The University of Lagos (UNILAG) runs one of the largest postgraduate schools in Nigeria. Its School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS) admits students each session into diploma, master’s and doctoral programmes across almost every faculty, in full-time, part-time and, for some programmes, executive and distance-learning modes. This guide covers the postgraduate courses UNILAG offers, the entry requirements for each level of study, the fees students should expect for the 2026/2027 session, and the application process.
Types of Postgraduate Programmes at UNILAG
UNILAG groups its postgraduate courses into five categories. Each has a different purpose, duration and entry standard.
Postgraduate Diploma (PGD): A PGD is a conversion or upgrade qualification. It suits graduates with a third-class degree, HND holders, or graduates who want to move into a new field, such as an engineering graduate moving into computer science or a science graduate moving into education. Most PGD programmes run for two to three semesters. A good PGD result can qualify a student for a master’s programme in the same field.
Academic Master’s Degrees (M.A., M.Sc., M.Ed., LL.M.): These are research-oriented degrees. They include coursework and a dissertation, and they normally run for three to four semesters full-time. An academic master’s is the standard route toward an M.Phil. or Ph.D.
Professional Master’s Degrees: These include the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Facility Management (MFM), Master of International Law and Diplomacy (MILD), Master of Industrial Relations and Personnel Management (MIRPM), and similar programmes. They focus on practice rather than research, often run part-time or on weekends for working professionals, and generally cost more. In most cases a professional master’s does not lead directly to a Ph.D.
Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.): An M.Phil. is a research degree that sits between a master’s and a Ph.D. Candidates who perform well can convert from M.Phil. to Ph.D. registration.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): The Ph.D. is the highest academic degree UNILAG awards. It is research-based and usually takes a minimum of three years full-time or four years part-time.
List of Postgraduate Courses Offered at UNILAG by Faculty
The table below lists the main postgraduate programmes available across UNILAG’s faculties and the College of Medicine. The exact list changes slightly from session to session, depending on accreditation and departmental capacity. Applicants should confirm the current availability of a programme on the SPGS portal before paying for the form.
| Faculty | Postgraduate Courses Offered |
|---|---|
| Arts | M.A./Ph.D. in English, History and Strategic Studies, Philosophy, Linguistics, French, Translation, Yoruba, Igbo, Creative Arts, Visual Arts, Music, Theatre Arts; PGD in Philosophy |
| Education | PGDE; PGD in Guidance and Counselling; M.Ed./Ph.D. in Educational Administration, Guidance and Counselling, Measurement and Evaluation, Adult Education, Science Education, Arts and Social Science Education, Human Kinetics, Health Education, Early Childhood Education, Educational Technology |
| Engineering | PGD and M.Sc. in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical/Electronics, Chemical, Systems, Metallurgical and Materials, Petroleum and Gas, Surveying and Geoinformatics, and Biomedical Engineering; Ph.D. in most fields |
| Environmental Sciences | Master’s in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, Estate Management, Quantity Surveying, Building; PGD in Environmental Design; Master of Facility Management |
| Law | LL.M.; Master of International Law and Diplomacy (MILD); Master’s in Humanitarian and Refugee Studies; M.Phil./Ph.D. in Law |
| Management Sciences | MBA (full-time, part-time, executive); M.Sc. in Accounting, Finance, Insurance, Actuarial Science, Marketing, Industrial Relations, Business Administration; Master of Procurement Management; PGD in Accounting and Management |
| Science | PGD/M.Sc./Ph.D. in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Botany, Zoology, Marine Sciences, Geology, Applied Geophysics, Cell Biology and Genetics |
| Social Sciences | M.Sc./Ph.D. in Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Geography, Mass Communication, Criminology, Public Administration; Master of International Affairs (MPIA); PGD in Mass Communication, Economics, Transport Management, GIS |
| College of Medicine | MPH; M.Sc. in Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, Medical Microbiology, Haematology, Chemical Pathology; M.Pharm./Ph.D. in pharmacy fields; PGD in Anaesthesia; postgraduate dental programmes |
General Admission Requirements for UNILAG Postgraduate Programmes
Every applicant needs at least five credit passes at O’Level (WAEC, NECO or GCE), including English Language and Mathematics, in not more than two sittings. Some departments add subject-specific O’Level requirements; science and engineering programmes, for example, require credits in Physics and Chemistry.
Applicants must also hold an NYSC discharge or exemption certificate. Academic transcripts are compulsory and must reach the Secretary of the School of Postgraduate Studies before screening and registration begin. UNILAG does not accept degrees obtained from outreach or satellite campuses, and it does not consider candidates who are awaiting results or who are currently enrolled in another postgraduate programme.
The degree requirement depends on the level of study.
| Programme Level | Minimum Degree Requirement |
|---|---|
| PGD | Bachelor’s degree (third class or pass in some departments) or HND at upper credit level from a recognised institution |
| Academic Master’s | Bachelor’s degree with at least a second class lower division; some departments require a second class upper |
| Professional Master’s | Bachelor’s degree (usually second class lower or above) or a relevant PGD; some require work experience |
| M.Phil. | Master’s degree with a strong weighted average, or a first degree with a high CGPA in a few departments |
| Ph.D. | Master’s degree with a high weighted average (typically 60% or a CGPA of 4.0 on a 5-point scale, depending on department); evidence of research ability |
M.Phil. and Ph.D. applicants must confirm that a supervisor is available in their area of research before applying. Many departments also ask doctoral applicants to submit a research proposal and attend an interview.
