The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) runs one of Nigeria’s most specialised postgraduate schools, built around agriculture, veterinary medicine, engineering, and the natural sciences. This article explains the postgraduate courses available at FUNAAB, the college structure behind them, the admission requirements, and the school fees applicable for the 2026/2027 academic session.
About FUNAAB’s Postgraduate School
FUNAAB was established in 1988 and has grown into one of Nigeria’s leading institutions for agricultural and applied science education, occupying a campus of over 10,000 hectares in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The university’s Postgraduate School exists specifically to coordinate and maintain quality control across every advanced degree programme offered at FUNAAB, spanning postgraduate diplomas, master’s degrees, and doctoral programmes.
Postgraduate education at FUNAAB is structured around specialised colleges rather than a single generic graduate school, meaning a candidate’s programme, tuition, and academic requirements are tied to the specific college running that discipline. This structure reflects the university’s core strength in agriculture, veterinary science, and related applied fields, while still offering postgraduate routes in management, computing, and communication studies for students outside the core agricultural disciplines.
FUNAAB Postgraduate Courses by College
FUNAAB’s postgraduate programmes run across several colleges, each offering Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), Master’s, and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) options in its respective discipline.
| College | Sample Postgraduate Programmes |
|---|---|
| College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD) | Agricultural Administration, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Communication Studies |
| College of Animal Science and Livestock Production (COLANIM) | Animal Nutrition, Poultry Production, Beef and Dairy Cattle Production, Swine Production, Rabbit Production |
| College of Environmental Resources Management (COLERM) | Soil Management and Land Use, Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, Planning and Research and Statistics |
| College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT) | Crop Production Technology, Crop Protection, Plant Breeding and Seed Technology |
| College of Veterinary Medicine (COLVET) | Veterinary Medicine and related clinical and pre-clinical postgraduate specialisations |
| College of Engineering (COLENG) | Agricultural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Refrigeration and Cold Store Technology |
| College of Natural Sciences / Science and Human Ecology (COLNAS) | M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes in the biological and natural sciences |
| College of Computing Sciences | M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Computer Science; Master of Information and Communication Technology (MICT); PGD in Computer Science |
| College of Management Sciences | Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Public Administration (M.P.ADM), Master of Business Management (MBM) |
| Institute of Communication and General Studies | Postgraduate programmes in Communication Studies |
This spread means a candidate is not limited to agriculture-specific postgraduate study at FUNAAB. Programmes such as the MBA, M.P.ADM, and the Computer Science routes under the College of Computing Sciences give non-agricultural graduates a route into postgraduate study at the university, alongside the more traditional agricultural, veterinary, and environmental science programmes the institution is best known for.
Degree Categories and Study Duration
FUNAAB’s Postgraduate School structures its offerings into four degree categories, each with its own minimum and maximum duration for both full-time and part-time study.
| Degree Category | Full-Time Duration | Part-Time Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) | 2 semesters minimum, 4 semesters maximum | 4 semesters minimum, 8 semesters maximum |
| Master’s Degree (Academic) | 4 semesters minimum, 8 semesters maximum | 8 semesters minimum, 12 semesters maximum |
| Professional Master’s | 3 semesters minimum, 6 semesters maximum | 4 semesters minimum, 8 semesters maximum |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | 6 semesters minimum, 10 semesters maximum | 8 semesters minimum, 12 semesters maximum |
A PGD generally takes about one year on a full-time basis, while a Master’s degree typically spans two academic years at minimum. Professional Master’s programmes, such as the MBA, tend to run slightly shorter than academic Master’s degrees, reflecting their more coursework-focused structure. The Ph.D. remains FUNAAB’s longest and most research-intensive postgraduate route, with a minimum of three years for full-time candidates.
Admission Requirements for FUNAAB Postgraduate Programmes
Entry requirements vary by degree category, but the general pattern across FUNAAB’s Postgraduate School follows these standards:
- Postgraduate Diploma (PGD): A first degree or HND from FUNAAB or another institution recognised by the university’s Senate, in a relevant or related field. PGD is also the required entry route for candidates whose first degree result falls below the standard needed for direct Master’s entry.
- Master’s Degree (Academic and Professional): A minimum of Second Class Upper Division from FUNAAB or another Senate-recognised university, in a discipline relevant to the intended postgraduate programme. Candidates with a Second Class Lower Division, Third Class, or HND typically must first complete a PGD and perform well before becoming eligible for direct entry into a Master’s programme.
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): A good Master’s degree from FUNAAB or another recognised institution, in a field relevant to the intended area of doctoral research, along with any additional requirements set by the specific department or college.
