Delta State University of Science and Technology (DSUST) Ozoro School Fees for All Courses Offered
Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, widely known by its acronym DSUST, is a state-owned institution located in Ozoro, Delta State, Nigeria. The institution has a layered history, having evolved from Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro into a full-fledged university dedicated to science, technology, and applied studies. Prospective and returning students frequently search for detailed school fees information to plan their finances ahead of registration.
Important Update on the Institution’s Name
Before going into the fee breakdown, it is important for prospective applicants to note a significant development. Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, was officially renamed Southern Delta University (SDU) following an Act of the Delta State House of Assembly signed on 23 February 2021. Although many students, blogs, and even search results still refer to the institution as DSUST out of familiarity, all official admission, screening, and fee matters are now processed under the Southern Delta University name and portal. Applicants should use the official SDU student portal for the most accurate and current figures, since fee schedules are reviewed regularly and vary by session.
Overview of DSUST/SDU School Fees Structure
Like most state-owned tertiary institutions in Nigeria, DSUST/SDU operates a two-tier fee structure based on residency status:
Delta State Indigenes pay a lower tuition rate, since the institution is funded by the Delta State Government.
Non-Indigenes (students from outside Delta State) pay a comparatively higher tuition rate.
Fees also vary depending on the faculty or programme of study, the level of study (100 Level, 200 Level, and so on), and whether a student is a fresh admission or a returning student. Science-based, engineering, and medical-related courses generally attract higher fees than arts and social science courses because of the cost of laboratory equipment, practicals, and specialized instruction.
Acceptance Fee
Upon receiving an admission offer, every fresh student is required to pay an acceptance fee before proceeding to pay tuition. This fee formally confirms that the candidate has accepted the offer of admission. For the 2026/2027 academic session, the acceptance fee for the university (under its current Southern Delta University structure) stands at approximately ₦70,000 for Delta State indigenes and ₦80,000 for non-indigenes. This fee is separate from, and paid before, the main tuition fee.
General Tuition Fee Estimates by Faculty
While a fully confirmed faculty-by-faculty breakdown for every course changes from session to session, the following gives prospective students a reasonable guide based on recent fee patterns at the institution:
Faculty of Engineering (covering specializations such as Civil and Water Resources Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Marine Engineering, Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering, and Natural Gas Engineering): tuition for 100 Level has been reported at around ₦242,000 for the session, making it one of the higher-cost faculties due to laboratory and workshop requirements.
Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences and other medical-related programmes: this faculty tends to attract the highest fees within the university because of the specialized equipment, clinical exposure, and accreditation standards required for medical-related training.
Faculty of Computing: courses such as Computer Science, Cyber Security, and Information Technology typically fall in the mid-to-upper fee range due to the technical and laboratory-based nature of the curriculum.
Faculty of Agriculture: agricultural science-based programmes generally carry moderate fees, reflecting field and laboratory practical requirements.
Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Law: as newer additions to the university’s academic offerings, these faculties typically have fees on the lower end compared to science, engineering, and medical programmes, consistent with the general pattern across Nigerian universities where arts-based courses cost less than technical and laboratory-based courses.
Faculty of Management and Social Sciences: programmes such as Business Administration, Accounting, and Economics usually fall within the moderate fee bracket, similar to other social science offerings across Nigerian state universities.
Indigenes of Delta State pay significantly less across all these faculties compared to non-indigenes, and the difference can range from tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand naira depending on the specific programme.
Other Compulsory Charges
Beyond the core tuition fee, students are typically required to pay additional levies each session. These commonly include:
Library fee
ICT/technology fee
Medical/health services fee
Sports and recreation fee
Departmental/laboratory fee (for science, engineering, and technical courses)
Identity card fee
Development levy
These charges are usually bundled alongside tuition on the student portal, so students should review their full invoice rather than assume tuition is the only cost.
HND to B.Sc Conversion Programme Fees
For candidates holding a Higher National Diploma (HND) who wish to convert to a Bachelor of Science degree, the university runs a dedicated conversion programme. The application fee for this programme has been set at ₦30,000, with the programme available across faculties including Engineering, Computing, and Agriculture. This is a regular, full-time programme typically completed within two years.
Weekend Degree Programme Fees
For working-class students or those who cannot attend regular weekday classes, the university also runs Weekend Degree Programmes. The undergraduate application fee for this track has been set at ₦10,000, while the Direct Entry application fee is ₦15,000. These programmes are available in select faculties, including Business, Computing, and Agriculture.
No School Fees, No Examination Policy
DSUST/SDU strictly enforces a “No School Fees, No Examination” policy. This means students are required to clear their full tuition and other compulsory charges before they are permitted to sit for semester examinations. The university has, in recent sessions, set up dedicated task force committees to verify fee compliance at examination venues, and students with outstanding balances risk being barred from writing their exams. Students are also generally required to maintain a minimum attendance threshold, often cited around 70 percent, to qualify for semester examinations.
Payment Method
Payment of school fees is done exclusively online through the official university portal. Students log in, generate an invoice specific to their faculty and level, and pay through the designated payment channels, typically including Remita. The institution does not generally offer installment payment plans, so students and sponsors are advised to budget for the full amount ahead of each semester or session.
Support Options for Students
For students who may need financial assistance to cover school fees, a few support options exist:
Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND): a federal student loan programme available to students in NUC-accredited institutions, which SDU is. Applicants can check eligibility and apply through the official NELFUND portal.
Delta State Government Bursary: Delta State indigenes studying at accredited institutions may qualify for state bursary support through the Delta State Ministry of Education or the Delta State Scholarship Board.
How to Verify the Exact Fee for Your Course
Because fee schedules are reviewed periodically and can differ by faculty, level, and session, the safest way to confirm the exact amount payable is to:
Log in to the official Southern Delta University (formerly DSUST) student portal.
Navigate to the fees or payment section.
Select your faculty, department, and current level of study.
Review the generated invoice, which reflects your specific tuition and other applicable levies.
Contact the university’s Bursary Department directly for any figure that appears unclear before making payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Delta State University of Science and Technology (DSUST) still the correct name of the institution?
No. The institution was officially renamed Southern Delta University (SDU) following an Act of the Delta State House of Assembly in February 2021, although many people still refer to it by its former name, DSUST, out of habit.
2. How much is the acceptance fee at DSUST/SDU Ozoro?
For the 2026/2027 academic session, the acceptance fee is approximately ₦70,000 for Delta State indigenes and ₦80,000 for non-indigenes, payable after an admission offer is received and before tuition payment.
3. Do Delta State indigenes and non-indigenes pay the same school fees?
No. As a state-owned institution, DSUST/SDU charges indigenes of Delta State a lower tuition rate compared to non-indigenes, and this difference applies across virtually all faculties and programmes.
4. Can students pay DSUST/SDU school fees in installments?
No. The university generally does not offer an installment payment option. Students are expected to pay the full approved tuition and other compulsory fees for the session or semester at once.
5. What happens if a student fails to pay school fees before examinations?
The university enforces a strict “No School Fees, No Examination” policy. Students who have not cleared their tuition and other charges by the stipulated deadline risk being barred from writing their semester examinations, in addition to satisfying a minimum attendance requirement.