NOUN Information Technology admission requirements start with five O’level credits in not more than two sittings, and three of them must be English Language, Mathematics and Physics. The other two come from Chemistry, Biology or Agricultural Science, Further Mathematics or Computer Studies. National Open University of Nigeria does not use a JAMB cut-off mark. Unlike Computer Science, the B.Sc Information Technology programme also publishes a 300-level entry for HND holders in computing fields.
2027/2028 update: NOUN admission requirements and entry rules usually stay the same from one year to the next, so the requirements on this page are what 2027/2028 applicants should plan with. They come from NOUN’s latest published requirements and notices (checked in October 2026). If NOUN changes anything for 2027/2028, we will update this page.
This guide explains each entry level (100, 200 and 300), the long list of computing fields NOUN accepts for Direct Entry, what you study, the credit units and semester limits, the fees NOUN publishes and how to apply through the Enugu Study Centre.
NOUN Information Technology admission requirements at a glance
| Item | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| UTME score | Not required; no cut-off mark | NOUN Admission Requirements page |
| 100 level O’level | Five credits, max two sittings: English, Mathematics, Physics and two of Chemistry, Biology or Agriculture, Further Mathematics, Computer Studies | NOUN B.Sc Information Technology page |
| Certificates accepted | SSCE, NECO, GCE O’level, NABTEB or TC II | Same page |
| 200 level | Credit in computing courses at university, Lower Credit ND, NCE with merit in Mathematics, two A level passes (Maths and Physics), or a degree or HND in a science, technology or engineering field | Same page |
| 300 level | HND (Upper or Lower Credit) in a computing-related field | Same page |
| Structure | 8 semesters from 100 level; 6 semesters from 200 level | Same page |
| Credit units to graduate | 130 core units (8 semesters) or 91 core units (6 semesters), plus all compulsory courses | Same page |
| Form | ₦5,000 via Remita (last published figure) | NOUN News, 8 August 2024 |
| NUC status | Full | NOUN accreditation document, November 2024 |
Is there a NOUN cut-off mark for Information Technology?
No. NOUN does not set a UTME cut-off mark for Information Technology or for any other undergraduate programme. Its official Admission Requirements page describes O’level requirements and an automated online application, and a JAMB score is not part of it. Any “NOUN Information Technology cut-off mark” you see on a blog was not published by the university.
Two things decide whether you get in:
- Your O’level result: the right five credits, in not more than two sittings.
- Your Direct Entry qualification, if you have one: it decides whether you start at 100 level or higher.
That also means there is no post-UTME, no screening test and no aggregate score to calculate. If your grades match the requirement, the portal admits you.
What about JAMB and CAPS?
NOUN’s admission page does not ask for a UTME score, and you do not choose NOUN on a UTME form to be considered. JAMB is still part of the picture after admission: NOUN’s fees schedule lists a ₦6,000 JAMB regularisation charge for new students. NOUN has not published step-by-step instructions for that regularisation, so follow what the university tells you after admission and keep the receipt. If you already have a JAMB profile from an earlier UTME, keep its email and registration number handy; it may help when your record is regularised.
O’level subjects for NOUN Information Technology
| Subject | Status | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | Compulsory core | Credit (C6 or better) |
| Mathematics | Compulsory core | Credit (C6 or better) |
| Physics | Compulsory core | Credit (C6 or better) |
| Chemistry, Biology or Agricultural Science, Further Mathematics, Computer Studies | Any two | Credit (C6 or better) |
The page says the five credits can come from SSCE, NECO, GCE, NABTEB or TC II, in not more than two sittings. One small difference from Computer Science: IT accepts Agricultural Science as an alternative to Biology for one of the two extra credits. That can help applicants from schools where Agric was the main science after Physics and Chemistry.
Physics is the subject that stops most applicants. Without a Physics credit you cannot meet the core requirement, however good your other grades are. Write Physics again in a WAEC or NECO GCE sitting, or choose a NOUN programme whose requirement does not include it.
Before you pay, open the application page, pick the programme and entry level and click View Requirement. NOUN’s faculty pages and its central portal are maintained separately, so if they ever disagree, follow what the portal shows for your entry level.
