Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, is one of Nigeria’s established federal universities and attracts postgraduate students from different parts of the country and beyond. For anyone planning to study at the university, understanding the OAU postgraduate school fees for the 2026/2027 academic session is an important part of preparing for admission. The amount a student eventually spends may depend on the level of study, programme, accommodation choice and other applicable charges. This guide brings together the available fee information for PGD, Master’s, M.Phil and PhD students while also explaining the additional expenses prospective students should plan for.
In this updated guide, you will find the current OAU postgraduate school fees for 2026/2027, including the commonly listed tuition amounts for PGD, Master’s and PhD programmes, acceptance and accommodation charges, application fees, payment procedures and financial planning tips.
OAU Postgraduate School Fees for 2026/2027
The Obafemi Awolowo University postgraduate fee structure generally varies according to the level and type of programme.
For regular postgraduate programmes, the current fee figures being used for 2026/2027 planning are:
| Programme | Estimated Tuition Per Session |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) | ₦150,000 |
| Master’s programmes | ₦200,000 |
| M.Phil | Varies by programme |
| PhD | ₦300,000 |
The figures above provide a practical guide for prospective students budgeting for the 2026/2027 session. However, postgraduate fees can differ for specialised, professional and executive programmes.
For example, OAU’s own Postgraduate College pages currently publish programme-specific fees for some executive programmes. The Executive Master of GIS is listed at ₦216,000 for Year 1 and ₦216,000 for Year 2, while the Executive MBA has a four-semester breakdown totalling ₦485,000, with acceptance included in the first-semester amount.
Fee clarification: The general PGD, Master’s and PhD amounts used in this article are current planning figures based on the most consistent 2026/2027 fee information available. OAU’s public postgraduate pages do not currently provide one complete general 2026/2027 fee schedule covering every regular postgraduate programme, while some specialised programmes have their own published charges. Students should therefore confirm the exact amount generated on the official OAU payment portal before making payment. This single clarification applies to the fee figures throughout this article.
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How Much Is OAU PGD School Fees?
The OAU postgraduate school fees for PGD programmes are currently estimated at about ₦150,000 per academic session for regular programmes.
The Postgraduate Diploma is useful for graduates who want to strengthen their academic background, acquire additional professional knowledge or meet the requirements for progression into a higher degree programme.
A student budgeting for a PGD should not assume that ₦150,000 represents the complete amount they will spend during the year. Other expenses may include:
- Acceptance fee
- Accommodation, where applicable
- Departmental charges
- Research or project expenses
- Medical-related charges
- Registration charges
- Learning materials
- Transportation and personal expenses
The actual amount generated for a student will depend on the programme and the charges applicable during registration.
UNILORIN Postgraduate School Fees (2026/2027 Session): PGD, Master’s and PhD Fees
OAU Masters School Fees for 2026/2027
For regular Master’s programmes, the current planning figure is approximately ₦200,000 per session.
This covers the general tuition component used when budgeting for many of OAU’s regular postgraduate Master’s programmes. It should not, however, be confused with the total cost of completing a Master’s degree.
Students may need to budget separately for research work, project or thesis preparation, departmental activities, accommodation and other personal expenses.
Master’s programmes at OAU include different academic and professional options, and some specialised programmes can have fee structures that differ substantially from the general figure.
For instance, OAU’s Postgraduate College currently lists the Executive Master of GIS at ₦216,000 per year, while other executive programmes have their own programme-specific financial arrangements.
Therefore, if your intended programme is an Executive Master’s, MBA, professional programme or other specialised course, check the specific programme page rather than relying solely on the general ₦200,000 figure.
OAU PhD School Fees for 2026/2027
The current planning figure for regular OAU PhD programmes is approximately ₦300,000 per academic session.
PhD students should prepare for additional academic and research-related expenses beyond tuition. Doctoral research normally involves activities such as data collection, laboratory work where applicable, fieldwork, statistical analysis, printing, binding and other research expenses.
The total cost can therefore be considerably higher than the tuition figure alone.
A PhD student should also understand that the duration of doctoral study can extend beyond the minimum period depending on the programme, research progress, corrections and completion of other requirements. This means that budgeting for only one session may not provide a realistic picture of the total cost of completing the degree.
What About OAU M.Phil School Fees?
M.Phil programmes should be treated separately because OAU does not currently provide one simple public fee figure covering every M.Phil programme.
