University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC): Courses, Fees, Admission & Accreditation 2026

If you are considering a government university in Benin Republic, the University of Abomey-Calavi (Université d'Abomey-Calavi, or UAC) is the country's oldest, largest and most widely known public university.

Located in Abomey-Calavi, on the outskirts of Cotonou, UAC offers programmes across nearly every field: law, medicine, science, engineering, humanities, economics, agriculture and more. It is the widest and most internationally connected of Benin's four national public universities.

UAC was founded in 1970 as the Université du Dahomey, renamed Université Nationale du Bénin in 1975, and given its current name in 2001. In October 2024, France's Haut Conseil de l'évaluation de la recherche et de l'enseignement supérieur (Hcéres) formally accredited UAC after a review that began in October 2023 (Hcéres decision EI-2024-55).

This guide explains what prospective students, especially Nigerians and other international students, should know about UAC's courses, admission, fees, language and recognition before enrolling.

• Official name: Université d'Abomey-Calavi (UAC)

• Type: public / government university, Benin's flagship national university

• Main location: Abomey-Calavi, Atlantique Department, near Cotonou, with establishments in Cotonou, Porto-Novo, Ouidah and other locations

• Academic system: Licence–Master–Doctorat (LMD)

• Main academic environment: Francophone

• International students: accepted; Nigerians apply as foreign applicants

• Official website: uac.bj

Benin's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research lists UAC among the country's four public universities, alongside the University of Parakou, UNSTIM and UNA. See the Ministry's UAC page.

Yes. UAC is Benin's oldest and largest public university, governed directly under Beninese state authority and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Its status in Benin should, however, be kept separate from questions about recognition of a particular qualification in another country.

UAC has far more establishments than any other Beninese public university. They include, among others:

• Faculté des Sciences de la Santé (FSS), Institut Régional de Santé Publique (IRSP) and Institut National Médico-Sanitaire (INMeS)

• École Polytechnique d'Abomey-Calavi (EPAC) and Institut de Formation et de Recherche en Informatique (IFRI)

• Faculté de Droit et de Science Politique (FADESP)

• Faculté des Sciences Économiques et de Gestion (FASEG) and École Nationale d'Économie Appliquée et de Management (ENEAM)

• Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques (FSA)

• Faculté des Sciences Techniques (FAST) and Institut de Mathématiques et de Sciences Physiques (IMSP)

• Faculté des Lettres, Langues, Arts et Communications (FLLAC), FLASH-Adjarra, Faculté des Sciences Humaines et Sociales (FASHS) and INMAAC

• École Nationale des Sciences et Techniques de l'Information et de la Communication (ENSTIC)

• École Nationale d'Administration (ENA)

• Haute École Régionale de Commerce International (HERCI), École du Patrimoine Africain (EPA), Institut National de l'Eau (INE) and others

This breadth is what distinguishes UAC from Benin's other three national universities, which are either multidisciplinary but smaller (University of Parakou) or thematic (UNSTIM, UNA).

UAC offers hundreds of programmes. The main study areas are:

• Medicine and health sciences: medicine, pharmacy, nursing, midwifery, nutrition and public health, through FSS, IRSP, INMeS and other establishments.

• Engineering and applied sciences: EPAC covers civil, electrical, mechanical, computer, telecom, chemical and biomedical engineering and food technology. IMSP and FAST cover mathematics, physics, chemistry and life sciences.

• Law and political science: FADESP, one of UAC's largest faculties.

• Economics and management: FASEG and ENEAM cover economics, management, finance, accounting, marketing, human resources and statistics.

• Agriculture: FSA covers plant and animal production, forestry, rural engineering and agricultural economics.

• Humanities, arts, languages and communication: geography, languages, literature, history, sociology, psychology, philosophy, arts, journalism and communication.

• Information technology: IFRI covers software engineering, multimedia, artificial intelligence, embedded systems and information security.

• Public administration: ENA trains public administrators and finance officers.

Programme availability can change between academic sessions, so check the exact programme in UAC's official programme list. If you are looking at Medicine or Nursing, also check the professional requirements in the country where you plan to practise.

UAC takes part in Benin's national admissions process for public universities. For new baccalaureate holders, the government's 2026–2027 orientation points applicants to Après Mon Bac. The process also covers former students, existing degree holders and foreign students. UAC's official study portal has a dedicated path for foreign students: uac.bj/etudes-uac.

A typical application involves:

1. Creating an applicant account.

2. Completing personal and academic information.

3. Selecting the establishment and programme.

4. Uploading the required documents.

5. Submitting the application.

6. Review by the establishment: ranking (classement) for most programmes, and an entrance competition (concours) for a smaller number, such as journalism and audiovisual at ENSTIC and public administration tracks.

7. Consulting the admission or ranking result.

8. Receiving updates through the applicant portal and email.

Admission requirements vary by programme, qualification and applicant status. Read our general guides: how to apply to a university in Benin Republic and the admission requirements guide.

Depending on the applicant and programme, documents may include a birth certificate, a certificate of nationality, a national identity card or other identification, your previous diploma, academic transcripts, a curriculum vitae and supporting academic documents for the level you want. Foreign applicants can face additional requirements. Not every applicant submits exactly the same documents, so check the current requirements for your programme and applicant category.

Nigerian students can apply to UAC as foreign applicants. The current process may require evidence relating to the authenticity of qualifications obtained outside Benin, and immigration or residence documents where applicable. Do not assume the process for a Beninese applicant is identical to yours.

