Federal University, Birnin Kebbi, commonly known as FUBK, is a Phase II federal university established in 2013 and located at Kalgo in Kebbi State, North-West Nigeria. Alongside its 50 undergraduate programmes, FUBK runs a growing postgraduate school offering 32 postgraduate programmes across its faculties. This article explains what postgraduate courses FUBK currently offers, how the university structures its postgraduate school fees, and what other charges prospective postgraduate students should plan for.
FUBK’s Postgraduate School Structure
Postgraduate education at FUBK is coordinated through the university’s dedicated Postgraduate School, which handles admissions, application processing, and academic coordination across departments. This structure means that regardless of which faculty a prospective postgraduate student is applying to, the sale of application forms, fee payment, and general administrative processes run through this central postgraduate office before handing candidates over to their specific departments for academic supervision.
FUBK’s postgraduate programmes span across its academic domains, including the sciences, social and management sciences, arts, and environmental sciences, with the university continuing to expand its list of postgraduate offerings as more programmes receive accreditation approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Categories of Postgraduate Programmes at FUBK
FUBK offers postgraduate qualifications across three main categories, each suited to a different academic or career goal:
- Postgraduate Diploma (PGD): A foundational or conversion-level qualification, often chosen by graduates seeking a bridge into a new field or looking to strengthen a first degree before proceeding to a master’s programme.
- Master’s Degrees (M.Sc. and M.A.): Standard academic postgraduate degrees combining coursework with a research project or dissertation, available across sciences, social sciences, and arts disciplines.
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): FUBK’s terminal research degree, available in select departments where postgraduate programmes have reached the doctoral level of accreditation.
Not every department offers all three levels. Some FUBK departments currently run only the PGD and Master’s levels, while a smaller number of departments have full accreditation extending to the Ph.D. level.
List of NUC-Approved Postgraduate Programmes at FUBK
The following postgraduate programmes have received approval from the National Universities Commission and are currently coordinated by FUBK’s Postgraduate School:
| Department/Field | Approved Postgraduate Qualifications |
|---|---|
| Accounting | PGD, M.Sc., Masters of Accounting and Finance |
| Biochemistry | PGD, M.Sc. |
| Computer Science | PGD, M.Sc. |
| Mathematics | M.Sc. |
| Statistics | M.Sc. |
| Architecture | M.Sc. |
| Economics | M.Sc., Ph.D. |
| Applied Geophysics | PGD, M.Sc., Ph.D. |
| History and International Studies | PGD, M.A., Ph.D. |
| Business Administration | PGD (Marketing), PGD (Entrepreneurship) |
This list reflects the programmes formally approved and announced by FUBK’s Postgraduate School following NUC accreditation review. Because the university continues to submit new postgraduate programmes for accreditation, prospective applicants interested in a department not listed here should confirm directly with the Postgraduate School whether that specific programme has since received approval, since FUBK periodically expands its postgraduate portfolio in line with new accreditation outcomes.
FUBK Postgraduate School Fees
FUBK charges its postgraduate tuition per semester rather than as a single annual lump sum. For a newly admitted postgraduate student, tuition alone (excluding acceptance fee, accommodation, ICT fee, and library fee) generally falls between ₦120,000 and ₦150,000 per semester, depending on the specific programme and level of study.
Since postgraduate programmes at FUBK run in semesters across multiple sessions, the actual total cost a student pays depends on the duration of their chosen programme. A Postgraduate Diploma typically spans two semesters (about one academic year), a Master’s degree typically spans a longer period covering coursework and a research/thesis component, and a Ph.D. runs across multiple sessions given its extended research requirements.
| Programme Level | Tuition Range (per semester) | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) | ₦120,000 – ₦150,000 | 2 semesters (about 1 year) |
| Master’s (M.Sc./M.A.) | ₦120,000 – ₦150,000 (may vary by department) | 3–4 semesters (about 18–24 months) |
| Ph.D. | Tuition typically higher due to extended research supervision | Minimum of 6 semesters (about 3 years) |
These figures represent tuition only. FUBK’s Postgraduate School has been clear that additional charges, including accommodation, ICT fee, library fee, and acceptance fee, are billed separately and are not included in the base tuition estimate above.
Additional Charges Postgraduate Applicants Should Expect
Beyond tuition, FUBK postgraduate applicants and newly admitted students should budget for several other charges during the application and registration process:
- Application Form Fee: Payable at the point of applying, before a candidate is considered for postgraduate admission. FUBK announces the specific cost of the form for each admission cycle when the sale of forms opens.
- Acceptance Fee: Charged once a candidate receives an admission offer, confirming the offer before registration proceeds.
- ICT Fee: A standard charge covering access to the university’s digital and online academic infrastructure.
- Library Fee: A recurring charge supporting access to the university’s library resources and materials.
- Accommodation Fee: An optional charge for postgraduate students who choose to reside in university-provided hostel accommodation, priced separately from tuition.
- Late Payment Penalty: FUBK’s Postgraduate School has stated that late payment of fees attracts extra charges, and failure to pay on time can lead to registration issues, so students are advised to complete payment as early as possible each semester.
How to Apply for a Postgraduate Programme at FUBK
The general sequence for applying to a postgraduate programme at FUBK follows this process:
- Wait for the Postgraduate School’s announcement of form sales, since applications open on specific dates each admission cycle (for example, past cycles have opened form sales in late October or early November with submission deadlines in December).
- Purchase and complete the postgraduate application form online through the university’s designated portal.
- Select strictly from the advertised list of approved programmes, since the university has clarified that it is not liable for errors made by applicants who select unlisted or invalid programmes.
- Submit all required academic documents, including transcripts and any other credentials specified for the chosen programme.
- Await the release of the admission list, then proceed to pay the acceptance fee and complete registration once an offer is confirmed.
- Pay the semester tuition and other applicable charges (ICT, library, accommodation) to the designated banks approved by the university before the stated deadline.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the specific admission requirements published for each programme before applying, since these can differ between the PGD, Master’s, and Ph.D. levels within the same department.
General Admission Requirements for FUBK Postgraduate Programmes
While specific requirements vary by department and level, FUBK’s postgraduate admission process generally follows this pattern:
- PGD applicants: A first degree or, in some departments, an HND with an acceptable grade from a recognised institution in a relevant or related field.
- Master’s applicants: A first degree with a minimum of second class lower division from a recognised university, or a relevant PGD with a good grade for candidates who do not meet the direct degree classification requirement.
- Ph.D. applicants: A relevant master’s degree from a recognised institution, typically with a strong academic standing, along with evidence of research capacity in departments offering this level.
- Supporting documents: Official transcripts and any additional documentation specified by the individual department, submitted as part of the online application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does FUBK offer Ph.D. programmes?
Yes, but only in select departments that have received the necessary accreditation for the doctoral level. Departments such as Economics, Applied Geophysics, and History and International Studies currently offer the Ph.D. alongside their Master’s and PGD options.
How much does postgraduate tuition cost at FUBK?
Tuition for new postgraduate students generally ranges from ₦120,000 to ₦150,000 per semester, excluding acceptance fee, accommodation, ICT fee, and library fee, which are charged separately.
Are all FUBK postgraduate programmes open every admission cycle?
Not necessarily. FUBK announces its advertised postgraduate programmes at the start of each admission cycle, and applicants should apply strictly from the list published for that specific session rather than assuming a previously available programme remains open.
What happens if a postgraduate student pays tuition late at FUBK?
FUBK’s Postgraduate School has stated that late payment attracts extra charges and can lead to registration complications, so students are advised to complete payment well ahead of the stated deadline each semester.
Where can prospective students confirm the current list of approved postgraduate programmes?
The most accurate and up-to-date list is published directly through FUBK’s Postgraduate School, either via the university’s official website or through direct contact with the Postgraduate School office, since new programmes are added as they receive NUC accreditation.