The University of Lagos (UNILAG) runs one of Nigeria’s largest and most established postgraduate education programmes through its School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS). This article explains every category of postgraduate programme UNILAG offers for the 2026/2027 academic session, the general and category-specific admission requirements attached to each, and the application process a candidate needs to follow.
What Is the School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS)?
The School of Postgraduate Studies is the central administrative body responsible for coordinating all postgraduate admissions, registration, and academic regulation at UNILAG, working alongside individual academic departments and faculties that deliver the actual coursework and supervision. Rather than applying directly to a faculty for postgraduate study, candidates apply through the SPGS portal, selecting their department and specific programme from the list of options the university publishes for that admission cycle. For the 2026/2027 session, UNILAG opened its postgraduate application portal on 7 April 2026, inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates for admission across the full range of programme categories described below.
Categories of Postgraduate Programmes at UNILAG
UNILAG structures its postgraduate offering into four broad categories, each with a distinct academic purpose and set of entry requirements.
- Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) Programmes, designed for candidates who want a structured, shorter postgraduate qualification, often as a conversion route into a new field or as a stepping stone toward a Master’s degree.
- Master’s Degree Programmes, covering standard academic Master’s qualifications such as the M.A., M.Ed., M.Sc., and LL.M, delivered through coursework, examinations, and, in many departments, a research project or dissertation.
- Professional Master’s Degree Programmes, a large and distinct group of practice-oriented Master’s qualifications aimed at working professionals, including programmes such as the MBA (Master of Business Administration), MPH (Master of Public Health), MPA (Master of Public Administration), MEM (Master of Engineering Management), and dozens of other specialised professional Master’s degrees across business, health, engineering, and public policy fields.
- Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Programmes, UNILAG’s highest postgraduate research qualifications, requiring an approved research proposal and confirmed supervisor availability within the relevant department before an application can proceed.
Each of these categories runs under different study modes depending on the specific programme and department, including full-time, part-time, executive, sandwich, and Open Distance Learning (ODL) options, giving working professionals and full-time students different pathways into the same broad qualification categories.
General Admission Requirements for PGD and Master’s Programmes
For Postgraduate Diploma and standard Master’s degree applicants, UNILAG’s general entry requirements are structured around the following conditions:
- A recognised Bachelor’s degree from the University of Lagos or any other university the UNILAG Senate approves, or an equivalent qualification the Senate recognises as sufficient for postgraduate entry.
- Completion of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, or possession of an NYSC exemption certificate. Candidates who have not completed NYSC, or who are currently enrolled in another postgraduate programme elsewhere, are automatically disqualified from applying.
- A completed Bachelor’s degree at the time of application. Candidates still awaiting their final degree results are not eligible to apply for the same admission cycle.
- A degree obtained through a standard, non-satellite programme. Degrees earned from an outreach or satellite campus of a university are not accepted for UNILAG postgraduate admission.
- Possible additional screening, since some departments require candidates to sit a written and/or oral examination as part of the selection process, on top of meeting the baseline academic qualification.
Some 9jaSchool and other admissions guidance for 2026/2027 also notes that certain departments accept a Higher National Diploma (HND) with at least Upper Credit in a related discipline as an alternative entry route for PGD or Master’s applicants, though this varies by department and is not a universal rule across the university.
Admission Requirements by Degree Classification
The exact classification of degree a candidate holds can affect which programmes they qualify for directly and which may require an additional PGD as a bridging qualification first. The table below gives a general sense of how UNILAG typically structures this, though candidates should always confirm the exact requirement for their specific department, since practice varies across faculties.
| Candidate’s Qualification | Typical Pathway |
|---|---|
| Second Class Upper (2:1) or better Bachelor’s degree | Generally eligible for direct entry into most Master’s degree programmes |
| Second Class Lower (2:2) or Third Class Bachelor’s degree | May be admitted into a Postgraduate Diploma first, or considered for a Master’s programme depending on departmental policy |
| HND with Upper Credit in a related discipline | May be considered for PGD or, in some departments, direct Master’s entry, subject to departmental screening |
| Master’s degree with departmental CGPA requirement met | Eligible to apply for M.Phil./Ph.D. programmes, subject to supervisor availability |
Competitive departments, particularly in business, law, and some sciences, often set their entry bar at Second Class Upper specifically, so candidates with a Second Class Lower or Third Class degree should check their target department’s stated policy before applying, rather than assuming the general university minimum applies uniformly.