The M.Phil is generally research-focused and can serve as an advanced postgraduate qualification or a pathway toward doctoral research.
Because fees can be influenced by the programme and mode of study, prospective M.Phil students should check the amount attached to their specific programme when the payment invoice is generated.
Where an applicant is choosing between M.Phil and PhD routes, it is important to confirm the admission category first because the financial obligations may not be identical.
OAU Postgraduate Acceptance Fee
Newly admitted postgraduate students should also budget for an acceptance fee.
Current 2026/2027 fee information places the OAU postgraduate acceptance fee at approximately ₦40,000 for fresh postgraduate students.
The acceptance fee is separate from tuition.
For example, a newly admitted Master’s student budgeting around ₦200,000 for tuition should not assume that ₦200,000 will settle every initial payment. If the ₦40,000 acceptance fee applies, the basic tuition-plus-acceptance budget becomes approximately:
- Tuition: ₦200,000
- Acceptance fee: ₦40,000
- Basic total: ₦240,000
Other charges can still apply.
The acceptance fee is normally paid after an applicant has received an admission offer and before completing the relevant registration process.
OAU Postgraduate Application Fee
The application fee is another amount that prospective students need to consider before admission.
The current OAU Postgraduate College application guidelines state:
- Regular postgraduate programmes: ₦15,000
- Professional postgraduate programmes: ₦20,000
Some specialised programmes can have different application charges. OAU’s current application information also shows separate charges for programmes such as Subsea Engineering, DBA/DPA and certain international or specialised applications.
The application fee is paid during the application process and is separate from acceptance and school fees.
Applicants should therefore avoid using the tuition figure alone when calculating the amount needed to begin an OAU postgraduate application.
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OAU Postgraduate Accommodation Fee
Accommodation is another possible cost for students who intend to live in university accommodation.
Current 2026/2027 fee information places postgraduate accommodation at approximately ₦40,000, although accommodation availability, room type and applicable charges can affect the final amount.
Students who secure university accommodation should also consider other living expenses, including:
- Feeding
- Transportation
- Internet/data
- Personal expenses
- Study materials
- Research expenses
Students who live off campus will have a different cost structure, and private accommodation prices around Ile-Ife can vary significantly depending on location and facilities.
Other Charges OAU Postgraduate Students Should Budget For
School fees are only one part of the financial commitment involved in postgraduate study.
Depending on the programme and student’s status, additional charges may include:
Caution fee: A current fee listing places the fresh postgraduate caution charge at approximately ₦10,000.
Departmental charges: These can vary by department and are not necessarily the same for all postgraduate students.
Medical-related expenses: Students may have applicable medical or health-related charges depending on the current registration requirements.
Student-related charges: Other institutional or student services may attract separate payments where applicable.
Research expenses: Master’s and PhD students should particularly budget for research-related costs.
Accommodation: Students who obtain university accommodation should include the accommodation fee in their budget.
Books and materials: Course materials, textbooks, printing and photocopying can add to the cost of study.
Rather than preparing only the tuition amount, it is safer to create a complete postgraduate budget before accepting admission.
OAU Postgraduate Fees for Fresh and Returning Students
Fresh and returning postgraduate students should not always expect to pay exactly the same amount.
A newly admitted student may have additional one-time charges such as:
- Acceptance fee
- Caution fee
- Initial registration charges
- Accommodation-related charges
- Other fresh-student requirements
Returning students may not have to pay some of these one-time charges again.
For example, using the current planning figures, a fresh Master’s student could budget approximately:
| Item | Planning Amount |
|---|---|
| Master’s tuition | ₦200,000 |
| Acceptance fee | ₦40,000 |
| Accommodation | ₦40,000 |
| Caution fee | ₦10,000 |
| Basic total | ₦290,000 |
This is a planning calculation rather than a universal invoice. Departmental, registration, research and personal expenses can increase the final amount.
A returning student may have a lower basic payment because the acceptance and certain first-time charges may no longer apply.
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OAU Postgraduate School Fees Payment Procedure
OAU postgraduate payments are handled through the university’s approved online payment system and Remita.
Prospective students should follow the instructions attached to their admission and payment portal rather than paying anyone directly.
Step 1: Access the official OAU postgraduate portal
Begin through the official Postgraduate College application or student portal.