Benin uses the Baccalauréat system, while Nigeria uses qualifications such as WAEC and NECO. The key issue is not simply having WAEC or NECO. Your qualification must satisfy the admission, equivalence or authentication requirements for the programme and level you are applying for. Have your documents and intended programme checked before making major financial commitments.

UAC is an official public university listed by Benin's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. In October 2024 it was also accredited by France's Hcéres. Even so, "accredited" does not answer every recognition question. Separate issues include whether your exact programme is authorised, whether the qualification will be recognised in another country, and whether a professional regulator will accept it. For the verification framework, see our guide to accredited universities in Benin Republic.

UAC's status as a public university in Benin is verifiable through the Ministry of Higher Education and Hcéres. Nigeria's treatment of foreign qualifications is a separate matter: since January 2024, Nigeria has suspended the accreditation of Benin and Togo degree certificates, which currently affects NYSC mobilisation. Do not determine NYSC eligibility from a university's name, size or public status. Read our full explanation of NYSC and Nigerian recognition rules for Benin Republic degrees.

There is no responsible way to publish one permanent figure as "UAC school fees" for every student. UAC has more establishments, programmes, levels and student categories than any other Beninese public university, and professional or postgraduate programmes may cost differently.

Fee notice: university fees can change from one academic session to another. Do not pay based on an old online fee list. Contact the Beninfo247 Care Line on WhatsApp for the latest verified UAC tuition, registration and programme fees before paying. This matters most for Nigerian and other international students, because charges can differ by programme and status. For wider cost planning, see our tuition fees and accommodation guide.

UAC operates an online payment system for applicable charges. Follow the university's official payment instructions, and be cautious about sending tuition to anyone who offers to "process everything" without official documentation.

UAC operates in Benin's Francophone higher-education system. Do not assume that studying in Benin means your programme will be taught in English. Before accepting admission, confirm the teaching language, the examination language, whether French proficiency is required, and whether language support is available. For an English-speaking Nigerian student, language can affect results as much as tuition or admission requirements.

UAC's main campus is in Abomey-Calavi, directly next to Cotonou, Benin's economic capital, with establishments in Cotonou, Porto-Novo, Ouidah and elsewhere. That closeness to Cotonou and the main international airport is a practical advantage over the University of Parakou (north), UNSTIM (Abomey and Natitingou) and UNA (seat in Porto-Novo).

Your real budget goes beyond tuition: accommodation, food, transport, internet and data, academic materials, documentation, residence or immigration requirements where applicable, healthcare, and travel between Nigeria and Benin. Abomey-Calavi and greater Cotonou form Benin's largest and most expensive urban area, so plan for that rather than assuming costs like Parakou or Sakété.

In September 2026, the Ministry of Higher Education announced the return of university transport serving routes for the four public universities, with a 200 CFA student ticket. Routes and ticketing can change, so check current information before relying on it. See the official announcement.

UAC is not automatically "better" than the others. It is different mainly in scale and breadth. UAC is large and multidisciplinary. The University of Parakou is multidisciplinary but smaller and based in the north. UNSTIM is thematic, focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. UNA is thematic, focused on agriculture. Compare programme availability, admission requirements, language, current fees, location, professional recognition and what you plan to do with the qualification.

UAC is Benin's most established public university and it accepts foreign applicants, which is a strong starting point. Before paying tuition, confirm at least four things:

1. The exact programme is currently offered.

2. Your Nigerian qualification is acceptable for admission.

3. You understand the language of instruction.

4. You have checked the current Nigerian recognition, NYSC and professional requirements for your intended career.

If you want English-first delivery, guided admission and flexible payment, compare UAC with the private options in our top 10 universities in Cotonou.

Is UAC a private university? No. UAC is a public, government university, the country's oldest and largest.

Where is UAC located? The main campus is in Abomey-Calavi, near Cotonou, with additional establishments in Cotonou, Porto-Novo, Ouidah and elsewhere.

Can Nigerians study at UAC? Yes. UAC's admissions system accommodates foreign students, which includes Nigerians, subject to the applicable requirements.

Does UAC offer medicine? Yes. UAC has a Faculté des Sciences de la Santé (FSS), plus health institutes such as IRSP and INMeS.

Does UAC offer engineering? Yes. EPAC covers civil, electrical, mechanical, computer, chemical and biomedical engineering, among others.

Does UAC offer law? Yes, through the Faculté de Droit et de Science Politique (FADESP).

Is UAC English-speaking? Do not assume so. UAC operates in Benin's Francophone system. Confirm the language for your exact programme.

How much is UAC school fees? Fees depend on the establishment, programme, level and student status and can change between sessions. Contact the Beninfo247 Care Line on WhatsApp for the current fee before paying.

Is UAC accredited in Benin? Yes. It is officially listed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and was accredited by France's Hcéres in October 2024.

Can a UAC graduate go for NYSC? NYSC mobilisation for Benin and Togo graduates is currently suspended by Nigeria. Read our NYSC guide for the current position.

Choosing a foreign university should involve more than asking "How much is the school fees?" Before you pay, verify whether your qualification gives you admission, the current tuition and other charges, whether your programme is available and at which establishment, the language of instruction, the documents required for international students, and the current recognition implications for your intended career. Contact the Beninfo247 Care Line on WhatsApp for current UAC admission and tuition information.

Last reviewed by Beninfo247: October 2026.

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Compare other public universities: University of Parakou, UNSTIM and UNA, or see our top government and public universities in Benin Republic comparison. For private options, see the top 10 private universities in Cotonou.