With the sole aim of providing wider access to higher education for Nigerians, The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) was established in 1983 and resuscitated in 2002 as a Federal Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institution. It is regarded as the largest institution with campuses spread across Nigeria.
NOUN is said to be the first of its kind in all of West Africa, with the highest population of students with more than 500 thousand students as of 2021. The university has 50 study centres with different faculties and courses at strategic locations in Nigeria, including prisons where inmates can study and earn a degree.
Faculties in National Open University Of Nigeria
The university has 11 faculties and also offers Postgraduate Diploma Programmes and Masters Degree Programmes. The Faculties, Departments, courses/programmes include:
1. Centre For Entrepreneurship And General Studies (CE&GS)
The National Open University of Nigeria, under this faculty, offers certain compulsory courses (GST), which every student of the institution must pass before they are allowed to graduate. The courses include:
- Use of English and Communication Skills
- People and Culture
- Study Skills I and II
- Nigeria and her Neighbours
- History and Philosophy of Science
- Logic and Creative Thinking
- Computer Fundamentals
2. Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Departments:
- Agricultural Extension and Rural Development
- Animal Science and Fisheries
- Crop and Soil Sciences
All Accredited Programmes in the Faculty
- B.Sc Agricultural Extension and Management
- B.Sc. Hotel and Catering Management
- B. Agric. (Aquaculture and Fisheries Management Option)
- Agric. (Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Option)
- Agric. (Crop Production and Protection Sciences Option)
- Agric. (Soil and Land Resources Management Option)
- Agric. (Agricultural Economics and Agro Business Option)
- Agric. (Animal Science Option)
- PGD Agricultural Extension and Management
3. Faculty of Arts, National Open University of Nigeria
Departments:
- Languages
- Religious Studies
- Philosophy
List of Complete Programmes in the Department
- B.A. Islamic Studies
- B.A. Arabic Language and Literature
- B.A. Igbo
- B.A. Hausa
- B.A. Yoruba
- B.A. Philosophy
- M.A Christian Religious Studies
- M.A. English
- PGD Christian Religious Studies
- PhD Christian Religious Studies
4. Faculty of Education
Departments:
- Arts and Social Education
- Educational Foundations
- Science Education
All Programmes in the Faculty of Education, NOUN
- B.Sc.(Ed) Agricultural Science
- B.Sc.(Ed) Biology
- B.Sc (Ed) Chemistry
- B.Sc.(Ed) Integrated Science
- B.Sc.(Ed) Computer Science
- B.Sc.(Ed) Mathematics
- B.Sc.(Ed) Physics
- B.A.(Ed) Early Childhood Education
- B.A.(Ed) English
- B.A.(Ed) French
- B.A.(Ed) Primary Education
- B.Sc.(Ed) Business Education
- B.Sc.(Ed) Health Education
- B.Sc. (Ed) Human Kinetics
- B.Sc. (Ed) Library and Information Science
- M.Ed. Educational Administration and Planning
- M.Ed. Science Education
- M.Ed. Educational Technology
- M.Ed. Guidance and Counselling
- Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)
- PhD Educational Administration and Planning
- PhD Science Education
- PhD Educational Technology
- PhD Mathematical Education
5. Faculty of Health Sciences
Departments:
- Nursing Science
- Public and Environmental Health
Programmes Offered in The Faculty of Health sciences
- B.Sc. Environmental Health Science
- Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc)_Old
- B.Sc Public Health
- (BNSc) Bachelor of Nursing
- M.Sc Public Health
- Postgraduate Diploma in (PGD) HIV/AIDS Education and Management
6. Faculty of Law
Departments:
- Commercial Law
- Jurisprudence and International Law
- Private and Property Law
- Public Law
Programme in the Faculty of Law
- LLB Law
7. Faculty of Management Sciences
Departments:
- Administration
- Entrepreneurial Studies
- Financial Studies
All Accredited Programmes in the Faculty of Management Sciences
- B.Sc. Transport Management
- B.Sc Banking and Finance
- B.Sc Marketing
- BSc Public Administration
- B.Sc Business Administration
- B.Sc Accounting
- B.Sc. Entrepreneurship
- B.Sc. Cooperative and Rural Development
- Master of Public Administration (MPA)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- MSc Public Administration
- MSc Business Administration
- M.Sc Entrepreneurship
- PGD Entrepreneurship
- PGD Financial Management
- PGD Business Administration
- PGD Public Administration
- PhD Business Administration
- PhD Public Administration
8. Faculty of Science
Departments:
- Computer Sciences
- Environmental Studies
- Mathematics
- Pure and Applied Sciences
