Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), located in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, runs one of the more established postgraduate schools among Nigeria’s state universities, offering Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), Master’s, M.Phil, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes across its various faculties and colleges. Candidates preparing to apply for the 2026/2027 postgraduate session need clarity on what each programme level costs, what the admission form fee is, and what other charges apply before and during the programme. This article sets out that information in full.
Overview of the OOU Postgraduate School
The OOU Postgraduate School coordinates admission and academic administration for every postgraduate programme run across the university’s colleges and faculties, including the College of Agricultural Sciences, the College of Engineering and Environmental Studies, the Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, and independent faculties such as Administration and Management Sciences, Arts, Education, Law, Pharmacy, Science, and Social Sciences. Programmes run at three main levels: Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), Master’s degree (M.Sc, M.A, M.Ed, MBA, and similar professional master’s degrees), and Doctoral-level study (M.Phil/PhD and direct PhD).
Because OOU is a state-owned university, its postgraduate fees are generally more moderate than what private universities charge for comparable programmes, though postgraduate tuition at any Nigerian university tends to run higher than undergraduate tuition due to the more specialised nature of graduate-level instruction, supervision, and research support.
OOU Postgraduate Admission Form Fee
Before a candidate can apply for any postgraduate programme at OOU, they must first purchase the postgraduate application form through the university’s postgraduate portal. The form fee for the 2026/2027 session is expected to remain at ₦30,000, consistent with what the university charged in the most recent postgraduate admission cycles. This fee covers processing of the application and does not include tuition, which is paid separately after an admission offer is made.
OOU Postgraduate School Fees by Programme Level for 2026/2027
Postgraduate tuition at OOU is charged per semester rather than as a single annual figure, and the amount varies depending on whether a candidate is enrolled in a Postgraduate Diploma, a Master’s degree, or a Doctoral programme. Based on the university’s recent fee pattern, the table below sets out the expected tuition range per semester and per session for the 2026/2027 academic year.
| Programme Level | Tuition Per Semester (₦) | Estimated Tuition Per Session (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) | 140,000 and above | 280,000 and above |
| Master’s Degree (M.Sc, M.A, M.Ed, and similar) | 165,000 and above | 330,000 and above |
| M.Phil/PhD | 200,000 and above | 400,000 and above |
These figures represent tuition only and exclude other compulsory charges such as the acceptance fee, matriculation fee, library and ICT charges, and departmental levies that apply on top of tuition. Professional postgraduate programmes, such as MBA and other Master’s degrees in Management Sciences, along with specialised programmes in Medicine, Pharmacy, and Law, typically attract higher fees than the general range shown above, since these programmes carry additional costs tied to accreditation, laboratory use, or clinical/practical components. Candidates applying to these specific professional tracks should confirm the exact fee for their department directly through the OOU Postgraduate School, since the amount can differ meaningfully from the general PGD, Master’s, and PhD figures.
What Postgraduate Fees at OOU Typically Cover
Postgraduate tuition at OOU funds academic supervision, access to departmental resources, and coordination of coursework and research activities specific to a student’s programme. Beyond tuition, postgraduate students should also budget for the following recurring and one-off charges, which apply across most programmes:
- Acceptance fee – paid once, immediately after a candidate receives an offer of admission into a postgraduate programme.
- Matriculation fee – a one-off charge tied to formal registration as a postgraduate student of the university.
- Library and ICT charges – recurring fees that give students access to the university’s library resources and internet/ICT facilities.
- Departmental and research levies – charges that support supervision, seminar coordination, and research-related departmental activities, particularly relevant for Master’s and PhD candidates working on a thesis or dissertation.
- Thesis/Dissertation Defence Fee – a charge that typically applies toward the final stage of a Master’s or PhD programme, covering the administrative cost of organising the defence examination.
