Benson Idahosa University postgraduate school fees for the 2026/2027 session are set by the School of Postgraduate Studies, with tuition ranging from ₦150,000 per session for Postgraduate Diploma programmes up to ₦480,000 for PhD. This guide breaks down every fee at each level: programme tuition, acceptance, registration, and the smaller recurring charges along with the semester-by-semester payment split BIU offers, a look at the full postgraduate course catalogue, and a rough total-cost estimate for your first full session.
Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Benin City is a private Christian university with a distinctive semester-based payment structure for its postgraduate programmes, splitting each session’s fee into a 60/40 split across the first and second semester rather than requiring the full amount upfront, a structure that can make budgeting noticeably easier than a single large lump-sum payment. This guide walks through exactly how that works at each qualification level, plus the questions applicants ask most often.
Also read: Igbinedion University Postgraduate Courses and Admission Requirements for 2026/2027 Session
About Benson Idahosa University School of Postgraduate Studies
Benson Idahosa University was founded by Archbishop Benson Idahosa, a charismatic Pentecostal minister from Benin City, and began as Christian Faith University before receiving its official operating licence in 2002. The university is NUC-accredited and is notably the only university in Africa with international membership in the United States National Academy of Inventors — a distinction it highlights alongside its record as the best-performing private university in Nigeria across editions of the Nigerian Private Universities Games, Nigerian Universities Games, and West African Universities Games.
The School of Postgraduate Studies runs Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s, and PhD programmes across four faculties: Science, Social and Management Sciences, Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, and Arts and Education.
Comparison to Previous Session
The figures in this guide reflect BIU’s most recently published postgraduate fee structure, corroborated by more than one independently dated source for the 2026/2027 cycle. No prior-session fee schedule was available for direct comparison, so this guide can’t confirm whether tuition has changed from 2025/2026. Students who paid in an earlier session should compare their previous receipt against the current figures above to check for any adjustment.
Benson Idahosa University postgraduate school fees Postgraduate School Fees: Full Breakdown
This is the core of what most applicants are searching for.
One-Time and Recurring Administrative Charges
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Fee (one-time) | ₦10,000 |
| Registration (one-time) | ₦30,000 |
| Prospectus (one-time) | ₦1,500 |
| School Dues (per session) | ₦5,000 |
Programme Tuition Fee (Per Session)
| Programme | Tuition Fee (Per Session) |
|---|---|
| PhD | ₦480,000 |
| M.Phil | ₦450,000 |
| MBA / MPA | ₦350,000 |
| M.Sc / M.A / M.Ed (see note below) | ₦250,000 |
| Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) | ₦150,000 |
The ₦250,000 tier covers a wide range of programmes: M.Sc in Accounting, Economics, Banking & Finance, Public Administration, Business Administration, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Computer Science, Agricultural Economics & Extension Services, Agronomy, and Animal Science/Livestock Production; M.A in English Language; and M.Ed in Educational Administration & Planning or Guidance & Counselling. This wide grouping means your choice of specialisation within that tier doesn’t affect your tuition cost, only the coursework itself.
⚠️ Note: Confirm these figures directly with BIU’s School of Postgraduate Studies before making payment, since fee schedules are reviewed periodically and this breakdown reflects the most recently published structure.
Also read: Madonna University Postgraduate Courses and Admission Requirements for 2026/2027 Session
Semester Payment Plan
Rather than requiring the full session’s tuition upfront, BIU splits postgraduate fees into a 60/40 payment across the two semesters:
| Programme | First Semester (60%) | Second Semester (40%) |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | ₦280,000 | ₦200,000 |
| M.Phil | ₦250,000 | ₦200,000 |
| M.Sc / M.A / M.Ed tier | ₦150,000 | ₦100,000 |
| PGD | ₦100,000 | ₦50,000 |
This structure means a fresh PhD student, for instance, pays ₦280,000 to begin the first semester rather than the full ₦480,000 session fee at once, with the remaining ₦200,000 due before the second semester begins. This same 60/40 logic applies uniformly across every programme level, which makes budgeting straightforward once you know your session total, simply take 60% of it for the first semester and the remaining 40% for the second.
