The University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) runs one of the most established postgraduate schools in northeastern Nigeria, offering programmes across Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s degree, and Doctor of Philosophy levels. Coordinated through the School of Postgraduate Studies, UNIMAID’s postgraduate catalogue spans faculties including Medical Sciences, Engineering, Agriculture, Arts, Education, Law, and Social Sciences. This article explains the categories of postgraduate courses UNIMAID offers, what fees apply at each level, and what candidates need to qualify for admission.
Overview of UNIMAID’s Postgraduate School
UNIMAID was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 1975 and has grown into the major higher institution serving the northeastern part of the country, with combined undergraduate and postgraduate enrolment running into tens of thousands of students. The university’s postgraduate offerings are administered through its School of Postgraduate Studies, which coordinates admissions, sets minimum eligibility standards, and issues the annual call for applications across the university’s colleges and faculties, including the College of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and Faculty of Social Sciences, among others.
Postgraduate admission at UNIMAID typically opens once per academic session, with the School of Postgraduate Studies inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates across its full range of programmes. Because course listings, fee schedules, and application procedures are reviewed periodically, candidates should always confirm current details directly through the School of Postgraduate Studies or the university’s official portal before submitting payment or documents.
Categories of Postgraduate Programmes at UNIMAID
UNIMAID groups its postgraduate offerings into several broad categories, each with distinct entry requirements and duration.
| Programme Category | Typical Examples |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) | PGD in Public Health, Computer Science, Education, Accounting, Management (PGDM), Disaster Studies (PGDDS) |
| Master’s Degree | M.Sc. in Chemistry, Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Economics, Physiology; M.A. in History, English, Islamic Studies, Linguistics |
| Professional Master’s | MBA, MPA, and similar practice-oriented graduate degrees |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | Ph.D. in Human Anatomy, Physics, Sociology, Agriculture, Law, Islamic Studies, English Language and African Literature |
Postgraduate Diploma programmes serve candidates who hold a first degree or HND and either want a bridging qualification into a Master’s programme or a standalone professional credential in areas such as public health, management, or disaster risk studies. Master’s degree programmes form the bulk of UNIMAID’s postgraduate catalogue, spanning virtually every faculty from Medical Sciences and Engineering to Arts and Social Sciences. The Ph.D. track is reserved for candidates who already hold a relevant Master’s degree with a strong academic record and wish to pursue independent, supervised research.
UNIMAID Postgraduate School Fees
Postgraduate tuition at UNIMAID varies by programme level and by faculty, with science and professional courses generally costing more than arts and humanities courses due to added laboratory, research, and supervision requirements. Based on the university’s most recently reported fee structure, Postgraduate Diploma programmes generally attract tuition of approximately ₦120,000 to ₦150,000 per session, Master’s degree programmes range from approximately ₦150,000 to ₦250,000 per session, and Doctor of Philosophy programmes range from approximately ₦180,000 to ₦300,000 per session, with the higher end of each range typically applying to science, engineering, and professional courses that carry additional laboratory or research charges.
The table below illustrates this pattern with representative examples across programme levels.
| Programme | Approximate Fee (Per Session) |
|---|---|
| PGD in Education | ₦120,000 |
| PGD in Computer Science | ₦130,000 |
| PGD in Accounting | ₦140,000 |
| PGD in Public Health | ₦150,000 |
| M.A. English | ₦180,000 |
| M.Sc. Economics | ₦200,000 |
| M.Sc. Microbiology | ₦220,000 |
| MBA | ₦250,000 |
| M.Sc. Mechanical Engineering | ₦250,000 |
| Ph.D. Agriculture | ₦240,000 |
| Ph.D. Sociology | ₦250,000 – ₦270,000 |
| Ph.D. Physics | ₦260,000 |
Beyond the base tuition, postgraduate candidates at UNIMAID should budget for several one-time charges paid during the first year of study. These include an acceptance fee of approximately ₦25,000 to secure admission, a registration fee of approximately ₦10,000 covering departmental registration and documentation, a medical screening fee of approximately ₦7,500, an identity card fee of approximately ₦2,000, and faculty or departmental charges ranging from ₦5,000 to ₦10,000 depending on the specific department. Science-based Master’s and Ph.D. programmes typically carry additional laboratory or studio fees ranging from ₦10,000 to ₦25,000, along with research fees, and Ph.D. candidates specifically should expect further charges tied to research and supervision as well as thesis assessment once they reach the later stages of their programme.
