Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, commonly referred to as DSPG or Deltapoly, is a state-owned tertiary institution located in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State. Established in 2002 through a partnership between the Delta State Government and Westminster University, London, the institution has grown into one of the three polytechnics in the state and holds full accreditation from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for its National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes. This article breaks down the school fees payable across the polytechnic’s academic departments, explains how the fee structure works for different categories of students, and covers the admission requirements a prospective student needs to know before applying for the 2026/2027 academic session.
Overview of the Institution and Its Academic Structure
DSPG runs full-time and part-time programmes at both ND and HND levels, spread across four broad academic schools: the School of Art and Design, the School of Business Studies, the School of Engineering Technology, and the School of Applied Sciences. In recent sessions, the polytechnic has also expanded its computing and media offerings, splitting its Computer Science department into specialized HND tracks covering areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security and Data Protection, Software and Web Development, and Networking and Cloud Computing, alongside a separate track for Film Production under its media programmes. This expansion reflects a broader shift among Nigerian polytechnics toward digital and technology-focused disciplines that respond to current labour market demand.
Full List of Courses Offered at DSPG
The polytechnic’s course offerings fall under the following schools and departments:
School of Art and Design
- Fashion Design and Clothing Technology
- General Art / Fine Art
School of Business Studies
- Accountancy
- Business Administration and Management
- Human Resource Management
- Marketing
- Mass Communication
- Office Technology Management
- Production Operations Management
School of Engineering Technology
- Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical/Electronics Engineering
- Foundry Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Industrial Maintenance Engineering
- Welding and Fabrication Engineering
School of Applied Sciences
- Computer Science (including its unbundled specialized HND tracks: Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security and Data Protection, Software and Web Development, Networking and Cloud Computing)
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Hospitality and Tourism Management
- Film Production
Each department admits at ND level for candidates coming directly from secondary school, or transitioning into HND for candidates who already hold a related ND with an appropriate grade and industrial training experience.
How the Fee Structure Works
DSPG, like most state-owned polytechnics, applies a tiered fee structure that varies along three main lines: indigene status, level of study, and department type. Understanding these three variables is the fastest way to estimate what a specific student will pay.
Indigene status. Students who are indigenes of Delta State pay a lower session fee than non-indigenes. This differential applies across virtually every fee category, from tuition to departmental charges, and is standard practice among Nigeria’s state-funded polytechnics and universities.
Level of study. ND1 and ND2 students generally pay less than HND1 and HND2 students, since the higher diploma stage carries additional departmental and practical training charges. Returning students on any level typically pay a lower fee than fresh (newly admitted) students, because freshers are billed extra one-time charges such as registration, ID card processing, and orientation fees that returning students do not repeat.
Department type (Science versus Art/Business). Courses classified under Engineering and Applied Sciences generally attract higher fees than those under Business Studies or Art and Design, reflecting the cost of laboratory access, workshop materials, and practical equipment used in science and engineering-based training. A student in Mechanical Engineering, for instance, pays more than a student in Business Administration at the same level.
Estimated School Fees by Category
The table below gives a realistic estimate of what students across different categories currently pay per session at DSPG. These figures serve as a guide; exact amounts are published by the Bursary’s office at the start of each session and may shift slightly from one academic year to the next due to routine fee reviews.
| Student Category | Indigenes of Delta State | Non-Indigenes |
|---|---|---|
| ND1 (Fresher), Business/Art courses | ₦38,500 – ₦60,000 | ₦42,500 – ₦80,000 |
| ND1 (Fresher), Engineering/Science courses | ₦45,000 – ₦75,000 | ₦55,000 – ₦100,000 |
| ND2 (Returning), Business/Art courses | ₦30,000 – ₦50,000 | ₦35,000 – ₦65,000 |
| ND2 (Returning), Engineering/Science courses | ₦35,000 – ₦60,000 | ₦45,000 – ₦85,000 |
| HND1 (Fresher), all departments | ₦45,000 – ₦75,000 | ₦55,000 – ₦100,000 |
| HND2 (Returning), all departments | ₦35,000 – ₦60,000 | ₦45,000 – ₦85,000 |
These session fees typically cover tuition, library charges, ICT/e-portal usage, medical services, sports development, and departmental practical charges. They do not include accommodation, feeding, textbooks, or industrial training (SIWES) supervision costs, which students budget for separately.
