Is NOUN Admitting To 300 Level? (ND, NCE, HND, BSC)

National Open University (NOUN) has become acceptable to many admission seekers especially if you'll be chasing admissions through direct entry (DE) admission (i.e. admission into the 200 or 300 level).

This doesn't mean that NOUN admission seekers don't chase the 100-level admissions. They do even more! Yet, the direct entry pursuit is common among those who already have BSC, HND, NCE, ND, or similar diplomas. The direct-entry applicants for NOUN won't need to obtain the JAMB DE form like those who are chasing other conventional universities though. 

It has been observed that applicants always like to shorten their time (years of studies) at the university. Hence, they're asking if they can be admitted into the  300 level instead of the usual 200 level.

Yes, you read that right.

Normally, most universities (whether conventional or distance learning) admit direct entry applicants into the 200 level of their proposed courses except for a few that will consider, on certain terms, into the 300 level.

Is National Open University one of such universities accepting DE applicants into the 300 level?

NOUN Does Admit To 300 Level Of Certain Courses

The National Open Universities, among others, do admit direct entry students into the 300 level. Provided you have the requirement (level, grade and course), you should secure admission into the 300-level of your proposed programme.

You can be admitted into the 300-level of any of the courses below, with the right requirements.

1. Agricultural Economics And Agro-Business
2. Agricultural Extension And Rural Development
3. Animal Science
4. Crop Science
5. Soil And Land Resources Management
6. Environmental Health Science
7. Public Health
8. Accounting Banking And Finance
9. Business Administration 
10. Entrepreneurship 
11. Public Administration 
12. Biology
13. Chemistry
14. Computer Science
15. Information Technology
16. Mathematics
17. Physics
18. Criminology And Security Studies
19. Development Studies
20. Economics
21. Mass Communication
22. Peace Studies And Conflict Resolution
23. Political Science
24. Tourism Studies

So, what are the requirements if National Open University will offer you 300-level admission?

NOUN Will Admit HND and BSC Holders Into 300 Level

Even for any other universities giving such an opportunity, the National Open University will only admit you for selected courses if you're applying using the Higher National Diploma (HND) or Bachelor's Degree (BSC).

Among other requirements for direct entry application are Nigerian Certificate of Education (NCE), National Diploma (ND), IJMB, JUPEB and similar diplomas. However, these qualifications are ONLY considered for the 200 level instead.

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The 300 Level Direct Entry Admission is Not For All Courses

Checking the official application portal of the National Open University, it's clear that even though the university is accepting HND/BSC into the 300 level, this is not open to all courses available at the university.

1. In the Faculty of Agriculture, for instance, all the available courses are open to candidates seeking 100, 200 and 300-level entry. The courses include Agricultural Economics and Agro Business, Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Animal Science, Crop Science, and Soil and Land Resources Management.
2. The Faculty of Art on the other hand are limited to 100 and 200-level entry. The same is applicable to the Faculty of Education.
3. However, for the faculty of Health Sciences, the university admits qualified applicants to the 300-level for Environmental Health Sciences and Public health while Nursing only admits applicants to the 200-level. See How NOUN Run Its Nursing, Public Health, Environmental Health, etc. 
4. In the faculty of Management Sciences, Cooperative and Rural Development and Marketing only admit to the 200 level, while other courses including Accounting, Public Administration, Business Administration etc. admit applicants to the 300 level.
5. In the Sciences, Environmental and Resources Management and Mathematics and Computers Science will admit only to the 200-level while Information Technology, Biology, Chemistry etc. will admit to the 300-level.
6. In the Social Sciences, Broadcasting Journalism, and Film production, International Relations will admit to the 200 level while others including Mass Communication, Tourism Studies, Economics, Political Science etc. will admit to the 300 level.

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Your HND or BSC Grade Should Be Higher Enough For 300 Level Admission

As already stated, the primary determinant of your qualification for either 200 or 300-level admission into the National Open University is the tenable grade.

You'll stand a better and more competitive chance if you have first-class, second-class upper, distinction, or upper credit if you will be chasing NOUN's 300-level admission.

However, the university is still motherly to accept HND lower credit and BSC second class lower from 300-level admission seekers.

Let's take a dive into this, position.

For Mass Communication, for example, NOUN accepts as low as "Lower Credit" in HND into the 300-level while applicants with "Pass" are limited to the 200-level.

Public Health accepts BSC "third class" in related courses, "Pass" in Community Health Office Training Certificate and HND "Lower credit" in a few uncompetitive related courses for the 200 level.  You will need though "lower credit", at least, for the 300-level admission, if you're from a more competitive course e.g. Biochemistry, Food Technology etc.

With the examples above, it's safer to say that with a higher or better grade, you should consider applying for 300-level admission instead where your proposed course has the option for the level.

However, the application portal and its system are designed in such a way that once you take the course you want and level, you will be shown the grades and courses required for such. To check this, visit https://www.admissions.nouonline.net/zzappl_ugrad.php

1. Pick the right faculty

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2. Next, pick the corresponding course.

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3. Next, pick the level you want to propose

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For the course chosen here and for the 300-level admission, below is the requirement.

Extracted admission requirement for Banking and Finance, 300-level

NB: The LC means Lower Credit. And that is for the Higher National National Diploma (HND). Applicants with BSC in related courses (even though not stated here) can be considered with at least second class lower or pass.

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The Final Decision Depends On the Screening Committee or Personnel

Normally, immediately after filling out the online application form on the NOUN's portal, you'll be notified if you're admitted or not.

Yes. As soon as you click the submit button, the system is designed to access the information filled in online and determine whether you meet the requirement for a level or otherwise and admit or reject your application.

If admitted, based on the information supplied and the qualifications claimed, you're still required to visit your study centre, chosen during the online application, for physical screening.

At the study centre, there will be a screening committee or officials waiting for you. You may be subjected to further questioning and interviews to be sure if you will be fit for the level you applied for and were admitted into.

If you've applied and been admitted into the 300 level, but on getting the screening, you don't meet their expectation, you may be advised or forced to start from the 200 level instead.

However, this doesn't mean that the university is not accepting into the 300 level, as earlier detailed. In fact, they do mostly if they are satisfied with your grade and the present performance of the applicants.

Conclusion

The National Open University of Nigeria usually admits direct entry applicants who are mainly HND and BSC holders into the 300-level of some of its courses. The university admits direct entry applicants with lower qualifications strictly into the 200 level.

However, for the 300-level admission, first not applicable to all courses, you must have a better grade to be competitive enough to win the system and at the screening.

At the same time, the application portal already contains the grade and course requirements for any course, admitting into the 300 level, which you must check to know if you're the right applicant to start with.

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