Nuguide key terms explained
There are so many variables involved in university education and we have used some of them that may be familiar or unfamiliar to you. To avoid confusion, we have explained a large number of them here for you to refer to and check the full meaning.
Advisers – those officially in a position to give advice and information about university to potential students.
Apply – commonly used by institutions to direct applicants to make an application.
Bachelor’s degree – this is a three or four years’ undergraduate or first degree that you can take at university after your secondary school education. The duration can be longer in some cases. For example, if it is done on a part-time basis. Depending on the subject area, a bachelor’s degree may be awarded in form of a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), or Bachelor of Education (B. Ed).
Centre – a school, college, or body that can help applicants apply to university or a tertiary institution.
Choice – a course you have chosen to or have applied to study at university.
College – a registered and approved provider of secondary, further and higher education. This mostly refers to a secondary school in the Nigerian educational system. There is also ‘College of Education’ in the system.
Course – various courses exist within different levels, subjects and study mode (art, science, full-time, part-time, distance learning, pre-degree, undergraduate and postgraduate courses).
Course provider – a university or institution offering courses to learners.
Courses search – this is a feature that allows you to search for courses on our platform.
Entry requirements – these refer to courses’ requirements, that is, what you need to possess first to be admitted onto a particular course of study. They are mostly set by the department or university offering the course.
Graduate – this refers to a student who has successfully completed and graduated from a degree/undergraduate course. A graduate with the right grades can apply for a postgraduate study. Master’s and PhD level study fall within the postgraduate category.
Honours – honours is in itself not a degree. But it can go with a degree and most university degrees are offered as ‘degree with honours’ or ‘honours degree’. This could be a B.A (Hons), or BSc (Hons), and it can add extra prestige and quality to your degree. Check the degree for the course you are applying for before you apply. To get a degree ‘with honours’ you may be required to write a good dissertation at the end of your studies, do a particular piece of academic work, or obtain very high grades during your studies.
JAMB – Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board is the government body in Nigeria that is responsible for administering university entrance examinations. It organizes examination and clearance for students wishing to study at Nigeria universities.
MPhil – Master’s of Philosophy degree is in between a Master’s degree and PhD. An MPhil is higher than a master’s degree. Some people start their PhD programme at MPhil level and progress to PhD study. While some people end their PhD study along the line and bail out with an MPhil award.
NECO – National Examination Council is a body responsible for running examinations for secondary school students in Nigeria. The examinations are mainly conducted for Nigerian students.
NUC – National Universities Commission. It is the government-owned body that registers and regulates universities and their courses in Nigeria. The agency approves establishment of new universities, monitors expansion of existing ones and conducts periodic review and accreditation of university courses in Nigeria.
Nuguide – Short form for Nigeria University Guide.
Pre-degree – a course taken after secondary school education to prepare the student for an undergraduate study. Hence, the name ‘pre-degree’ studies. It does translate to a course done before one’s degree study. It sometimes called diploma, foundation programme or remedial studies. Such programmes may be offered by certain colleges, polytechnics, or universities.
PhD – Doctor of Philosophy. It is the highest academic degree obtainable at university. It is also known as DPhil. It is a research based postgraduate level study. A successful completion of a PhD programme will lead to an award of a doctorate with the title ‘Dr’. This title is different from, and is higher than the title ‘Doctor’ of a medical doctor. A qualified medical doctor can also proceed to do a PhD if they so wish.
Point of entry – this refers to the stage or year at which you can start a course of study. Courses providers usually indicate this or you may be required to indicate it in your application form.
Postgraduate – this means higher education programme of study for students who have already completed a university degree programme.
Remedial studies – same as pre-degree studies. It prepares students for university undergraduate studies. It is usually one year full-time or two years part-time.
Sandwich course – means a course with an extra year where you work in the profession your study involves.
Semester – a period that an academic year is divided into. An academic calendar is normally divided into two semesters separated by breaks or holidays. In Nigeria, a university semester usually lasts for about four months.
Undergraduate – the first degree level of study at university. A successful completion of an undergraduate programme can qualify you for a postgraduate level study.
University – refers to an officially recognized institution that provides higher education teaching and research, and can confer degrees. A university can award various degrees.
WAEC – the West African Examination Council is a body responsible for organizing examinations for secondary school students in five West African countries: namely Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra-Leone and the Gambia. Certificates offered by this body are acceptable for university admissions. Students who passed the WAEC examinations may aim to study further in or outside these countries.
