Hello, and welcome! Have you completed your undergraduate degree? Do you desperately want to advance your career? If yes, we have fantastic news for you: Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) opens the 2026/2027 Postgraduate Admission Portal.
If you are looking to elevate your career, transition into academia, or become a deeply specialized professional in your field, the wait is officially over. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, widely regarded as one of Africa’s most prestigious and intellectually rigorous institutions, has officially opened its Postgraduate College application portal for the 2026/2027 Harmattan Semester.
The university has actually rolled out admissions across virtually every department—ranging from Engineering and Health Sciences to Arts, Humanities, and the Social Sciences.
Applying for a postgraduate degree is a massive investment of your time, intellect, and finances. To ensure you make the right choice, this definitive, exhaustive guide breaks down every single available programme, the specific application fees, the strict deadlines, and the step-by-step application process.
Grab a cup of coffee and your credentials, and let us dive into the ultimate OAU postgraduate admission guide.
Why Pursue Your Postgraduate Degree at OAU?
Choosing where to pursue your Master’s or Ph.D. is just as important as the degree itself. The Postgraduate College at OAU explicitly outlines its vision and pedagogical approach in its official preamble.
Here is exactly what sets OAU apart for the 2026/2027 academic session:
- 21st-Century Repositioning: The college has been aggressively repositioned to meet modern, global needs through revised, functional, and highly adaptive curricula.
- Skill-Centric Pedagogy: You will not just be reading textbooks. The focus is placed heavily on critical, analytical, and reflective thinking, alongside generic skills and exposure to hands-on, co-curricular activities.
- The Split-Site Programme: OAU offers incredible opportunities for global and industry exposure. Emphasis is placed on acquiring professional experience in industries and institutions outside Nigeria through the college’s split-site programme.
- Comprehensive Skill Development: For first-year fully residential programmes, OAU heavily integrates Qualitative and Quantitative Research, Communication Skills, Data Analysis, Report and Proposal Writing, and professional Grantsmanship into ALL its programmes.
- Virtual Learning Integration: Adapting to the ‘New Normal’, the university has drastically increased its virtual learning opportunities, promising the timely completion of all academic programmes.
Critical Deadlines and Application Fee Structures
Before we explore the massive list of programmes, you must understand the financial requirements and the strict timelines.
The General Deadline: Almost all applications for the 2026/2027 Harmattan semester strictly close on July 31, 2026. (Note: A specific EMPA programme in the Department of Public Administration for the 2025/2026 session extends to August 31, 2026, but you must aim for the general July 31 deadline to be safe).
The Fee Structure: OAU utilizes a tiered application fee system based on the professional weight and specialization of the programme:
- ₦20,000: The standard fee for almost all standard academic Postgraduate Diplomas (PGD), M.Sc., M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. programmes.
- ₦25,000: The baseline fee for professional and Executive Master’s programmes (e.g., MBA, EMPA, Master of Public Health).
- ₦30,000: Specialized fee for premium geosciences, mineral exploration, and Subsea Engineering programmes.
- ₦50,000: The premium fee for highly advanced executive doctoral degrees (e.g., Doctor of Business Administration, Doctor of Public Administration).
- ₦138,000: The exclusive application fee for highly specialized Geospatial Information Production and Land Administration programmes.
The Complete, Exhaustive List of Available Programmes (2026/2027)
To make this massive catalog readable, we have categorized the departments into their broader academic and professional disciplines.
1. Administration, Business, and Management Sciences
If you are looking to dominate the corporate sector, public service, or the global business ecosystem, OAU offers some of the most robust management degrees in the country.
- Department of Business Administration:
- MBA Regular (₦25,000)
- M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. in Business Administration (₦20,000)
- Department of Management and Accounting:
- PGD Financial Management, PGD Management Studies (₦20,000)
- Executive MBA with options in Accounting & Finance, Entrepreneurship, Human Resource, International Business, Marketing, and Production Management (₦25,000)
- MBA Regular (₦25,000)
- M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. in Accounting and Business Administration (₦20,000)
- Doctor of Business Administration (DBA): Specialized terminal executive degrees in Auditing and Forensics, Business Analytics, Finance and Restructuring, Information Systems, Entrepreneurship, Human Resources, International Business, Management, Marketing Strategy, and Supply Chain Management. (Application Fee: ₦50,000 each).
- Department of Public Administration:
- PGD Public Administration, PGD University Administration (₦20,000)
- Executive Master’s in Public Administration (EMPA) (₦25,000)
- Master of Public Administration, M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. (₦20,000)
- M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Governance and Policy Studies (₦20,000)
- Doctor of Public Administration / Doctor of Public Administration and Governance (₦50,000)
- Department of Local Government and Development Studies / Local Government Studies:
- PGD Local Government and Development Studies (₦20,000)
- Master of Local Government and Development Studies (₦25,000)
- Master of Policy and Development Studies (₦25,000)
- M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. in Local Government and Development Studies / Policy and Development Studies (₦20,000)
- Department of Demography & Social Statistics:
- Masters in Demography and Social Statistics (₦25,000)
- M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. (₦20,000)
2. Engineering, Technology, and Architecture
OAU has long been a powerhouse for engineering and technology. The university continues to push the boundaries with cutting-edge programmes in artificial intelligence, technology policy, and subsea engineering.
- African Institute for Science Policy and Innovation (AISPI):
- Executive Masters in ICT Policy and Regulations (EMICTPR) (₦25,000)
- Executive Masters in Technology Management (EMTM) (₦25,000)
- M.Tech., M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. in Technology Management (₦20,000)
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering:
- PGD Computer Science (₦20,000)
- Executive Masters in Information Technology (EMIT) (₦25,000)
- M.Sc. Embedded Artificial Intelligence (₦20,000)
- M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. across Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Intelligent Systems Engineering, and Software Engineering (₦20,000)
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering:
- Master of Technology in Energy Systems Science and Engineering (₦25,000)
- PGD, M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. in Electronic and Electrical Engineering / Energy Systems Science and Engineering (₦20,000)
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering:
- Master in Subsea Engineering (M.SSE) (₦30,000)
- PGD Subsea Engineering (₦30,000)
- PGD, M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. in Material Science and Engineering (₦20,000)
- M.Sc. in Nanotechnology and Structured Materials (₦20,000)
- Department of Architecture / Building / Estate Management / Quantity Surveying:
- Architecture: PGDADP, PGD in Architectural Lighting (₦20,000), M.Sc. (₦25,000), M.Phil., Ph.D. (₦20,000)
- Building: M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. across Building Maintenance, Building Services, Building Structures, and Construction Management (₦20,000)
- Estate Management: Masters in Real Estate Business Management (Executive) (₦25,000), PGD, M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. (₦20,000)
- Quantity Surveying: Master of Quantity Surveying (MQS) (₦25,000), M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. (₦20,000)
- Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics:
- M.Sc. Geospatial Information Production and Land Administration (M.Sc. GISLA) (₦138,000)
- M.Sc. Geospatial Information Production and Management (M.Sc. GIPM) (₦138,000)
- Other Core Engineering:
- Agricultural Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering (All offer M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. at ₦20,000)
3. Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Studies
Addressing food security and sustainable ecology is a primary mission for OAU researchers.
- Department of Agricultural Economics / Extension:
- Master Degree in Agribusiness (MAB) (₦25,000)
- PGD, M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. in Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics (₦20,000)
- M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. in Agric. Ext. & Rural Sociology, Agricultural Communication (₦20,000)
- Core Agricultural Sciences (Animal Science, Crop Production, Soil Science):
- M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. across all three departments (₦20,000)
- Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies:
- Executive Masters in Environmental Control and Management (₦25,000)
- PGD Ecology, M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. in Environmental Control and Management (₦20,000)
- Urban and Regional Planning:
- PGD Housing and Urban Renewal, Landscape Planning, Planning Process and Waste Mgt, Transportation Planning (₦20,000)
- M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. (₦20,000)
4. Health, Clinical, and Pharmacy Sciences
OAU remains a premier destination for advanced medical research, public health frameworks, and drug development.
