Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, is one of Nigeria’s leading first-generation federal universities, and its Postgraduate College runs one of the widest ranges of advanced degree programmes in the country. Postgraduate study and research at the university began in 1964, starting with pharmacy, and the institution today has a postgraduate student enrollment of over 5,000 across all its faculties. This article explains the categories of postgraduate courses available at OAU for the 2026/2027 academic session, the admission requirements for each category, the fees involved, and how a prospective candidate applies.
Overview of the OAU Postgraduate College
OAU’s Postgraduate College currently runs 16 Postgraduate Diploma programmes, 106 Master’s degree programmes (including professional degrees), 32 Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) programmes, and 80 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes. This range spans virtually every faculty in the university, including Arts, Science, Social Sciences, Law, Education, Agriculture, Technology, Pharmacy, Clinical Sciences, and Environmental Design and Management, giving prospective postgraduate students a broad set of options within a single institution.
Programmes at OAU are structured across four main levels: Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), Master’s degree, Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), with some Master’s programmes offered as coursework-only options and others combining coursework with a research thesis. The university also runs part-time versions of some of its degree programmes, particularly through the Faculty of Education, to accommodate working professionals who cannot commit to full-time study.
Categories of Postgraduate Courses at OAU
1. Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates
These are shorter-duration programmes designed to build specialized knowledge and practical skills in a specific field, typically completed within one to two years. OAU’s diploma offerings include Financial Management, Management Studies, Public Administration, International Relations, and Local Government Studies. PGD programmes serve two main categories of candidates: graduates whose first degree is not directly related to the field they now want to specialize in, and candidates who do not yet meet the minimum academic standing required for direct entry into a master’s programme but wish to use the PGD as a bridge toward one.
2. Master’s Degrees
OAU offers master’s degrees across a wide spread of disciplines, available either as coursework-only programmes or as coursework combined with a research thesis. Common master’s programmes at the university include:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Public Administration (MPA)
- Master of International Relations (MIR)
- Master of Science (M.Sc.) in specializations such as Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, International Relations, Local Government Studies, Ophthalmology, and Production and Management
- Master of Arts (MA) programmes
- Master of Laws (LL.M.)
- Master of Education (M.Ed.)
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
3. Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.)
The M.Phil. is a research-based programme that prepares candidates specifically for doctoral studies. It sits between the taught master’s degree and the PhD in terms of academic rigor, requiring candidates to carry out an independent research project under supervision, which strengthens their readiness for full-scale doctoral research.
4. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
OAU runs PhD programmes across numerous disciplines, including Ophthalmology and Energy Systems Science and Engineering, among many others spread across the university’s faculties. PhD programmes are research-intensive and require candidates to produce an original contribution to knowledge in their chosen field, culminating in a thesis defense.
General Admission Requirements for OAU Postgraduate Programmes
While each department may add specific conditions relevant to its discipline, the university applies a consistent set of general requirements across its postgraduate programmes. A candidate applying for any postgraduate programme at OAU needs a bachelor’s degree in arts, letters, philosophy, or science, or an equivalent qualification from an approved and recognized university. Beyond this baseline, the specific academic standing required depends on the level of programme being applied for.
The table below summarizes the minimum academic requirement for each postgraduate level at OAU.
| Programme Level | Minimum Academic Requirement |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) | Bachelor’s degree from an approved university (specific class of degree varies by department) |
| Master’s degree | Second-class lower division, or a grade point average equivalent to a B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) |
| Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) | Second-class upper division |
| Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) | An M.Phil. or a master’s degree obtained with a research thesis in the relevant field, along with a minimum weighted average of 60% (B+) in the master’s coursework |
Candidates should note that these figures represent the general university-wide minimum, and individual departments, particularly for highly competitive professional programmes such as the MBA, LL.M., or specialized science and engineering master’s degrees, may set additional or slightly higher requirements, such as relevant work experience, a minimum number of years post-graduation, or a qualifying department-level interview.
