Higher education
Higher education in Nigeria
In Nigeria, higher education is not divided into and . Nigerian higher education institutions can offer both types of education, and some study programmes offer a combination of both. This means that for each diploma we have to determine whether it is HBO or WO. Below, we describe the diplomas we often see.
HBO
Higher professional education (hoger beroepsonderwijs, HBO). Dutch higher education distinguishes between research-oriented higher education (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO) and higher professional education (hoger beroepsonderwijs, HBO). HBO is more oriented towards professions in specific areas than WO, and has traditionally been offered at universities of applied sciences (hogescholen).
WO
Research-oriented higher education (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO). Dutch higher education distinguishes between research-oriented higher education (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO) and higher professional education (hoger beroepsonderwijs, HBO). WO is oriented more towards theory and research than HBO, and has traditionally been offered at research universities (universiteiten).
Admission to higher education
After secondary education, students can continue onto higher education. In Nigeria, the JAMB arranges admission to higher education. There are 2 types of admission:
- indirect admission to higher education
- direct admission to higher education
Indirect admission to higher education
Indirect admission to higher education means that students need to take the Nigerian entrance exam. This usually applies to students with 1 of the following diplomas:
- West African Senior School Certificate from the WAEC
- Senior School Certificate from the NECO
- National Technical Certificate (NTC)
- National Business Certificate (NBC)
Entrance exam
The Nigerian entrance exam is called University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The JAMB arranges the UTME. The UTME consists of 4 subjects: Use of English and 3 electives. For more information about the subjects, go to the JAMB website and click on ‘eSyllabus’. Students choose subjects that are relevant for the study programme they would like to be admitted to.
Please note: the subjects and grades from both the UTME and previous education count towards admission. By selecting ‘Brochure’ on the JAMB website, students can see which subjects and grades are required for each study programme and/or higher education institution.
Direct admission to higher education
Direct admission to higher education means that students can be admitted to higher education without having to take the UTME. They do not have to take the UTME. For example, a National Diploma (ND) can give the right to direct admission in Nigeria.
Higher National Diploma (HND)
The NBTE determines the content of HND study programmes. The reason for this is that HNDs are part of TVET in Nigeria, just like secondary vocational education.
- : 2 years.
- Content: mostly vocational subjects, but also some general subjects. Students also gain practical experience. On the NBTE website you can find an overview of HND fields of study and subjects.
- Admission requirements: an ND + 1 year of relevant work experience.
- Function of the diploma: work and sometimes access to a master’s programme. Also, students with an HND can often start in the 3rd year of a bachelor's programme.
- Diploma: Higher National Diploma.
Duration
The official length of the full-time programme (not part-time) without study delay.
We compare the Higher National Diploma to 2 years of HBO or an associate degree.
Bachelor’s degree
- Duration: usually 4 years or 5 years. Medical study programmes last 6 years.
- Content: education focused on research or professional practice, sometimes an internship and/or a thesis.
- Admission requirements: the West African Senior School Certificate from the WAEC or the Senior School Certificate from the NECO, usually an entrance exam (UTME) and sometimes extra requirements for subjects and grades. An educational institution may also accept other diplomas for admission.
- Function of the diploma: access to master’s programmes.
- Diploma: bachelor’s degree, such as:
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
- Bachelor of Engineering (BE)
- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
- Bachelor of Science (BSc)
- Bachelor of Technology (BTech)
After completing some medical study programmes, students receive a doctor’s degree instead of a bachelor’s degree.
We compare a 4-year bachelor’s degree to an HBO bachelor’s degree or 2 years of WO. This depends on the content and purpose of the study programme.
We compare a 5-year bachelor’s degree to an HBO or a WO bachelor’s degree. This depends on the content and purpose of the study programme.
We compare the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) to a WO bachelor’s degree.
Postgraduate diploma
- Duration: 1 or 2 years.
- Content: education focused on research or professional practice. Sometimes the postgraduate diploma is part of a master’s programme.
- Admission requirements: an HND with relevant work experience or a bachelor’s degree. The HND or bachelor’s degree may be obtained in a non-related field of study.
- Function of the diploma: work and sometimes access to a master’s programme.
- Diploma: postgraduate diploma in a field of study, for example postgraduate diploma in Business Administration.
The level of a postgraduate diploma varies. Please contact us for a credential evaluation.
Master's degree
- Duration: 1 or 2 years.
- Content: education focused on research or professional practice, sometimes an internship and/or a thesis. A 2-year master’s programme is usually research-oriented.
- Admission requirements: usually a bachelor’s degree with first-class honours or second-class honours, sometimes a postgraduate diploma.
- Function of the diploma: access to a PhD programme or work.
- Diploma: master’s degree, such as:
- Master of Arts (MA)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Engineering (ME)
- Master of Science (MSc)
The level of a master’s degree varies. Please contact us for a credential evaluation.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Duration: 2 to 3 years.
- Content: research and a dissertation, in some cases several subjects with regard to the research specialisation as well.
- Admission requirements: a master’s degree, sometimes with extra requirements, for example certain grades.
- Diploma: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).