The University of Calabar (UNICAL) is a federal university located in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. The university was established in 1975 by the Federal Government of Nigeria as part of the country’s efforts to expand access to higher education and promote academic excellence.

UNICAL was originally a campus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, before it became an independent university in 1975. Since its establishment, the university has grown into one of Nigeria’s prominent higher institutions, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in diverse fields such as sciences, social sciences, humanities, education, engineering, medicine, and management sciences.

The university is known for its strong research culture, academic programmes, and contributions to national development.

Location

University of Calabar
Calabar
Cross River State
Nigeria

Faculties / Colleges / Schools

The University of Calabar operates several faculties and academic units including:

• Faculty of Agriculture

• Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences

• Faculty of Arts

• Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences

• Faculty of Biological Sciences

• Faculty of Education

• Faculty of Engineering and Technology

• Faculty of Environmental Sciences

• Faculty of Law

• Faculty of Management Sciences

• Faculty of Pharmacy

• Faculty of Physical Sciences

• Faculty of Social Sciences

• Faculty of Dentistry

• Faculty of Clinical Sciences

List of Courses Offered by University of Calabar (UNICAL)

Some of the major undergraduate programmes offered at UNICAL include:

• Accounting

• Adult Education

• Agricultural Economics

• Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology

• Animal Science

• Architecture

• Banking and Finance

• Biochemistry

• Botany

• Business Management

• Chemistry

• Computer Science

• Dentistry

• Economics

• Education and Biology

• Education and Chemistry

• Education and English

• Electrical and Electronics Engineering

• English and Literary Studies

• Environmental Protection and Resources Management

• Geography and Environmental Science

• Geology

• Guidance and Counselling

• History and International Studies

• Human Anatomy

• Human Physiology

• Law

• Library and Information Science

• Linguistics and Communication Studies

• Mathematics

• Mechanical Engineering

• Medicine and Surgery

• Microbiology

• Nursing Science

• Pharmacy

• Physics

• Political Science

• Public Administration

• Sociology

• Statistics

• Theatre Arts

• Zoology

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate Admission

• Candidates must sit for the UTME conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

• Applicants must obtain at least five O’Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics, in relevant subjects.

• Candidates must choose the University of Calabar as their preferred institution during UTME registration.

• Applicants must participate in the UNICAL Post-UTME screening exercise conducted by the university.

Admissions portal
https://www.unical.edu.ng/admissions.php

Direct Entry Admission

Candidates with advanced qualifications such as ND, HND, NCE, IJMB, or equivalent may apply through the JAMB Direct Entry admission process into appropriate levels of undergraduate programmes.

Postgraduate Admission

The University of Calabar offers postgraduate programmes including Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), Master’s degrees (MSc), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) across many faculties and departments.

Cut-off Mark

The last known minimum JAMB cut-off mark is around 160 for eligibility to participate in the UNICAL admission screening exercise. Competitive programmes such as Medicine, Law, and Pharmacy may require higher scores.

Please check School Website or Latest News Below for updated info.

Hostel / Accommodation

The university provides on-campus hostel accommodation for students.

The last known hostel accommodation fees range between ₦35,000 – ₦60,000 per session depending on hostel type and availability. Hostel allocation is usually completed through the student portal after payment of the required fees.

Please check School Website or Latest News Below for updated info.

Notice Board

UNICAL Declares Degree Certificate Collection Free, Warns Against Illegal Charges

The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has announced that degree certificate collection by former students is free of charge. The university has also warned Faculty Officers, Deans and Institute Directors against imposing unauthorised fees on graduates seeking to collect their certificates.

In a memo dated 4 October 2026, the Directorate of SERVICOM said it had received complaints from former students, particularly prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, over alleged certificate collection charges ranging from ₦16,000 to ₦45,000.

The Director of SERVICOM, Prof. Bassey Oben, described the alleged charges as illegal and unacceptable, reiterating that certificate collection at UNICAL is free. The memo further warned Deans and Directors that they would be held personally responsible for any unauthorised charges imposed on graduates.

SERVICOM also announced plans to publish the amounts allegedly being collected by faculties and institutes under the guise of certificate collection. The university reiterated that certificate collection should not attract any fee and advised graduates to report any unauthorised charges through the appropriate channels.

Notable Alumni

Some notable alumni of the University of Calabar include:

• Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu – Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources

• Joke Silva – Nigerian actress and theatre director

• Kate Henshaw – Nigerian actress and politician

• Uti Nwachukwu – Nigerian actor and media personality

• Donald Duke – Former Governor of Cross River State

Official Website/Login Portal Links

Official Website
https://www.unical.edu.ng/

Admissions Portal
https://www.unical.edu.ng/admissions.php

Post-UTME Portal
https://myunical.edu.ng/post-utme/

Online Learning Portal
https://unicalonline.edu.ng/

Contact Information

University of Calabar
Calabar
Cross River State
Nigeria

Phone: +234-803-123-4567 (last known)

Email: info@unical.edu.ng (last known)

Please check School Website or Latest News Below for updated info.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where is the University of Calabar located?

The university is located in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.

When was UNICAL established?

The University of Calabar was established in 1975.

What courses are offered at UNICAL?

UNICAL offers programmes in agriculture, engineering, sciences, law, management sciences, humanities, social sciences, medicine, and education.

Does UNICAL conduct Post-UTME screening?

Yes. Candidates seeking admission must participate in the UNICAL Post-UTME screening exercise.

What is the cut-off mark for UNICAL?

The last known minimum JAMB cut-off mark is around 160. Please check School Website or Latest News Below for updated info.