Community Health is one of the medical and clinical sciences that focuses on the physical and mental well-being of a population of people in a specific geographic region.
In Nigeria, some universities do offer community health as part of the courses that make up its medical and clinical sciences. Prospective students seeking admission to study this course usually ask about which universities offer B.Sc. in community health. This article has been written to answer this question clearly.
Which Universities Offer BSc in Community Health in Nigeria?
Only a few universities in Nigeria offer BSc in Community Health. These universities are:
Madonna University
Madonna University is a private Christian university established in 1999 and has three campuses located in Elele – Rivers State, Okija – Anambra State and Akpugo – Enugu State. It is a private, catholic-affiliated Christian university in Nigeria.
Madonna University provides academic programs at different levels cutting across Engineering, Sciences, Arts, Medicine and Law. The university is one of the few private universities in Nigeria offering community health programs.
Novena University
Novena University is the first private university in Delta State. The university was founded in 2005 and is located in Ogume, Delta State, Nigeria. The university offers bachelor’s degree (BSc) in Public and Community Health.
The Department of Public and Community Health is under the university’s College of Medical and Health Sciences. The duration of study for Public and Community Health in the school is 4 years.
University of Uyo
The University of Uyo is a federal government-owned university founded in 1991 and located in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State. The university is among the few universities in Nigeria that offers BSc in Community Health. The Department of Community Health is domiciled under the Faculty of Clinical Sciences in the university. The course’s duration of study at the University of Uyo is 4 years.
Niger Delta University
The Niger Delta University (NDU) is a state government-owned and operated university in Nigeria. The university is located at Wilberforce Island, Yenogoa, Bayelsa State. Niger Delta University is officially accredited and/or recognized by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to offer a wide range of courses. Among the Bachelor of Science (BSc) courses offered by NDU is Community Health Nursing whose study duration is 4 years.
Benue State University
Benue State University is a state-owned university located in Makurdi, Benue State and established in 1992. The university is among the few universities that offer Bachelor of Science degree in Edip & Community Health. The Department of Edip. & Community Health is domiciled under the Faculty of Clinical Sciences of the university. The course duration of study is 4 years.
Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH)
Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH) is a federal university located in Yola, Adamawa State and founded in 1981. The university is one of the few federal universities in Nigeria that offer a Bachelor of Science degree (BSc) in Community Health. The course duration is 4 years.
The general O’level requirements to study this course in these schools is that prospective students/candidates must possess a minimum of 5 credit passes in the following subjects: English Language, Mathematics, and three other relevant subjects with majors being Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in not more than two sittings.
JAMB subjects combination for aspiring Community Health students include: English language, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. The cut-off mark to study Community Health in these Nigerian universities is 200. However, prospective students are advised to score above 200 to stand good chances of admission.
For admission to 200 level (i.e. direct entry), candidates should – in addition to 5 credit passes in relevant SSCE subjects – obtain a minimum of two (2) A’ level (or its equivalent) passes in relevant subjects, or possess credit passes in NCE, OND or ATS, or possess a good first degree in another field as the case may apply.
Credit passes in both English Language and Mathematics are compulsory for admission into any course in the University.
Conclusion
Community Health is one of the lesser-known health-related courses studied in Nigeria. This course is usually not offered as a stand-alone course; it is merged with another related course in the universities where it’s offered. Only a few universities in the country offer a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Community Health and its affiliated courses.
The few universities that offer BSc in the course are Madonna University, University of Uyo, Novena University, Benue State University, Niger Delta University, and Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH).