2026: Tuition by Faculty
The tuition component of UI part-time school fees 2026 is not uniform across all programmes. Science, technology, and professional faculties attract higher charges due to laboratory and resource requirements, while humanities and social sciences sit on the lower end. Here is a general overview:
| Faculty / Programme | Approximate Annual Tuition (₦) | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Arts (English, History, Linguistics) | ₦120,000 – ₦200,000 | Evening / Weekend |
| Social Sciences (Economics, Political Science, Sociology) | ₦140,000 – ₦220,000 | Evening / Weekend |
| Education (various specializations) | ₦120,000 – ₦190,000 | Evening / Weekend / Sandwich |
| Management Sciences (Business Admin, Accounting) | ₦160,000 – ₦260,000 | Evening / Weekend |
| Science (Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics) | ₦180,000 – ₦300,000 | Evening / Weekend |
| Law | ₦250,000 – ₦400,000 | Evening / Weekend |
| Public Health / Health Sciences | ₦200,000 – ₦350,000 | Evening / Weekend |
Sundry and Institutional Fees
In addition to tuition, every CEC student contributes to the university’s institutional running costs through sundry fees. These are non-negotiable charges that fund student services, campus infrastructure, and academic operations. Here is a breakdown of what to expect as part of your total UI part-time school fees 2026:
| Fee Type | Approximate Amount (₦) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Examination Fee | ₦10,000 – ₦20,000 | Per session |
| Library Fee | ₦5,000 – ₦8,000 | Per session |
| Student Union Due | ₦3,000 – ₦7,000 | Per session |
| ICT / Portal Fee | ₦5,000 – ₦10,000 | Per session |
| Development Levy | ₦8,000 – ₦15,000 | Per session |
| Health / Medical Fee | ₦3,000 – ₦6,000 | Per session |
| Departmental Fee | ₦3,000 – ₦10,000 | Per session |
| Sports / Social Fee | ₦2,000 – ₦5,000 | Per session |
Adding tuition and sundry fees together, most CEC students at UI pay a total of ₦150,000 to ₦450,000 per session. Students in law, science, and health sciences pay closer to the upper end; arts and education students pay on the lower end.
One-Time Entry Fees: Budget for These From Day One
Several charges under UI part-time school fees 2026 are paid only once — at the point of entry. These are separate from your recurring session fees and must be factored into your initial budget:
- Acceptance Fee: Paid immediately after receiving your admission letter. Typically ₦30,000 – ₦60,000. This fee is non-refundable.
- Matriculation Fee: A one-time charge before your matriculation ceremony. Usually ₦5,000 – ₦10,000.
- Clearance/Screening Fee: Covers document verification at the point of entry. Approximately ₦5,000 – ₦15,000.
- Student ID Card Fee: For production of your official University of Ibadan identity card. Usually ₦2,000 – ℴ5,000.
UI Part-Time Fees vs UI Full-Time Fees: Understanding the Gap
One of the most eye-opening facts about UI part-time school fees 2026 is how they compare to full-time fees. The University of Ibadan is a federal university, so its full-time programmes are heavily subsidized by the federal government. Full-time UI students pay a fraction of what CEC students pay per session.
CEC programmes are largely self-sustaining — they do not benefit from the same level of federal subsidy. The university must recover operational, staffing, and facility costs directly from part-time students. This is the primary reason the gap exists. However, the trade-off is enormous: you retain your job, your income, and your lifestyle while earning the same prestigious UI degree that full-time students earn. For most working Nigerians, that trade-off is absolutely worth it.
The Sandwich Programme: Fees and How It Differs
Under the broader umbrella of UI part-time school fees 2026, the Sandwich Programme deserves special mention. The Sandwich Programme at UI is an intensive holiday-period study model that runs during the long vacation months (typically July to September). It primarily serves teachers and civil servants who are only available to study during their official leave periods.
Sandwich programme fees follow a similar structure to regular CEC fees but may differ slightly in the examination and intensive session components. If you intend to apply through the Sandwich route, request a specific Sandwich fee schedule from the CEC office, as it is managed slightly differently from the standard evening and weekend part-time programmes.
How to Pay UI Part-Time School Fees 2026
The payment process for UI part-time school fees 2026 is straightforward when you follow the correct steps. Here is exactly how it works:
- Visit the UI CEC Portal at cec.ui.edu.ng and log in with your student or applicant credentials.
- Access the Fee Payment Dashboard and select the current academic session fees applicable to your programme and level.
- Generate a Remita Payment Invoice — the University of Ibadan uses the Remita platform for all official fee collections. Your RRR (Remita Retrieval Reference) number is generated here.
- Make Payment at any bank branch, via internet banking, or through the Remita online portal using your RRR number.
- Confirm and Print Your Receipt on the portal after payment clears. Store this receipt carefully — it is required for course registration, examination clearance, and any administrative process.
