All posts by Amakor Vitalis

The University of Benin is once again calling on students, this time for its full-time diploma in Maritime Studies and Information and Communication Technology. It is not every day you get a path without the dreaded entrance exam, so this is one of those rare openings where paperwork matters more than exam hall nerves.

For those who see the sea and digital world as more than just hobbies, the course feels like a ticket to bigger doors. At the end, a Merit or higher gets you a straight line into second year degree studies in UNIBEN or even other universities across Nigeria.

Why this matters

The diploma is designed to bridge gaps. Many students get stuck between O’Level and degree entry, this programme works like a stepping stone. It flows into faculties like:

• Engineering
• Environmental Science with options in Geomatics, Quantity Survey, Estate Management, Architecture
• Science courses including Computer Science, Mathematics (various combinations), Physics, Geology, Industrial Physics, Statistics with Computer Science
• Education especially Vocational and Technical Education
• Library Studies

So, it is not just a side programme. It feeds directly into proper degree courses.

What you need to apply

Applicants should hold one of the following:

• Credits in Mathematics, English Language, Physics, Chemistry, and one other subject (choices include Technical Drawing, Biology, Agricultural Science, Economics, Government, Geography) in GCE, WASSCE, SSCE, NABTEB or NECO.
• TC II with a credit in Mathematics, a pass in English, plus three other relevant credits.
• City and Guilds Part 1 in any engineering area.
• Or an equivalent qualification that matches the above.

The rule is simple, no shortcut. Meet the requirements or look elsewhere.

Application process

Forms must be filled online, neat and proper, before 31 October 2025. Any mistake, half-baked form, or late submission and the system waves you goodbye. Interested candidates can start at the UNIBEN application portal.

The University of Benin has once again thrown open its doors, inviting fresh faces into its postgraduate family. It is that time of year when those who wish to take their learning a notch higher, beyond undergraduate study, start gathering papers and whispering to referees. The College of Postgraduate Studies is asking for applications, and this covers a wide range of programmes, from Postgraduate Diplomas to Master’s, M.Phil, and straight up to PhD.

What you must have in hand

UNIBEN is clear about who gets in and who does not. A few simple but firm rules apply:

• Five credits in WASC, NECO, GCE or equivalents. Some leeway exists with OND, NCE, IJMB, or A-level passes.
• Holders of Pass degrees are not welcome into the postgraduate track. Those with Third Class need to first secure a PGD.
• For Master’s entry, the mark sits at a proper class, while those eyeing M.Phil must carry a Weighted Average Score between 55 and 59%.
• To step into a PhD, you need at least 60% average in your Master’s. Candidates from other universities may be asked to retake compulsory courses, to match UNIBEN’s standards.
• No NYSC certificate, no clearance. Whether discharge, exemption, or exclusion, one of these must be ready.

The referee link

Every application rides on more than personal effort. Referees must fill and return their reports directly to the School of Postgraduate Studies. Without them, the application is dead on arrival.

Cost and how to apply

Application is strictly online. With a VERVE or MasterCard ATM, you pay ₦22,000 for the form. After filling correctly, you print out the application and referee forms from the UNIBEN portal. Wrongly filled or half-done forms are simply ignored.

All processes must be wrapped up before 30 November 2025. No extensions, no excuses.

After admission

For those who make the cut, the next step is acceptance fee payment. The total is ₦60,000, non-refundable. No fee, no clearance.