14/06/2025
NOUN ADMISSIONS (2025): SSCE, Direct Entry, MSC, PGD etc Another semester will commence in July 2025
*WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NOUN 👇*
I write this post to answer your questions about the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and more.
These are questions I usually get about NOUN.
1. What is National Open University?
2. Is NOUN right for me?
3. Do I need JAMB UTME to gain admission to NOUN
4. What are NOUN admission requirements?
5. What are programmes/courses offered by NOUN
6. How is the programme run or conducted?
7. Do NOUN graduates serve in the NYSC?
8. Are NOUN Law graduates allowed to continue to Nigerian Bar? And more
1. What is the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)?
Have you heard about Distance Learning (DL) programmes before now? If not, DL is designed by various universities to bridge the gap to education for people who are working-class or people deprived of admission through JAMB UTME.
Those universities run such programmes on a part-time or sandwich basis. The University of Abuja, University of Benin and Lagos State University etc.
In the same way, the Federal Government of Nigeria's distance learning programme is the National Open University (NOUN). It is aimed at helping you to achieve your degree target without leaving your job. This degree programme gives you a chance to work and study at the same time. And if you've been let down by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), you can consider NOUN as an alternative to UTME-based admissions.
2. Is National Open University Ideal for You?
The next thing you may want to know is if such a degree programme is right for you.
In a country like Nigeria, anything Federal is more recognized – we all know that. Even if people want to see it otherwise, the Federal government knows how to make it a big deal.
Remember when NECO started in the year 2000, most candidates and parents were sceptical - thinking it won’t be recognised for admissions at both local and foreign institutions. Now, the story is huge.
This notion changed when the Federal government announced all institutions must accept NECO for admissions.
I’m sure work is ongoing to ensure foreign institutions accept NECO for admissions. And you should know some universities outside are already accepting it. Particularly that foreign universities such as Brandon University, Canada are already accepting it.
A case like this was when they said “NOUN Bsc. Nursing will not be accepted for working in any hospital”. Just recently, the Board of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria has finally certified NOUN Nursing Programme.
Do you now see the picture?
So, don’t listen to critics saying, it won’t be recognized for jobs and the like.
Hence, if you fall into any of the categories below, consider NOUN.
I. You have been seeking admission to conventional universities but all efforts proved abortive.
II. You have not been favoured by JAMB in UTME scores. Hence, you couldn’t secure admission elsewhere.
III. If you’re done with BSC, HND, NCE, and OND but securing JAMB Direct Entry (DE) admission to universities becomes a tug of war.
IV. If you’re already working (or intend to start working while schooling) and have no such free time for a full-time classroom degree.
3. Do I Need JAMB UTME to Gain Admission to NOUN?
No, you don’t. As earlier said, one of the problems NOUN is established to solve is the problem of not gaining admission through the UTME. The school is aware that the best students are NOT determined by exams. It’s equally not really easy to be working and at the same time prepare adequately for exams like JAMB UTME. Forget UTME, they get you covered.
4. NOUN Admission Requirements
What are the admission requirements? Getting admission to the school requires some perquisites. These requirements depend on your proposed programmes and courses at the school. If you must get this, let’s discuss different courses available and their requirements for admission.
5. NOUN Available Courses/Programmes
You can join National Open University as a 100 level, 200 level (Direct Entry) or Postgraduate applicant.
Let’s go into details.
6. Undergraduate Programmes - 100 Level
Generally, the requirements for getting admission into the National Open University of Nigeria include five (5) credits in the SSCE/GCE O’Level/NECO/NABTEB or equivalents at not more than two (2) sittings obtained in subjects relevant to the proposed field(s) of study. The five (5) credits include Credits in Mathematics, English and 3 other relevant subjects. More details can be found under programmes.
7. Undergraduate Programmes - 200 Level
I. National Diploma with Upper Credit from a recognised institution.
II. National Certificate in Education (NCE) in a subject(s) relevant to the proposed programme of study with a minimum of one merit and two passes.
III. International Baccalaureates, Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) with at least two ‘A’ Level papers in relevant subjects and a pre-requisite number of ‘O’ Level credit passes.
NOTE
NOUN does accept IJMB, ND, HND, NCE, and Bsc for her 200 level undergraduates admission. BSc and HND holders may need to visit their intended study centres http://nou.edu.ng/ to ask if they can be considered for the 300 level instead.
You may be lucky if you have a distinction or first-class in your HND or Bsc to be given 300 level admission.
HND applicants with lower credit/pass can also be considered for admission instead of the upper credit stated above. But you will need to speak with them at your proposed study centre first. OND applicants with lower credit/pass can do the same.
Postgraduate Diploma Programmes
I. To qualify for admission into any of the postgraduate programmes of the University, a candidate must meet, among others, all matriculation requirements of at least five (5) credit passes including English Language and Mathematics. Some programmes accept at least a pass in Mathematics.
II. Candidates must possess either a minimum of pass Bachelors Degree in any discipline from a University recognised by the Senate of the NOUN OR a Higher National Diploma with a minimum of Lower Credit.