What Your Total First-Session Cost Looks Like
Combining the one-time charges with a full session’s tuition, here’s what a fresh, newly-admitted student can expect to pay in total for their first year, a figure worth having in mind before you commit to a programme, since the gap between levels is substantial:
| Programme | Tuition (Session) | One-Time Charges | Estimated First Session Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGD | ₦150,000 | ₦46,500 | ₦196,500 |
| M.Sc/M.A/M.Ed tier | ₦250,000 | ₦46,500 | ₦296,500 |
| MBA/MPA | ₦350,000 | ₦46,500 | ₦396,500 |
| M.Phil | ₦450,000 | ₦46,500 | ₦496,500 |
| PhD | ₦480,000 | ₦46,500 | ₦526,500 |
One-time charges here combine the acceptance fee (₦10,000), registration (₦30,000), prospectus (₦1,500), and one session’s school dues (₦5,000).
Available Postgraduate Programmes at BIU
Here’s the full current course catalogue by faculty, which is worth knowing alongside the fees since your specific programme and specialisation choice is what determines which tuition tier you land in.
Faculty of Science offers M.Sc in Biochemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Microbiology (with options in Environmental & Public Health, Food & Industrial Microbiology, and Medical Microbiology). All of these sit in the ₦250,000 per-session tuition tier.
Faculty of Social and Management Sciences runs PhD in Economics, Finance, and Accounting (at the ₦480,000 tier); MBA and MPA (₦350,000 tier); and M.Sc in Accounting, Banking & Finance, Business Administration, Economics, and Public Administration (₦250,000 tier).
Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology offers PhD and M.Sc in Animal Science, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Extension, Soil Science, and Crop Science (covering Plant Science, Crop Production & Management, Crop Protection, and Agronomy), alongside a standalone Master of Animal Science (MAS).
Faculty of Arts and Education runs a PhD in International Studies and Diplomacy, M.A in English Language, English Literature, and International Studies & Diplomacy, and M.Ed in Guidance and Counselling or Educational Administration and Planning, all Master’s-level options here sit in the ₦250,000 tier.
Postgraduate Diploma programmes, all priced at ₦150,000 per session, are available in Accounting, Agriculture, Banking and Finance, Computer Science, Economics, Education, Microbiology, and Public Administration.
New vs. Returning Postgraduate Students
The programme tuition and semester split described above apply to a full session’s fees regardless of whether you’re a fresh or returning student. The genuine difference for fresh students is the one-time acceptance fee (₦10,000), registration (₦30,000), and prospectus (₦1,500) — returning students skip these and pay only the recurring tuition and school dues each subsequent session, which brings their per-session cost down to just the programme fee plus ₦5,000. Over the full length of a programme, this makes a meaningful difference: a PhD candidate who completes their full six-semester programme, for example, only pays the ₦46,500 in one-time charges once, in their very first session.
A Quick Note on Admission Requirements
While this guide focuses on fees, it’s worth knowing that BIU’s postgraduate admission generally follows the standard Nigerian pattern by level: a first degree or HND (often at Credit level or above) for Postgraduate Diploma, a Second Class Honours degree or a qualifying PGD for Master’s programmes, and a relevant Master’s degree for PhD and M.Phil admission. Exact CGPA thresholds and departmental conditions can vary by faculty — Science-based programmes, for instance, may set different subject-specific conditions than Arts and Education — so confirm these directly with your target department alongside the fee information in this guide.
Documents You’ll Typically Need
- Your first degree certificate and academic transcript (Master’s transcript as well, for PhD/M.Phil applicants)
- Any HND or Postgraduate Diploma certificate relied on for your eligibility route
- A valid means of identification and passport photographs
- Your acceptance fee payment receipt, ahead of registration
- Any professional qualification certificate relevant to your specific programme, where applicable
How to Pay Benson Idahosa University Postgraduate School Fees
- Visit BIU’s official website (biu.edu.ng) and log in to the Student Portal with your registered credentials.
- Select the postgraduate fee category you need to pay acceptance, registration, or tuition for the semester.
- Generate your payment invoice for the correct amount based on your programme and semester (60% for first semester, 40% for second).
- Complete payment through the portal’s online payment option using your preferred method.
