The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) runs about 120 NUC-approved programmes through open and distance learning, with study centres in every state. This guide lists the current accredited courses by faculty, the admission requirements at every level, and the application steps from your first NIN entry to your matric number.
NOUN at a Glance
- Type: federal open and distance learning (ODL) university
- Headquarters: Plot 91, Cadastral Zone, Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, Jabi, Abuja
- Study centres: 100+ across all 36 states and the FCT
- Accreditation: National Universities Commission (NUC); Council of Legal Education for the LLB
- Application portal: nouonline.net
- Application fee: ₦5,000 – ₦10,000 (Remita)
Accredited Programmes by Faculty
NOUN reorganised its old “Schools” into Faculties. The list below is the active programme catalogue across the nine academic faculties and the specialised centres.
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
- B.Agric. (Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness option)
- B.Agric. (Agricultural Extension & Rural Development option)
- B.Agric. (Animal Science option)
- B.Agric. (Aquaculture & Fisheries Management option)
- B.Agric. (Crop Production & Protection Sciences option)
- B.Agric. (Soil & Land Resources Management option)
- B.Sc. Agricultural Extension & Management
- B.Sc. Hotel & Catering Management
- PGD / M.Sc. / Ph.D. Agricultural Extension & Management
Faculty of Arts
- B.A. English; B.A. French; B.A. Arabic Language & Literature
- B.A. Christian Religious Studies; B.A. Islamic Studies
- B.A. Philosophy
- B.A. Yoruba; B.A. Hausa; B.A. Igbo
- M.A. English; M.A. Christian Religious Studies; M.A. Islamic Studies
- PGD / Ph.D. Christian Religious Studies; Ph.D. English
Faculty of Computing
NOUN carved computing out of the Faculty of Sciences into a faculty of its own, with three departments.
- B.Sc. Computer Science
- B.Sc. Information Technology
- B.Sc. Cyber Security
- PGD / M.Sc. / MPhil / Ph.D. Information Technology
Faculty of Education
- B.A.(Ed) Early Childhood Education; B.A.(Ed) English; B.A.(Ed) French; B.A.(Ed) Primary Education
- B.Sc.(Ed) Agricultural Science, Biology, Business Education, Chemistry, Computer Science, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Physics, Human Kinetics, Health Education
- BLIS — Library & Information Science
- PGDE — Postgraduate Diploma in Education
- M.Ed Educational Administration & Planning, Educational Technology, Guidance & Counselling, Science Education
- Ph.D. Educational Administration & Planning, Educational Technology, Mathematical Education, Science Education
Faculty of Health Sciences
- B.Sc. Public Health; B.Sc. Environmental Health Science
- BNSc — Bachelor of Nursing Science
- PGD HIV/AIDS Education & Management
- M.Sc. Public Health
Faculty of Law
- LL.B. Law (5-year programme; Council of Legal Education accredited)
- PGD Legislative Drafting
- LL.M. (selected specialisations)
Faculty of Management Sciences
- B.Sc. Accounting (in collaboration with ICAN); B.Sc. Banking & Finance; B.Sc. Business Administration; B.Sc. Marketing; B.Sc. Public Administration; B.Sc. Entrepreneurship; B.Sc. Cooperative & Rural Development; B.Sc. Transport Management
- PGD Business Administration, Public Administration, Financial Management, Entrepreneurship
- MBA, MPA, M.Sc. Business Administration, M.Sc. Public Administration, M.Sc. Entrepreneurship
- Ph.D. Business Administration, Ph.D. Public Administration
Faculty of Sciences
- B.Sc. Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Mathematics/Computer Science, Environmental Management & Toxicology
Faculty of Social Sciences
- B.Sc. Economics, Political Science, Mass Communication, Broadcasting, Film Production, Criminology & Security Studies, International & Diplomatic Studies, Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution, Tourism Studies, Development Studies
- PGD Economics, Mass Communication, Criminology & Security Studies, Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution
- M.Sc. Mass Communication, Criminology & Security Studies, Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution
- Ph.D. Mass Communication, Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution
African Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL)
- M.Sc. / Ph.D. Artificial Intelligence
- M.Sc. / Ph.D. Cyber Security
- M.Sc. / Ph.D. Management Information System
Centre for Lifelong Learning (CLL)
- Proficiency certificates: Call Centre Skills, Mobile Phone Repair
- University academic certificates: Computer Literacy, Dental Office Practice, Arabic & Islamic Studies, Christian Theology, French, Hotel & Catering Management
- Diplomas: Business Communication, Entrepreneurship, Financial Management, Marketing, Medical Office Practice, Arabic & Islamic Studies
Centre for Entrepreneurship & General Studies (CE&GS)
General studies and access courses required of all undergraduates.
