The University of Ibadan (UI) runs one of the largest and most established postgraduate systems in Nigeria through its Postgraduate College. For the 2026/2027 academic session, the college continues to admit candidates into Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), Master’s, Master of Philosophy (M.Phil), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes across its faculties and colleges. This article explains the categories of postgraduate courses UI offers, the general and specific admission requirements attached to each category, and the application process candidates need to follow.
About the University of Ibadan Postgraduate College
The University of Ibadan is Nigeria’s first university, established in 1945, and its Postgraduate College coordinates advanced studies across all the university’s faculties and colleges, including Arts, Science, Social Sciences, Education, Technology, Law, Agriculture and Forestry, Veterinary Medicine, and the College of Medicine. The Postgraduate College does not run departments of its own in the way undergraduate faculties do; instead, it supervises and regulates postgraduate admission, registration, examination, and degree conferment on behalf of the individual teaching departments spread across the university.
UI’s postgraduate offerings span well over a hundred programmes, ranging from conventional academic disciplines such as Economics, Chemistry, and Political Science to specialised and interdisciplinary fields such as Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Biomedical Engineering, Mineral, Petroleum, Energy Economics and Law, Data and Information Science, and Sustainability Studies. This range makes it possible for graduates from almost any first-degree background to find a relevant postgraduate pathway at the institution.
Categories of Postgraduate Programmes Offered at UI
UI’s postgraduate programmes fall into four broad categories, each with a different academic weight, duration, and entry requirement.
| Category | Typical Duration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) | 1–2 years (2–4 semesters) | A taught, non-degree qualification for graduates who want structured academic upgrading in a discipline, or as a bridge into a Master’s programme for candidates without a strong enough first degree classification |
| Master’s Degree (M.A., M.Sc., M.Ed, LL.M, MBA, MPH, and similar) | 1–2 years (3–6 semesters, full-time) | Advanced academic or professional qualification, offered in taught, research, or combined modes depending on the department |
| Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) | About 2 years minimum | A research-intensive qualification that often serves as a stepping stone into the PhD, for candidates who already hold a good first degree or relevant Master’s |
| Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) | Minimum of 3 years (full-time) or about 4 years (part-time) | The highest research degree, requiring an original contribution to knowledge in the chosen field, supervised by faculty within the relevant department |
Each of these categories is domiciled in a specific teaching department, and it is the department’s Faculty Postgraduate Committee that reviews applications and recommends candidates for admission to the Postgraduate College.
General Admission Requirements for All Postgraduate Categories
Before looking at requirements specific to PGD, Master’s, M.Phil, or PhD admission, every applicant to UI’s postgraduate programmes must first satisfy the university’s general ‘O’ Level matriculation requirement. This means a candidate must hold at least five credit passes in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), National Examinations Council (NECO), or an equivalent examination, obtained at not more than two sittings. The five credits must normally include English Language and other subjects relevant to the discipline the candidate intends to study; for science-based disciplines, this typically extends to Mathematics, Chemistry, and Biology or other related science subjects.
In addition to the ‘O’ Level requirement, general conditions that apply across most postgraduate categories include:
- Possession of a first degree (or, where applicable, a relevant Higher National Diploma) from the University of Ibadan or another university/institution recognised by the UI Senate.
- Submission of official academic transcripts from all previously attended institutions.
- Submission of letters of recommendation from academic referees, usually done electronically through the application portal.
- Payment of a non-refundable application/registration fee before the online application form is treated as complete.
- For research-based programmes (Master’s by research, M.Phil, and PhD), submission of a research proposal that outlines the candidate’s intended area of study.
Admission Requirements for Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) Programmes
Postgraduate Diploma admission is generally open to two categories of candidates:
- Graduates who hold a first degree, including candidates with a Third Class classification, who want to strengthen their academic record in a discipline before proceeding to a Master’s programme.
- Holders of a Higher National Diploma (HND), typically at Lower Credit level or better, who want a route into university postgraduate study in a related field.
Beyond holding one of these qualifications, PGD applicants must still meet the general ‘O’ Level matriculation requirement described above. The PGD is a full-time, taught programme in most departments, and its minimum duration is usually two academic years, though this can vary slightly by department.
Admission Requirements for Master’s Degree Programmes
For entry into UI’s Master’s degree programmes (such as M.A., M.Sc., M.Ed, LL.M, MPH, and MBA), the standard requirement is a first degree with at least Second Class Lower division in a discipline relevant to the programme applied for. Some highly competitive programmes, particularly within Medicine, Law, and other professional faculties, set a higher bar and may require a Second Class Upper division or better.
