Federal University, Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), located in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, runs one of the more affordable postgraduate school systems among federal universities in Nigeria. Through its College of Postgraduate Studies (formerly known as the School of Postgraduate Studies), the university offers a wide catalogue of postgraduate programmes spanning Postgraduate Diplomas, Master’s degrees, Master of Philosophy, and Doctor of Philosophy across faculties such as Agriculture, Sciences, Arts, Social Sciences, Education, and Management Studies. This article explains the categories of postgraduate courses FUDMA offers, what fees apply at each level, and what candidates need to qualify for admission.
Overview of FUDMA’s Postgraduate School
FUDMA was established in 2011 under the administration of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and became fully operational by 2012. Its postgraduate arm traces back to a Senate resolution establishing the Graduate School, which has since grown into a College of Postgraduate Studies running over 150 postgraduate courses drawn from the university’s various faculties. The college coordinates admissions across multiple qualification levels, ranging from short professional diplomas up to doctoral research degrees, and every application runs entirely online through the university’s dedicated postgraduate portal.
FUDMA’s postgraduate admission cycle typically opens once each academic session, with the College of Postgraduate Studies inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates for the various programmes on offer. Because the application process, fee structure, and course list are reviewed periodically, candidates should always confirm current details directly on the university’s postgraduate portal before submitting payment or documents.
Categories of Postgraduate Programmes at FUDMA
FUDMA groups its postgraduate offerings into five broad categories, each with its own entry requirements and duration.
| Programme Category | Typical Duration | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) | 2 semesters (about 1 year) | PGD in Education, Community Health Education, Environmental Health, Information Management |
| Master’s Degree | 3-4 semesters (12-24 months) | M.A., M.Sc., M.Ed., M.Eng., MBA, MPH |
| Professional Master’s Degree | 3-4 semesters | Specialised practice-oriented Master’s tracks tied to specific professions |
| Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) | Typically 3-4 semesters | Research-intensive programmes bridging Master’s and doctoral study |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | Minimum of 3 years, often longer | Research doctorates across the university’s faculties |
Postgraduate Diploma programmes at FUDMA serve candidates who hold a first degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) in a related or sometimes unrelated field and want either a bridging qualification into a Master’s programme or a standalone professional credential. Master’s degree programmes form the bulk of FUDMA’s postgraduate catalogue and cut across virtually every faculty the university runs, including Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Sciences, Arts and Islamic Studies, Social and Management Sciences, and Education. The Ph.D. track is reserved for candidates who already hold a relevant Master’s degree and wish to pursue independent research under faculty supervision.
FUDMA Postgraduate School Fees
Postgraduate tuition at FUDMA is noticeably more affordable than at many private and even some other federal universities in Nigeria, reflecting the university’s broader positioning as a moderately priced institution. Based on the university’s published fee information, postgraduate students at FUDMA generally pay between ₦70,000 and ₦90,000 per session in tuition, a figure that applies across most PGD and Master’s programmes, though individual departments may charge slightly different amounts depending on laboratory needs, fieldwork requirements, or professional accreditation dues tied to specific courses.
Beyond the base tuition, postgraduate candidates should budget for several additional charges that apply at different stages of the admission and registration process. The postgraduate application form itself costs ₦10,000, a non-refundable amount paid before a candidate can access the online application portal. Candidates applying specifically to Postgraduate Diploma or certificate-style programmes run through the university’s College of Professional and Continuing Studies sometimes pay a separate application fee, which has been priced at ₦15,000 for some PGD offerings. Where a qualifying examination applies to a particular programme, an additional ₦2,000 examination fee is charged alongside the main application cost.
Once admitted, postgraduate students must also pay registration-related charges such as matriculation fees, identification card fees, library fees, and departmental dues, none of which are included in the base tuition figure. Programmes with a laboratory or fieldwork component, particularly in the sciences and agriculture, may carry additional practical fees on top of standard tuition. Because these figures are reviewed periodically by university management, candidates should treat the ₦70,000 to ₦90,000 tuition range as a working estimate and confirm the exact current figure for their specific programme through the College of Postgraduate Studies before making payment.
General Admission Requirements for FUDMA Postgraduate Programmes
Admission requirements at FUDMA vary somewhat by programme level, but several conditions apply broadly across the postgraduate school. All candidates need a minimum of five credit passes at O’Level, including English Language, obtained through WASSCE, GCE, NECO, or NABTEB, generally at not more than two sittings. For Master’s degree admission specifically, candidates must hold a first degree with at least a Second Class Lower division from a recognised university, or a comparable qualification such as a Postgraduate Diploma with a strong CGPA from an accredited institution.
The university applies a strict minimum performance threshold at the entry level for its research-based postgraduate programmes. Candidates holding a Pass grade at any prior qualification level, whether at Bachelor’s degree, PGD, HND, or OND, are not eligible for direct admission into Ph.D., Master’s, or PGD programmes at FUDMA. Similarly, applicants whose diploma-level CGPA falls below 2.50 typically do not qualify for progression into the university’s postgraduate programmes without an intervening bridging step. Candidates applying specifically for the Master’s in Science (M.Sc.) track need to have obtained their five required O’Level credits in not more than two sittings, which mirrors the standard undergraduate O’Level requirement applied across most Nigerian universities.
A valid National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, or an exemption certificate for candidates who are not liable for youth service, is compulsory for all postgraduate applicants at FUDMA, since the university does not admit candidates into full postgraduate study without evidence of having completed or being exempted from this national service requirement.
How to Apply for FUDMA Postgraduate Admission
The entire postgraduate application process at FUDMA runs online through the College of Postgraduate Studies portal. Candidates begin by visiting the portal and entering their personal details, including surname, first name, other names, a valid and regularly checked email address, and an active phone number, since all further communication regarding the application is sent by email. After selecting the desired faculty and programme, the system generates an application number.
Candidates then activate their application account through a verification link sent to the registered email, after which payment is made through a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) number generated on the portal. This payment can be completed at any commercial bank branch in Nigeria or directly online through the Remita platform using an accepted debit card. Once payment is verified on the portal, candidates return to complete the full application form, including academic history, referee details, and supporting documents. Because notifications about screening dates, interview invitations, and admission decisions are communicated primarily by email, candidates are strongly advised to use a personal and consistently accessible email account throughout the process rather than a shared or rarely checked one.
Duration of FUDMA Postgraduate Programmes
Postgraduate programme duration at FUDMA varies by qualification level and by whether a candidate studies full-time or part-time. Postgraduate Diploma programmes generally run for two semesters, roughly equivalent to one academic year. Master’s degree programmes typically span three to four semesters, translating to approximately twelve to twenty-four months depending on the specific track and the candidate’s mode of study. Part-time Master’s candidates, including many enrolled through study centres outside the main Dutsin-Ma campus, such as the university’s Kano study centre for some PGD offerings, tend to fall toward the longer end of this range. Doctor of Philosophy programmes require a minimum of three years of study, though the actual completion time frequently extends further depending on the pace of the candidate’s research and thesis defence process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is FUDMA postgraduate school fees per session?
Postgraduate tuition at FUDMA generally ranges between ₦70,000 and ₦90,000 per session, though specific departments and programmes may charge additional laboratory, fieldwork, or professional dues beyond this base figure.
What are the minimum requirements to apply for a Master’s degree at FUDMA?
Candidates need a first degree with at least a Second Class Lower division or an equivalent qualification, five O’Level credits including English Language obtained in not more than two sittings, and a valid NYSC discharge or exemption certificate. Candidates with a Pass grade at their first degree do not qualify for direct Master’s admission.
How long does it take to complete a Postgraduate Diploma at FUDMA?
Postgraduate Diploma programmes at FUDMA generally run for two semesters, roughly one academic year, whether pursued full-time on the main campus or part-time through an approved study centre.
Is the FUDMA postgraduate application process fully online?
Yes. Candidates apply entirely through the College of Postgraduate Studies portal, from initial registration and payment through Remita to final submission of the completed application form and supporting documents.