OAU Closes 2026/2027 JUPEB and Pre-Degree Applications October 31
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has announced the closing date for applications into its JUPEB and Pre-Degree programmes for the 2026/2027 academic session. According to the university’s Centre for Distance Learning application portal, candidates interested in either programme have until October 31, 2026, to complete their applications. The two programmes are designed to provide prospective university students with an alternative preparatory route before undergraduate admission.
The OAU JUPEB programme is a one-year foundation programme that prepares candidates for the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board examination. Successful JUPEB candidates can subsequently use their qualification for Direct Entry admission, subject to meeting the requirements of the university and the intended course. The Pre-Degree programme also runs for one year but serves primarily as preparation for candidates who intend to gain admission through the UTME route.
Candidates should note the difference between the two programmes before applying. According to OAU’s Centre for Distance Learning, Pre-Degree students are still required to register for and sit the JAMB UTME and meet the applicable requirements for their intended course. JUPEB students, on the other hand, generally proceed through the Direct Entry route after completing the programme and obtaining the required JUPEB result. This distinction is important when deciding which foundation programme matches a candidate’s intended admission pathway.
The university’s application information lists the cost of the application form at ₦20,000. Applicants are expected to complete their registration through the OAU Centre for Distance Learning’s foundation programme application system and provide the required information during the process. Candidates applying for programmes such as Medicine or Nursing should also pay attention to the subject combination selected during registration because the appropriate combination is linked to the intended academic pathway.
With the application deadline set for October 31, 2026, prospective applicants who have not yet completed their forms should ensure that their applications are submitted before the closing date. Candidates should carefully review their personal details, academic information and programme selection before submitting the form. Applicants who have already registered can also use the application portal to access their registration information and other details connected with their application.
The closure of the 2026/2027 application window means that candidates who are interested in OAU’s JUPEB or Pre-Degree route should treat October 31 as the final date currently displayed by the university’s official application portal. Any further extension or change to the deadline should be confirmed through OAU’s official Centre for Distance Learning or university announcements. Candidates should also keep their application details and payment records safely for use during subsequent stages of the admission process.