Additional Fees and One-Time Charges
Beyond the standard session fee, DSPG students encounter several additional charges depending on their category and department:
- Application/Screening fee: Candidates applying for admission into ND or HND programmes pay a non-refundable application fee of ₦16,000, payable online via Verve or Mastercard through the Interswitch payment gateway.
- Acceptance fee: Newly admitted students pay an acceptance fee once an offer of admission is confirmed. This fee, generally around ₦20,000, secures the student’s place and must be paid within the deadline stated in the admission letter.
- Result verification fee: Charged once per course of study for new students; students who progress from one level to a higher level within the same course do not repeat this payment.
- SIWES logbook/IT supervision fee: Specifically applicable to Accounting and Business Studies students, this comes to roughly ₦1,000 in addition to standard charges.
- ICAN accreditation levy: ND1 and ND2 Accounting students pay a levy of ₦3,000 each toward maintaining the department’s accreditation with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.
- Portal/service charge: All new and returning students pay a processing fee of ₦1,500 to cover web portal usage and quicker service delivery for fee payment and result checking.
Students in technical and engineering departments should also budget for workshop materials and practical kits specific to their field, since these are often sourced independently rather than billed through the central portal.
Admission Requirements
To qualify for ND admission at DSPG, a candidate needs at least five credit passes in SSCE (WAEC or NECO), GCE O’Level, or NABTEB, obtained in not more than two sittings, including English Language and Mathematics along with other subjects relevant to the intended course of study. Science-based departments such as Engineering and Computer Science typically require credits in Physics, Chemistry, and further Mathematics or a related science subject, while Business and Art departments require subject combinations relevant to their specific field.
Candidates must also possess a valid JAMB UTME result, since DSPG conducts its Post-UTME screening through a Computer-Based Test that combines JAMB performance with the institution’s own assessment. The polytechnic has set a comparatively high baseline JAMB cut-off mark of 180 for ND admission in recent sessions, which is notably stricter than many other Nigerian polytechnics apply, so candidates should aim well above the minimum threshold to strengthen their admission chances.
For HND admission, candidates need an ND obtained with a minimum of lower credit in a relevant discipline from an NBTE-accredited institution, along with a minimum of one year of industrial training completed in line with their field of study. Candidates who obtained their ND at pass level are required to complete a minimum of two years of industrial training before qualifying for HND admission.
How Payment Is Made
DSPG processes all fee payments through its official web portal rather than direct bank deposit. Students log in with their registered details, select the applicable session and fee category, and complete payment using a bank card through the Interswitch gateway. The Bursary’s office typically advises students to complete payment early in the session to avoid the late payment penalties that apply once the payment deadline passes. Students who accept admission very late in an academic cycle should contact the Bursary directly to confirm the correct combination of fees due, since a late acceptance can affect which charges apply at the point of registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DSPG school fees the same for all courses?
No. Fees vary by department, with Engineering and Applied Science courses generally costing more than Business and Art courses due to laboratory and workshop charges.
Do non-indigenes of Delta State pay more than indigenes?
Yes. Non-indigenes pay a higher session fee across every department and level compared to indigenes of Delta State.
What is the JAMB cut-off mark for DSPG?
The polytechnic’s baseline JAMB cut-off mark for ND admission currently stands at 180, which is higher than the cut-off many other Nigerian polytechnics apply.
How much is the HND application form at DSPG?
The HND application/screening fee is ₦16,000, payable online through the Interswitch payment platform using a Verve or Mastercard.
Does DSPG offer specialized computing courses?
Yes. The Computer Science department has been unbundled into specialized HND tracks in Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security and Data Protection, Software and Web Development, and Networking and Cloud Computing.