III. For the Postgraduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting, the candidate must have been called to the Bar.
IV. For admission into the school of Business and Human Resource Management Postgraduate Diploma programmes, candidates with professional qualifications such as ACA, ACIS, ACIB, ACII, ACIA, etc may be considered on individual merit.
1. Master Degree Programmes
I. Candidates must possess either a Bachelors Degree with a minimum of second class lower in the relevant field of study from a University recognised by the Senate of the NOUN.
II. However, holders of lower classification and with a minimum of 2 years of relevant post-qualification experience may be considered on individual merit OR a Postgraduate Diploma in a related field of study from a recognised University OR A Higher National Diploma with a minimum of Upper Credit in the relevant field of study. Candidates with a membership certificate of relevant professional bodies may apply for the Master of Business (MBA) programme
2. Doctor of Philosophy Degree Programmes
Candidates must possess a masters degree in a relevant field of study from a University recognised by the Senate of the NOUN with a minimum score average of not less than 60% or a cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.5 on a 5-point scale.
NOUN Available Programmes and Courses
I. B. Agric. (Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Option) Agricultural Sciences
II. B. Agric. (Crop Production and Protection Sciences Option) Agricultural Sciences
III. B. Agric. (Soil and Land Resources Management Option) Agricultural Sciences
IV. B. Agric. (Agricultural Economics and Agro Business Option)
V. Agricultural Sciences
PGD Agricultural Extension and Management
VI. Agricultural Sciences
B. Agric. (Aquaculture and Fisheries Management Option) Agricultural Sciences
VII. B. Agric. (Animal Science Option) Agricultural Sciences .
For more courses and the latest updates, kindly visit the NOUN course page. - Nou.edu.ng or chat us up
How NOUN Runs her Academic Programmes
How is the programme run? At a distant learning centre or institute, you are to learn at your own pace – as conveniently as you probably choose. Hence, here is the picture of how you will learn at the National Open University.
I. Please note that the application starts from generating RRR here and making payments online or by the bank. Then, return to the website to fill out your form.
II. After your application, the school will give you admission immediately. How? Their computer system will match your proposed course requirements with all application details you fill in. Based on this matching, it will decide if you meet or beat their requirements. If you meet or beat the requirements, you will be allowed to print your admission letter (directly on the application portal). If however, you’re not qualified, you won’t be able to see such a letter. In this case, you may need to visit your proposed study centre and ask for a way out. They may end up allowing you to study another course you qualify for.
III. After you’ve printed your admission letter, proceed to your proposed study centre. They will conduct a physical checking of your credentials and see if everything is right. After that, you will be given some study materials. These study materials are usually softcopies – books you can download and study on your computer or mobile devices. You can equally be given some printed materials – if you’re lucky.
Participating in NOUN TMA
Just like other conventional universities, after you’ve studied your course materials, the school will conduct one or two tests before exams. These tests, NOUN called it - TMA. You’ll be required to do TMAs – usually two or three. Note that NOUN TMA is online. You will need to visit your candidate TMA page, print out or save your questions, study them, answer them offline, then return online to answer and finally submit them. Your score is immediately displayed. The school shares some tips for learning and preparing for exams here.
Participate in NOUN Exams
Exams are conducted twice a year – the first and second semesters. You must partake in these exams. It’s important to note that NOUN can conduct the exams online (like TMA) or at study centres across the nation.
This is your routine for the period of your studies.
National Open University (NOUN) FAQs
Do NOUN Graduates serve in the NYSC?
NYSC has declared that they are not accepting NOUN graduates in the meantime, yet they are being issued NYSC letter of exclusion.
You should know that NOUN is continually working on making sure their graduates serve after their programme. The school has recently joined JAMB for this process.
More on this update later.
Are their Law graduates allowed to continue to Nigerian Bar?
Yes
The Law school, starting in 2022, has started accepting the graduates of the National Open University into its programme. This update was officially covered in the dailies including The Tribune,
What you may lack as a NOUN Student
NOUN is for anybody who won’t mind NOT being on campus. If you’re the type who wants to be on campus to take selfies, NOUN may not be the right choice for you as it doesn’t run conventional university settings, but rather study centres for the purpose of exams, counselling and guides.
If however, you still want to enjoy campus life while running National Open University programmes, you can get friends at closer institutions around their study centres. Then, you can have access to your shots on motion ground.
I know NOUN students on the Polytechnic Ibadan campus (since the study centre in Ibadan is so close to the Poly), also students on the LAUTECH campus.
Conclusion
NOUN is here to stay. And just recently, National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted approval to the National Teachers Institute (NTI) to run its degree programmes in affiliation with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). You can ask your relatives already running NTI courses.
Another achievement is the United States (US) embassy in Abuja set to establish a partnership with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) towards enriching the programmes of the university.
Chat me up for further details
Welcome Message from the Vice-Chancellor On behalf of the Council and Senate, I welcome you to the National Open University of Nigeria, the largest University in Nigeria by student enrolment and national spread. By the click of a button, you are now in the single largest community of flexible, open....
