If you want to further your academic career at Taraba State University (TASU) in Jalingo, this guide explains what you need to know about the university’s postgraduate programmes, entry requirements, fees, and how to apply through the School of Postgraduate Studies.
Contents
About TASU’s School of Postgraduate Studies
Taraba State University in Jalingo, Nigeria, offers its postgraduate programmes through the School of Postgraduate Studies (SPS).
The SPS manages admissions, academic standards, and administration for postgraduate students in all faculties.
Over time, TASU has become a well-known state university with a wide range of postgraduate options in fields like Arts, Agriculture, Science, Education, and Engineering.
By 2022, TASU had held its 6th to 9th convocation ceremonies, graduating 8,585 students in total.
This included 49 First Class Honours, 2,416 Second Class Upper Division, 3,983 Second Class Lower Division, 790 Third Class, and 20 Pass degrees.
These numbers show how much the university’s student body, including postgraduates, has grown.
The Range of Postgraduate Programmes at TASU
TASU’s School of Postgraduate Studies offers several postgraduate qualifications at three main levels:
- Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) programmes
- Master’s Degree programmes including M.A., M.Ed., and M.Sc. tracks
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes
These qualifications are offered in many faculties, so students in Arts, Agriculture, Science, Education, and Engineering have several postgraduate options.
You can choose a shorter diploma or a full doctoral research programme.
General Admission Requirements
All applicants to TASU’s School of Postgraduate Studies must meet basic requirements.
Additional criteria also apply depending on the degree level you want to pursue.
Baseline O’Level requirement (all candidates):
Every postgraduate applicant must have at least five credits, including Mathematics and English Language, in no more than two sittings from WASC, NECO, NABTEB, GCE (Ordinary Level), or an equivalent exam.
For Master’s Degree programmes (M.A., M.Ed., M.Sc.):
Candidates need a Bachelor’s degree with at least a Second Class Lower Division in the relevant field.
For PhD programmes:
Candidates must meet a minimum weighted average score for doctoral admission and have the right previous qualifications, usually a Master’s degree in a related field.
For all applicants generally:
Nigerian citizens must include their NYSC discharge, exemption, or exclusion certificate with their application.
Transcript and Documentation Requirements
Many applicants struggle with transcript submission.
At TASU, you cannot upload your own transcript.
Instead, you must ask your previous school to send your official transcript directly to the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies.
TASU will only consider applications after receiving the transcript, so any delay from your former school can affect your application, even if you have submitted all other documents.
For this reason, you should request your transcript as early as possible, well before the application portal closes. Do not wait until the last minute.
Application Fee
The TASU postgraduate application requires a non-refundable fee.
In recent years, this has been either ₦10,000 or ₦20,000, depending on the session and possibly the degree level.
You pay directly through the University Payment Portal.
Always check the official TASU postgraduate portal for the current fee before you pay.
Application Window
The TASU postgraduate application portal usually stays open for about eight weeks after the admission advertisement.
Complete and submit your application within this time, as the portal will close.
In some years, a second-batch or second-semester application window opens for those who missed the first.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
- Confirm your eligibility against the baseline O’Level requirement and the specific criteria for your intended degree level (PGD, Master’s, or PhD).
- Request your transcript from your previous school as soon as possible. Your application will not be considered until the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, receives it directly.
- Visit the official TASU application portal to complete the online application form within the stated application window (typically around eight weeks from the advertisement date).
- Upload all relevant documents as specified on the application form, including your NYSC discharge, exemption, or exclusion certificate if you are a Nigerian citizen.
- Pay the non-refundable application fee through the University Payment Portal. Check the current fee for your programme and session before making payment.
- Submit your application before the portal closes and keep your confirmation for future reference.
- Watch for updates from the School of Postgraduate Studies about your admission status. You will usually hear back after the School receives your transcript and reviews your application.
A Word of Caution Before You Apply
TASU warns that you may not get your application fee back if the course you apply for is not on the official list of approved postgraduate courses.
Always check that your chosen programme is listed before you pay.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What levels of postgraduate study does TASU offer?
TASU’s School of Postgraduate Studies offers Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) programmes, Master’s Degree programmes (M.A., M.Ed., and M.Sc.), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes across multiple faculties.
2. What is the minimum O’Level requirement for TASU postgraduate admission?
All candidates must have obtained at least five credits, including Mathematics and English Language specifically, in not more than two sittings, from WASC, NECO, NABTEB, GCE, or an equivalent examination.
3. What class of degree do I need for a Master’s programme at TASU?
Candidates applying for Master’s degree programmes (M.A., M.Ed., M.Sc.) must hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least a Second Class Lower Division in the relevant discipline.
4. Do I upload my own transcript, or does my previous school send it directly?
Your previous institution(s) must process and forward your official academic transcript(s) directly to the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies.
TASU has stated explicitly that only candidates whose transcripts have actually been received will be considered for admission.
5. How much is the TASU postgraduate application fee?
Reported figures have varied between ₦10,000 and ₦20,000 across different admission cycles.
Always confirm the current fee on the official TASU portal before paying, since it can change and has differed between cycles.
6. How long does the TASU postgraduate application portal typically stay open?
The portal has historically remained open for approximately eight weeks from the date of the university’s admission advertisement for that specific cycle, so applicants should aim to complete their application well within this window.
7. Do Nigerian applicants need to submit an NYSC certificate?
Yes. Nigerian citizens applying for postgraduate admission at TASU must provide their NYSC discharge, exemption, or exclusion certificate as part of their application documentation.
8. What happens if the School of Postgraduate Studies doesn’t officially list the course I want to apply for?
TASU has warned that upfront application payments may not be retrievable if the course applied for isn’t among the school’s officially approved list of postgraduate courses, so confirm your intended programme is genuinely listed before paying.
9. Is there a second application window if I miss the first one?
In some admission cycles, yes, TASU has run a distinct “second batch” or second-semester edition of its postgraduate application process within the same broader academic session, giving candidates a further opportunity to apply.
10. What’s the minimum requirement for PhD admission at TASU?
PhD applicants are required to meet a minimum weighted average score specific to doctoral admission, along with holding a relevant prior qualification (typically a Master’s degree) appropriate to their intended area of research.
Final Thoughts
Taraba State University’s School of Postgraduate Studies offers many postgraduate options, from Diplomas to PhDs, in Arts, Agriculture, Science, Education, and Engineering.
Since transcript delivery, fees, and deadlines can change, make sure your programme is approved, request your transcript early, and check the current fee and deadline on the official TASU portal before you pay or submit your application.
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