Everything You Need To Know About The National Open University Of Nigeria(NOUN)

 Everything You Need To Know About The National Open University Of Nigeria(NOUN)

The National Open University Of Nigeria(NOUN) is an Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institution, a kind of distance learning programme medium designed by various universities to facilitate education for working-class individuals or people deprived of admission through JAMB. NOUN programmes operate on part-time or sandwich basis.

Many great Nigerians such as former Nigerian Head of State chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Noollywood actress Ini Edo, Beverly Osu, Dre’mo, Desmond Elliot and many more are all graduates of NOUN.. The main objective of making this programme was to help individuals achieve a degree, without leaving their jobs permanently or businesses, thereby facilitating working and studying at the same time.

Some Brief Things To Note About The National Open University Of Nigeria(NOUN)

• It was established in 2002.
• It’s a Federal Government university approved and accredited by NUC.
• It’s Certificates are fully recognized and acceptable universally.
• It’s not a member of ASUU and doesn’t go on strike unlike other universities.
• It doesn’t require JAMB for admission, which means with your O’L you are eligible.
• It accepts CREDITS PASS in mathematics and English in most of its courses.
• It’s both for the rich and middle class, meaning that it’s affordable and one can work while studying.
• It doesn’t delay certificates after students graduation. Certificates are given to students immediately after graduation..
• As a student of NOUN your 100L to your 200L is computer base, while from your 300L to your 400L is Pen on Paper
• Its Law graduates are allowed to continue to Nigerian Bar as applicable to NYSC.
• It doesn’t have a student union government(SUG)
• It runs two semesters in a year.and its undergraduate program is 4 years, while for law its 5 years.
• The NOUN exams are conducted twice in a year – first and second semester. You must partake in these exams.
• NOUN can conduct the exams online or at study centres across the nation.
• It’s is not like a conventional university where students have a permanent site for receiving lectures, meaning it does not have a campus unlike other universities.
• It’s system is neither considered as part time or full time studies but ODL (Open Distance Learning) meaning that, it’s flexible to all students
• It doesn’t accept PASS in Direct Entry, but upper.
• It’s PGD program is two semesters, and while Masters program is four semesters

NOUN Available Programmes and Courses 

1. B. Agric. (Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Option)     Agricultural Sciences  
2. B. Agric. (Crop Production and Protection Sciences Option)     Agricultural Sciences  
3. B. Agric. (Soil and Land Resources Management Option)     Agricultural Sciences  
4. B. Agric. (Agricultural Economics and Agro Business Option)     Agricultural Sciences  
5. PGD Agricultural Extension and Management     Agricultural Sciences  
6. B. Agric. (Aquaculture and Fisheries Management Option)     Agricultural Sciences  
7. B. Agric. (Animal Science Option)     Agricultural Sciences..  
8. Agricultural extension and management
9. Agricultural science and education
10. Business education
11. Christian theology
12. Communications technology
13. Computer science
14. Conflict and peace resolution
15. Cooperative management
16. Criminology and security studies
17. Data management
18. Early childhood education
19. Education and chemistry:
20. Education and english language
21. Education and mathematics
22. Education and biology
23. Education and french
24. Education and integrated science
25. Education and physics
26. English language
27. Entrepreneurship and business management
28. Environmental science resources management
29. French and international relations
30. Hotel and catering management
31. Hotel and tourism management
32. Islamic studies
33. Law
34. Mass communication
35. Mathematics
36. Mathematics with computer science
37. Nursing/nursing science
38. Peace and development studies
39. Primary education studies
40. Public administration
41. Public health
42. Shipping and maritime technology
43. Teacher education science:
44. Tourism studies

NOUN TMA

The same way conventional universities do take exams for admission after one has studied his/her course materials for the exam, NOUN does the same.. These tests, in NOUN is referred to as – TMA.. The school will conduct one or two tests before exams which are usually done online. . Candidates will need to visit their TMA page to get their questions, then study them, and answer them offline, then return online thereafter to answer and finally submit. The score is displayed thereafter. The school shares some tips for learning and preparing for exams here.

How NOUN Academic Programmes Are Run

How is the programme run? As 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.

1. Application starts from generating an RRR and making payment online or at the bank. Then, return to the website to fill your form.
2. After your successful application, you are given admission by the school immediately. How it happens is that, their computer system will match your proposed course requirements with all application details you fill. 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.
3. After you’ve printed your admission letter, you would have to proceed to your proposed study centre, where they’ll 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 soft copies – books you can download and study on your computer or mobile devices. You can equally be given some printed materials – if you’re lucky.

list Of Approved Open Distance Learning Centers In Nigeria

1. Joseph Ayo Babalola University University (JABU Center for Distance Learning)
2. University of Abuja, Abuja (UNIABUJA Centre for Distance Learning and Continuing Education)
3. University of Ibadan, Ibadan (UI Distance Learning Centre)
4. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (OAU Centre for Distance Learning)
5. University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri (UNIMAID Centre for Distance Learning)
6. Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola (MAUTECH Centre for Distance Learning)
7. University of Lagos, Akoka (UNILAG Distance Learning Institute)
8. University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN Center for Distance and e-Learning)
9. Lagos State University (Lagos State University Open and Distance Learning and Research Institute)
10. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso (LAUTECH Distance Learning Centre)
11. Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (Distance Learning Centre ABU, Zaria)

NOUN Admission Requirements For It’s Available Courses/Programmes

You can join the National Open University (NOUN)as a 100 level, 200 level (Direct Entry) or Postgraduate applicant.

Undergraduate Programmes – For 100 Level Applicants

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.

Undergraduate Programmes – For 200 Level Applicants

1. National Diploma with Upper Credit from a recognised institution.
2. National Certificate in Education (NCE) in subject(s) relevant to the proposed programme of study with a minimum of one merit and two passes.
3. International Baccalaureates, Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) with at least two ‘A’ Level papers in relevant subjects and pre-requisite number of ‘O’ Level credit passes.

NOTE

1. NOUN does accept IJMB, ND, HND, NCE, Bsc for her 200 level undergraduates admission. BSc and HND holders may need to visit their intended study centres  to ask if they can be considered for 300 level instead. 
2. You may be lucky if you have a distinction or first-class in your HND or Bsc to be given 300 level admission. 
3. 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.

For Postgraduate Diploma Programmes 

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. For the Postgraduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting, the candidate must have been called to the Bar.
4. 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.

 For Master Degree Programmes

1. Candidates must possess either a Bachelors Degree with a minimum of second class lower in the relevant field of study from a University recognized by the Senate of the NOUN.
2. 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. Candidate with a membership certificate of relevant professional bodies may apply for the Master of Business (MBA) programme.

For Doctor of Philosophy Degree Prorammes

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.

.