Because these figures are reviewed periodically by university management, candidates should treat all amounts in this article as working estimates and confirm the exact current fee for their specific programme and level directly through the School of Postgraduate Studies before making any payment.
General Admission Requirements for UNIMAID Postgraduate Programmes
Admission requirements at UNIMAID vary by programme level, but several conditions apply broadly across the postgraduate school. All candidates need a minimum of five O’Level credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, obtained through WASSCE, GCE, NECO, or an equivalent examination body. For Master’s degree admission specifically, candidates typically need a first degree with an acceptable classification from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification such as a Postgraduate Diploma with a strong grade point average from an accredited institution.
For Postgraduate Diploma programmes in specific professional areas, such as PGDM (Management), PGDE (Education), PGDNSS (National and Strategic Studies), and PGDA (Accounting), candidates must possess either a degree in a relevant discipline from UNIMAID or another recognised university, or a Higher National Diploma (HND) with a minimum classification of Lower Credit from an accredited institution.
Doctor of Philosophy admission carries the strictest academic threshold at UNIMAID. Candidates typically need a relevant Master’s degree, such as an M.A., M.Ed., M.Sc., M.Eng., or LL.M., in an appropriate field, with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 4.00 on a 5.00-point scale from UNIMAID or another recognised university, or a comparable grade classification such as a B or equivalent from institutions using a different grading system. This threshold reflects the research-intensive nature of doctoral study and the university’s expectation that Ph.D. candidates demonstrate strong prior academic performance before being admitted into independent research.
How to Apply for UNIMAID Postgraduate Admission
The application process for UNIMAID’s postgraduate programmes begins with obtaining the postgraduate application form from the School of Postgraduate Studies. Candidates pay a non-refundable application fee, typically around ₦15,000, through UNIMAID Microfinance Bank before collecting or accessing the form. Once payment is confirmed, candidates complete the application with their academic history, referee details, and supporting documents, and submit the completed form to the Secretary of the School of Postgraduate Studies before the stated closing date.
Candidates should carefully review the specific eligibility requirements for their intended programme before applying, since requirements differ meaningfully between PGD, Master’s, and Ph.D. tracks. Because notifications regarding screening, interviews, and admission decisions are communicated through the channels UNIMAID specifies during the application period, candidates should keep their contact details accurate and regularly check official university communication channels throughout the admission process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is UNIMAID postgraduate school fees per session?
Fees vary by programme level and faculty. Postgraduate Diploma programmes generally cost approximately ₦120,000 to ₦150,000 per session, Master’s degree programmes range from approximately ₦150,000 to ₦250,000 per session, and Ph.D. programmes range from approximately ₦180,000 to ₦300,000 per session, with science and professional courses typically at the higher end.
What is the minimum requirement to apply for a Ph.D. at UNIMAID?
Candidates generally need a relevant Master’s degree with a CGPA of at least 4.00 on a 5.00-point scale, or an equivalent grade classification, from UNIMAID or another recognised university.
Is the UNIMAID postgraduate application fee refundable?
No. The application fee, currently around ₦15,000, is non-refundable and must be paid through UNIMAID Microfinance Bank before a candidate can obtain or access the application form.
Does UNIMAID require NYSC for postgraduate admission?
Postgraduate students who have already completed NYSC or hold a valid exemption certificate are not required to undergo the service again, since postgraduate study itself does not carry a separate NYSC obligation.