Obafemi Awolowo University runs one of the largest and most established postgraduate colleges among Nigerian federal universities. This article covers the postgraduate courses available at OAU, the categories of programmes on offer, the admission requirements, and the school fees students should budget for in the 2026/2027 academic session.
About the OAU Postgraduate College
Postgraduate education at Obafemi Awolowo University dates back to 1964, when Pharmacy became the first faculty to run a postgraduate programme, building on infrastructure inherited from the earlier Nigerian College of Arts and Science. Today, the Postgraduate College coordinates advanced study across every faculty in the university and enrols several thousand students at any given time. The university currently offers 16 Postgraduate Diploma programmes, 106 Master’s programmes (including professional and research-based degrees), 32 Master of Philosophy programmes, and 80 Doctor of Philosophy programmes, spanning disciplines from the sciences and engineering to law, education, the arts, and clinical medicine.
All postgraduate admissions, course registration, and fee payment at OAU are processed centrally through the university’s online postgraduate portal rather than through individual faculties, which keeps the admission and payment process uniform across departments.
Categories of Postgraduate Programmes at OAU
OAU groups its postgraduate offerings into four broad categories, and understanding which category a target course falls under matters, since duration, coursework structure, and fees differ across them.
- Postgraduate Diploma (PGD): A one-year, coursework-based qualification often taken by graduates who need a conversion or bridging qualification before proceeding to a Master’s degree, or by professionals seeking a focused credential in a new field. Examples include the PGD in Financial Management, PGD in Public Administration, and PGD in International Relations.
- Professional Master’s programmes: Practice-oriented Master’s degrees built around a specific profession rather than an academic research thesis. Examples include the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of International Relations (MIR), Master of Architecture (M.Arch.), Master of Managerial Psychology (MM Psych), and Master of Laws (LL.M.).
- Master’s with Research Thesis: Academic Master’s degrees such as M.Sc., M.A., and M.Tech., which combine coursework with an independent research thesis, forming the standard route into further postgraduate research.
- Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): Research-intensive degrees for candidates pursuing advanced scholarship or an academic and research career. M.Phil. programmes exist in many departments as either a standalone qualification or a stepping stone toward the Ph.D., while the Ph.D. is OAU’s highest degree, requiring an original research contribution defended before a panel of examiners.
Examples of Postgraduate Courses by Faculty
Because OAU runs postgraduate programmes in every faculty, the course list is extensive. The table below gives a representative sample of programme areas across the university’s major faculties, rather than an exhaustive list, since new programmes are added periodically as departments gain fresh accreditation.
| Faculty / College | Sample Postgraduate Programmes |
|---|---|
| Administration (Business, Law, Social Sciences) | MBA, MPA, MIR, LL.M., M.Sc./Ph.D. in Accounting, Economics, Political Science, Sociology |
| Arts | M.A./Ph.D. in English, History, Linguistics, Religious Studies, Philosophy |
| Education | PGD Education, M.Ed./Ph.D. in Educational Management, Curriculum Studies, Guidance and Counselling |
| Science | M.Sc./Ph.D. in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Botany, Zoology, Microbiology |
| Technology (Engineering) | M.Sc./M.Tech./Ph.D. in Civil, Electrical/Electronics, Mechanical, and Telecommunications Engineering |
| Environmental Design and Management | M.Sc./Ph.D. in Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, Building |
| Pharmacy | M.Sc./Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry |
| Clinical Sciences and Basic Medical Sciences | M.Sc./M.Phil./Ph.D. in Anatomy, Physiology, Public Health, Ophthalmology, and other clinical specialties |
| Agriculture | M.Sc./Ph.D. in Agribusiness, Crop Production, Animal Science, Agricultural Extension |
| Specialised and Interdisciplinary Programmes | M.Sc. in Energy Systems Science and Engineering, M.Sc. in Geospatial Information Science and Land Administration, Master of Subsea Engineering |
Newer interdisciplinary programmes, such as those in energy systems engineering and geospatial information science, run in collaboration with specialised research institutes affiliated with the university, giving students access to more technical and industry-linked training than a standard single-department programme would offer.
Admission Requirements for OAU Postgraduate Programmes
Entry requirements vary slightly by programme category, but the general standards across OAU’s postgraduate college follow a consistent pattern.
- Postgraduate Diploma: A first degree from a recognised university, generally in a related or relevant field, though PGD programmes are often used specifically to bridge candidates from an unrelated first degree into a new discipline.
