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National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)Courses, Portals & Admission Guide

Abuja State, Nigeria
NOUN, Open University

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Quick Facts: NOUN Admission 2026

Does NOUN write Post-UTME? No. The general JAMB cut-off mark is not specified. Estimated school fees range from ₦36k to ₦96k, and the acceptance fee is N/A. Verify all details on the Visit NOUN website.

NELFUND Loan

Approved

JAMB Cut-Off

N/A

JAMB UTME is NOT required for admission into the National Open University of Nigeria. Admission is direct via their portal.

Post-UTME Form

₦5,000

Est. Tuition

₦36k - ₦96k

Fees are paid per semester based on course load. New undergraduates pay a total compulsory fee of ₦55,500, while returning undergraduates pay ₦18,000. Course registration costs ₦2,000 - ₦3,000 per course, plus a ₦1,500 examination fee per course. Final year projects cost ₦25,000.

Acceptance Fee

N/A

2nd Choice

Accepted

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NOUN Admission Requirements (O'Level & Direct Entry)

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Candidates must possess a minimum of five (5) O'Level credit passes (WAEC, NECO, GCE, NABTEB) including English Language and Mathematics at not more than two sittings. Admission is open all year round. NOTE: This general pathway does not apply to Nursing Science see course-specific requirements below.

Direct Entry Rules

Direct Entry candidates must possess a National Diploma (ND) with a minimum of Upper Credit, a Higher National Diploma (HND) with a minimum of Upper Credit, NCE, or a bachelor's degree in a related field. Direct Entry grants placement into the 200-level of the chosen programme.

Post UTME Screening Format

There is NO Post-UTME screening exam. Candidates apply directly on the NOUN portal, pay the application fee (₦5,000 for undergraduates), upload their credentials, and if qualified, print their admission letter immediately.

About NOUN & Campus Life

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) is a Federal Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institution. It is the first and only single-mode university in Nigeria dedicated to distance learning. Originally established on July 22, 1983, it was suspended in 1984 before being successfully resuscitated on October 1, 2002. Today, it stands as the largest tertiary institution in West Africa by student numbers.

Unlike traditional universities, NOUN does not offer hostel accommodation or traditional classroom lectures. Students study independently using customized course materials and digital resources, only visiting their designated physical 'Study Centres' (located in every state capital in Nigeria) for facilitation classes, administrative issues, and CBT/pen-on-paper examinations.

💡 Pro Tip: Gaining admission into NOUN is the most straightforward in Nigeria. Because there is no JAMB UTME or Post-UTME barrier, simply visit the NOUN portal, generate an RRR, pay the ₦5,000 form fee, and fill in your O'Level grades. If your grades meet the specific requirements for your course, your admission letter is generated instantly. NOTE: Nursing Science is the exception to this straightforward pathway see the Nursing FAQ for its distinct entry requirements.

Insider Insights

Verified by AdmitNode Experts

🎯

Admission Hack

NOUN is the ultimate 'stress-free' backdoor into the Nigerian university system because it completely bypasses JAMB, Post-UTME, and institutional admission quotas. If you have your 5 O'Level credits, your admission is practically guaranteed and generated instantly on the portal. For working professionals or candidates tired of JAMB frustration, this is a goldmine. However, you must understand the trade-offs: NOUN graduates do not go for the traditional 3-week NYSC camping (you receive a legally recognized Certificate of Exemption instead). Also, contrary to outdated rumors, NOUN Law graduates are now officially cleared and admitted into the Nigerian Law School.

🏠

Campus Survival

Do not pack your bags looking for a university gate or a hostel NOUN operates a 100% non-residential, distance learning model. Your 'campus' is simply the specific Study Centre you choose in your state (such as the McCarthy Centre in Lagos or the Wuse II Centre in Abuja). 'Survival' at NOUN requires extreme self-discipline. There are no lecturers forcing you to attend classes; you must independently study your course materials and ensure you do not miss your TMAs (Tutor-Marked Assignments), which make up a massive 30% of your final grade. Financially, NOUN is highly flexible: it operates a 'pay-as-you-go' system where you pay per course and per exam, allowing you to pace your degree according to your personal budget.

Direct Alternative

Looking at Modern Distance Learning?

If you are considering an open university path, explore Miva Open University. Fully licensed by the NUC with 100% online lectures.

