Many Nigerians who missed a conventional place at the University of Ibadan (UI) look at the Distance Learning Centre (DLC) as a second route to a UI degree. The first question is is the University of Ibadan distance learning form out for 2026. According to the Centre’s official website, admission for the 2026/2027 academic session is open, and applications are made through the university’s online mode-of-study portal.
This guide explains is the University of Ibadan distance learning form out for 2026 in detail, and covers who can apply, the programmes on offer, the usual admission requirements, the application steps and the points to verify before paying for anything.
Is the University of Ibadan Distance Learning Form Out for 2026?
Yes. The UI Distance Learning Centre states on its homepage that admission for the 2026/2027 session is open. Applicants are directed to the mode-of-study portal of the university (modeofstudy.ui.edu.ng) to submit their applications. The Centre also lists a telephone line and an email address for enquiries on its website.
Two points need care. First, the DLC does not publish a single closing date for the general window on its homepage, so applicants should check the portal for the current deadline. Second, an older notice on the site that refers to a closing date in October belongs to a previous cycle and does not apply to 2026/2027.
| Item | Current Position |
|---|---|
| Session | 2026/2027 |
| Admission status | Open, according to the DLC website |
| Where to apply | UI mode-of-study portal, linked from the DLC website |
| Special cohort window | Closed on 15 August 2026 |
| Entry routes | Fresh application, Direct Entry or switch from on-campus study |
| Awarding institution | University of Ibadan |
The 2026 Special Cohort Window
In 2026, UI opened a special Open and Distance Learning (ODeL) cohort for candidates who did not secure a place on campus. Applications for that cohort closed on Saturday, 15 August 2026, and classes were scheduled to begin two days later. Since that window has passed, a candidate who missed it should use the general 2026/2027 application on the portal instead of waiting for the cohort to reopen.
The cohort was aimed at two groups. The first group is candidates who sat the 2026 UI Post-UTME screening but did not receive a conventional offer. They are able to switch from the on-campus mode to distance learning through the change-of-mode portal at no charge. The second group is candidates who did not choose UI in their JAMB application. They apply afresh, provided they meet the entry requirements.
Who Can Apply for UI Distance Learning?
The DLC admits several kinds of applicants. Each route has its own conditions, so a candidate should identify the correct one before filling the form:
- Candidates who did not take part in the JAMB UTME and want to enter at 100 level through the Centre.
- Candidates who sat the UI Post-UTME screening and were not offered a conventional place, who can move to the distance mode.
- Holders of an OND, HND, NCE or a first degree, and other qualified candidates, who apply for Direct Entry into 200 level where the programme allows it.
- Working adults and school leavers who need a flexible study schedule.
Programmes Offered at the UI Distance Learning Centre
The Centre runs first-degree programmes that are taught by the same faculty that teaches the on-campus courses. Graduates receive the same University of Ibadan degree. The programmes announced for the 2026 ODeL cohort include:
- Computer Science
- Statistics
- Psychology
- Economics
- Political Science
- Sociology
- English
- Communication and Language Arts
- Educational Management (B.Ed.)
- Social Work (B.Sw.)
The list of courses changes from one cycle to another, so a candidate should confirm that the chosen course is available for 2026/2027 on the portal before applying.
Admission Requirements
The requirements below follow the usual UI pattern for degree programmes. The DLC publishes the exact conditions for each course on its portal, and those conditions take priority over any general summary.
| Entry Route | Usual Requirement |
|---|---|
| 100 level (fresh entry) | At least five O’Level credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics, in subjects relevant to the chosen course, obtained in not more than two sittings from WAEC or NECO |
| 200 level (Direct Entry) | O’Level credits as above, plus a relevant OND, HND, NCE, A’Level or degree qualification |
| Switch from on-campus | A 2026 UI Post-UTME screening record and a course that is open in the distance mode |
Because a fresh applicant does not sit the UTME for this route, the O’Level result carries most of the weight. A candidate who still has an outstanding subject should clear it first, since the portal checks results during screening.
How to Apply for UI Distance Learning 2026/2027
The application is done online. The steps are:
- Open the UI Distance Learning Centre website and follow the admission link to the mode-of-study portal.
- Create an applicant account with a working email address and phone number.
- Choose the programme and the entry route that apply.
- Pay the application fee through the payment channel shown on the portal and keep the receipt.
- Fill in the personal, academic and O’Level details, and upload the required documents in a clear scanned format.
- Submit the form and print or save the confirmation page.
- Monitor the registered email and the portal for the screening notice and the admission list.
Candidates who are switching from the on-campus mode use the change-of-mode portal and do not pay for the switch. Fresh applicants pay the application fee stated on the portal for the current cycle.
Application Fee and Other Charges
The DLC fixes its charges each session and shows them on the portal. The application processing fee, the acceptance fee and the tuition differ by programme and by entry level, and published figures change from one cycle to the next. Some third-party summaries quote an application fee in the range of ₦10,000 to ₦15,000 and an acceptance fee of ₦50,000, but these numbers are not confirmed on the Centre’s own homepage. A candidate should treat them as estimates only and pay the exact amount displayed on the official portal.
Tuition for the programmes is covered in a separate guide on the University of Ibadan distance learning school fee. In general, the fee is lower than the cost of a private university programme, and it is usually paid per session.
How Distance Learning Works at UI
The Centre uses the Open and Distance Learning (ODeL) model. Lectures are delivered through virtual classes, mobile learning tools and interactive course materials. Students also attend periodic physical revision sessions and sit examinations at approved venues. This arrangement allows a student to keep a job or run a business while studying, although the student must still attend the scheduled online sessions and complete assignments on time.
Does the Distance Degree Carry the Same Value?
The degree is awarded by the University of Ibadan and approved under the same academic standards as the conventional degree. The same faculty teach the courses, so the content is comparable. Graduates who meet the requirements are eligible for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, where the rules for distance learning graduates apply, and for postgraduate study. Employers recognise the degree as a University of Ibadan qualification.
Points to Verify Before Paying
- Use only the website of the University of Ibadan and the portal it links to. Agents cannot guarantee admission, and the Centre does not sell places.
- Check that the programme is listed as open for the 2026/2027 session.
- Confirm the closing date on the portal, because the general window has no fixed date on the homepage.
- Keep every payment receipt and the confirmation page.
- Contact the Centre through the telephone number or email shown on its official website if any step is unclear.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the University of Ibadan distance learning form out for 2026? Yes. The Distance Learning Centre lists 2026/2027 admission as open through the university’s mode-of-study portal.
2. Do I need JAMB to apply for UI distance learning? A candidate who did not take part in the UTME can apply through the Centre. Candidates who sat the UI Post-UTME can switch to the distance mode.
3. Is the special cohort still open? No. The special ODeL cohort closed on 15 August 2026. Use the general application on the portal.
4. Can I apply for Direct Entry? Yes, for programmes that admit at 200 level, with the relevant OND, HND, NCE, A’Level or degree qualification.
5. Is the certificate the same as a regular UI degree? The degree is awarded by the University of Ibadan, and the same faculty teaches the courses.
Final Thoughts
The answer to is the University of Ibadan distance learning form out for 2026 is yes, as the Distance Learning Centre lists admission for the 2026/2027 session as open through its mode-of-study portal. The special cohort window has closed, so applicants now use the general application. Before paying any fee, confirm the programme, the entry requirements, the current charges and the closing date on the official University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre website.