Top-Up Degree In Nigeria (Everything You Need To Know)

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First off, what exactly is a top-up degree? You might think of a Top-up degree in Nigeria as the final year of your undergraduate studies. Courses in a top-up degree are designed for students who already hold a certificate, diploma, or HND but would like to further their education to the Bachelor’s level.

As their name implies, these courses allow you to top-up your existing qualification, be it a Foundation degree or another relevant credential like an HND, and Research that specific course to determine if you meet the prerequisites for a specific course.

The primary goal is to give HND graduates committed to overcoming workplace prejudice a fair shot by enrolling them in a Bachelor’s degree program. If a college graduate isn’t happy with the quality of their degree, this program gives them a chance to top up their degree and earn a better one.

Top-Up Degree In Nigeria

As we said earlier, a top-up degree in Nigeria allows students with a qualification below the level of a Bachelor’s to further their education and earn a degree equivalent to a Bachelor’s with their current education and experience. 

The additional knowledge gained by completing a top-up degree in Nigeria gives the student an advantage over the average degree holder because of the student’s greater familiarity with the subject matter. The top-up degree program makes this feasible.

Training will be tailored to the candidate’s existing credentials depending on the institution. It means applicants will seek admission to a program consistent with their prior academic background. 

The courses and possibilities offered in a top-up degree are discussed in this article, along with the numerous universities where one can pursue this degree. Continue reading to learn more:

FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

  • Bachelor of Arts in Arabic
  • Bachelor of Arts in English, 
  • B.A. in English;
  • B.Sc in Mass Communication;
  • B.sc. in Political Science and Conflict Resolution
  • B.A. History
  • B.A International Relations
  • B.A. Islamic Studies

MANAGEMENT SCIENCE DEPARTMENT/FACULTY

  • B.Sc in Accounting
  • B.Sc. Banking and Finance
  • B.Sc. Business Administration
  • B.Sc. Economics

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

  • B.Sc. (Computer Science)
  • B.Sc. (Mathematics)
  • B.Sc. (Physics)
  • B.Sc. (Statistics)

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

  • B.A. Ed. Arabic
  • B.A. Ed. English Language
  • B.A. Ed. Islamic Studies
  • B.Sc. Ed. Business Education
  • B.Sc. Ed. Political Science
  • B.Sc. Ed. Economics
  • B.Sc. Ed. Computer Science
  • B.Sc. Ed. Physics Education
  • B.Sc. Ed. Biology Education
  • B.Sc. Ed. Chemistry Education
  • B.Sc. Ed. Mathematics Education
  • B.Ed. Educational Management
  • B.Ed. Guidance and Counselling

 FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

  • Eng. Agriculture and Bio-resources Engineering
  • Eng. Computer Engineering
  • Eng. Civil Engineering
  • Eng. Electrical/Electronics Engineering
  • Eng. Mechanical Engineering
  • Eng. Mechatronics Engineering
  • Eng. Materials and Metallurgical Engineering

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

  • Sc. Demography and Social Statistics
  • Sc. Economics and Development Studies
  • Sc. Mass Communication
  • Sc. Psychology
  • Sc. Sociology
  • Sc. Peace and Conflict Resolution
  • Sc. Political Science
  • Sc. Criminology and Security Studied

FACULTY OF SCIENCES

  • Sc. Computer Science
  • Sc. Mathematics
  • Sc. Physics
  • Sc. (Industrial Chemistry)
  • Sc. Geophysics
  • Sc. Geology 
  • Sc. Microbiology
  • Sc. Animal and Environmental Biology
  • B.Sc. Biochemistry
  • B.Sc. Plant Science and Biotechnology

FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

  • Agric. Agricultural Economics and Extension
  • Agric. Animal Production and Health
  • Agric. Fisheries and Aquaculture
  • Agric. Soil science
  • Agric. Crop Science and Horticulture
  • Agric. Food Science and Technology
  • Agric. Water Resources Management and Agro-meteorology
  • Agric. Hospitality and Tourism Management

FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

  • Sc Banking & Finance
  • Sc Business Administration
  • Sc. Computer Science
  • Sc. Economic
  • Sc. Mass communication 
  • Sc. Public Administration
  • Sc. Library & Information Sciences
  • Sc. Biochemistry
  • Sc. Microbiology
  • Sc. Industrial Chemistry

Related: University of Nigeria Nsukka Courses

Top-Up Degree Eligibility Categories

The Higher National Diploma (HND) to Bachelor of Science (BSC) Conversion Program or Top-Up Degree in Nigeria is aimed at assisting HND holders in making the transition to the Bachelor of Science (BSC) level.

The course is generally recommended for anyone who has already earned an HND. The following groups of people would also benefit significantly from it:

  1. Holders of a lesser grade or pass for their HND
  2. Students who have already earned their degree but want to switch to a new major.
  3. Polytechnic graduates who wish to teach can do so by switching to a degree in education after earning their initial degree.
  4. A top-up degree is an option for those with Bachelor’s degrees who want to improve their GPA.

Requirements For Entry Into A Top-Up Degree Program

All prospective students applying for a top-up degree in Nigeria must meet the following standards.

1. Applicants must have earned at least five credits in subjects related to the proposed program in O-level examinations such as NECO, SSCE, or its equivalent. No more than two sittings are allowed to get the result.

2. All applicants are expected to have proficiency in the English language at the credit level. Mathematics credits are also required for admission to the College of Management Sciences, the Faculty of Engineering, the Sciences and Social Sciences, the Natural Sciences, and some Education Courses.

3. To be considered for admission to the top-up degree program, applicants must have earned a third-class honor, Pass, or HND degree or certificate from an accredited university or college.

4. All applicants must either have completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme or have been granted an exemption from the program.

5. Applicants from any field with professional certifications like  ANAN or ACCA will also be considered.

TIME FRAME OF THE PROGRAM

The time frame of a top-up degree in Nigeria is mostly Six semesters, which is over two years (15 weeks each).

Lecture/Meeting Time

Weekends will be reserved for classes.

Related: University Of Ibadan Part-Time Courses

Top-up Degree Colleges and Universities in Nigeria

Top-up degree programs (Higher National Diploma to Bachelor of Science) are available at Nigerian universities. Several Nigerian universities are offering advanced degrees.

  1. Kwara State University, Ilorin.
  2. Bells University Abeokuta.  
  3. Alhikmah University Ilorin, Kwara State.
  4. Southwestern University Nigeria. 
  5. The Federal University of Oye Ekiti. 
  6. Ekiti State University.
  7. Delta State University.
  8. Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo.
  9. Babcock University, Ilisha-Remo.

Students who complete the program at the new university will be awarded a BSc in addition to the HND they would have received at the old polytechnic. The applicant has progressed from an HND to a Bachelor of Science degree.

Conclusion

The primary goal is to give HND graduates committed to overcoming workplace prejudice a fair shot by enrolling them in a Bachelor’s degree program.

If a college graduate isn’t happy with the quality of their degree, this program gives them a chance to “top up” and earn a better one.