The University of Lagos runs its postgraduate admissions and academic activities through the School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS), which coordinates Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), Master’s, M.Phil., and Ph.D. programmes across the university’s various faculties. This article explains the postgraduate courses UNILAG offers, the school fees attached to them for the 2026/2027 academic session, and the admission requirements and application steps candidates need to follow.
Overview of UNILAG Postgraduate Programmes
UNILAG’s School of Postgraduate Studies offers programmes in four main modes: Full Time, Part Time, Executive, and Open Distance Learning (ODL). This flexibility allows working professionals, as well as full-time students, to pursue an advanced degree in a format that suits their schedule. The university’s postgraduate offerings span more than a hundred programmes across faculties including Business Administration, Law, Engineering, Sciences, Social Sciences, Education, Arts, Environmental Sciences, and the College of Medicine, among others.
Because UNILAG runs one of the largest postgraduate schools among Nigerian federal universities, its fee structure is not uniform across all programmes. Fees differ based on the faculty, the specific course, the mode of study (Full Time, Part Time, or Executive), and the level of the programme (PGD, Master’s, M.Phil., or Ph.D.). A candidate applying for an Executive MBA, for instance, pays significantly more than a candidate applying for a standard M.Ed. programme in the Faculty of Education.
General Fee Structure for UNILAG Postgraduate Programmes
Before looking at course-specific tuition, candidates should understand the general charges that apply to almost every postgraduate applicant at UNILAG, regardless of the programme chosen. These obligatory and utility charges form the base cost that sits alongside the tuition fee for the specific course.
| Fee Type | Approximate Amount | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Application Form | ₦40,000 | All applicants, paid once during application |
| Acceptance Fee | ₦61,500 | Fresh students only, one-time payment |
| Prospectus Fee | ₦5,000 | Fresh students only |
| Accommodation (optional) | ₦58,000 | Students who choose on-campus housing |
| Administrative/Utility Charges | Varies (often above ₦16,000) | All students, fresh and returning |
These charges are separate from the tuition fee that applies to the specific course of study. A fresh student therefore pays more in the first session than a returning student, since the acceptance fee, prospectus fee, and other one-time charges apply only at the point of entry.
Tuition Fees by Faculty and Programme Type
UNILAG’s postgraduate tuition fees vary widely depending on the faculty and the specific course. The table below gives a general breakdown of the tuition ranges candidates should expect across common faculties and programme categories for the 2026/2027 session.
| Faculty/Programme Category | Approximate Tuition Range (Per Session) |
|---|---|
| Faculty of Education (PGD, M.Ed.) | ₦60,000 – ₦75,000 |
| Faculty of Engineering (PGD, M.Sc/M.Eng) | ₦75,000 – ₦100,000 |
| Faculty of Sciences (M.Sc./PGD) | ₦90,000 – ₦150,000 |
| Faculty of Business Administration (Regular MBA/M.Sc.) | ₦150,000 and above |
| Faculty of Business Administration (Executive MBA) | Up to ₦1,800,000 |
| College of Medicine (PGD, M.Sc., Ph.D. in medical fields) | Varies significantly by specialty, generally higher than standard faculties |
| Other Social Sciences and Arts programmes | Within the general range of ₦90,000 – ₦150,000 |
The Faculty of Business Administration carries some of the widest fee gaps within the university’s postgraduate offerings. A regular M.Sc. or MBA programme costs considerably less than the Executive MBA, which is priced at a premium because of its flexible scheduling designed for working executives and its more intensive, practice-oriented curriculum. Banking and Finance, a popular course under this faculty, typically carries a tuition fee in the region of ₦150,000, reflecting the strong demand for business-related postgraduate qualifications in Nigeria’s commercial environment.
Programmes under the College of Medicine, run in collaboration with the university’s clinical training facilities at Idi-Araba, tend to carry fees above those charged in many other faculties, given the additional clinical training, equipment use, and specialized supervision these programmes require. Prospective medical postgraduate candidates should confirm the exact fee for their chosen specialty directly from the College of Medicine’s postgraduate coordination office, since fees can differ meaningfully from one medical postgraduate programme to another.
