Medicine and Surgery is one of the most prestigious and competitive courses in Nigeria.
It’s regarded as one of the top professional courses to study in Nigeria, with thousands of applicants trying to find their way in this course every year.
Medicine and Surgery in tertiary institutions in Nigeria is a six-year degree course with a one-year compulsory internship, leading to the award of MBBS – Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.
The course is regulated by the following bodies: the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) regulates medical training and practice, while the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) serves as the professional body for doctors.
For anyone pursuing a professional career in medicine, this course offers one of the broadest and most comprehensive curricula among all academic programmes in Nigeria.
These curricula include:
The pre-clinical years (Years 1–3), which focus on basic life sciences such as anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry.
The clinical years (Years 4–6), which involve hospital-based training in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Psychiatry, and more.
Graduates from these courses become medical doctors and can work in hospitals, clinics, or public health institutions, or specialise further.
Admission Requirements for Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria
- Applicants must possess at least five credit passes in relevant subjects like Mathematics, English Language, Chemistry, Physics and Biology at just one sitting.
- High UTME (JAMB) and Post-UTME scores are required.
- Applicants must be at least 16 years of age.
100-level medicine and surgery courses in Nigeria
- General Biology
- General Chemistry
- General Physics
- Mathematics (For some universities)
- Use of English
- Introduction to Computer Science
- General Studies (GST).
- Introduction to plant biology
- Introductory Zoology
Course Descriptions and Objectives (100 Level Medicine and Surgery – Nigeria)
- General Biology (BIO 101 / 102)
Description: Covers cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, and the diversity of living organisms.
Credit Units: 3 – 4 units (depending on the university)
- General Chemistry (CHM 101 / 102)
Description: Focuses on basic principles of inorganic and organic chemistry, atomic structure, bonding, and chemical reactions.
Credit Units: 3 – 4 units
- General Physics (PHY 101 / 102)
Description: Includes mechanics, heat, optics, electricity, and magnetism.
Credit Units: 3 – 4 units
- Use of English (GST 101 / 102)
Description: Covers grammar, essay writing, comprehension, and communication skills.
Credit Units: 2 units.
- Nigerian Peoples and Culture (GST 103)
Description: Studies Nigerian history, culture, and values.
Credit Units: 2 units
- Introduction to Computer Science (CSC 101 or GST 104)
Description: Basics of computer use, software applications, and information technology.
Credit Units: 2 units
- General Studies (GST 105 or similar)
Description: May include logic, philosophy, and critical thinking.
Credit Units: 1 – 2 units
Additional Courses in 100 Level Medicine and Surgery
- Introduction to Zoology (ZOO 101)
Description: Studies the structure, function, and classification of animals, including basic animal physiology and evolutionary relationships.
Credit Units: 2 – 3 units
- Introduction to Plant Biology / Botany (BOT 101)
Description: Covers plant structure, function, reproduction, and importance to ecosystems and life.
Credit Units: 2 – 3 units
- Practical Physics (PHY 107 or 108)
Description: Hands-on experiments covering topics like mechanics, optics, electricity, and thermodynamics.
Credit Units: 1 – 2 units
- Practical Chemistry (CHM 107 or 108)
Description: Laboratory experiments on titration, separation techniques, reactions, and qualitative analysis.
Credit Units: 1 – 2 units
Note: The course code and unit load can change depending on the university.