- Public Health and Psychology:
- Department of Community Health: Executive MPH (₦25,000), MPH (₦25,000), M.Phil., Ph.D. (₦20,000)
- Department of Psychology: Executive Masters in Managerial Psychology (EMMP) (₦25,000), Masters in Managerial Psychology (₦25,000), Master of Clinical Psychology (₦25,000). M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. across Clinical, Communication, Developmental, Environmental, Health, Industrial/Organizational, and Social Psychology (₦20,000).
- Basic Medical & Clinical Sciences:
- M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. across Anatomy, Biochemistry, Chemical Pathology, Haematology and Immunology, Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, Medical Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy), Mental Health (Psychiatry), Nursing, Ophthalmology, and Physiology (₦20,000).
- Dentistry:
- Preventive & Community Dentistry: Master of Dental Implantology (Executive) (₦25,000), Master of Dental Public Health (₦25,000), M.Sc., Ph.D. (₦20,000)
- Oral Medicine & Oral Pathology: Master in Oral Medicine and Therapeutics (₦25,000)
- Faculty of Pharmacy:
- Drug Research & Production Unit: PGD, M.Sc., Ph.D. in Phytomedicines (₦20,000)
- M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. across Pharmaceutical Chemistry (including Pharmaceutical Analysis), Pharmaceutics, Pharmacognosy, Pharmacology, and Pharmacy Administration (₦20,000)
5. Education and Lifelong Learning
For educators looking to step into administration, curriculum development, or educational technology, the Faculty of Education provides unmatched depth.
- Core Educational Departments:
- Adult Education & Lifelong Learning: M.Ed, M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. (₦25,000 for M.Ed, ₦20,000 for others)
- Arts and Social Science Education: M.Ed., M.A. Ed., M.Sc. Ed., M.Phil., Ph.D. across Curriculum Studies, Language Arts, Economics, Geography, Political Science, and History (₦20,000 – ₦25,000)
- Counselling and Human Development / Educational Foundations: M.Ed, M.A. Ed., M.Phil., Ph.D. in Guidance and Counselling, History of Edu, Philosophy of Edu, Psychology of Edu, Sociology of Edu, Test and Measurement (₦20,000 – ₦25,000)
- Educational Management: M.Ed, M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. in Educational Administration, Educational Planning, Higher Educational Administration, Human Resource Management, Management Information Systems (₦20,000 – ₦25,000)
- Educational Technology and Library Studies: M.Ed, M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. in Educational Technology and e-Learning (₦20,000 – ₦25,000)
- Science and Technology Education: M.Ed, M.Sc. Ed., M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. across Integrated Science, Botany, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Zoology, and Curriculum Studies (₦20,000 – ₦25,000)
6. Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Delve deeply into history, culture, language, and societal structures with these robust programmes.
- Languages and Literature:
- African Languages & Literature: Ph.D. (₦20,000)
- English: M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. in Literature in English (₦20,000)
- Foreign Languages: M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. across Comparative Literature, French Language & Linguistics, German, Portuguese, African Lit in French, Lusophone Area Studies (₦20,000)
- Linguistics and African Language: M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. in Linguistics, Yoruba Language, Yoruba Linguistics, Yoruba Literature (₦20,000)
- Arts, Culture, and History:
- Dramatic Arts / Fine Arts / Music: PGD, M.A., M.F.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. (₦20,000 – ₦25,000)
- History: M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. across African, Diplomatic, Economic, Environmental, Legal, Urban, and War History (₦20,000 – ₦25,000)
- Institute of Cultural Studies: PGD, MA, M.Phil., Ph.D. in Cultural Studies (₦20,000)
- Social Sciences & Law:
- Economics / Geography / Political Science: PGD, M.Sc., M.GIS & Remote Sensing, Master of Political Science (M.P.S.), M.Phil., Ph.D. (₦20,000 – ₦25,000)
- Sociology and Anthropology: PGD Social Work, Master of Industrial and Labour Relations (Executive), MILR, M.Sc., Ph.D. (₦20,000 – ₦25,000)
- Law: LL.M (₦25,000), M.Phil., Ph.D. (₦20,000)
- Family Nutrition and Consumer Sciences:
- M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. across Hospitality and Tourism Management, Human Development and Family Relations, Resource Management and Extension, Textiles/Clothing and Interior Design (₦20,000 – ₦25,000)
7. Natural and Applied Sciences
For the pure scientists and researchers mapping out the physical world.
