University of Calabar, Cross River.

About UNICAL

The University of Calabar, fondly called ‘UNICAL’ by students and staffs was established in 1975 by the Federal Military Government of Nigeria. It was Initially a Calabar campus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, but ceased to be a campus after its pronouncement as a Federal University. UNICAL is one of Nigeria’s second generation federal universities and currently has a Graduate school, ten Faculties, and three Institutes.

Academic programmes of the University are aimed at laying a sound and a broad undergraduate foundation upon which further intellectual and professional pursuits can be based at the Graduate school level. Hence, the University offers accredited programmes or courses leading to officially recognized degrees such as bachelors, masters and postgraduate degrees in several disciplines.

Built to fulfill its motto ‘Knowledge for Service’, placing a great premium on learning and character; UNICAL is currently ranked as the 48th best University in Nigeria.  

University of Calabar Faculties and Courses Offered

The University has over 10 faculties, including a College of Medicine which offers a wide range of relevant departmental courses for students at all levels. Here’s a list of the faculties and courses offered:

Faculty of Arts

• English and Literary Studies

• History and International Studies

• Philosophy

• Mass Communication

• Modern Languages and Translation Studies, e.t.c.

Faculty of Agriculture

The faculty runs a five-year programme in the following departments:

• Forestry and Fisheries

• Agricultural Economics and Extension

• Animal Science

• Crop Science...

Faculty of Biology Sciences

• Biochemistry

• Botany

• Genetics and Biotechnology

• Microbiology

• Zoology

Faculty of Physical Sciences

• Pure and Applied Chemistry

• Geology/ Applied Geophysics

• Computer Science

• Physics

• Mathematics/Statistics

Faculty of Management Sciences

• Accounting

• Banking/Finance

• Business Management and Marketing

Faculty of Law

• Private Law

• Public and International Law

Faculty of Social Sciences

• Business Management

• Economics

• Political Science

• Sociology, e.t.c

Faculty of Oceanography

Research areas here include:

• Physical Oceanography

• Chemical Oceanography, e.t.c

College of Medicine; this includes the faculties of Allied and Basic Medical Sciences

Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences

• Medical Lab Science

• Nursing Science

• Physiotherapy

• Public Health, e.t.c

Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences

• Medical Biochemistry

• Anatomy

• Pharmacology, and

• Physiology

The faculties of Education and Engineering also offer specialized courses.

University of Calabar Admission Requirements

UNICAL offers programmes for pre-bachelor, bachelor, masters and doctorate degrees. Admission requirements into any of these programmes may differ, based on your preferred course or faculty. Nevertheless, we’ve compiled useful details on how to go about your admission, find them below:

University of Calabar Admission Requirements For Undergraduates

Pre-degree/ 100 level students:

• As a prospective candidate, you must have credit passes in at least five (5) SSCE/NECO/ O’level subjects including English, Mathematics and three other relevant subjects at no more than two sittings.

• You are also required to register, sit for and attain the prescribed JAMB cut-off mark for your preferred course. Then you can be eligible to write the entrance examination (Post-UTME).

200 level (Direct entry-level students):

• In addition to having the above requirements, you may also be required to;

• Have a National Diploma, which should come from a recognized institution in Nigeria. Applicants may also be required to have a Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) in a subject(s) related to the proposed field of study with a minimum of one unit and two (2) passes.

University of Calabar Admission Requirements For Postgraduate Diploma (PGD)

• Are you a prospective student vying to gain admission into this level? Then you must be a graduate of the University or an Institution recognized by the school with at least a third class degree or a minimum upper credit in the Higher National Diploma (HND).

University of Calabar Admission Requirements For Master’s Degree

• Candidates must have a first degree in the preferred course of study a relevant discipline with an FCGPA of not less than 3.0 from UNICAL or a recognized university.

University of Calabar Admission Requirements For Ph.D.

• Prospective applicants must have a master’s degree in the preferred course with an FCGPA not less than 3.50 on a 5 point scale or an average of 60% from the University or one recognized by the school.

More information about specific admission requirements can be found on the school’s website on the admission option and then choose your preferred programme. The website can be found at unical.edu.ng.

University of Calabar Facilities

The facilities at the University are available for both students and staffs. They include lecture halls, staff quarters, student halls of residence, an extensive library, sports facilities, relaxation centers, faculty buildings and administrative blocks, science laboratories, and many more.

Things To Know About UNICAL

Interestingly, in the University, male students are called ‘Malabites’, while the females are called ‘Malabresses’. The male hostel is called ‘Malabo’ and the name originated as a result of the challenges faced by students at a time which coincided with the suffering by Nigerian deportees in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

Other fun things to note include;

Safety

The University is situated in a secure place with constant surveillance.

Most Common Visitors

Staffs and students are the most common faces around.

When To Visit

UNICAL is open to inquiries, study, and exploration during office hours on weekdays.

Notable Alumni

Amongst the alumni of the University of Calabar are:

• Grace Folashade Bent, politician

• Biko Agozino, criminologist

• Godswill Akpabio, former governor of Akwa Ibom state

• Alex Ekubo, actor

• Owens Wiwa, human rights activist

• Stephanie Okereke, actress

• Ini Edo, actor

• Reuben Abati, lawyer/writer

• Iyanya, singer/songwriter

And a host of other prominent Nigerians.

Best Features

The University of Calabar is situated in the southern part of the country, a region known for its rich cultural heritage and beauty. The University hosts quite a number of events yearly and has been one sure spot for tourists craving to have a feel of the region.