National Open University admission requirements and how to apply

To join any university in Nigeria, you are expected to meet admission requirements. Almost all higher institutions in the country have six basic requirements for secondary school leavers seeking admission to their schools. Explore the National Open University admission requirements and how to apply to the institution.

Key takeaways

• NOUN is a federal open and distance learning institution in Nigeria.
• It is considered the largest tertiary institution in Nigeria in terms of student population.
• The university operates a seamless admission system. You do not require the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams to secure admission.
• NOUN operates over 100 study centers across Nigeria.

The National Open University admission requirements and application

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has become a leading ODL (Open and Distance Learning) institution in Africa, providing functional, flexible, accessible and cost-effective education for all who seek knowledge. It currently has over 100 Study Centres spread across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The current student population exceeds five hundred thousand.

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NOUN offers exceptional academic programmes that meet the specific needs of all sectors of the global economy, in the Arts, Health, Law, Physical, Social, Agricultural, and Management Sciences. This article highlights the full National Open University courses and requirements, and the complete steps on how to apply for smooth admission into the institution.

The basic requirements for undergraduate programmes at NOUN

Here are the requirements for admission into NOUN:

• An applicant for undergraduate admission into NOUN is normally expected to have a minimum of 5 O-level credits, including English Language and Mathematics.
• Additional requirements might apply for some programmes, and these can be viewed after selecting the Programme and entry level at the Faculty’s admission page.
• To apply for a programme, select the Faculty, choose the programme and entry-level so that the View Requirement button is enabled. Clicking this button will reveal the corresponding entry requirement and enable the Apply button on the pre-payment application page.
• Fill in all the remaining details on the page before submitting.
• On successful submission of the pre-payment form, you are redirected to Remita to obtain an RRR invoice, which should be used to effect payment for the application form.
• An applicant who pays online using a payment card will automatically obtain the online form, which must be filled out before submission.
• Applicants who pay through a bank branch must click on “Continue After Payment” and enter their Unique ID and RRR. They are also allowed to change the Programme applied for.
• Applicants who had paid using an RRR generated last semester or earlier must restart the application process up to the point when they are redirected to Remita. They should now use the newly generated UniqueID with the old RRR used for payment when they click Proceed after payment.
• In all cases, a successful payment will lead to the generation of an online application form, which should be filled out before submission online. The admission process is automated, and the outcome is virtually instantaneous!

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How to apply for postgraduate programmes at NOUN (key requirements)

The application is done online through the university's portal, but first, you must meet the admission requirements to be eligible. Here are the key requirements.

1. For postgraduate programmes, candidates must have at least five (5) O-Level credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics. Some programmes require at least a pass in Mathematics.
2. For postgraduate diploma programmes, candidates must have a minimum of a pass in a Bachelor's Degree from a recognised institution or a Higher National Diploma with a minimum of Lower Credit. For the Postgraduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting, the candidate must 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.
3. For Master's degree programmes, candidates must possess either a Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of second class lower in the relevant field of study from a University recognised by the Senate of the NOUN. 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.
4. For the Doctor of Philosophy Degree programmes, candidates must possess a master's 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.

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How to apply for admission in the National Open University of Nigeria

Here is a simple guide to the seamless application process for admission at NOUN:

1. Visit the site www.nouonline.net
2. On the Home Page, go to the Menu Bar, click on Apply for Admission
3. Select either the Undergraduate Programme or the Postgraduate Programme. The other programme is not available at the moment
4. Go to “Choose Faculty” (note it can be found on the left-hand side of the screen)
5. Select Faculty
6. Fill the displayed form
7. Click below to view admission criteria
8. Click “Apply” to proceed
9. Take note of the UNIQUE ID displayed
10. Click the ‘Continue’ button
11. Select Bank Branch as the payment type
12. Click “Pay”
13. Copy and take your RRR number to any bank branch for payment

After payment:

1. Perform steps 1 to 3
2. Go to “Continue After Payment”
3. Input Unique ID, RRR number and Programme
4. Click “Proceed”
5. Fill Form. Note: all fields marked with a red star are compulsory

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After filling the form:

1. Click “Submit”
2. Print Admission Letter
3. Visit the nearest study centre for screening

What are the requirements for admission into the National Open University of Nigeria?

The National Open University of Nigeria admission requirements in the 2026/2027 academic year include at least five O-Level credit passes (SSCE/NECO/GCE or equivalent), including English Language and Mathematics (in not more than two sittings), plus any other subject credits relevant to your chosen programme.

How much is the school fee for National Open University of Nigeria?

School fees depend on programme, level, and whether you’re a new or returning student. For many undergraduates, fees run around ₦46,000 to ₦90,000 per semester (depending on units), though exact amounts vary.

How to apply for NOUN admission in 2026?

To apply for NOUN admission in 2026, follow these steps:

1. Visit the National Open University admission portal.
2. Select “Apply for Admission”.
3. Choose your programme and faculty, and view the entry requirements.
4. Then pay via Remita to get your application form, fill it out and submit online.

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How do you apply for an open university in Nigeria?

You can apply online using the institution’s portal, submit O-Level results, pay the application fee via the official payment platform, fill out the application form, and then submit.

Is the National Open University form out for 2026/2027?

NOUN often offers admission on a rolling basis or in specific sessions, so look for alerts for the January 2027 or July 2027 sessions.

When is the NOUN admission form closing date for 2026/2027?

NOUN typically updates dates on its portal; you will need to monitor official announcements for exact deadlines.

What are the National Open University of Nigeria admission requirements for nursing?

For B.N.Sc Nursing at NOUN, you must have five O-Level credit passes including English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

The National Open University admission requirements are essential before starting your application journey. Once you confirm your eligibility, follow the online application steps carefully. Your academic path is open and flexible, giving you the opportunity to learn at your own pace.

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Legit.ng recently listed some of the NOUN master's courses in 2026, including PGD and PhD requirements. The university offers numerous diplomas, degrees, and postgraduate courses, which attract to thousands of applicants annually.

Some of the highly sought-after courses in the institution are in the fields of Management Sciences, Business, Social Sciences, and Information Technology. Explore more through the above article.

Source: Legit.ng