Admission Requirements for OOU Postgraduate Programmes
Meeting the fee requirement is only part of the process; candidates must also satisfy specific academic qualifications before they can be considered for a postgraduate programme at OOU. These requirements differ slightly by programme level.
- Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) – Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree, HND, or its equivalent from an accredited institution, relevant to the programme applied for. A minimum CGPA of 1.5 on a 5-point scale (or its equivalent) is generally required, and HND holders with at least a Lower Credit are also eligible for many PGD programmes.
- Master’s Degree – Candidates typically need a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 5-point scale, or a Second Class Honours degree (Lower Division) or its equivalent, from OOU or another approved university. Some professional Master’s programmes, particularly MBA and other Management Sciences degrees, may additionally require GMAT or GRE scores.
- M.Phil/PhD and Direct PhD – Applicants generally need a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline. Candidates with a CGPA of 3.5 or above from OOU’s own Master’s programme may qualify for direct entry into the PhD track, while those with a CGPA between 3.00 and 3.49 are typically admitted into the M.Phil/PhD track first, with eligibility for full PhD candidature determined after completing coursework.
All applicants, regardless of programme level, are also required to submit official transcripts from their previous institution, sent directly to the Postgraduate School, along with photocopies of relevant certificates such as degree certificates, NYSC discharge certificates, and any professional certifications. Candidates should also secure at least two reference letters from academics or professionals familiar with their qualifications, as this is a standard requirement across most postgraduate programmes at the university.
Payment Process for OOU Postgraduate Fees
OOU processes postgraduate fee payments through its official online payment portal. Newly admitted candidates generate a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) through the postgraduate student portal after their admission is confirmed, then complete payment through any of the university’s designated banks or via online banking channels linked to the Remita platform. Once payment is confirmed, students proceed to complete course registration for the relevant semester.
Students are advised to keep proof of every payment made, since this serves as the reference document required during registration, especially when resolving any dispute over payment records. Late payment of postgraduate fees at OOU, as with most Nigerian universities, can result in exclusion from semester examinations or delay in processing a student’s results, so early payment within the stipulated deadline remains the safer approach.
Comparing OOU Postgraduate Fees Across Programme Levels
The table below offers a simplified side-by-side view of what distinguishes the three main postgraduate tracks at OOU in terms of cost and duration expectations.
| Feature | PGD | Master’s | M.Phil/PhD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Entry Qualification | Bachelor’s/HND, CGPA 1.5+ | Bachelor’s, CGPA 3.0+ (2nd Class Lower or better) | Master’s degree, CGPA 3.0–3.5+ |
| Tuition Per Semester | ₦140,000 and above | ₦165,000 and above | ₦200,000 and above |
| Typical Programme Duration | 1 to 2 years | 1.5 to 2 years | 2 to 4 years (PhD often longer) |
| Additional Requirement | O’Level credits in English and Mathematics | Reference letters, transcripts | Supervisor availability, transcripts |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the OOU postgraduate application form for 2026/2027?
The OOU postgraduate application form costs ₦30,000, consistent with the fee charged in the most recent admission cycles.
How much does a PGD programme cost per session at OOU?
Postgraduate Diploma tuition at OOU is approximately ₦140,000 and above per semester, which comes to roughly ₦280,000 and above for a full academic session, excluding other compulsory charges.
Is Master’s tuition more expensive than PGD tuition at OOU?
Yes. Master’s degree tuition at OOU is generally higher than PGD tuition, at approximately ₦165,000 and above per semester compared to ₦140,000 and above for PGD.
What CGPA is required for a Master’s programme at OOU?
Candidates generally need a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 5-point scale, or a Second Class Honours (Lower Division) degree or its equivalent, to qualify for most Master’s programmes at OOU.
Where can candidates confirm the exact postgraduate fee for their specific programme?
The most accurate and updated fee breakdown for any specific postgraduate programme is available through the OOU Postgraduate School’s official portal or by contacting the relevant department directly, since fees can vary for professional and specialised programmes.