The University of Calabar (UNICAL), one of Nigeria’s foremost federal universities located in Cross River State, runs an active postgraduate programme through its School of Postgraduate Studies (also referred to as the Graduate School). The institution offers postgraduate qualifications at three levels: Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), Master’s degree, and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D). This article covers the range of postgraduate courses UNICAL offers across its faculties, the entry requirements attached to each degree level, and what prospective students should expect to pay in school fees for the 2026/2027 academic session.

Overview Of UNICAL’s Postgraduate Programme Structure

UNICAL’s postgraduate offerings are organized under individual faculties and departments, with each department running its own specific programmes depending on staff strength and departmental focus. A department may offer only a Master’s programme in one area, while another department within the same faculty runs PGD, Master’s, and Ph.D programmes side by side. The School of Postgraduate Studies coordinates admissions, sets minimum entry benchmarks, and oversees the academic regulations that apply university-wide, while individual departments handle the specific coursework, supervision, and area of specialization.

Programme duration differs by degree level. A Postgraduate Diploma typically runs for a minimum of two semesters (one academic year) for full-time students, with part-time options taking longer. A Master’s degree generally spans three to four semesters, depending on the department and mode of study. A Ph.D programme runs for a minimum of six semesters (three academic years) for full-time candidates, though many candidates take longer due to the demands of independent research and dissertation writing.

List Of Postgraduate Courses Offered At UNICAL By Faculty

UNICAL spreads its postgraduate offerings across faculties in the sciences, humanities, social sciences, medical sciences, agriculture, education, engineering, and law. The table below groups the major postgraduate disciplines by faculty to give prospective applicants a clear picture of where their intended course of study falls.

Faculty/Institute	Sample Postgraduate Disciplines Offered
Faculty of Agriculture	Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology, Animal Science, Crop Science, Forestry and Wildlife Resource Management, Soil Science, Fisheries and Aquaculture
Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences	Nursing Science, Public Health, Radiography and Radiological Sciences
Faculty of Arts	English and Literary Studies, History and International Studies, Linguistics and Nigerian Languages, Modern Languages and Translation Studies, Philosophy, Religious and Cultural Studies, Theatre and Media Studies
Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences	Anatomical Sciences, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Physiology
Faculty of Education	Educational Administration and Planning, Curriculum Studies, Guidance and Counselling, Human Kinetics, Special Education, Library and Information Science
Faculty of Social Sciences	Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Geography and Environmental Science
Faculty of Management Sciences	Business Administration, Accounting, Banking and Finance, Marketing
Faculty of Law	Public and Private Law, International Law, Commercial Law
Institute of Public Policy and Administration	Public Administration (PGD), Peace Studies and Conflict Management (PGD), Policy and Administrative Studies (M.PAS)
Department of Public Health	Master of Public Health with specializations in Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Health Education and Promotion, Health Services Management, Public Health Nutrition, and Public Health Sociology

This is not an exhaustive list, since UNICAL periodically reviews and expands its postgraduate offerings, but it reflects the core spread of disciplines available across the faculties as of the current admission cycle. Applicants intending to study a specific specialization should confirm directly with the relevant department or the School of Postgraduate Studies whether that specialization is actively running admissions for 2026/2027, since not every listed area accepts new candidates every session.

Entry Requirements For UNICAL Postgraduate Programmes

Entry requirements at UNICAL vary by degree level, and the university sets minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) benchmarks that differ depending on whether an applicant graduated under a 4-point or 5-point grading scale.

For the Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), applicants generally need a first degree from UNICAL or another Senate-recognized university, or an equivalent qualification such as a Higher National Diploma (HND). Candidates with a Third Class degree and above typically qualify to apply for PGD, making it the most accessible entry route into postgraduate study for candidates whose first degree results fall below the threshold required for direct Master’s admission.

For a Master’s degree, applicants generally need a Bachelor’s degree with not less than Second Class Honours (Lower Division), along with a minimum CGPA benchmark that the university sets at roughly 2.50 on a 4-point scale or 3.00 on a 5-point scale, though specific departments may set stricter internal requirements. Candidates who hold a PGD from a recognized institution with a strong pass may also apply for a Master’s programme, and some departments credit relevant PGD coursework toward the Master’s degree.

For a Ph.D programme, applicants must hold a Master’s degree from UNICAL or another Senate-recognized university, typically with a dissertation and coursework average of not less than 60%, along with a minimum CGPA benchmark that the university sets around 3.00 on a 4-point scale or 3.50 on a 5-point scale, depending on the department. Candidates who already hold a relevant Master’s degree from a recognized university may, in some departments, have certain courses credited toward their Ph.D requirements, subject to the approval of the Graduate School.