The OAU postgraduate application portal allows candidates to create accounts, complete applications and track submitted forms. https://netque.oauife.edu.ng/acnt/signin
Step 2: Log in to your account
Use the email address, form number or login information associated with your postgraduate application.
Step 3: Select the relevant payment
Depending on your status, this may include acceptance, tuition, accommodation or another approved postgraduate charge.
Step 4: Generate the payment reference
The university uses Remita for postgraduate application payments and other approved transactions.
Step 5: Review the amount
Before completing payment, confirm that the payment description and amount correspond with your programme and current student status.
Step 6: Complete payment
Use the payment method provided through the official portal.
Step 7: Save your evidence
Keep your Remita receipt, transaction reference and other payment evidence.
Step 8: Confirm the payment
Return to the appropriate OAU portal and confirm that your payment has been successfully recorded.
Students should not rely solely on a bank debit notification. Always confirm that the university portal recognizes the payment.
OAU Postgraduate Application and Payment Safety
OAU’s Postgraduate College has a clear fraud warning stating that no individual is authorized to receive payment on behalf of the university. Payments are to be made through the Remita platform integrated into the official application process.
This is particularly important during admission periods when applicants may encounter people claiming to be admission agents.
Do not pay into personal accounts.
If someone asks you to transfer OAU postgraduate application, acceptance or tuition money to a personal bank account, do not proceed without independently verifying the request.
Use the official portal.
The OAU postgraduate application portal specifically warns applicants about unauthorized payment channels.
Keep your login details private.
Do not give your application password or payment credentials to an agent.
Save all receipts.
Keep electronic and printed copies of payment evidence until your programme has been fully registered.
Verify unusual payment requests.
If the amount shown on a message differs from the amount generated by your official portal, confirm it before making payment.
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Can OAU Postgraduate Fees Be Paid in Instalments?
The possibility of paying postgraduate fees in instalments can depend on the programme and the payment arrangement approved for that programme.
Students should not assume that every OAU postgraduate programme automatically has the same instalment structure.
Where the portal provides more than one payment option, students should follow the current instructions displayed for their programme.
OAU’s specialised programmes demonstrate why this distinction matters. For example, the Executive MBA currently published by the Postgraduate College has its own four-semester payment structure:
- First semester: ₦150,000, acceptance fee included
- Second semester: ₦120,000
- Third semester: ₦110,000
- Fourth semester: ₦105,000
- Total: ₦485,000
This is a programme-specific structure and should not be applied to regular Master’s programmes generally.
OAU Executive and Professional Postgraduate Fees
One important point prospective students should understand is that not every postgraduate programme at OAU uses the same fee structure.
Regular academic programmes may fall around the general PGD, Master’s and PhD planning figures, while executive and professional programmes can cost more.
For example, OAU currently publishes the following figures for selected executive programmes:
Executive Master of GIS
- Application fee: ₦20,000
- Tuition Year 1: ₦216,000
- Tuition Year 2: ₦216,000
Executive MBA
- First semester, including acceptance: ₦150,000
- Second semester: ₦120,000
- Third semester: ₦110,000
- Fourth semester: ₦105,000
- Total: ₦485,000
This is why prospective students should search for their exact OAU postgraduate programme before assuming that the general ₦150,000, ₦200,000 or ₦300,000 figures apply.
Comparing OAU Postgraduate Fees With Previous Sessions
Available postgraduate fee information has generally placed OAU’s regular postgraduate tuition around the following broad levels:
- PGD: about ₦150,000
- Master’s: about ₦200,000
- PhD: about ₦300,000
The consistency of these figures across current educational fee guides suggests that they remain useful for 2026/2027 budgeting.
However, postgraduate charges can be revised by the university, and specialised programmes may operate separate fee structures.
Students should therefore avoid assuming that a fee paid by a previous student several sessions ago is automatically the amount payable in the current session.
The safest approach is to use the current figure as a planning guide and then rely on the amount generated through the official OAU payment system when registration begins.
How Much Should You Budget for OAU Postgraduate Study?
A realistic budget should go beyond tuition.
For a regular Master’s student, a basic first-year planning budget could look like this:
| Expense | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | ₦200,000 |
| Acceptance fee | ₦40,000 |
| Accommodation | ₦40,000 |
| Caution fee | ₦10,000 |
| Application fee | ₦15,000 |
| Basic listed costs | ₦305,000 |
This does not include feeding, transportation, books, research, departmental expenses, personal needs or other programme-specific charges.
