Etta Agbor Road, Calabar
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.
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.
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:
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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;
The University is situated in a secure place with constant surveillance.
Staffs and students are the most common faces around.
UNICAL is open to inquiries, study, and exploration during office hours on weekdays.
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.
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.
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Etta Agbor Road, Calabar
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