- NYSC discharge certificate: Applicants must hold a valid NYSC discharge certificate or an official certificate of exemption from their institution. Candidates still awaiting completion of their NYSC service year are not eligible to apply.
Some programmes carry additional, more specific entry conditions. The M.Sc. route under the College of Veterinary Medicine, for example, is open to graduates of Biological Sciences from FUNAAB or other recognised institutions, and Fellows of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology or an equivalent body may also be considered. The Master of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) requires an HND alongside a Postgraduate Diploma in a related computing field. A candidate should always confirm the exact departmental requirement for their specific programme before applying.
How to Apply for FUNAAB Postgraduate Admission
Applications for FUNAAB’s postgraduate programmes are processed entirely online through the university’s dedicated Postgraduate School portal.
- Visit the FUNAAB Postgraduate School application portal to begin the registration process.
- Pay the non-refundable application fee, which is typically reviewed each session and generally falls in the region of ₦15,000 to ₦22,000, exclusive of bank charges. International applicants instead pay an equivalent of $100 (USD) into one of the university’s designated domiciliary accounts and upload proof of payment.
- Complete the online application form, upload the required academic credentials, and select the intended programme and college.
- Arrange for transcripts to be sent directly from the applicant’s previous institution to the Secretary of the Postgraduate School at FUNAAB.
- PGD and Master’s applications follow a fixed admission window, typically running from around November or December through to March, while Ph.D. applications remain open all year round.
- Successful applicants are notified by email or telephone once the department has reviewed applications and, where required, conducted an interview.
FUNAAB Postgraduate School Fees 2026/2027
FUNAAB’s postgraduate tuition is not a single flat figure across the university; it varies by degree category, college, and whether the candidate is studying full-time or part-time. As a general guide, published fee structures place tuition for fresh postgraduate students in the range of ₦100,000 to ₦250,000 per semester, with the exact figure depending on which college and programme category applies.
| Fee Component | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|
| Application/screening fee | ₦15,000 – ₦22,000 (reviewed each session) |
| PGD tuition (per semester) | ₦100,000 – ₦180,000 |
| Master’s tuition, academic (per semester) | ₦120,000 – ₦200,000 |
| Master’s tuition, professional (e.g. MBA, per semester) | ₦150,000 – ₦250,000 |
| Ph.D. tuition (per semester) | ₦150,000 – ₦250,000 |
| International applicant application fee | $100 (USD) |
A few points help clarify this range:
- College of Veterinary Medicine and College of Engineering typically sit at the higher end. These colleges have historically been billed at a different, generally higher rate than colleges such as Management Science, Environmental Resource Management, Plant Science and Crop Production, and Science and Human Ecology, reflecting the additional laboratory, clinical, or technical resources those programmes require.
- Part-time students are billed on a separate schedule from full-time students, and while the per-semester figure can be comparable, the longer overall duration of part-time study means the total cost across the programme differs from the full-time route.
- Quoted fees typically cover tuition only. Acceptance fees, ICT fees, library charges, and accommodation are billed separately and are not included in the tuition figures above.
- FUNAAB does not review its postgraduate fee schedule every session. Tuition figures can remain stable across two or more academic years before an adjustment is made, so a fee published in a recent session is often still a reliable guide, though a candidate should confirm the exact current figure through the Postgraduate School portal before making payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does FUNAAB only offer agriculture-related postgraduate courses?
No. While agriculture, animal science, veterinary medicine, and environmental science form the university’s core strength, FUNAAB also offers postgraduate programmes in Computer Science, Communication Studies, and Management Sciences, including the MBA and M.P.ADM.
Can a candidate with a Third Class degree apply for a Master’s programme at FUNAAB?
Not directly. A candidate with a Third Class degree or HND must first complete a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) and perform well before becoming eligible to apply for a Master’s degree at FUNAAB.
How long does a Ph.D. take at FUNAAB?
A minimum of six semesters (three years) for full-time candidates, with a maximum of ten semesters, while part-time Ph.D. candidates require a minimum of eight semesters and a maximum of twelve.
Is the NYSC certificate compulsory for FUNAAB postgraduate admission?
Yes. Applicants must provide a valid NYSC discharge certificate or an official certificate of exemption. Candidates still serving or awaiting completion of NYSC are not eligible to apply.
Are postgraduate school fees the same across all FUNAAB colleges?
No. Fees differ by college and by degree category, with the College of Veterinary Medicine and College of Engineering generally billed at a higher rate than the other colleges due to the additional resources their programmes require.