If you’re a graduate ready to advance your academic or professional life, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife is one of Nigeria’s top choices for postgraduate study.
This guide explains how OAU’s Postgraduate College works, the variety of programmes available, what you need to qualify for each degree, and how to apply.
Contents
About OAU’s Postgraduate College
The Postgraduate College manages postgraduate education at Obafemi Awolowo University, following policies set by the University Senate and the Postgraduate College Board.
The College is led by a Provost, who works with the Deputy Provost, Senate and faculty representatives, the University Librarian, and the College Secretary.
Each department handles its own postgraduate teaching and research, working with the College through their Departmental and Faculty Postgraduate Committees.
OAU’s history with postgraduate study goes back to 1964.
Pharmacy, one of the university’s first faculties, started the first postgraduate programme thanks to the strong foundation it had already built.
The Scale of OAU’s Postgraduate Offerings
Today, OAU’s Postgraduate College is one of Nigeria’s largest.
More than 5,000 postgraduate students are enrolled across different programmes.
- 16 Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) programmes
- 106 Master’s degree programmes (including several professional degrees)
- 32 Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) programmes
- 80 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes
This wide range means that all OAU faculties offer postgraduate programmes.
It’s not just science and health departments; arts, social sciences, law, education, and technology faculties also have their own postgraduate options.
Admission Requirements by Degree Level
OAU’s Postgraduate College has different entry requirements based on the qualification you want to pursue:
Postgraduate Diploma (PGD):
Applicants usually need to be graduates of OAU or another approved school, with a Bachelor’s degree in arts, letters, philosophy, or science (or an equivalent).
Some PGD programmes also accept candidates with an HND at lower credit or higher in a relevant field, or at least a Third Class degree, depending on the department.
Master’s Degree:
Applicants are usually expected to have at least a Second Class Lower Division Honours degree from OAU or another approved university.
Some departments may also consider those with a Third Class degree if they have completed a relevant Postgraduate Diploma, but this depends on the department.
Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.):
Anyone with a previous Master’s degree can usually apply for M.Phil. admission, as long as the department approves and the degree is relevant to the field they want to study.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD):
PhD applicants usually need a relevant Master’s degree.
If you did not graduate from OAU, you must provide transcripts for all your previous degrees, such as your Postgraduate Diploma, First Degree, and Master’s or M.Phil., depending on your academic background.
OAU First Degree Matriculation Requirements (Background Context)
In addition to the specific requirements for each programme, OAU expects all candidates to meet the university’s general ‘O’ Level first-degree matriculation requirements, no matter which postgraduate level you are applying for.
This means:
- Five ‘O’ Level credit passes obtained in not more than two sittings, including English Language for all disciplines.
- Mathematics is additionally required for all Social Science and Science-based disciplines.
This basic requirement shows that your academic background meets the university’s standard entry level, in addition to any specific postgraduate criteria for your chosen programme.
Tuition and Fees
Postgraduate fees at OAU depend on the programme and faculty, with tuition usually between ₦150,000 and ₦300,000 per year.
OAU also charges a non-refundable application processing fee.
The exact amount depends on your degree and programme, so check the Postgraduate College’s application portal for the latest details before you pay.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
- Choose your programme and department from OAU’s Postgraduate College course list, and make sure the degree level (PGD, Master’s, M.Phil., or PhD) matches your academic background.
- Check that you meet the requirements for your chosen degree, and collect your transcripts. If you are not an OAU graduate and want to apply for a PhD, you will need transcripts for all your previous qualifications.
- Create an application account on the official OAU postgraduate application portal at apply.oaunetque.com.
- Scan or take a digital photo of your passport photograph, as you will need it for your application profile.
- Pay the non-refundable application processing fee only through the Remita platform in your application account. You can use a debit or ATM card, but only through Remita.net. No other payment method or person is allowed to collect this fee for OAU.
- Fill in your personal and academic details, and upload your transcripts and certificates when asked.
- Submit your application and keep your confirmation reference. You may need it for future contact with the Postgraduate College or your department.
Important Fraud Warning
OAU’s Postgraduate College warns that no one is allowed to collect payments for the university.
All application payments must be made only through the Remita platform in your application account on the official portal.
If anyone, even if they say they work for the university, asks you to pay them directly or through another channel, do not continue and consider it a warning sign.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How many postgraduate programmes does OAU currently offer?
OAU currently offers 16 Postgraduate Diploma programmes, 106 Master’s degree programmes (including professional degrees), 32 Master of Philosophy programmes, and 80 Doctor of Philosophy programmes, spread across all of the university’s faculties.
2. What is the minimum qualification needed for a Master’s degree at OAU?
Applicants would normally be expected to hold no less than a Second Class Lower Division Honours degree from OAU or another approved university, though specific departmental requirements can vary.
3. Can I apply for a PhD at OAU without an OAU Master’s degree?
Yes, but non-OAU graduates applying for a PhD are required to process transcripts covering all relevant prior degrees, which may include Postgraduate Diploma, First Degree, and Master’s/M.Phil. Transcripts will vary depending on their academic history.
4. Is a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) only for OAU’s own graduates?
Not necessarily. While PGD applicants are typically expected to be graduates of OAU or another approved institution, some departments also accept candidates with an HND at a lower or higher credit level in a relevant discipline.
5. How much does postgraduate study cost at OAU?
Tuition estimates generally range between ₦150,000 and ₦300,000 per year, depending on the specific programme and faculty, plus a separate, non-refundable application processing fee paid at the point of application.
6. How do I pay my OAU postgraduate application fee?
You must pay strictly through the Remita platform built into your application account on the official OAU postgraduate portal (apply.oaunetque.com).
No individual is authorised to collect this payment on the university’s behalf outside this channel.
7. When can I apply for OAU’s postgraduate programmes?
Applications for OAU postgraduate programmes are generally accepted online year-round, ahead of the relevant semester deadline, rather than being restricted to a narrow annual window as some undergraduate admission cycles are.
8. Who oversees postgraduate admissions and academic policy at OAU?
The Postgraduate College administers postgraduate education at OAU, in line with policies set by the University Senate and the Postgraduate College Board, which includes the Provost, Deputy Provost, elected Senate representatives, faculty representatives, the University Librarian, and the College Secretary.
9. Do I need specific O’Level subjects for postgraduate admission at OAU?
Yes, indirectly. OAU expects postgraduate applicants also to satisfy the university’s baseline ‘O’ Level matriculation requirements: five credit passes in no more than two sittings, including English Language for all disciplines and Mathematics for Social Science and Science-based disciplines on top of whatever specific postgraduate-level academic requirements apply.
10. Which faculty established OAU’s very first postgraduate programme?
Pharmacy was the first faculty to establish a postgraduate programme at OAU, back in 1964, owing to its strong existing infrastructure as one of the university’s foundation faculties.
Final Thoughts
With more than 200 postgraduate programmes at Diploma, Master’s, M.Phil., and PhD levels, OAU’s Postgraduate College is one of the most comprehensive in any Nigerian federal university.
Whether you want a professional Master’s to boost your career or a PhD for research, start by checking your department’s requirements and applying through the official portal.
Be the first to comment