Bsc, HND, OND, NCE, A'level: What are the Differences?

UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCES IN EDUCATION AWARDS IN NIGERIA BEFORE GOING FOR ANY. 

As a beginner or fresh admission seeker, you may want to know the differences among these terms or acronyms.

It’s important to know these, really not only for conversation reason but also for you to get the real meaning of each, what they stand for, what forms their admissions take, the statutory purpose behind each and most importantly for you to know - which one to go for.

BSc, BSc (Ed), BSN, B. Tech, MB, LLB, B. Agric, B. Pharm 

In full, Bsc is Bachelor of Science. This term is used for a degree or university award. You earn Bsc after completing a 4-year or 5-year course in any university.

Moreso, terms like B. Tech, BSc (Ed) are the equivalence to Bsc. They are also degree awards – just a difference in courses or disciplines. While B. Tech is for graduates of engineering and technology related courses, BSc (ED) or B. Ed is for graduates of education courses.

Graduates of Law are awarded LLB and Medical graduates MB. Others include BSN for nursing graduates, B. Pharm for pharmacy graduates, B. Agric for Agriculture and related courses.

Gaining Admission to Nigeria University to be awarded BSc, BSc (Ed), BSN, B. Tech, MB, LLB, B. Agric, B. Pharm

Generally, to gain admission into any Nigerian university, you’ll have to make your way through JAMB UTME which is a major requirement to gain admission to any course of your interest together with right SSCE grades.

After passing UTME, you may be subjected to Post UTME or admission screening before you can be given admission by JAMB and proposed institution.

Your years or duration of studies depends on the prospective award. Majority of degree courses last 4 years, Agric courses - 5 years, Nursing  - 5 years, Medicine – 6 years, education – 4 years, Law – 6 years (with one year Law school), Pharmacy – 6 years (with one year internship), Engineering and technology – 5 years and so on.

Note that, gaining admission to any of the courses listed and more, may also be preceded with a year pre-degree course or sometimes A’level Advanced courses like IJMB, JUPEB and Cambridge A’level.

After completing these advanced programmes, you can then take UTME (if pre-degree) or Direct Entry form (if IJMB, JUPEB or Cambridge A’level). Through this, you are offered admission for any university course of your choice.

NCE – Nigeria Certificate In Education 

NCE is the award given to graduates of colleges of education. Generally, after a three-year course at a college, a graduate is awarded NCE.

Gaining Admission to Nigerian Colleges of Education to be Awarded NCE

Admission procedures to colleges are the same as for the universities.

You write your UTME and take part in the post UTME or admission screening. Then you’re given admission for your proposed course by JAMB and the college.

A graduate of college can end up spending 4 years for his course if he has undertaken a year pre-NCE course before 100 level admission.