The Federal University of Technology, Akure, runs its postgraduate programmes through the School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS), offering Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), Master’s, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees across its various schools and departments. As a specialized technology-focused federal university, FUTA’s postgraduate offerings lean heavily toward engineering, applied sciences, agricultural technology, environmental sciences, and management technology, alongside a growing number of interdisciplinary and space-science programmes run in collaboration with international partners.
Application into FUTA’s postgraduate programmes for the 2026/2027 academic session opened online through the university’s dedicated postgraduate portal, alongside affiliated portals for programmes run jointly with regional research centres. Candidates interested in any of these programmes go through a structured process that begins with purchasing the application form, meets specific academic entry requirements, and proceeds to payment of an acceptance fee before tuition becomes payable.
Categories of Postgraduate Programmes Offered at FUTA
FUTA’s postgraduate offerings fall into three broad qualification levels, each with distinct entry requirements and duration.
The Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) serves as a conversion or foundation-level qualification, commonly pursued by candidates whose first degree is in a related but not identical field, or by HND holders seeking to bridge into a specific technological discipline. PGD programmes at FUTA typically run for about 18 months and are structured to prepare candidates either for direct entry into a Master’s programme or for professional practice.
The Master’s degree (offered as Master of Technology, Master of Engineering, Master of Agricultural Technology, or Master of Science depending on the department) is FUTA’s core postgraduate qualification, open to candidates holding a good first degree, typically Second Class Lower Division or better, in an appropriate discipline from FUTA or another recognized university.
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is FUTA’s terminal postgraduate qualification, requiring a relevant Master’s degree and, in most departments, a submitted research proposal as part of the application process.
In addition to these standard qualification levels, FUTA runs the Master of Space Science and Technology (MSST) programme in partnership with the African Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education (ARCSSTE-E), based in Ile-Ife, an institution affiliated with the United Nations. This programme offers specializations including Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and candidates apply through a dedicated portal separate from FUTA’s main postgraduate application system.
Postgraduate Departments and Fields of Study at FUTA
FUTA’s postgraduate programmes are distributed across its schools, reflecting the university’s core identity as a technology-driven institution. Common fields available at the PGD, Master’s, and PhD levels include:
- Engineering technology fields: Civil Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, and related specializations.
- Agricultural technology fields: Crop, Soil, and Pest Management; Animal Production and Health; Agricultural Extension; and related disciplines under Master of Agricultural Technology.
- Environmental and built environment fields: Architecture, Estate Management, Surveying and Geoinformatics, Urban and Regional Planning.
- Computing and applied sciences: Computer Science (also available at PGD level for candidates holding relevant professional qualifications such as ACA, AIB, ACCA, or ACIS in place of a first degree), Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology.
- Management technology fields: Project Management, Entrepreneurship, and other management-related postgraduate options.
- Space science: Master of Space Science and Technology, offered jointly with ARCSSTE-E.
Candidates should confirm the exact list of departments currently admitting for the 2026/2027 session directly through the School of Postgraduate Studies, since not every department opens admission every session, and some programmes are offered only at specific qualification levels.
Admission Requirements for FUTA Postgraduate Programmes
Entry requirements vary depending on the specific qualification level a candidate is applying for.
For the Postgraduate Diploma, candidates generally need a Higher National Diploma (HND) of at least Lower Credit standing, or its equivalent, in a relevant or related field. For the Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science specifically, FUTA also accepts recognized professional qualifications such as ACA, AIB, ACCA, or ACIS in place of an HND or first degree.
For the Master’s degree (Master of Agricultural Technology, Master of Engineering, or Master of Technology, depending on the department), candidates need a good Bachelor’s degree, generally at least Second Class Lower Division, in an appropriate or related discipline, from FUTA or another recognized university.
For the PhD, candidates require a relevant Master’s degree from a recognized university and are typically asked to submit a research proposal by email as part of the application process.
Notably, O’Level results are no longer a requirement for postgraduate admission at FUTA, which simplifies the application process for candidates who may have misplaced or lost access to their secondary school certificates. Candidates who are not FUTA graduates are required to submit official transcripts from their previous institution, and FUTA typically expects these transcripts within six weeks of application.
FUTA Postgraduate Application Form and Fees
Application into FUTA’s postgraduate programmes is done entirely online, and the form fee is currently set at ₦20,000 across all three qualification levels — PhD, Master’s, and PGD. This fee is paid once, at the point of application, before the candidate’s academic and professional documents are reviewed for eligibility.