For a PGD student, the basic tuition figure of ₦150,000 means that a fresh student may need more than ₦150,000 when acceptance, application, accommodation and other applicable charges are considered.
For a PhD student, the ₦300,000 planning tuition figure should similarly be treated as only the academic-fee component. Research costs can become a major part of total expenditure.
Financial Aid and Funding Options
Postgraduate students should investigate possible funding opportunities before registration.
Depending on eligibility and availability, students may explore:
- University-based scholarships
- Government scholarships
- Research grants
- Employer sponsorship
- Professional organization funding
- External academic fellowships
- Research assistant opportunities
Students already employed may also ask their employers whether postgraduate study qualifies for educational support or professional development funding.
For research-based postgraduate programmes, it can also be useful to discuss potential research funding with the department or prospective supervisor.
Tips for Reducing Postgraduate Expenses
There are practical ways to control the overall cost of postgraduate study.
Apply early.
Early application reduces the risk of paying unnecessary late charges and gives you more time to organize your finances.
Confirm accommodation before budgeting.
Do not automatically include university accommodation if you have not been offered a space.
Plan research expenses early.
Master’s and PhD students should estimate research costs before beginning major fieldwork.
Keep payment records.
Good financial records make it easier to identify unpaid or duplicated charges.
Avoid unauthorized agents.
Paying an agent extra money does not guarantee cheaper fees or faster registration.
Budget for the full session.
Tuition is only one part of postgraduate expenditure.
Frequently Asked Questions About OAU Postgraduate School Fees
How much is OAU postgraduate school fees for 2026/2027?
The current planning figures are approximately ₦150,000 for PGD, ₦200,000 for regular Master’s programmes and ₦300,000 for PhD programmes per session. Specialised and professional programmes can have different charges.
How much is OAU postgraduate application fee?
The OAU Postgraduate College currently lists ₦15,000 for regular postgraduate programmes and ₦20,000 for professional programmes. Some specialised programmes have separate fees.
How much is OAU postgraduate acceptance fee?
The current fee information places the postgraduate acceptance fee at approximately ₦40,000 for fresh students.
How much is OAU accommodation for postgraduate students?
The current 2026/2027 planning figure is approximately ₦40,000, although accommodation availability and applicable charges should be confirmed before payment.
How much is OAU PhD school fees?
The current planning figure for a regular OAU PhD programme is approximately ₦300,000 per session, excluding other charges and research expenses.
How much is OAU Master’s school fees?
Regular OAU Master’s programmes are currently budgeted at approximately ₦200,000 per academic session. Professional and executive programmes can have different fees.
Does OAU have different fees for professional postgraduate programmes?
Yes. Professional and executive programmes can have separate fee structures. For example, the university’s Postgraduate College publishes distinct financial information for programmes such as Executive MBA and Executive Master of GIS.
Can OAU postgraduate fees be paid in instalments?
Payment arrangements depend on the programme. Students should follow the payment structure displayed on their official portal rather than assuming that every postgraduate programme has the same instalment option.
Is the OAU postgraduate application fee refundable?
Applicants should treat the application processing fee as a payment required to process the application and should carefully review the current application terms before payment.
Where should I pay OAU postgraduate fees?
Payments should be made through the official OAU payment process and approved Remita platform. The Postgraduate College specifically warns applicants that no individual is authorized to collect payments on behalf of OAU.
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Final Takeaway
The OAU postgraduate school fees for the 2026/2027 academic session provide a useful starting point for anyone planning postgraduate study at Obafemi Awolowo University. For regular programmes, prospective students can currently budget around ₦150,000 for PGD, ₦200,000 for Master’s and ₦300,000 for PhD tuition per session, while M.Phil and specialised programmes should be checked according to their individual fee structures.
Fresh students should also plan for acceptance, accommodation, caution and application charges. A Master’s student using the current planning figures, for example, may need roughly ₦305,000 for the basic listed tuition, application, acceptance, accommodation and caution charges before adding living, research and other programme-related expenses.
For more updates on OAU postgraduate school fees, admission requirements, postgraduate courses, admission lists and other Nigerian postgraduate education information, keep following MasterPG.com.ng.
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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