Candidates who hold a Third Class degree are not automatically excluded; many departments accept such candidates into the Postgraduate Diploma first, and a strong PGD result can subsequently support an application into the Master’s programme in a later session. As with PGD applicants, Master’s applicants must also satisfy the university’s general ‘O’ Level credit requirement. Full-time Master’s programmes at UI typically run for a minimum of three semesters, while part-time versions, where offered, take longer.
Admission Requirements for M.Phil and PhD Programmes
Admission into the M.Phil and PhD programmes is reserved for candidates who already hold a relevant higher degree with a good academic record.
- M.Phil applicants are generally expected to hold a Master’s degree in a discipline relevant to the programme, with a result that satisfies the minimum grade set by the relevant department.
- PhD applicants are expected to hold a Master’s degree (or, in some faculties, an M.Phil) in a relevant field, again with a result strong enough to meet departmental standards. Candidates who do not already hold a relevant postgraduate qualification are not admitted directly into the PhD; such candidates are instead considered for the Master’s programme first.
For both M.Phil and PhD applications, the research proposal is one of the most heavily weighted components of the application. The Faculty Postgraduate Committee uses the proposal to judge whether the candidate has a clear, feasible, and original research direction and whether the department has the supervisory capacity to support that direction. A proposal that is vague or poorly developed significantly weakens an otherwise qualified application, even where the candidate’s academic transcripts are strong.
Examples of Postgraduate Fields Available at UI
Given the size of UI’s postgraduate offering, it is more useful to describe representative subject clusters than to attempt an exhaustive list. Postgraduate study at UI is available in fields including, but not limited to:
- Basic and applied sciences (Chemistry, Physics, Zoology, Botany, Microbiology, Geology)
- Medical and health-related fields (Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Virology, Public Health, Physiotherapy, Child and Adolescent Mental Health)
- Engineering and technology (Biomedical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Industrial and Production Engineering, Data and Information Science)
- Social sciences and management (Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Public Policy, Business Entrepreneurship and Executive Education)
- Arts, education, and law (Teacher Education, Educational Management, Law, Mineral, Petroleum, Energy Economics and Law)
- Agriculture, forestry, and environmental studies (Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, Sustainability Studies)
A candidate’s suitability for any of these fields is judged primarily against the first degree already held, so it is important to apply for a programme that is a reasonably close match to one’s undergraduate discipline unless the department in question explicitly permits cross-disciplinary entry.
How to Apply for UI Postgraduate Admission
Applications into UI’s postgraduate programmes are processed entirely online through the Postgraduate College’s application portal. The general steps are:
- Visit the official Postgraduate College application portal and create an applicant account.
- Select the intended programme, department, and mode of study (full-time or part-time, where applicable).
- Fill in the bio-data form accurately and upload scanned copies of academic credentials, including certificates and transcripts.
- Pay the non-refundable application fee through the approved payment channel linked to the portal.
- Upload a research proposal where the programme requires one, and submit the details of academic referees who will provide recommendation letters.
- Submit the completed application and monitor the portal or registered email for updates on screening or admission status.
Applications typically open around August or September and close between October and November, although exact dates are announced afresh each session, and a supplementary admission window sometimes follows for candidates who miss the main deadline. Because places in competitive programmes fill up before the supplementary window opens, candidates are advised to apply within the main application period rather than wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a candidate with a Third Class degree apply for a UI Master’s programme directly?
Generally, direct entry into a Master’s programme requires at least a Second Class Lower degree. Candidates with a Third Class degree are usually advised to apply for the Postgraduate Diploma first and use a strong PGD result to support a later Master’s application.
Is a research proposal required for every postgraduate application?
No. A research proposal is mainly required for research-based programmes such as Master’s by research, M.Phil, and PhD applications. Taught Master’s and PGD programmes may not require one, though this varies by department.
Can an HND holder apply for postgraduate study at UI?
Yes, HND holders, typically at Lower Credit or better, are generally eligible to apply for the Postgraduate Diploma, which can serve as a route into a Master’s programme afterward.
Does UI accept postgraduate applications from candidates on active National Youth Service (NYSC)?
Serving corps members are generally eligible to apply, since the postgraduate application and screening process does not require the candidate to have already completed NYSC before submitting an application, though specific departmental conditions should be confirmed on the application portal.
How long does a full-time Master’s programme at UI take to complete?
Most full-time Master’s programmes at UI run for a minimum of three semesters, though the exact duration depends on the department and whether the programme is taught, research-based, or a combination of both.