Table: FUTA Postgraduate School Fees Overview for 2026/2027
| Fee Component | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application form fee (PGD, Master’s, PhD) | ₦20,000 | Paid once, at the point of application |
| Acceptance fee | ₦40,000 | Non-refundable, paid once, after admission is confirmed |
| Matriculation gown fee | ₦2,500 | One-time charge for newly admitted students |
| First semester tuition (fresh students) | ₦110,000 – ₦150,000 | Varies by department and programme |
| Second semester tuition | Approximately ₦90,000 | Departmental dues may apply on top of this |
| Third semester tuition | Approximately ₦50,000 | Applicable to programmes running into a third semester |
| Estimated total for first year (fresh student) | ₦200,000 – ₦350,000 | Includes tuition, acceptance fee, and accommodation where applicable |
These figures represent the general postgraduate tuition structure at FUTA and are subject to periodic review by the university’s management. Departmental dues, laboratory levies for technical programmes, and project-related costs in the later stages of a Master’s or PhD programme are billed separately from the core tuition figure shown above.
Why FUTA Postgraduate Fees Vary by Programme
The exact tuition a postgraduate student pays at FUTA depends on several factors tied to the nature of the programme.
Engineering and applied science-based postgraduate programmes, being more resource-intensive due to laboratory work, equipment use, and technical supervision, often carry departmental levies on top of the standard tuition figure. Management and social science-oriented postgraduate programmes, by comparison, tend to sit at the lower end of the general fee range since they require less specialized laboratory infrastructure. Programmes run in partnership with external bodies, such as the Master of Space Science and Technology, may follow a separate fee schedule determined jointly by FUTA and the partnering institution, since these programmes are often subsidized or structured differently from FUTA’s standalone postgraduate offerings.
Duration of FUTA Postgraduate Programmes
Programme duration affects the total cost a postgraduate student pays over the life of their qualification, since tuition is billed per semester rather than as one lump sum for the entire programme.
The Postgraduate Diploma runs for approximately 18 months, structured across three semesters. The Master’s degree duration depends on the specific programme and department but generally follows a similar semester-based billing structure, with full-time and part-time students sometimes billed differently. The PhD programme runs considerably longer, spanning several years of coursework, research, and dissertation supervision, with tuition billed each session throughout the candidate’s registration period. Students who exceed the officially stipulated duration for their programme are typically required to pay extension or extra tuition charges for the additional semesters spent completing their research or coursework.
Payment Procedure for FUTA Postgraduate Fees
Once a candidate receives an offer of admission into a FUTA postgraduate programme, the following steps generally apply:
- Pay the non-refundable acceptance fee of ₦40,000 on the postgraduate portal to confirm acceptance of the offer.
- Log in to the School of Postgraduate Studies portal using the credentials issued at the point of admission.
- Generate the tuition invoice for the applicable semester, which reflects the specific amount for the candidate’s programme and level of study.
- Make payment through the designated bank channels linked to the portal.
- Print the payment confirmation for use during registration and course enrollment.
Candidates are advised to complete acceptance fee payment and first-semester tuition promptly after admission, since delays can affect registration timelines and access to course materials or supervision.
Other Costs Postgraduate Students Should Budget For
Beyond the tuition and acceptance fee, postgraduate students at FUTA typically budget for additional expenses tied to their programme:
- Accommodation: Postgraduate hostel space at FUTA is limited, and many postgraduate students arrange accommodation off-campus within Akure.
- Research and project costs: Master’s and PhD candidates incur costs related to data collection, laboratory materials, printing, and binding of theses or dissertations, particularly in the later stages of their programme.
- Departmental dues and utility fees: Charged separately from tuition and varying by department.
- Convocation gown and related graduation fees: Paid at the point of graduation, with specific guidance provided by the School of Postgraduate Studies closer to the candidate’s completion date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the FUTA postgraduate acceptance fee for 2026/2027?
The acceptance fee is ₦40,000, paid once by all newly admitted postgraduate students after confirmation of admission.
Does FUTA require O’Level results for postgraduate admission?
No. FUTA no longer requires O’Level results as part of the postgraduate application requirements for the 2026/2027 session.
Can an HND holder apply for a Master’s degree directly at FUTA?
Generally, HND holders are admitted into the Postgraduate Diploma first, which serves as a bridge into the Master’s programme. Direct entry into a Master’s degree typically requires a Bachelor’s degree at Second Class Lower Division or better in a relevant discipline.
How much does a full postgraduate programme cost at FUTA?
A typical PGD or Master’s programme, spanning about three semesters, costs approximately ₦200,000 to ₦350,000 in total for the first year alone, factoring in tuition, acceptance fee, and basic living costs, though this figure varies by department and rises with departmental levies for technical and laboratory-based programmes.
Is the application form fee the same for PGD, Master’s, and PhD?
Yes. FUTA charges a uniform application form fee of ₦20,000 across all three postgraduate qualification levels.