- Geosciences:
- Department of Geology: Executive and Regular Masters in Groundwater/Environmental Geosciences, Mineral Exploration, Petroleum Geochemistry, Petroleum Geophysics, Petroleum Geosciences (₦20,000 – ₦30,000). M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. in Applied Geology and Applied Geophysics (₦20,000)
- Core Sciences:
- Botany / Microbiology / Zoology: M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. (₦20,000)
- Chemistry: M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. across Analytical, Applied, Inorganic, Organic, and Physical Chemistry (₦20,000)
- Mathematics / Statistics: EMAS, Master of Actuarial Science (₦25,000). M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. (₦20,000)
- Physics: PGD Applied Physics, M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. across Engineering Physics, Health Physics & Environment, Materials Science, Medical Physics, Nuclear Science & Engineering (₦20,000)
- Natural History Museum: M.C.S. Conservation Science (₦25,000), M.Sc., M.Phil Biosystematics, Ph.D. (₦20,000)
- Food Science & Technology: PGD, M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. in Food Engineering and Food Science & Technology (₦20,000)
Mandatory Admission Requirements and The 5-Page Rule
Before applying, you must verify that you meet the uncompromising standards of the OAU Postgraduate College.
- Baseline O’Level Requirements: Every single candidate, regardless of the target postgraduate degree, must possess a minimum of five (5) relevant O’Level credit passes (including English Language and Mathematics) obtained in not more than two sittings.
- For Master’s Degrees: You typically need a minimum of a Second Class (Lower Division) Honours degree from a recognized university. Candidates with a Lower Credit HND who also possess a relevant Postgraduate Diploma from OAU may also apply.
- For Ph.D. Degrees: You must already hold a Master’s degree with a research thesis component and boast a strong weighted average (usually 60% or a B grade) in your coursework.
- The Mandatory Research Proposal: This is arguably the most critical component. All applicants applying for programmes by Coursework and Research MUST submit a clearly defined research proposal. This proposal must absolutely not exceed five (5) pages and must be submitted along with your supporting documents.
Step-by-Step Application Guide
OAU has fully digitized its application workflow. Do not fall victim to scammers or third-party “agents” asking you to pay cash into personal bank accounts. Follow these strict, official steps to secure your application:
- Access the Correct Portal: Open a secure web browser and visit the official online application website exclusively at pgapply.oauife.edu.ng
- Create Your Profile: Register for a new account using a highly active email address. Ensure you have access to this inbox, as critical passwords, updates, and screening invitations will be sent there.
- Initiate Payment: Once logged in, navigate to the payment section. You must pay the non-refundable application fee corresponding to your chosen programme (e.g., ₦20,000, ₦25,000, etc.). All payments are securely routed through the Remita Payment Platform directly on the university’s portal.
- Complete the Digital Form: After successful payment verification, the system will grant you access to the main application form. Painstakingly enter your bio-data, academic history, and employment records where applicable.
- Upload Documents & Proposal: Scan and upload clear copies of your credentials (O’Levels, NYSC discharge/exemption certificate, degree certificates). Crucially, if required, upload your concise, highly polished 5-page research proposal.
- Request Transcripts Immediately: Your application is practically useless if the college does not receive your academic transcripts. Contact your previous university immediately and pay whatever necessary fees to have your official transcripts forwarded directly to the OAU Postgraduate College.
- Final Submission: Cross-check every single entry for typos. Once submitted, print out your application slip for future reference.
Conclusion
Securing a postgraduate degree from Obafemi Awolowo University is a profound step toward intellectual mastery and career dominance. With its massive array of newly updated, 21st-century-compliant programmes, OAU is uniquely positioned to help you achieve your most ambitious professional goals.
Do not wait until the final week of July 2026 to begin this process. Network congestion and transcript delays are real threats. Log on to the portal, secure your application fee, and start drafting your research proposal today.
We wish you the absolute best in your academic journey!
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