Direct Entry: 200 level and 300 level
IT has the most detailed Direct Entry rules of any NOUN computing programme. All of them sit on top of the O’level requirement.
200 level
| Qualification | What NOUN asks for |
|---|---|
| University computing courses | At least a credit pass in computing-related courses |
| ND | Lower Credit |
| NCE | An NCE with a merit pass in Mathematics |
| A level | Two passes (grades A to E) in Mathematics and Physics |
| Degree or HND in other science, technology or engineering fields | A pass, or Upper or Lower Credit |
300 level
An HND at Upper or Lower Credit in a computing-related field takes you to 300 level. NOUN’s page lists these as computing-related fields:
- Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering and Data Management;
- Mathematics, Statistics, Maths and Statistics, Physics with Mathematics and Computer with Mathematics;
- Computer Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Electrical Engineering and System Engineering;
- Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Communication Technology.
An HND in, say, Accountancy or Business Administration is not on that list. Holders of HNDs outside the list can still look at the 200-level route for degree and HND holders in science, technology or engineering fields, if their field fits.
Worked example: four applicants
These are my illustrations of NOUN’s published rules, not NOUN decisions.
| Applicant | Profile | Outcome on NOUN’s rules |
|---|---|---|
| Adaeze, school leaver in Enugu | WASSCE credits in English, Maths, Physics, Agricultural Science, Computer Studies | Qualifies for 100 level |
| Kelechi, ICT officer | ND Computer Science, Lower Credit; full O’level set with Physics | Qualifies for 200 level |
| Nneka, network engineer | HND Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Upper Credit; full O’level set | Qualifies for 300 level |
| Ikenna, accounts clerk | HND Accountancy, Lower Credit; O’level without Physics | Not eligible until he has a Physics credit; Accountancy is not a listed computing field |
How to apply for Information Technology at NOUN, step by step
The whole process happens online. You do not travel to Abuja, and you do not need to visit the Enugu centre before you are admitted.
- Get your documents ready: O’level result(s), birth certificate or age declaration, a recent passport photograph and, for Direct Entry, your diploma, degree or professional certificate and transcript. Scan them clearly.
- Open the admission page: go to NOUN’s Admission Requirements page on nou.edu.ng and choose the undergraduate application.
- Select the programme: pick the faculty, then Information Technology, then your entry level, and click View Requirement. Read the requirement that appears before you go further.
- Pick 100, 200 or 300 level: choose the level your certificate supports and upload that certificate with its transcript or statement of result. A 300-level application needs a computing-related HND.
- Fill the pre-payment form: enter your names exactly as they appear on your O’level result, plus a working email address and phone number.
- Generate a Remita RRR and pay: pay the ₦5,000 form fee by card, or take the RRR to a bank.
- Complete the application form: enter your O’level grades, upload your documents and choose Enugu Study Centre as your study centre.
- Check the outcome: NOUN describes its admission process as automated, with an almost instant outcome. Print the admission letter once it shows.
- Pay the compulsory charges and register courses: pay the new-student charges, then register your first semester courses and examinations within the window in the academic calendar.
Write down your application number and the email address you used, and keep the Remita receipt. Most problems at the study centre later come from a lost RRR or a mismatch between the name on the form and the name on the O’level certificate.
What you study in NOUN Information Technology
The programme code is 5202. NOUN says it wants graduates who can design and run communication networks, manage data transmission and security, and work with the devices found in modern offices. Compared with Computer Science, the outline leans more towards networks, communication technology and information systems. Courses listed on the faculty page include:
| Level | Sample courses |
|---|---|
| 100 level | Computer Fundamentals, Introduction to Data Organisation and Management, Introduction to Problem Solving, Introduction to Computer Science, Elementary Mathematics, general Physics, Chemistry and Biology with practicals |
| 200 level | Introduction to Operating Systems, Programming Languages, Programming and Algorithms, Information Systems, Systems Analysis and Design, Analog and Digital Electronics |
| 300 level | Principles of Communication Technology, Networking and Communication Technology, Computer Architecture, Human Computer Interaction, Data Mining and Data Warehousing, Management Information Systems, SIWES |
| 400 level | Microcomputers and Microprocessors, Database Systems, Computer Networks and Communication, Net-Centric Computing, Multimedia Technology, Operations Research, Expert Systems, Project |
Final-year electives include Artificial Intelligence, Website Design and Programming, and Introduction to Cyber Security. The SIWES industrial training at 300 level carries 6 credit units, and the page describes it as six months.