View Miva Entry Requirements

NOUN Campuses

National Headquarters

Jabi, Abuja Municipal

Study Centres

Nationwide, Various

Frequently Asked Questions About NOUN Admission

Does NOUN require JAMB for admission?
No, the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) does not require a JAMB UTME score for admission. You only need your O'Level results (WAEC, NECO, NABTEB) to apply directly on their portal.
How much are the school fees for new undergraduates at NOUN?
New undergraduates pay a baseline compulsory fee of ₦55,500. On top of this, you will pay ₦2,000 to ₦3,000 for each course you register for, plus ₦1,500 per course for examination registration.
Can I get a top-up or degree admission at NOUN with a Pass in my HND?
No. A Pass grade does not meet NOUN's requirements at any level. Direct Entry into 200-Level for undergraduate top-up requires HND with a minimum of Upper Credit. Even NOUN's more lenient Postgraduate Diploma route requires at least Lower Credit. A Pass grade sits below Lower Credit, so it does not qualify for either route. You would need to improve your HND classification, or explore other pathways such as starting at 100-Level with your O'Level results instead.
Do NOUN graduates go for NYSC?
Currently, graduates of NOUN do not participate in the regular NYSC camping and deployment scheme. Instead, they are issued a valid NYSC Certificate of Exemption, which is legally recognized for employment purposes in Nigeria.
Do NOUN Law graduates go to Nigerian Law School?
It's complicated, and currently unresolved for many graduates. A 2018 amendment to the NOUN Act addressed the original legal objection to admitting NOUN law graduates, and some earlier batches of graduates were successfully admitted into the Nigerian Law School as a result. However, since 2020, the Council of Legal Education (CLE) has blocked admission for thousands of subsequent NOUN law graduates — reports describe a backlog of over 4,000 affected graduates, with active protests and appeals to the Attorney-General of the Federation as recently as mid-2026. There is no confirmed resolution as of now. If you're considering NOUN Law with the expectation of guaranteed Law School admission, treat this as a real, unresolved risk rather than a settled guarantee, and check the current status directly with NOUN's Faculty of Law or recent news before enrolling.
Does NOUN have a specific resumption date or admission deadline?
NOUN operates a highly flexible calendar. Admission application is usually open almost all year round, and you can resume and start your course modules at your own pace at any of their study centres nationwide.
Does NOUN offer a National Diploma (ND) programme?
No. National Diploma (ND) is a polytechnic qualification NOUN does not award an ND itself. What NOUN does do is accept an ND, particularly at Upper Credit, as a Direct Entry qualification: holders can be admitted straight into 200-Level of a related Bachelor's degree programme, bypassing 100-Level. If you don't yet hold an ND and are specifically looking for one, you'd need to obtain it from a polytechnic first NOUN's own diploma-level offering is the Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), which requires a first degree, not an O'Level entry point like ND.
What does it entail to study Nursing at NOUN?
NOUN's Nursing (B.NSc) programme is fully accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), but unlike most other NOUN courses, it is NOT open to candidates entering with only O'Level credits. To apply, you must already hold a Registered Nurse certificate and a valid practice license from NMCN, along with at least six months of clinical work experience and a letter of attestation from your current place of practice. Admission is granted directly at 200-Level, and the programme runs a minimum of 4 years (8 semesters) from that entry point. In short: NOUN Nursing is a degree-completion pathway for nurses who are already trained and licensed, not a route to becoming a nurse from scratch.
I want admission into NOUN. How do I apply?
You can apply for admission into the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) directly through the NOUN admission portal. For most undergraduate programmes, you do not need to write JAMB UTME or Post-UTME. You generally need at least five relevant O'Level credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics where required for your chosen programme. Visit the NOUN admission portal, select your programme, complete the application, pay the application fee, submit your credentials, and follow the portal instructions to obtain your admission. Some programmes, especially Nursing Science, have additional entry requirements, so check the requirements for your specific course before applying.
As a registered nurse, what level will I start from at NOUN?
Registered nurses admitted into NOUN's B.NSc Nursing Science programme start from 200 Level. Applicants must hold a Registered Nurse (RN) certificate, a valid Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria practice licence, have at least six months of clinical work experience, and provide a letter of attestation from their current place of practice.

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