List of programmes in the faculty
- B.Sc. Data Management
- B.Sc Physics
- B.Sc Biology
- B.Sc Chemistry
- B.Sc. Mathematics/Computer Science
- B.Sc. Mathematics
- B.Sc. Environmental Management and Toxicology
- B.Sc. Computer Science
- B.Sc. Information Technology
- M.Sc Information Technology (Internet Options)
- PGD. Information Technology
9. Faculty of Social Sciences
Departments:
- Criminology and Security Studies
- Economics
- Mass Communication
- Political Science
All Accredited programmes in the faculty under all the departments
- B.Sc. Development Studies
- B.Sc Broadcasting
- B.Sc Film Production
- B.Sc. Tourism Studies
- B.Sc Economics
- B.Sc. Political Science
- B.Sc. Mass Communication
- B.Sc. Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
- B.Sc. Criminology and Security Studies
- B.Sc. International and Diplomatic Studies
- M.Sc. Criminology and Security Studies
- M.Sc. Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
- M.Sc. Mass Communication
- PGD Economics
- PGD Mass Communication
- PGD. Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
- PGD Criminology and Security Studies
- PhD Peace Studies and Conflict resolution
- PhD Mass Communication
10. Centre for Educational Technology and Entrepreneurial Development (CETED), National Open University of Nigeria
Philosophy of Religion
11. Africa Centre of Excellence of Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL)
All Accredited Programmes in the Faculty
- M.Sc. Artificial Intelligence
- M.Sc. Cyber Security
- M.Sc. Management Information System
- PhD Cyber Security
- PhD Artificial Inteligence
- PhD Management Information Systems
Short Courses
- Artificial Intelligence
- BlockChain
- CCNA 2
- CCNA 3
- CCNA Cyber Associate
- CCNA 1
- CCNP
- Cloud Computing
- Cyber Security
- Data Analysis
- Database Management
- Digital Literacy
- English Language For Non-English Speakers
- Entrepreneurship
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- IT Essentials
- Leadership and Project Management
- Learning Technology
- Open Government Data
- Programming: C, Python, JAVA
Admission Requirements and Fees Structure Of National Open University of Nigeria
Admission into the National Open University of Nigeria is for Undergraduate, Postgraduate and PhD prospects from age 17 and above. One of the school’s advantages over the other tertiary institutions in Nigeria is its immunity to union strikes, such as the ASSU strike that affect many institutions, including the best universities in Nigeria.
The university has also affirmed that its students can enrol in the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC programme. To check the NYSC mobilization list, register, and get a call-up letter, you can visit the NYSC portal. Get to know about the NYSC portal here.
Admission Requirements of Noun
Undergraduate Programmes
- When applying as an undergraduate into NOUN, an applicant should have a minimum of 5 O-level credits, including English Language, Mathematics and any other courses relevant to the course you’re applying for.
- There are programmes that additional requirements may apply. These can be viewed after selecting the Programme and entry-level at the Faculty’s admission page.
- For direct entry candidates, an applicant needs a diploma certificate or an NCE result from recognised institutions.
Postgraduate Programmes
- An applicant must have at least five (5) credit passes in O-level, including English Language and Mathematics. Some programmes accept at least a pass in Mathematics.
- For Postgraduate Diploma Programmes, Candidates must have 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 (HND) with a minimum of Lower Credit.
- For the Postgraduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting, an applicant is expected to have been called to the Bar. Also, 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.
- When applying for Master degree programmes at the National Open University, candidates must possess either a Bachelors Degree at least a second class lower in the relevant field of study from a University recognised by the Senate of the NOUN. Nonetheless, candidates who possess a lower classification and 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. Also, candidates with a Higher National Diploma with a minimum of Upper Credit in the relevant field of study can apply. Candidates with membership certificates of relevant professional bodies may apply for the Master of Business (MBA) programme.
- For the 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.
How to Apply for Admission in NOUN
To apply for admission to the university, you are expected to have at least 5 O-level credits, including Mathematics and English Language.
