Universities that Accept HND (Even Lower Credit) for PGD/MSC

You're on the right page if you want answers to a series of questions: universities that accept HND, schools that accept HND for Masters in Nigeria, and can HND holders apply for a master's degree in Nigeria? Is a Master's degree for HND holders possible? Are universities accepting lower credit for postgraduate? And more...

Just recently, someone dropped me a question: Can I get the list of universities that accept HND for Masters/postgraduate programmes?
There is a need to ask this if you're aware that very many Nigerian universities strictly consider university graduates for their postgraduate programmes.

Recommended: HND vs BSC Discrimination: 3 Ways Out for HND Holders

However, a few universities still give considerations to polytechnic graduates. Such consideration may be attached to certain terms and conditions though. Hence, this post will give you a list of such universities and their known attached terms.

Universities Accepting HND holders for Masters (Postgraduate) Programmes

1. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Kwara State

The university accepts HND on the terms below

• Masters in Business Administration (MBA): the university accepts professional qualifications such as ACA, ACMA, AIB, ACIS, CIBN, ACTS or HND (Upper Credit) must possess a postgraduate Diploma Certificate in Strategic Management from the University of Ilorin with a Minimum average weighted score of 60%.
• Master of Geographic Information Systems (MGIS): Holders of professional qualifications such as HND (Upper Credit) with a minimum of five (5) years post-qualification experience are also eligible to apply.
• Master in Information Technology (MIT) Regular: Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computer Science, Information Technology or any related field, with a minimum of Lower Credit grade
• Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Management (PGDSM): HND certificate with a minimum of Lower Credit from recognized Institutions.

For more on this, see UNILORIN Postgraduate admission adverts.

2. Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Osogbo Osun State

The state-owned university accepts HND for her master's courses on the following terms.

• Master of Science (M.Sc) in Environmental Management (Professional): Candidates with HND (Upper Credit) as well as three years cognate working experience in related disciplines as stated above from a recognized institution may be admitted.
• Master of Science (M.Sc) in Disaster and  Risk Management (Professional): In addition, candidates with HND (Upper Credit) and at least three (3) years cognate experience in Social Sciences, Environmental and Engineering programmes, as well as related disciplines from a recognized institution as approved by Senate of Osun State University, may be considered.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Resource Management (PGDERM): In addition, applicants with HND (Upper Credit) minimum from recognized institutions in relevant fields with at least three years cognate experience may also be considered.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Management (PGDSM): A minimum of HND (Lower Credit) in any discipline from an institution recognized by Senate of Osun State University
• Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE): A minimum of Higher National Diploma (HND) (Lower Credit) in any discipline from a Monotechnic or Polytechnic recognized by Senate Osun State University.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Resource Management (PGDERM): In addition, applicants with HND (Upper Credit) minimum from recognized institutions in relevant fields with at least three years cognate experience may also be considered.
• Postgraduate Diploma In Financial Mathematics (PGDFM): A minimum of HND (Upper Credit) in Mathematics and Statistics; Computer Science or Accounting from recognized Tertiary Institutions with three years cognate working experience.
• Postgraduate Diploma In Computer Science (PGDCS): A minimum of HND (Upper Credit) in Electronics/Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering/Science, Computer Technology or related fields from a recognized Monotechnic or Polytechnic.
• Postgraduate Diploma In Animal Science (PGDAS): HND (Upper Credit) of a Monotechnic or Polytechnic with a minimum of three years of work experience. After admission, each candidate's area of specialization must be agreed upon by the major supervisor and another supervisor (s), the Head of Department of that area of specialization and the candidate.  The candidate must, in addition, satisfy examiners in an oral examination of his/her project.
• Postgraduate Diploma In Civil Engineering (PGDCV): a minimum of HND (Upper Credit) in Civil Engineering or its equivalent obtained from any NBTE Approved Institution recognized by Senate UNIOSUN.
• Postgraduate Diploma In Electrical/Electronic Engineering (PGDEN): A minimum of HND (Upper Credit) in Electrical and/or Electronic or its equivalent obtained from any NBTE Approved Institution recognized by Senate UNIOSUN.
• Postgraduate Diploma In Urban And Regional Planning: A minimum of HND (Upper Credit) in or its equivalent obtained from any NBTE Approved Institution recognized by Senate UNIOSUN.

For more details on UNIOSUN postgraduate, check this post.

Recommended: Poly Ibadan Top-Up/HND to BSC Form: Portal, Price and Closing Date

3. Kwara State University (KWASU), Ilorin Kwara State

For her Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) Programmes, the university accepts Holders of Higher National Diploma (HND) with a minimum of Credit pass or its equivalent in relevant areas.

