This page was published to generally inform potential masters students about the general requirement for a master degree in Nigeria. After the first degree, many students would want to further their education to increase their chances of getting employed in a reputable organisation.

This is not peculiar to Nigeria alone, but anywhere else in the world. Some organisations generally employ people with a professional degree in their workforce, and there are some job roles that demand higher qualifications and experience.

One thing you should know is there are no universities in Nigeria that discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, sexual orientation or preference, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, or physical challenge in the admission of students into master’s degree.

However, applications for a master’s degree is competitive. Applicants are evaluated and the best-qualified applicants from those whose credentials meet the standards for admission are accepted based on all available information.

Selection is done through a comparison of the academic merits of all applicants applying in the same field. A bachelor’s degree is normally a prerequisite for admission into a master degree in Nigeria but is not sufficient in itself.

General Requirements For Masters Degree in Nigeria

  • The basic requirement for a master’s degree in Nigeria is the first degree in recognized Institutions and in relevant disciplines. Where qualifications are not strictly in the area of admission, remedial courses, which may lead to additional periods of studentship, may be prescribed.

 

  • In addition to individual departmental requirements, applicants must satisfy the ‘O’ Level first degree requirements i.e five ‘O’Level credit passes at ONE sitting or 6‘O’ level credits at TWO sittings including English Language and subject areas for ALL disciplines.

 

  • NCE must have credit passes in WAEC or credit or merit passes in TC II (obtained between 1967 and 1981) in English Language and four other relevant matriculation subjects.

 

  • Candidates for a master’s degree in Nigeria shall normally be graduates of a recognised higher institution both home and abroad by the Senate.

 

  • Candidates with recognised “Research Higher” Degree in the relevant discipline may be admitted to the M.Phil or PhD degree programmes as appropriate, on the recommendation of the appropriate Faculty Postgraduate Committee.

 

  • Candidates for the degree of M.Phil and PhD are admitted in the first instance to the Degree of Master Programme. However, candidates who, in addition to a good first degree, and already holding acceptable postgraduate degrees, may be considered for direct admission to the M.Phil and PhD. Programmes.

Other Requirements:

Letters of recommendation or Referee’s Reports are given very serious consideration. The letter of recommendation is preferably from faculty members or others well acquainted with the student’s academic work. When an applicant fails to provide required documents, (transcripts, etc) his or her admission chances suffer in relation to those whose credentials are complete.

Academic records are also examined to determine whether the applicant has established a firm basis for graduate work in the proposed field of study.

Interviews/subject tests may be required for some programmes.

Language of Instructions proficiency. For example, proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and understanding English is required for admission. Many universities require applicants for the degree of Master and Postgraduate Diplomas to sit for a proficiency test and obtain a mark of at least 40% before their application can be considered.

Please Note:
What you just read above is the general requirements for a master’s degree in Nigeria. However, each course has its own admission requirement. For example, in addition to the general requirement above, applicants applying for

Master’s in Industrial And Personnel Relations (M.I.P.R.) must:

  • Hold good honours Bachelor’s degree from recognized universities.
  • Applicants with a Higher National Diploma (at least upper credit) and with three years of work experience may apply.
  • Higher National Diploma with Lower Credit and Five years of experience are eligible to apply.
  • Candidates with Third class Professional qualifications like CIPM, NIM are also eligible to apply.
  • Selection is based on evidence that the applicant will be able to pursue creditably a programme leading to the postgraduate degree of Master of Industrial and Personnel Relations. In addition, the applicant must have work experience of at least three years. Qualified candidates with written evidence of sponsorship shall be given preference.

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