Specific Requirements by Department
Beyond the general rules, many departments set their own conditions. The MBA programme often requires work experience for its executive and part-time streams. The MPH and several College of Medicine programmes accept only graduates of medical, health or life science fields. Engineering master’s programmes normally require a first degree in the same or a closely related engineering field, while engineering PGDs accept graduates of related science disciplines. Law programmes require an LL.B., and the PGDE is open to graduates without a teaching qualification who want to teach.
The SPGS portal lists the requirements for each programme under “View Programmes’ Entry Requirement.” Reading these before buying the form prevents wasted applications, because the application fee is not refundable.
UNILAG Postgraduate School Fees for 2026/2027
UNILAG postgraduate fees have two parts: compulsory charges that every student pays, and a tuition fee that depends on the programme and study mode. UNILAG reviewed its fees upward in 2023 for the first time in many years, so older fee lists online are outdated. Current figures are significantly higher than those from before the review.
Compulsory Charges
New postgraduate students pay a set of obligatory charges after accepting admission. These cover acceptance, registration, examination, library, ICT, medical services and identity card. After the review, these obligatory charges are about ₦175,000, with a utility charge of about ₦40,000, bringing the compulsory total to roughly ₦215,000 for a new student. Departmental dues, which usually fall between ₦20,000 and ₦50,000, are paid on top. Returning students pay reduced obligatory charges in their second year.
Tuition Fees
Tuition is charged per session. The ranges below reflect the current fee structure for the main categories of programmes.
| Programme Category | Estimated Tuition per Session |
|---|---|
| PGD (most faculties) | ₦75,000 – ₦150,000 |
| PGDE / Education PGDs | ₦75,000 – ₦100,000 |
| Academic Master’s (Arts, Education, Social Sciences) | ₦75,000 – ₦150,000 |
| M.Sc. (Engineering) | ₦75,000 – ₦100,000 |
| M.Sc. (Sciences) | ₦90,000 – ₦150,000 |
| Professional Master’s (MIRPM, MPIA, Procurement, Facility Management) | ₦75,000 – ₦250,000 |
| Master of Public Health | about ₦150,000 (full-time); about ₦225,000 (part-time) |
| MBA | Highest-priced category; varies by stream (full-time, part-time, executive) |
| M.Phil./Ph.D. | ₦75,000 – ₦150,000, depending on faculty and mode |
Part-time students usually pay more per session than full-time students in the same programme. College of Medicine programmes and professional degrees sit at the upper end of the scale. Students who want hall accommodation pay a separate hostel fee, and hostel space for postgraduate students is limited and allocated on a first-come basis.
These figures are a planning guide. UNILAG releases the exact fee schedule for each programme with the admission letter and on the student portal, and fees can be revised during a session.
How to Apply for UNILAG Postgraduate Admission
UNILAG opened applications for the 2026/2027 postgraduate session on April 7, 2026. The application form costs ₦40,000. The process takes place entirely online:
- Visit the School of Postgraduate Studies portal and click “APPLY.”
- Check the entry requirements for your chosen programme to confirm eligibility.
- Generate a payment reference number and pay the ₦40,000 fee through Remita or online banking.
- Return to the portal, click “Continue Application,” and log in with your payment reference number, using your surname in lowercase as the password.
- Fill in the application form and upload your degree certificate, O’Level result, NYSC certificate and passport photograph.
- Submit the form before the deadline and arrange for your transcript to be sent to the SPGS.
Editing an application after final submission attracts an extra charge of ₦2,500, so applicants should check every detail before submitting.
What Happens After You Apply
After the application window closes, departments review applications. Many programmes hold a written test or an interview, while doctoral applicants usually defend their research proposals before a departmental panel. Successful candidates appear on the admission list, which UNILAG publishes on the SPGS portal. Admitted students then pay the acceptance and obligatory charges, complete physical screening with their original documents, pay tuition and register courses. Students who fail to complete registration within the stated period can lose their admission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a master’s at UNILAG with a third-class degree?
Not directly. Third-class graduates should apply for a PGD first. A good PGD result can then qualify them for a master’s in the same field.
Can HND holders get postgraduate admission at UNILAG?
Yes, but mostly into PGD programmes. HND holders usually need an upper credit and a relevant PGD before they can apply for a master’s.
How much is the UNILAG postgraduate form for 2026?
The application form for the 2026/2027 session costs ₦40,000.
Does UNILAG offer part-time postgraduate programmes?
Yes. Many PGD and master’s programmes run part-time, and some professional programmes, such as the MBA, also run in executive mode.
Is a professional master’s enough for Ph.D. admission?
In most departments, no. Ph.D. applicants usually need an academic master’s degree with a research dissertation.