- Master’s degree (Professional or Research): A minimum of a Second Class Lower Division Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university in a relevant discipline. Some competitive professional Master’s programmes, such as the MBA, may also require a minimum number of years of post-qualification work experience.
- Master of Philosophy: A good Master’s degree, typically with a strong academic record, along with departmental approval of a research proposal in the candidate’s chosen area.
- Doctor of Philosophy: A relevant Master’s degree, usually with a specified minimum grade point average, along with an approved research proposal and, for some departments, an entrance interview or screening examination.
Each faculty and department publishes its own specific requirements alongside these general standards, so an applicant should check the exact departmental requirement for their intended programme before applying, since some departments add extra conditions such as a qualifying examination or a minimum number of relevant publications for Ph.D. applicants.
How to Apply for OAU Postgraduate Admission
Applications for OAU postgraduate programmes are handled entirely online and are typically open year-round ahead of each semester’s registration deadline, rather than following a single fixed application window like undergraduate admissions.
- Visit the OAU postgraduate college’s official application portal and create an applicant profile.
- Select the desired programme, faculty, and mode of study (full-time or part-time, where applicable).
- Pay the non-refundable application/screening fee online.
- Upload the required academic credentials, including degree certificates, transcripts, and, where applicable, a research proposal or statement of purpose.
- Submit the completed application and await the department’s review, which may include an interview or screening exercise before an offer of admission is issued.
OAU Postgraduate School Fees 2026/2027
Postgraduate tuition at OAU is not charged as a single flat rate across the university; it varies by faculty and by the type of programme, since some programmes (particularly in engineering, technology, and specialised professional courses) require more laboratory access, studio time, or industry-linked resources than others.
| Programme Type / Faculty Group | Estimated Fee (per session, unless stated) |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate Diploma (general) | ₦120,000 – ₦150,000 |
| Master’s — Business Admin. & Accounting | ₦120,000 – ₦170,000 |
| Master’s — Education, Arts, Social Sciences & Others in Administration | ₦120,000 – ₦150,000 |
| Master’s — Managerial Psychology/Technology Management | ₦170,000 |
| Master’s — Information Technology Policy & Regulation | ₦250,000 |
| Master’s — Electronics & Telecommunications Engineering | ₦400,000 |
| Master’s — Engineering (Telecommunications, specialised tracks) | up to ₦600,000 |
| Master’s — Science & Environmental Design & Management | ₦270,000 |
| Master’s — Clinical Sciences & Basic Medical Sciences | ₦150,000 |
| Ph.D. — Business Administration and Accounting | ₦170,000 |
| Ph.D. — Law, Arts, Education, Social Sciences & Others in Administration | ₦200,000 |
| MBA (professional, per semester) | around ₦400,000 |
A general estimate places most standard Master’s programmes at roughly ₦200,000 per year in tuition, Postgraduate Diploma programmes near ₦150,000 per year, and Ph.D. tuition around ₦300,000 per year, though the department-specific figures in the table above show that technical and professional programmes can run noticeably higher than this baseline.
Beyond tuition, every fresh postgraduate student pays a non-refundable acceptance fee of about ₦20,000 once an admission offer is confirmed. Additional charges commonly apply on top of tuition, including registration, library, ICT, and medical fees, and students who require university accommodation pay a separate hostel fee, often around ₦40,000 depending on the room type. Because OAU reviews its fee schedule periodically rather than every session, applicants should confirm the exact current figure for their specific programme through the postgraduate portal or their department before making payment, since published rates can shift once the university issues a new circular.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does OAU offer both full-time and part-time postgraduate study?
Yes. Many Master’s, PGD, and some Ph.D. programmes at OAU are available on a part-time basis, which suits working professionals, though the exact mode available depends on the specific department.
What is the minimum qualification to apply for a Master’s degree at OAU?
A Second Class Lower Division Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university in a relevant field is the general minimum requirement, though some competitive professional programmes set additional conditions such as relevant work experience.
Can someone move directly from a Postgraduate Diploma into a Master’s programme?
Yes. A Postgraduate Diploma is commonly used as a bridging qualification, and PGD graduates who meet the required academic standard can proceed into a related Master’s programme at OAU.
Are OAU postgraduate school fees the same across all faculties?
No. Fees vary by faculty and programme type, with technical, engineering, and some professional programmes generally charging more than programmes in the arts, education, and general social sciences.
How is OAU postgraduate school fees paid?
Payment is made online through the university’s approved postgraduate portal and designated banks, after which the student is expected to complete registration using the confirmed payment receipt before resuming academic activities for the session.