The University Of Nigeria, UNN Pharmacy Programme Overview

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The University of Nigeria popularly called UNN is a federal university located in Nsukka, Enugu state, Nigeria. It was founded in the year 1955 and was formally opened on the 7th October 1960. This made it the first university in Nigeria after independence. It consist of four campuses in Nsukka (UNN), Enugu (UNEC), Aba (UNAC) and Ituku-ozaka (University of Nigeria teaching hospital, UNTH) all located in Enugu. The main campus is Nsukka. The distance between Nsukka and Enugu is short and cost of transportation between both is small but depends on the type of transport.
During the Nigerian civil war, it was renamed the University of Biafra on 6th of July, 1967. However, the name changed back to UNN with the fall of the republic of Biafra on 15th of January, 1970.
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The university became the first full fledged indigenous and autonomous university in Nigeria modelled upon the American educational system. It is also the first land grant University in Africa and one of the five elite universities in the country.
The university has 15 facilities, 102 departments, 82 undergraduate and 211 postgraduate programmes. Nsukka campus houses faculty of Agriculture science, Arts, Biological science, Education, Engineering, Pharmaceutical science, Physical sciences, Social science and veterinary medicine.
The formal Nigeria college of Arts, science and technology, Enugu was incorporated into the university in 1961 and it's building form the Enugu campus. The faculties of Business administration, Environmental studies, law and Medical sciences are located at this campus. Ituku-ozaka houses UNTH, faculty of dentistry and health sciences and technology. The fifth campus was opened in October 1973 in Calabar, cross rivers state. However, the campus at Calabar became full fledged University of Calabar in October 1977.

Vision Of UNN

To create a functional, globally competitive and research focused university which is not just an ivory tower, but responsive to the needs of the society, while delivery world class education and knowledge.

Mission Of UNN

Place UNN in the forefront of research and development, innovation knowledge, transfer and human resource development in the global academic terrain, while promoting core values which will ensure the restoration of the dignity if man.

Pharmacy In UNN

The faculty of pharmaceutical sciences started as a department in the faculty of sciences in 1967. The department dis not function from 1967 to 1970 due to the Nigerian civil war. It later became part of the faculty of Biological sciences. It's first set of graduates from the profession numbering 14 in the year 1974. It has produced more than 4000 B.Pharm graduates and 30 B.SC (combined pharmacology/Biochemistry) graduates.
The department was raised to The state of a faculty named faculty of pharmaceutical science in 1980 with professor P. Iwe Akubue as the pioneer dean. The degree became declassified from 1988/1989 session. The first set of students to graduate from UNN with a declassified pharmacy degree was in 1991/1992 academic year numbering 84 in total. The centre for drug research and production (C.D.R.P) was inaugurated in the faculty in march 1987.

Mode of Entry

There are two mode of Entry in UNN. They are:
1. Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (J.A.M.B) Unitary Tertiary Matriculation Examination(U.T.M.E)
2. Direct Entry

JAMB UTME

The university of Nigeria, UNN require candidates seeking admission into pharmacy to make at least five O'Level credit in English language, Physics, Mathematics, Biology and, Chemistry which must not be more than one sitting. Also, candidate is expected to score above 200 in JAMB UTME. UNN does not accept candidates who take them as second choice university in JAMB. Also, the university has states it consider their candidate more. Below is the list of their catchment area. So students from other states will have zero or low chance of getting admission.
UNN catchment areas
1. Abia state
2. Anambra state
3. Bayelsa state
4. Cross river state
5. Delta state
6. Ebony state
7. Edo state
8. Rivers state
9. Educated less developed states
Students who meet the above criteria can proceed to buy UNN post UTME form which sells for N2000. The post UTME is quiet unique and different from from the norms common in other universities. It is more in speed and accuracy. The screening exercise is based on JAMB UTME computer based test method. The questions are multiple choice of 4 options. 15 questions each from four subjects written in JAMB. This total 60 questions to be answered in 40 minutes. However, rumour have it that they want to revert to 60 minutes.
The number of candidates who seek to gain admission to UNN through JAMB and choose them as first choice of study is about 4432. However, about 2 candidates choose them as second choice of study last year. They also have temporary accommodation for all post UTME candidates.