- Print or save your payment receipt and keep it for your records, since it may be required at registration or if any dispute arises later.
Scam Prevention & Safety Tips
Given that Benson Idahosa University postgraduate school fees are split across several charge types and two semester payments, applicants should be careful to match the right amount to the right charge. Keep the following in mind:
- Only pay through BIU’s official Student Portal, never through a third party or unofficial agent offering to process payment on your behalf.
- Confirm the current fee for your specific programme with the School of Postgraduate Studies before paying, since figures are periodically reviewed and a slightly outdated figure could leave you short at registration.
- Keep every payment receipt safe, since acceptance, registration, and tuition are billed and confirmed separately, losing one could complicate your registration process later.
- Direct all postgraduate fee enquiries to BIU’s official School of Postgraduate Studies contacts rather than an unofficial source, especially if you’re offered a “discounted” rate that doesn’t match the published schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is PhD tuition at BIU? ₦480,000 per session, payable as ₦280,000 in the first semester and ₦200,000 in the second.
How much is a Postgraduate Diploma at BIU? ₦150,000 per session, split into ₦100,000 for the first semester and ₦50,000 for the second.
How much is the BIU postgraduate acceptance fee? ₦10,000, a one-time charge paid upon admission.
Can I pay BIU postgraduate fees in installments? Yes, BIU splits tuition into a 60/40 payment across the first and second semesters rather than requiring the full session amount at once.
How much is MBA or MPA tuition at BIU? ₦350,000 per session.
What other charges come with BIU postgraduate tuition besides the programme fee? An acceptance fee (₦10,000, one-time), registration (₦30,000, one-time), prospectus (₦1,500, one-time), and school dues (₦5,000 per session).
Which faculties at BIU offer postgraduate programmes? Science, Social and Management Sciences, Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, and Arts and Education, each running its own mix of PGD, Master’s, and (in most cases) PhD or M.Phil programmes.
How do I pay Benson Idahosa University postgraduate school fees? Through the official BIU Student Portal at biu.edu.ng, where you can generate an invoice and pay online.
Do returning BIU postgraduate students pay less than fresh students? Yes, returning students skip the one-time acceptance, registration, and prospectus charges, paying only the recurring tuition and school dues each subsequent session.
What’s the difference in cost between an M.Sc and a PhD at BIU over a full session? An M.Sc in the standard tier costs ₦296,500 for a fresh student’s first session (including one-time charges), compared to ₦526,500 for a PhD, a difference of ₦230,000, driven almost entirely by the higher PhD tuition rate rather than any difference in the one-time charges, which are identical across every level.
Also read: LASU Postgraduate School Fees 2026/2027: Full Fee Breakdown for PGD, Master’s and PhD Programmes
Conclusion
Benson Idahosa University postgraduate school fees scale predictably by qualification level, from ₦150,000 per session for a Postgraduate Diploma up to ₦480,000 for a PhD, with a consistent 60/40 semester payment split across every level. On top of tuition, budget for the one-time acceptance (₦10,000), registration (₦30,000), and prospectus (₦1,500) charges, plus a recurring ₦5,000 school dues fee each session, together adding roughly ₦46,500 to a fresh student’s first-session total. Confirm your exact programme’s current figure directly with BIU’s School of Postgraduate Studies before making payment, since fee schedules are reviewed periodically, and keep every payment receipt as proof throughout your programme.
Stay updated on Benson Idahosa university postgraduate school fees, admission requirements, courses, and application deadlines, by checking back on masterpg.com.ng. We revise this page whenever new postgraduate information forBenson Idahosa University are released.
Asuku Abdulmalik is an education content writer and the founder of MasterPG, a Nigerian postgraduate information platform focused on postgraduate admissions and school fees. With a background in researching and writing educational content, Asuku is passionate about making postgraduate information easier for students and prospective applicants to find and understand. Through MasterPG, he covers admission requirements, application forms, deadlines, admission lists, school fees, and practical guides for postgraduate students across Nigerian universities. He is committed to keeping MasterPG’s content clear, accurate, and regularly updated, while encouraging readers to verify important details with the relevant institution’s official sources before making any decisions.
Founder & Education Content Writer, MasterPG
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