NOUN Admission Requirements
Undergraduate (100-level)
- Minimum age: 16 years at the time of application
- At least 5 O’level credits (WAEC, NECO, NABTEB or GCE) at not more than 2 sittings
- Credits must include English Language and Mathematics, plus three other subjects relevant to your chosen programme
- JAMB UTME is not required, but the same minimum credits the NUC sets for conventional universities apply
- Programmes such as Nursing, Law, Accounting, and Computer Science have programme-specific subject requirements visible on the application portal once you select the course
Direct Entry (200-level)
- All the O’level credits above, plus one of: NCE in a relevant subject, OND/HND with at least Lower Credit, A-level pass in two relevant subjects (IJMB, JUPEB, Cambridge), or first-degree pass in a related field
- The Faculty of Law admits direct-entry candidates only into 200-level; transfers from other LL.B. programmes need NUC clearance
Postgraduate Diploma (PGD)
- O’level requirements as above
- Bachelor’s degree (any class) from an NUC-recognised university OR HND at Lower Credit minimum
- For PGD Legislative Drafting: must have been called to the Nigerian Bar
- Professional qualifications such as ACA, ACIB, ACIS, ACII, ACIA may be considered for management PGDs
Master’s degrees
- O’level requirements as above
- Bachelor’s degree at Second Class Lower or higher in a relevant field — or PGD in a relevant field — or HND at Upper Credit
- Holders of a Third Class with at least 2 years of relevant post-qualification experience may be considered on individual merit
- Professional body membership counts towards MBA eligibility
Ph.D. (by research / by coursework and research)
- Master’s degree in the relevant field from an NUC-recognised university
- Minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a 5-point scale (or weighted average ≥60%)
- Programme-specific research proposal at the time of application
How to Apply for NOUN Admission
- Visit nouonline.net and pick your faculty, programme, and entry level (100-level, 200-level, PGD, M.Sc./M.A., Ph.D.).
- Click View Requirement to confirm subject combinations and qualifications, then click Apply.
- Fill the pre-payment page with your name, email, phone number, and NIN. Submit to generate a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR).
- Pay the application fee on Remita (online card or bank branch). The fee is non-refundable.
- If you paid online, the full application form opens automatically. If you paid at a bank, return to the portal, click Continue After Payment, and enter your Unique ID + RRR.
- Upload scanned O’level results (and PGD/Bachelor’s certificates if applicable), passport photo, and birth certificate / age declaration.
- Submit. Admission is processed automatically; most candidates receive a result within minutes.
- If admitted, pay your matriculation fee on the portal to lock in your matric number and study centre.
NOUN School Fees Structure
NOUN charges a compulsory fee plus per-course charges each semester. New undergraduates pay ₦58,000 in compulsory fees (registration, caution deposit, orientation, matriculation, ID card, library, ICT, e-facilitation, JAMB regularisation and result verification). Returning undergraduates pay ₦20,500. Course registration adds ₦2,000 (2-unit), ₦2,500 (3-unit) or ₦3,000 (4-unit, Law) per course, and exams cost ₦1,500 per course — so a returning student on 8 courses spends roughly ₦52,500 for the semester. New postgraduates pay ₦63,500 in compulsory fees (returning ₦32,500) plus ₦4,000–₦5,000 per course and ₦3,000 exam fee per course. Confirm the current schedule on the fees page at nou.edu.ng before paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NOUN’s degree the same as a regular university degree?
Yes. All NOUN degrees are NUC-accredited, NYSC-eligible (for graduates aged under 30), and accepted for postgraduate study and the Bar in the case of LL.B. graduates who pass Nigerian Law School.
Does NOUN require JAMB?
No. NOUN runs its own admission process. You only need the SSCE credits and any direct-entry qualifications above.
Can I combine O’level results from two sittings?
Yes. NOUN accepts results from up to two sittings.
How many years does a NOUN degree take?
Most undergraduate programmes run 4 academic years (8 semesters). Law is 5 years. Programmes are self-paced — you can extend up to twice the normal duration if you need to.
What is a NOUN study centre?
A study centre is the physical hub where you collect course materials, attend tutorials, and sit examinations. Centres are spread across all 36 states and the FCT. Pick the one closest to where you live or work.
What is the minimum age for NOUN admission?
16 years at the time of application.
Can NOUN graduates serve NYSC?
Yes — NOUN graduates aged under 30 at graduation are mobilised for NYSC. The university now lists eligible graduates on its NYSC portal.
Does NOUN offer Medicine and Surgery?
No. NOUN runs allied health programmes such as Public Health, Environmental Health Science, and Nursing, but the MBBS is not part of its accreditation portfolio.
Read also: our NOUN student portal guide and the approved 2026 NOUN academic calendar.