The simple steps below are how eligible candidates can apply to the National Open University Of Nigeria.
- Visit the NOUN admission application website, and click Apply for Admission on the menu bar.
- Select the programme you wish to apply for, be it Undergraduate, Postgraduate or PhD.
- On the left-hand side of the screen, Select Faculty
- Click on any Faculty of your choice and fill the form displayed on the screen; choose the programme and entry-level to enable the View Requirements.
- Click on the View Requirements tab below to review admission criteria.
- After you’ve done that, click Apply to proceed to the pre-payment application page. Fill in the remaining details before you submit.
- When you’ve successfully submitted the pre-payment form, you will be redirected to Remita to obtain an RRR invoice used to effect payment for the application form.
- Take note of the UNIQUE ID displayed and then click on Continue.
- On the options provided, Select Bank Branch as payment type and click Pay.
- Note your RRR number and proceed to any of the bank branches to pay the stipulated amount.
- After you’ve made the payments re-visit the school’s website as in steps 1 & 2.
- If you’re paying online with a payment card (internet banking), you will automatically obtain the online form to fill and submit.
- On the Continue After Payment provision, enter Unique ID, RRR number and Programme and click Proceed.
- Fill Form provided on the screen and Submit.
- Print your admission letter and take it to your preferred Study Centre for screening/verification by an Administrative Officer.
Student Portal Login/Registration
The NOUN Student Portal is available for Returning students who are to log in and access their status and for New students who are to register their personal data before submission.
Do I Need Jamb To Gain Admission Into NOUN?
No, Jamb or UTME are not necessary criteria to gain admission into the National Open University of Nigeria. This is because one of the reasons the University was established is to bridge the gap with Jamb for undergraduates. Nevertheless, this does not stop the university from requiring O-level certifications. Also, instead of accepting Jamb, the institution accepts students coming into the school through a direct entry (200L).
National Open University of Nigeria Fees
The fees schedule for the National Open University includes Exam fees, Project fees, fees for Undergraduate New and Returning Students, fees for Postgraduate New and Returning Students, etc.
Unlike many other public universities in Nigeria, the NOUN fees are paid every semester and not every session or yearly. Here’s a breakdown of the institution’s fees
- Undergraduate Total compulsory Fees for new students – ₦35,000
- Undergraduate total compulsory fees for returning students – ₦18,000.
- Postgraduate total compulsory fees for new students – ₦35,000
- Postgraduate total compulsory fees for returning students – ₦18,000.
Other Important fees to know about
Project fees
- Undergraduates – ₦15,000
- Post-Graduate Diploma – ₦25,000
- Masters – ₦40,000
Exam Fees
- Undergraduates – ₦1,000 per course
- Postgraduates (PGD and Masters) ₦2,000
Is National Open University Certificate Recognized?
According to a report in 2017, NOUN receives more recognition abroad than in Nigeria. This, however, does not mean that the certificate obtained from the school is not recognised in Nigeria. At present, the National Open University of Nigeria is recognized by the National Universities Commission (NUC). In addition, the institution is the only single-mode Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institution in Nigeria at present.
FAQS About NOUN Admission and Other Necessary Aspects of The Institution
Can National Open University go for NYSC?
- NOUN university graduates enrol in Nigeria’s compulsory 1 year of service known as the NYSC.
Can Law Graduates of NOUN attend Law School?
- Yes, there is an approval for people who study law to attend law school.
How do NOUN students receive lectures?
- The institution does not provide lectures to students as done in other universities in Nigeria. But students learn using several teaching materials such as printed materials, audiotapes and videotapes, CO-ROMs, Radio and Television Broadcast, and Computer-mediated Learning.
How will NOUN students be assisted and guided in their studies?
- Students who need assistance can visit a study centre to meet other students as well as instructional and tutorial facilitators to assist them.
Does the open university have hostels?
- No, as of this writing, the institution does not have any formal hostel or accommodation for its students. However, many environments around the different campuses of the institution have private owned apartments that students can rent.
How many years does it take to study at the National Open University of Nigeria?
- The time to spend at the institution depends on the programme one is offering. For instance, a degree with honours requires you to spend about 6 years of part-time study or 3-4 years of full-time study. On the other hand, a Master’s degree takes 3-4 years of part-time and 2-3 years of full-time study.