Fresh Students vs Returning Students
UNILAG postgraduate fees differ noticeably between fresh and returning students. Fresh students carry a heavier financial burden in their first session because of one-time charges such as the acceptance fee, prospectus fee, and initial departmental dues, all of which are added on top of the standard tuition fee for their course. Returning students, on the other hand, pay mainly the tuition fee together with recurring administrative and utility charges, without the one-time entry costs. This means a returning student’s total fee for a session is generally lower than what a fresh student pays for the same programme in their first year.
Application Fee and How to Apply
Every candidate applying for a postgraduate programme at UNILAG must first pay a non-refundable application fee, set at ₦40,000 for the 2026/2027 session. This fee covers the cost of processing the application and does not form part of the tuition fee once admission is confirmed. The general application process follows these steps:
- Visit the SPGS portal. Go to the School of Postgraduate Studies website and locate the “Apply” link for the relevant session.
- Check eligibility. Use the “View Programmes’ Entry Requirement” feature to confirm you meet the academic qualifications for your intended course before proceeding.
- Complete the pre-application form. This generates a payment reference number needed for the application fee.
- Pay the application fee. Payment can be made via Remita using the reference number, or directly through the portal’s online payment option.
- Complete the full application form. Log back into the portal using the payment reference number and your surname (in lowercase) as password, then fill in the complete application details.
- Upload required documents. This includes a digital passport photograph on a white background, academic transcripts, certificates, and, where applicable, an NYSC discharge or exemption certificate.
- Submit and await screening. Ensure academic transcripts reach the Administrative Secretary at SPGS ahead of the departmental screening exercise, since some departments conduct additional assessments before finalizing admission.
Admission Requirements for UNILAG Postgraduate Programmes
Admission requirements differ slightly by programme level, but the general academic benchmarks are as follows:
- Postgraduate Diploma (PGD): A recognized Bachelor’s degree, generally with at least a Third Class or Pass, though this varies by department and course.
- Master’s programmes: A recognized Bachelor’s degree, typically Second Class Lower Division and above, although candidates with a Third Class can, in many departments, gain entry through a PGD pathway first before proceeding to a Master’s.
- M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes: Candidates must hold a relevant Master’s degree and, importantly, must confirm the availability of a qualified supervisor in their intended department before applying, since M.Phil. and Ph.D. admission at UNILAG is closely tied to research supervision capacity.
- NYSC documentation: Submission of an NYSC certificate, exemption certificate, or discharge letter is a standard requirement for postgraduate applicants who studied within Nigeria.
Payment Structure
UNILAG’s School of Postgraduate Studies does not run an officially recognized installment payment plan for postgraduate fees. Students are generally expected to pay their tuition and associated charges in full for the session. Candidates who need clarity on any flexible arrangement for a specific department should confirm directly with their department or the SPGS office, since practices can vary slightly depending on internal departmental policy, even though the university’s general position is full payment at the point of registration.
Why Postgraduate Fees Differ Across Courses at UNILAG
The wide range in postgraduate tuition across UNILAG’s faculties reflects the differing cost of delivering each programme. Business-oriented and executive-style programmes, particularly the Executive MBA, carry premium pricing because of their intensive scheduling, industry-focused curriculum, and the calibre of facilitators typically engaged for such courses. Science and engineering-based postgraduate programmes cost more than education or humanities programmes because of laboratory work, technical equipment, and specialized resources required for practical components. Programmes under the College of Medicine sit at the higher end for similar reasons, given the clinical training and specialized supervision medical postgraduate study demands.
FAQs
How much is the UNILAG postgraduate application form for 2026/2027?
The application form costs ₦40,000, paid once during the application process through the SPGS portal.
Does UNILAG accept installment payment for postgraduate fees?
No official installment plan exists. Students are generally expected to pay their fees in full, though candidates should confirm any specific arrangement with their department.
What is the cheapest postgraduate programme category at UNILAG?
Programmes under the Faculty of Education, including PGD and M.Ed. courses, are generally the most affordable, with tuition often falling between ₦60,000 and ₦75,000.
What is the most expensive postgraduate programme at UNILAG?
The Executive MBA under the Faculty of Business Administration is among the most expensive, priced up to ₦1,800,000 because of its premium, flexible format designed for working executives.
Do fresh and returning postgraduate students pay the same fees?
No. Fresh students pay additional one-time charges such as the acceptance fee and prospectus fee, making their total cost higher than what returning students pay for the same course.