Federal University, Gashua (FUGASHUA), located in Yobe State, runs a School of Postgraduate Studies offering Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), Master’s, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs across its Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, and Faculty of Science. This article covers the full range of postgraduate courses available at FUGASHUA, the application fees attached to each programme category, the general admission requirements, and what a candidate should expect to budget for in tuition and other charges.
Overview of the School of Postgraduate Studies at FUGASHUA
FUGASHUA’s School of Postgraduate Studies coordinates postgraduate admissions across the university’s constituent faculties, offering three broad categories of qualification: the Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), which either serves as a standalone professional qualification or bridges a candidate into a Master’s program; the Master’s degree, available in academic (M.Sc./M.A.) and professional (such as the Master of Public Administration) tracks; and the PhD, the university’s highest postgraduate qualification. Applications are processed entirely through the university’s online postgraduate application portal, separate from JAMB, since JAMB registration applies only to undergraduate admissions.
Postgraduate Courses Offered at FUGASHUA by Faculty
FUGASHUA’s postgraduate programs are currently concentrated across three faculties, each running its own PGD, Master’s, and PhD offerings.
Faculty of Arts
Under the Department of Islamic Studies, FUGASHUA offers a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Islamic Studies and a PhD in Islamic Studies, giving candidates a research and academic pathway in this discipline.
Faculty of Management and Social Sciences
This faculty carries the broadest range of postgraduate offerings at FUGASHUA, spread across four departments.
The Department of Accountancy runs an M.Sc. and PhD in Accounting, an M.Sc. and PhD in Taxation, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting, giving candidates multiple entry points depending on their existing qualification and career focus.
The Department of Economics and Development Studies offers an M.Sc. and PhD in Economics, along with a Postgraduate Diploma in Economics for candidates who need a bridge qualification before proceeding to the Master’s level.
The Department of Geography runs an M.Sc. and PhD in Geography, and additionally offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which serves candidates specifically interested in the technical, mapping-based side of geographic study.
The Department of Public Administration offers an M.Sc. and PhD in Public Administration, a professional Master of Public Administration (MPA) for candidates seeking a practice-oriented qualification rather than a purely research-based one, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration.
Faculty of Science
The Department of Chemistry offers specialized Master’s and PhD tracks in Analytical Chemistry and in Polymer Chemistry, along with a general Postgraduate Diploma in Chemistry for candidates who need to strengthen their qualification before proceeding further. The Department of Mathematics runs an M.Sc. and PhD in Mathematics, alongside a Postgraduate Diploma in Mathematics.
The table below summarizes FUGASHUA’s postgraduate course spread by faculty and department.
| Faculty | Department | Programmes Offered |
|---|---|---|
| Arts | Islamic Studies | M.A., PhD |
| Management and Social Sciences | Accountancy | PGD, M.Sc. (Accounting), PhD (Accounting), M.Sc. (Taxation), PhD (Taxation) |
| Management and Social Sciences | Economics and Development Studies | PGD, M.Sc., PhD |
| Management and Social Sciences | Geography | PGD (GIS), M.Sc., PhD |
| Management and Social Sciences | Public Administration | PGD, MPA, M.Sc., PhD |
| Science | Chemistry | PGD, M.Sc. (Analytical/Polymer Chemistry), PhD (Analytical/Polymer Chemistry) |
| Science | Mathematics | PGD, M.Sc., PhD |
FUGASHUA Postgraduate Application Fees
Unlike tuition, which is paid after admission is confirmed, FUGASHUA’s postgraduate application fee is paid upfront by every candidate at the point of applying, and the amount depends on the category of programme being applied for.
| Programme Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) | ₦10,000 |
| M.Sc. / M.A. (Academic Master’s) | ₦20,000 |
| Professional Master’s (e.g., MPA) | ₦20,000 |
| PhD | ₦25,000 |
This application fee is non-refundable and covers processing of the candidate’s application through the university’s postgraduate portal. It is distinct from tuition, which is only paid once a candidate has been offered and has accepted admission into their chosen programme.
Admission Requirements for FUGASHUA Postgraduate Programs
To qualify for any postgraduate programme at FUGASHUA, a candidate needs a minimum of five O’Level credit passes in SSCE, NECO, WASC, or an equivalent examination, including Mathematics and English Language. Candidates must also hold a valid NYSC discharge or exemption certificate, since the university’s postgraduate school explicitly excludes candidates who have not completed the NYSC programme from eligibility. Similarly, candidates who are still awaiting their first degree result are not eligible to apply, and the university has specifically instructed that statements of result should not be uploaded in place of a completed transcript.