The following shall qualify for the Postgraduate Diploma admission.

• Graduates of Kwara State University or other recognized Universities.
• Holders of Higher National Diploma (HND) (not HD) with a minimum of Credit pass or its equivalent in relevant areas.
• Candidates who hold qualifications other than the above, which are acceptable to the Board of School of Postgraduate Studies and Senate of the University.
• In addition to the above, a candidate must satisfy the University’s requirements for matriculation.

the duration of the PGD Programme is a minimum of 2 semesters and a maximum of 4
semesters.

NOTE: This is PDG not Masters

Check KWASU Postgraduates Admission adverts for more details.

4. Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State 

The university considers HND holders for her Masters/postgraduate programmes on the following terms

• Postgraduate  Diploma  Programme: Holders of HND with Upper Credit and above could also apply
• Masters of Information and Communication  Technology  (MICT)  programme: Candidates should possess  HND plus a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science or B.Sc. Physical Sciences/Engineering and Allied Disciplines.  Prior computing or IT exposure is beneficial but not essential.
• BA (Agri-Business) and Professional Master in Communication Studies degree programmes: candidates must be holders of Bachelor’s degree from a recognized University or HND (Upper Credit minimum) with a Postgraduate Diploma in any discipline.
• Masters of Environment Management (MEM) is a three-semester professional programme designed for captains of industries who are degree holders or HND holders with distinction/credit pass plus PGD in relevant fields who have also satisfied all basic UTME requirements while Masters of Environment Management and Protection (MEMP) is an academic Master’s Degree that runs for a minimum of four (4) semesters.

For more on this, see FUNAAB postgraduate admission adverts.

5. The University of Ibadan (UI), Nigeria 

For almost all her Masters/postgraduates courses, the University of Ibadan accepts HND. However, there are attached terms and conditions for accepting that.

In one update

Candidates for admission to the programme should hold a minimum of a first degree in any discipline from a recognised University or possess acceptable professional qualifications such as HND or other approved equivalents. Candidates must have acquired a minimum of five years post-qualification working experience, including the National Service year where applicable.

In a related one,

Prospective students are expected to have an honours degree (minimum of third class) from a recognized University and at least one year work experience. HND holders with a minimum of a Lower Credit and at least two years’ work experience are also eligible for admission.

For HND requirements for a specific course, see the university Postgraduate admission adverts.

6. Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba (AAUA), Ondo State

The university accepts HND; not in all courses though, and on certain terms.

• POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN THEOLOGY (PGD. Th.): An HND Passed at a   minimum of Upper Credit from recognized Polytechnics.
• Masters in Adult Education with Specialization in the following areas (i) Industrial Education and Training (ii) Community Development (iii) Social welfare (iv) Literacy Training and Development Candidates with degrees in disciplines other than above must possess HND/third Class plus Postgraduate Diploma in  Education (PGDE) with an overall average score of 60%  or any other relevant professional qualifications are eligible to apply.
• POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN EDUCATION (FULL-TIME & SANDWICH): For PGDE programme, candidates with Third Class or HND (Upper Credit) or a minimum of HND Lower etc. holders with substantial teaching experience may be considered. All disciplines are acceptable for admission into PGDE.
• Professional Master’s Degree Programmes:  The Professional Master’s Degree is open to graduates who earned a minimum of 3rd Class Honours in the first degree or HND at upper credit level in relevant fields with a Postgraduate Diploma.

For more on this and confirmation, see the university's postgraduate adverts.

7. Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Agoiwoye, Ogun State

The university accepts HND for her postgraduate diplomas and Masters as detailed below:

• Postgraduate Diplomas: Higher National Diploma (HND) in relevant disciplines from accredited programmes of study from approved Polytechnics with a grade not below LOWER CREDIT.
• Professional Degrees (MPA, MBA, and MBF): HND Upper Credit and above OR HND Upper Credit plus Post HND Certificate. HND Lower Credit or B.Sc./B.A. 3rd Class plus relevant PGD course
• Master Degrees: HND in appropriate discipline with a minimum of Upper Credit as an accredited programme of study of any recognized Polytechnics. HND in appropriate discipline with Lower Credit plus Polytechnic Diploma may be considered. Other professional qualifications by the University Senate such as PGDP, AIB, ACA, ACII, ACI and ACIS may also be considered.

For more details on this, see OOU PG form requirements.

This post will continually be updated. My target is to cover as many as possible universities accepting HND for Masters/PDG. Kindly subscribe to be notified when more schools are added.

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