Admission Requirements for M.Phil. and Ph.D. Programmes
Doctoral and M.Phil. admission at UNILAG carries additional requirements beyond the standard PGD and Master’s criteria:
- A relevant Master’s degree from a recognised university, generally with a CGPA or grade threshold the specific department sets.
- Confirmed supervisor availability. All M.Phil./Ph.D. candidates are required to contact their intended department directly to confirm that a suitable supervisor is available and has capacity to take on a new research student before formally applying.
- A research proposal, outlining the candidate’s intended area of study, which forms a core part of the application and is often reviewed by the department before an offer is made.
- Successful completion of any oral or written assessment the specific department requires as part of its selection process, which may include a defence of the submitted research proposal.
Because supervisor availability directly affects whether a department can admit a given candidate, prospective M.Phil./Ph.D. applicants are strongly advised to make informal contact with their target department well ahead of the formal application deadline, rather than submitting an application without first confirming that capacity exists.
Documents Required for Application
Regardless of programme category, UNILAG postgraduate applicants generally need to prepare and submit the following documents as part of their application:
- Degree certificates, not statements of results, since the university requires the actual certificate rather than a provisional transcript-based confirmation.
- Academic transcripts, which must reach the Deputy Registrar/Administrative Secretary at the School of Postgraduate Studies on or before the start of the session’s admission screening exercise.
- NYSC certificate or exemption certificate, confirming completion of national service or eligibility for exemption.
- A research proposal, specifically for M.Phil./Ph.D. applicants.
- Any additional department-specific documents, such as reference letters, a statement of purpose, or evidence of relevant work experience, particularly for Professional Master’s programmes that value practical experience alongside academic qualification.
How to Apply for UNILAG Postgraduate Admission
The application process for the 2026/2027 session follows a defined sequence:
- Confirm your intended programme is published on the current admission cycle’s list before proceeding, since application fees are not refunded if a candidate pays for a programme that turns out not to be available for that session.
- Complete the online application through the official UNILAG postgraduate admission portal, paying the non-refundable application fee, which has been set at ₦40,000 for the 2026/2027 session.
- Upload the required documents, including degree certificates, transcripts, and NYSC documentation, as specified for the chosen programme category.
- Submit academic transcripts directly to the School of Postgraduate Studies, since transcripts sent independently by a candidate’s previous institution must reach the Deputy Registrar’s office before the admission screening exercise begins.
- Participate in any required screening, which may involve a written examination, an oral interview, or both, depending on the specific department and programme.
- Await the admission decision, communicated through the applicant’s portal account once the department and School of Postgraduate Studies complete their review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What categories of postgraduate programmes does UNILAG offer?
UNILAG offers Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) programmes, Master’s degree programmes, Professional Master’s degree programmes, and Master of Philosophy/Doctor of Philosophy (M.Phil./Ph.D.) programmes.
How much is the UNILAG postgraduate application form for 2026/2027?
The application fee is ₦40,000, non-refundable, payable through the official postgraduate admission portal.
Is NYSC completion compulsory for UNILAG postgraduate admission?
Yes. Candidates who have not completed NYSC, or who lack an exemption certificate, are automatically disqualified from applying, regardless of their academic qualification.
Can I apply for a UNILAG postgraduate programme while awaiting my Bachelor’s degree result?
No. Candidates must already hold their Bachelor’s degree result at the time of application; those awaiting results are not eligible to apply for that admission cycle.
Do M.Phil./Ph.D. applicants need to secure a supervisor before applying?
Yes. M.Phil./Ph.D. candidates must contact their intended department directly to confirm supervisor availability before their application can be properly considered.