How to Apply to the University of Lagos

The University of Lagos processes admissions through a structured, nationally coordinated system. The application process has several distinct stages, and missing any one of them will cost you your admission offer.

UNILAG Step by Step Undergraduate Admission

All full-time undergraduate admission into UNILAG runs exclusively through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). There is no direct application to the university without a valid JAMB profile.

Step 1 — Register with JAMB and sit the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). You must select University of Lagos as your first-choice institution to have your details forwarded to the university automatically.

Step 2 — You have to score a minimum of 200 points in the UTME, because candidates who fall below this cutoff mark are not eligible for screening at UNILAG, regardless of their O'Level performance.

Step 3 — The next thing is to apply for the UNILAG Post-UTME Screening Examination. This is a separate, university-administered test. The online application form is accessible here. You will need your JAMB registration number and other personal details to complete registration.

Step 4 — Proceed with the payment of Post-UTME screening fee. Payment is processed through the UNILAG Remita payment portal. Keep your payment receipt, it is required at every subsequent stage.

Step 5 — Sit the Post-UTME examination on the scheduled date and at the assigned venue. Results are published on the admissions portal and the UNILAG Admissions Office website.

Step 6 — Check admission status through the JAMB CAPS portal and also the UNILAG admissions portal. If offered provisional admission, accept it on CAPS and proceed to complete registration on the UNILAG Student Portal.

UNILAG Step by Step Postgraduate Admission

Postgraduate applications (MSc., MBA, M.Phil., Ph.D., PGD) are handled by the School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS). The application timeline, requirements, and processing differ by programme and department.

Visit the SPGS portal and create an account
Select your desired programme and upload all required documents (transcripts, NYSC certificate, referee letters, research proposal where applicable)
Pay the application fee via the portal
Confirm supervisor availability with your target department before applying — this is a listed requirement for M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying without confirming your JAMB score meets the 200-point minimum
Skipping the Post-UTME registration after scoring on the UTME — the two are separate processes
Paying fees outside the official Remita portal
Applying for postgraduate programmes without verifying that a supervisor is available in your chosen department
Not meeting the age requirement: all undergraduate applicants must be at least 16 years old by 30 September of the admission year

Application Deadlines

Undergraduate Applications: Tied to the annual JAMB UTME cycle (typically March–April for the examination; Post-UTME screening is usually scheduled between July and September).
Postgraduate Applications: Rolling intake per semester. Both first-semester (September) and second-semester (January/February) entry points are available for most programmes.
International Applicants: International students follow the same academic calendar. They are advised to contact the International Students Office well in advance for documentation support (visa processing, credential verification).

Note: The UNILAG website does not publish fixed universal closing dates on publicly accessible pages. Specific deadlines are announced via the admissions portal and official social media channels. Monitor @UnilagNigeria on all platforms and the main website for real-time announcements.

University of Lagos

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