Can You Pay UI Part-Time Fees in Instalments?
This is a genuine concern for many students, and it is worth addressing honestly. Officially, UI CEC expects full session fee payment before or during the registration window. However, in practice, certain departments — particularly those with strong departmental administration — have historically allowed students to make a partial payment at the start of the session and complete the balance before examinations.
This arrangement is not a written policy and is not available in every faculty. If you need to spread payments, visit your department’s administrative office early in the session and make your case directly. Do not assume the option exists, and do not wait until examination time to raise the issue.
Financial Aid and Support Options for CEC Students
Managing UI part-time school fees 2026 does not have to rest entirely on your personal savings. Several legitimate support channels are worth pursuing:
- Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND): The federal student loan programme continues to expand its eligibility criteria. Visit nelfund.gov.ng to check current qualification conditions for part-time students.
- Employer Tuition Support: If you work in banking, the public sector, or a structured corporate organization, your HR department may have a staff education support scheme. Ask before you assume it does not exist.
- Oyo State Bursary Award: Oyo State indigenes studying at UI may qualify for a state bursary. Contact the Oyo State Scholarship Board for current application details.
- Other State Scholarship Boards: Many Nigerian states offer bursaries to indigenes studying in federal universities. Check with your own state’s scholarship board.
- Early Savings Plan: Opening a dedicated savings account for your school fees 6 to 12 months before admission is still one of the most effective financial strategies. Even ₦20,000 per month over 10 months gives you ₦200,000 — enough to cover a significant portion of your first session fees.
Factors That Can Change Your Final Fee Amount
Not every UI CEC student in the same faculty pays an identical amount. Certain personal circumstances influence your final UI part-time school fees 2026 figure:
- Your Faculty and Department: Law, science, and health science programmes are more expensive than arts and education programmes.
- Your Academic Level: Final-year students often pay project and dissertation supervision fees that lower-level students do not pay.
- Carry-Over Courses: If you carry over any courses from a previous session, additional examination and registration fees apply for those units specifically.
- Late Registration Penalty: UI charges a fine for students who register after the official registration deadline. Avoid this by registering as early as possible in each session.
- Special Programme Add-Ons: Some departments offer optional professional endorsements or skill certifications alongside the degree. These attract separate charges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the total UI part-time school fees 2026 per session?
Total session fees at UI CEC range from approximately ₦150,000 to ₦450,000, depending on your faculty and year of study. Law and science students pay more; arts and education students pay less. Confirm your exact figure on the CEC portal or at the CEC office.
Are UI part-time school fees 2026 paid per semester or per session?
Fees are structured per academic session — meaning you pay once for the full year. Some faculties may allow informal split payments, but the fee itself is a full-session charge. Confirm instalment options directly with your department.
Where do I pay UI CEC fees in 2026?
All payments go through the Remita platform, accessed via the official UI CEC portal at cec.ui.edu.ng. Generate your RRR number on the portal and pay through any bank branch or via internet banking. Never pay through unofficial channels.
Is the UI CEC acceptance fee refundable?
No. The acceptance fee is non-refundable once paid. Only accept your admission offer when you are financially and personally ready to begin the programme in that session.
Do UI part-time school fees 2026 increase every year?
The university does not increase fees every single year, but periodic upward reviews do occur — especially in response to Nigeria’s economic climate. Always check the current session’s fee schedule rather than relying on figures from previous years.
Can I defer admission at UI CEC for financial reasons?
Yes. UI CEC considers deferral requests on a case-by-case basis. Submit a formal written application to the CEC office explaining your situation. Approval depends on your programme and the CEC’s current policy for that session.
Is a UI CEC degree the same as a regular UI degree?
Yes. The certificate issued to CEC graduates carries the same official University of Ibadan seal, title, and recognition as a full-time degree. It does not indicate “part-time” or “CEC.” Employers, professional bodies, and postgraduate institutions all accept it on equal terms.
Does NELFUND cover UI part-time school fees 2026?
NELFUND’s coverage of part-time students continues to evolve. As of 2026, check the latest eligibility criteria at nelfund.gov.ng to confirm whether CEC students at UI currently qualify for the federal student loan scheme.
Final Thoughts
UI part-time school fees 2026 are a real financial commitment — but they are also a measurable, plannable investment in one of the most respected degrees in Nigeria. The University of Ibadan carries over seven decades of academic excellence, and a CEC degree from UI opens doors that far exceed the cost of acquiring it.
The key is preparation. Now that you understand the full picture of UI part-time school fees 2026 — from tuition by faculty to sundry charges, one-time fees, payment procedures, and financial aid options — you have everything you need to plan intelligently and apply without financial surprises.
Start saving early, confirm your exact fee on the CEC portal, pay only through official Remita channels, and take your first step toward a University of Ibadan degree today. UI part-time school fees 2026 are the price of a lifetime of opportunity — and that is a price worth paying