In addition to these general benchmarks, every applicant must also submit the standard documentation required for postgraduate admission: certified copies of degree certificates and transcripts, birth certificate or age declaration, two academic references, a statement of purpose or research proposal (particularly for Master’s by research and Ph.D applicants), and evidence of payment of the prescribed application fee.

UNICAL Postgraduate School Fees 2026/2027

Postgraduate school fees at UNICAL are not uniform across all programmes. The amount a candidate pays depends on the degree level (PGD, Master’s, or Ph.D), the faculty or department running the programme, and whether the candidate is a fresh admission or a returning student. Science-based and clinical programmes, such as those in Public Health, Nursing Science, and the medical-related departments, generally attract higher fees than programmes in the arts, humanities, and social sciences, largely because of laboratory charges, practical components, and higher departmental running costs.

Fees are structured to be paid per semester rather than as a single annual lump sum, and the total amount a student pays across a full programme depends on how many semesters that specific programme runs. A PGD student completing a one-year programme pays fees across two semesters, a Master’s student typically pays across three to four semesters depending on their department, and a Ph.D candidate pays across a minimum of six semesters, extending further if the candidate does not complete within the standard timeframe.

The general components that make up UNICAL postgraduate school fees include:

• Tuition fee — the core academic charge, which varies by faculty and degree level.
• Acceptance fee — a one-time charge paid by newly admitted students upon confirming their offer of admission.
• Registration and portal charges — administrative charges tied to accessing the university’s online systems.
• ICT fee — covers access to the university’s information technology infrastructure and e-learning resources.
• Library fee — grants access to library resources and services throughout the programme.
• Departmental and faculty dues — smaller charges specific to the student’s faculty or department, which may include laboratory fees for science-based postgraduate programmes.
• Thesis/dissertation supervision and examination fees — applicable mainly to Master’s by research and Ph.D candidates in their final stages, covering internal and external examination costs.

Because these components combine differently across departments, and because the university reviews its fee schedule periodically, prospective postgraduate students should treat any fee figure quoted outside the official UNICAL portal as an estimate rather than a fixed amount. The most reliable way to confirm the exact figure for a specific programme is to check the fee breakdown that appears on the candidate’s personalized bill after admission is confirmed on the university’s postgraduate portal, since the system generates fees based on the exact department, programme, and student category selected.

How UNICAL Postgraduate Fees Compare Across Degree Levels

As a general pattern, PGD programmes attract the lowest fees among the three postgraduate categories, reflecting their shorter duration and lighter academic demands compared to research-based degrees. Master’s programmes cost more than PGD programmes due to the additional coursework, project or thesis supervision, and longer duration. Ph.D programmes carry the highest overall cost across the full duration of study, not necessarily because each semester costs dramatically more than a Master’s semester, but because the extended number of semesters required to complete a doctorate accumulates a higher total expenditure by the time a candidate defends their dissertation.

Returning postgraduate students typically pay slightly less per semester than fresh students, since fresh students bear one-time charges such as the acceptance fee and initial registration charges that returning students do not pay again in subsequent sessions.

How To Apply For UNICAL Postgraduate Admission

Candidates interested in any of the postgraduate programmes follow a structured application process through the School of Postgraduate Studies.

1. Visit the official UNICAL postgraduate admission portal when the application window opens for the 2026/2027 session.
2. Create an applicant profile and complete the online application form with accurate personal and academic details.
3. Pay the prescribed non-refundable application fee through the approved payment channels on the portal.
4. Upload scanned copies of required documents, including degree certificates, transcripts, and academic references.
5. Select the specific department, programme, and area of specialization the candidate wishes to pursue.
6. Submit the completed application and monitor the portal for updates on screening, interview invitations (where applicable), and admission status.
7. Upon receiving an offer of admission, pay the acceptance fee within the stipulated deadline and proceed to generate the postgraduate school fee bill for registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does UNICAL offer part-time postgraduate programmes?

Yes. Certain departments, particularly in Management, Education, and some Social Science disciplines, run part-time postgraduate options alongside their full-time programmes.

Can a candidate with a Third Class degree apply for postgraduate study at UNICAL?

Yes, but typically only for the Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) route. A Third Class degree does not usually qualify a candidate for direct entry into a Master’s programme without first completing a PGD.

Do all UNICAL postgraduate programmes charge the same school fees?

No. Fees differ by degree level (PGD, Master’s, Ph.D) and by faculty, with science and clinical-based programmes generally costing more than arts and social science programmes due to laboratory and practical charges.

How long does a Master’s degree take to complete at UNICAL?

Most Master’s programmes run for three to four semesters for full-time students, though the exact duration depends on the specific department and programme.

Where can a candidate confirm the exact postgraduate fee for their programme?

The exact fee appears on the personalized bill generated on the UNICAL postgraduate portal after admission is confirmed, since the system calculates charges based on the candidate’s specific department, programme, and student category.