OAU Postgraduate School Fees for 2026/2027
Postgraduate school fees at OAU vary by programme and faculty, with tuition estimates ranging between ₦150,000 and ₦300,000 per year. The specific figure a candidate pays depends largely on the level of the programme, as summarized below:
- Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) programmes: approximately ₦150,000 per year
- Master’s degrees (M.Sc., M.A., M.Tech, and similar): approximately ₦200,000 per year
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes: approximately ₦300,000 per year
These figures cover the tuition component only, and additional fees apply on top of this base amount. Newly admitted students should budget for the following additional charges:
- Acceptance fee for fresh students: approximately ₦40,000
- Caution fee for fresh students: approximately ₦10,000
- University accommodation, where opted for: approximately ₦40,000, though this varies by room type
- Application processing fee, paid before submitting the postgraduate application: ₦15,000 for regular programmes and ₦20,000 for professional programmes such as the MBA, MPA, or LL.M.
Some specialized or professional programmes, such as the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) or Geospatial-related courses, may carry a higher application processing fee than the standard rates listed above. Because fee schedules can be revised between sessions, prospective applicants should always confirm the exact, current figures on the official Postgraduate College portal rather than relying solely on previous years’ published rates.
JAMB/UTME Cut-Off Mark Context for OAU
Postgraduate admission at OAU does not depend on a JAMB UTME score, since JAMB and UTME apply strictly to undergraduate admission. However, prospective postgraduate applicants who studied their first degree at OAU, or who are researching the university generally, may come across cut-off mark information meant for undergraduates. For context, OAU’s general undergraduate UTME cut-off mark for the 2025/2026 admission period was set at 200, meaning candidates with a JAMB score of 200 and above were eligible for the university’s post-UTME screening exercise. This figure is unrelated to postgraduate admission and is only relevant to candidates applying for undergraduate degree programmes at OAU.
How to Apply for a Postgraduate Programme at OAU
Applications for OAU postgraduate programmes are submitted entirely online through the Postgraduate College’s official application portal, and forms can be submitted year-round, provided the application reaches the portal before the relevant semester’s deadline. The general application process follows these steps:
- Visit the official OAU Postgraduate College application portal and create an applicant account using a valid email address.
- Pay the application processing fee online, generating a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) for the payment, which can be settled through approved banks or online banking platforms.
- Complete the online application form with accurate bio-data, academic history, and the specific programme and department of interest.
- Upload or submit the required supporting academic documents, including degree certificates, academic transcripts, and any other credentials specified by the department.
- Submit the completed application and monitor its progress through the portal, since the university sends notifications on application status directly to the applicant’s registered e-mail address.
Sponsors such as employers, ministries, or corporations sponsoring a candidate’s postgraduate study are advised to let the candidate apply personally, since submitting multiple applications on behalf of one candidate can lead to cancellation of all the applications involved.
Financial Support for Postgraduate Students
OAU makes several forms of financial support available to qualifying postgraduate students, including postgraduate fellowships, doctoral research grants, and inducement allowances extended to academic staff members who are themselves pursuing postgraduate study while employed at the university. Candidates interested in these opportunities should direct specific inquiries to their intended department or the Postgraduate College office, since eligibility criteria and available slots differ from one funding scheme to another.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum qualification needed for a master’s degree at OAU?
A candidate needs a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of second-class lower division, or an equivalent grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, from an approved university.
How much does a postgraduate programme at OAU cost per year?
Tuition ranges from about ₦150,000 per year for Postgraduate Diploma programmes, to about ₦200,000 per year for Master’s degrees, and about ₦300,000 per year for PhD programmes, excluding acceptance, caution, and application processing fees.
Is there a fixed release date for the OAU postgraduate admission form?
No. The Postgraduate College accepts applications year-round through its online portal, up to the deadline set for the intended semester of entry.
What is required to move from a master’s degree to a PhD at OAU?
A candidate needs an M.Phil. or a master’s degree obtained with a research thesis in a relevant field, along with a minimum weighted average of 60% (B+) in their master’s coursework.