Beyond these general requirements, each specific programme carries its own departmental entry conditions tied to the candidate’s first degree class and discipline. As a general pattern consistent with most Nigerian postgraduate schools, a Postgraduate Diploma typically requires at least a Third Class Bachelor’s degree or an HND with a Lower Credit in a relevant field, while an academic Master’s programme typically requires a Second Class Lower Division or higher, or a relevant Postgraduate Diploma completed with a strong CGPA. A PhD candidate is expected to already hold a relevant Master’s degree before applying. Candidates should confirm the exact departmental requirement for their specific programme of interest by reviewing the course-specific information available on the FUGASHUA postgraduate application portal before applying.
How to Apply for FUGASHUA Postgraduate Admission
Applying to FUGASHUA’s postgraduate school follows a structured online process:
- Visit the FUGASHUA postgraduate application portal and use the filter option to locate the desired course among the available programmes.
- Click “More Information” on the selected course to review its specific requirements before proceeding.
- Log in or register on the portal, which can be done using a Google account for convenience.
- Click “Proceed to Application Form” to generate a payment invoice for the non-refundable application fee corresponding to the chosen programme category.
- Complete the payment following the steps provided on the portal.
- Fill in the application form with the required personal, academic, and programme-specific details, then preview the entries before final submission. The “Update Form” option allows changes to be made before the form is submitted.
- Arrange for previous institutions to send academic transcripts directly to the university’s postgraduate secretary by email, since this step is separate from the online application and must be completed before the closing date.
Candidates should keep track of the university’s published deadline for the sale and submission of postgraduate forms each session, since the university does not typically extend the window once the portal closes.
FUGASHUA Postgraduate School Fees (Tuition)
FUGASHUA, as a federal government-owned university, generally maintains lower postgraduate tuition than what a private university would charge for comparable programmes, since government subvention covers a significant portion of the university’s running costs. While the university reviews its postgraduate tuition schedule from one session to the next, the following table gives a general benchmark based on standard postgraduate fee patterns at similarly sized federal universities in Nigeria.
| Programme Category | Estimated Tuition (Per Session) |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) | ₦70,000 – ₦130,000 |
| Academic Master’s (M.Sc., M.A.) | ₦90,000 – ₦160,000 |
| Professional Master’s (MPA) | ₦120,000 – ₦200,000 |
| PhD | ₦100,000 – ₦220,000 |
These figures are general estimates and not official tuition amounts published by FUGASHUA for a specific session. Because postgraduate tuition schedules are reviewed periodically and can vary by department, prospective students should confirm the exact current fee for their specific programme directly through the FUGASHUA bursary office or postgraduate portal before making any payment.
Additional Charges Beyond Tuition and Application Fees
Beyond the application fee and tuition, a postgraduate student at FUGASHUA should budget for several additional charges that typically apply once admission is confirmed:
- An acceptance fee, paid once to secure the offered admission slot
- ICT and library charges, covering access to the university’s digital learning resources
- Hostel accommodation, for students who opt to live on campus rather than off-campus
- Departmental research or project supervision charges, particularly relevant for Master’s and PhD candidates in the later stages of their programme
- A late payment penalty, which applies if fees are not settled before the university’s published deadline
Because of these additional charges, the actual first-session cost of a postgraduate programme at FUGASHUA is generally higher than the tuition figure alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does FUGASHUA postgraduate admission require JAMB?
No. Postgraduate admission is processed entirely through FUGASHUA’s own online postgraduate application portal and does not involve JAMB, which applies only to undergraduate admissions.
What is the application fee for a PhD at FUGASHUA?
The PhD application fee is ₦25,000, which is higher than the ₦20,000 fee for Master’s programmes and the ₦10,000 fee for Postgraduate Diploma programmes.
Can a candidate awaiting their first degree result apply for a FUGASHUA postgraduate programme?
No. FUGASHUA’s postgraduate school explicitly states that candidates awaiting results are not eligible to apply, and statements of result should not be uploaded in place of a completed transcript.
Is NYSC completion compulsory for FUGASHUA postgraduate admission?
Yes. Candidates who have not completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, or who do not hold a valid exemption certificate, are not eligible for postgraduate admission at FUGASHUA.
Which faculties currently offer postgraduate programmes at FUGASHUA?
Postgraduate programmes are currently available under the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, and the Faculty of Science, covering departments such as Islamic Studies, Accountancy, Economics and Development Studies, Geography, Public Administration, Chemistry, and Mathematics.