Direct Entry

The University of Nigeria accepts candidates with pass in chemistry and physics plus biology or Botany or Zoo at the higher school certificate (Principle level) with five credit in the the above mentioned O'Level science subjects. The passes at the advanced level should have been obtained in not more than two sitting. The faculty also admits degree holders from related disciplines with second class upper in a 5 scale system provided they meets the other JAMB requirements.
UNN accepts advance level result but not from Interim Joint Admission Board (IJMB). They accept Joint University preliminary Examination Board (JUPEB). Fortunately, they have the JUPEB programme and these programmes guarantee admission into year two.
The UNN JUPEB entrance form goes for N20000 which is done online. The process must be completed within a space of two weeks if the process is to be valid. Candidates wait for information on the schedule for entrance examination date. In the day of the entrance examination, candidate must be present with application print out, evidence of payment of N20000, two passport photograph including photocopies and originals of other credentials. The entrance examination is like an oral interview and for documentation purpose.
The programme run through a period of 11 months. The programme consist of two semester with each semester coming to an end with an examination. The first examination is the mock examination which carries 30% of the total score while the final examination carries 70% of the total score.
The acceptance fee is a whopping N10000. The candidate is expected to pay N170000 as school fees. Textbooks and other expenses fall with the range of N15000. Fortunately, UNN is among schools that accept installment payment. However, the first payment must be above N140000. No student will be allowed to write even the mock examination without completion of the school fees. Each examination day consist of two subjects. The examination is made of theory and practical and last a period of 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours.
An optional fee is N40000 for those who seek accommodation in school hostel.
All direct entry applicants are to go to JAMB nearest office and obtain the direct entry (D.E) scratch card. The JAMB DE form is filled online. The photocopy of the printout and other relevant credentials must be submitted to JAMB office.
It does not end there as the candidates is expected to buy UNN direct entry form. The form goes for N2000 and the application is done online. There is a screening exercise for them as it span across several subjects including politics and current affairs. Adopting CBT method, candidates answers about 60 questions in 40 minutes. The questions are more on same subjects in JAMB but in more advanced form. Also, dressing matters.

Undergraduate Pharmacy in UNN

The first thing admitted students pay is acceptance. UNN acceptance fee is about N25000. Here is a break down of School fees for new and returning students.
Year One: N64450
Year Two: N45750
Year three: N40650
Year four: N40650
Year five: N40200
Accommodation in UNN
The university has limited space for students and accommodation allocation is based on first come first serve basis. There are 5846 bed spaces to accommodate 15000. However, year one and final year are given more priority with year one taking about 40% of allocation and final year takes about 25%. Students with special needs such as nursing mothers and others take the rest. However, nursing mothers are required to notify the authorities early on time. Accommodation is granted to students who have paid their school fees and register their courses online. Also, students who got allocation must process it by paying the hostel fee within three days or forfeit it to other bidders. The hostel fee is N12000 for male hostels and N15000 for female hostels.
It is sad to note that UNN have just three hostels for male students. This is the main reason many male students go outside campuses. The rest belong to female hostels.
Male hostels
1. Mbanefo hostel
2. Alvan Ikoku hostel
3. Ebi Njioku hostel
Female hostels
1. Akintola hostel
2. Akpabio hostel
3. Nkrumah hostel
4. Franco hostel
5. Odili hostel
6. Okpara hostel

Off Campus Hostel

There are various kinds of hostel depending on several factors. Single rooms close to the school can go for about N35000 to N65000. Some can even be as low as N25000. In these accommodation, one has to share basic amenities with neighbours.
Bed sitters are a little bit expensive as you will see some going from N80000. But such are usually far from the school. Bed sitters closer to the campus will be about N160000.
One major issue with both school hostel and off Campus accommodation is water. Students buy water. 25 litres gallon is sold for N30.

Post Graduate Studies In Pharmacy

Requirements for postgraduate diploma a degree from the university or is an upper credit level pass from a recognise university in related area of studies. M.pharm requires a second class honours or its equivalent such as postgraduate degree with at least a credit level pass. PhD requires M.pharm or M.Sc who have obtain equivalent degree with at least grade point average of 4.0 on a five point scale (65%). Candidates considered deficient in any of the relevant core courses shall be required to register and pass such courses before proceeding with the PhD research. All these together with relevant documents and credentials of O'Level result JAMB admission letter, First degree transcript, etc.
The postgraduate form is sold online for N25000. UNN organised entrance examination for applicants. Applicants summary printout form with a passport is required to seat for the examination. The applicant number on the form is the username use for login on the day of the entrance examination as it is CBT based. All questions are multiple choice and are GMAT questions (quantitative, verbal and integrated reasoning).
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Acceptance fee is N25000. School fees for each Postgraduate programme is different as fresh postgraduate diploma pays N100400, masters pays N954000, PhD pays N954000. Returning posts graduate diploma pays N80000.

Hostel Accommodation

The university has one post graduate hostel known as odili postgraduate hall. It is structured, strongly built to accommodate hundreds of postgraduate students. Each room holds three students at a time with the transit rooms as exception unlike undergraduate hostel that can hold up to 8 students at a time. It has 400 series where female students live in the 100, 200 and 300 series (2nd and 3rd floor of the postgraduate hall). Male students are scattered in 400 and 100 series and the basement of the postgraduate hall. Hostel allocation for Postgraduate students is open to all students except those who have exceeded their grace period. (2 Years maximum for Masters and 5 years maximum for PHD programme)
Motto of UNN: To restore the dignity of man
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