Official List of Courses Offered in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) for 2026/2027

Official List of Courses Offered in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU): Are you aspiring to study at the “greatest” university north of the Niger? If you are targeting Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, for the 2026/2027 academic session, you are aiming for one of Nigeria’s most prestigious and historically significant institutions. Known affectionately as the Harvard of the North, ABU is massive. It has one of the largest landmasses and student populations in Africa. But with great size comes great confusion for aspirants. Students often make the mistake of choosing ABU for a course they assume is offered, only to realize too late that it isn’t, or that it goes by a different name.

1. Faculty of Administration

This is one of ABU’s most famous faculties, located at the Kongo Campus (not the main Samaru campus). If you want to wear a suit and tie or manage public funds, this is your home.

• Accounting

• Business Administration

• Insurance & Actuarial Science

• Local Government & Development Studies

• Public Administration

2. Faculty of Engineering

ABU’s engineering faculty is legendary. They offer specialized courses that many other universities (even Federal ones) do not have.

• Agricultural & Bio-Resources Engineering

• Automotive Engineering (Unique to ABU)

• Chemical Engineering

• Civil Engineering

• Computer Engineering

• Electrical Engineering

• Mechanical Engineering

• Mechatronics Engineering

• Metallurgical & Materials Engineering

• Mining Engineering

• Polymer & Textile Engineering

• Water Resources & Environmental Engineering

3. College of Medical Sciences (Health Sciences)

This is the most competitive zone. Admission here is a “battle of the fittest.”

• Medicine & Surgery (MBBS)

• Dental Surgery (BDS)

• Medical Laboratory Science (MLS)

• Nursing Science (B.NSc)

• Human Anatomy

• Human Physiology

• Radiography

4. Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

• Pharmacy (Pharm.D – Doctor of Pharmacy)

5. Faculty of Law

Also located at the Kongo Campus alongside the Administration faculty.

• Civil Law (LL.B)

• Islamic Law (LL.B) (Sharia)

6. Faculty of Arts

For the creatives, historians, and linguists.

• African Languages and Cultures

• Arabic Studies

• Archaeology

• Drama & Performing Arts

• English (Literature & Language)

• French

• History

• Philosophy

7. Faculty of Social Sciences

• Economics

• Mass Communication

• International Studies

• Political Science

• Sociology

8. Faculty of Environmental Design

This faculty deals with the built environment—designing cities, houses, and structures.

• Architecture

• Building

• Fine Arts (Industrial Design)

• Quantity Surveying

• Urban & Regional Planning

• Surveying & Geoinformatics

9. Faculty of Sciences (Life & Physical)

ABU splits “Science” into Life Sciences and Physical Sciences.

• Biochemistry

• Biological Sciences

• Botany

• Chemistry

• Computer Science

• Geology

• Geography

• Mathematics

• Microbiology

• Physics

• Statistics

• Textile Science & Technology

• Zoology

10. Faculty of Education

ABU is one of the biggest trainers of teachers in Nigeria. If you want to study a course combined with “Education” (e.g., Biology Education), this is where you belong.

• Adult Education

• Agricultural Science & Education

• Business Education

• Guidance & Counselling

• Library & Information Science

• Physical & Health Education (Human Kinetics)

• Home Economics

• Plus almost all Science and Arts subjects combined with Education (e.g., Education & Biology, Education & Physics, Education & Geography).

11. Faculty of Agriculture

ABU has a massive landmass dedicated to agricultural research.

• Agriculture (General)

• Fisheries & Aquaculture

• Forestry & Wildlife Management

12. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

• Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

Admission “Cheat Sheet” for 2026/2027

Knowing the courses isn’t enough; you need to know how to get in. ABU is highly competitive. Here is the reality of admission:

1. The “Cut-Off” Reality: While the official JAMB cut-off mark for Federal Universities is often 140 or 150, do not assume this will get you into ABU.

• For Medicine/Law/Pharmacy/Nursing: You typically need a JAMB score of 250+ to be safe.

• For Engineering/Computer Science: Aim for 220+.

• For Sciences/Arts/Education: 180 – 200 is usually the safe zone.

2. O-Level Requirements You need 5 Credits in WAEC/NECO/NABTEB, including English and Mathematics.

• Note: For Law and Arts, a credit in Mathematics is technically required by JAMB, though some specific departmental waivers exist (but don’t risk it—get your Maths credit!).

• Double Sitting: ABU accepts two sittings for most courses, but for top-tier competitive courses (like Medicine), one sitting gives you a massive advantage.

3. The Catchment Area Factor ABU is a Federal University, but it respects “Catchment Areas” (mostly Northern states). If you are from outside the catchment area (e.g., from the South), you need to score significantly higher than the “Merit” cut-off to secure admission.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does ABU offer Software Engineering? No, currently ABU offers Computer Science and Computer Engineering. Software Engineering is usually covered as a module within Computer Science.

Is Mass Communication offered in ABU? Yes! Mass Communication was reintroduced and is fully accredited in the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Does ABU offer Accounting? Yes, it is offered in the Faculty of Administration at the Kongo Campus.