Credit units, semester limits and duration
- From 100 level: eight semesters, and at least 130 core credit units plus every compulsory course.
- From 200 level: six semesters, and at least 91 core credit units.
- Load cap: no more than 25 credit units in a semester.
- Electives: at least one elective each semester from 200 level.
NOUN runs two semesters a year, so eight semesters is four years on a full load. Taking fewer courses because of work is allowed and simply takes longer. The page does not describe a separate length for 300-level entrants, so ask the department how many semesters you will need if you come in with an HND.
Computer Science or Information Technology?
| Point | Computer Science | Information Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Algorithms, programming, compilers, software engineering, AI | Networks, communication technology, information systems, data |
| O’level extras | Chemistry, Biology, Further Maths or Computer Studies | Same list, plus Agricultural Science in place of Biology |
| ND grade for 200 level | Not stated on its page (general NOUN rule: Upper Credit) | Lower Credit |
| 300-level entry | Not published | HND in a computing field |
| SIWES units | 3 | 6 |
If you enjoy writing code and maths-heavy theory, Computer Science fits better. If you already work in networks or IT support, or hold an engineering HND, IT is the faster fit. The full Computer Science rules are on the NOUN Enugu Computer Science admission guide.
Accreditation, CPN and careers
NOUN’s Programmes and Accreditation Status document (November 2024) lists B.Sc Information Technology with full NUC accreditation. The programme now sits in the Faculty of Computing.
NOUN’s IT page does not mention the Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria), CPN, and I found no CPN notice about the programme. CPN said in May 2026 that it would tighten registration and discipline people and firms practising without proper credentials (CLEAR, 13 May 2026, citing The Nation). Since May 2025, professional bodies other than seven named councils may no longer accredit university programmes on their own (The Sun, 22 May 2025), and CPN is not among the seven. If CPN registration matters for your job, ask CPN what it requires from NOUN graduates.
Careers
- Network and systems administration: the networking and communication courses point straight at this.
- IT support and infrastructure: in banks, hospitals, schools and public offices.
- Data and information systems: database, data mining and MIS roles.
- Web and multimedia work: through the web design and multimedia courses.
- Further study: NOUN’s faculty sites list postgraduate IT programmes up to a PhD in Information Technology.
Related programmes
- NOUN Enugu Computer Science admission requirements;
- NOUN Enugu science courses, including Mathematics and Computer Science;
- NOUN Enugu Study Centre admission requirements for every programme.
NOUN form price and fees for Information Technology applicants
The undergraduate application form costs ₦5,000, paid through Remita. That is the figure in NOUN’s own admission requirements notice of 8 August 2024, and it is the most recent official figure I could find. Postgraduate forms cost more, so make sure you start the undergraduate application.
After admission you pay a set of compulsory charges. NOUN’s fees schedule page (undated) lists them like this:
| Charge | New students | Returning students |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | ₦6,000 | ₦6,000 |
| Caution deposit | ₦3,500 | None |
| Orientation | ₦1,500 | None |
| Matriculation | ₦1,500 | None |
| ID card | ₦500 | None |
| Library | ₦3,000 | ₦3,000 |
| ICT administrative charges | ₦5,000 | ₦5,000 |
| E-facilitation | ₦4,000 | ₦4,000 |
| JAMB regularisation | ₦6,000 | None |
| Result verification | ₦5,000 | None |
| Total compulsory charges | ₦36,000 | ₦18,000 |
On top of these, the same page lists an examination fee of ₦1,000 per course and a project fee of ₦15,000 in the final year. Course registration is charged per course, and the page says those fees remain unchanged, but it does not print the per-course amounts. Your semester bill therefore depends on how many courses you register. Open your portal’s payment page to see the real figure before you budget, because NOUN has not published a 2026/2027 per-course table that I could verify.
When does NOUN admit? 2026/2027 dates
NOUN does not follow the JAMB admission deadlines that apply to conventional universities. It runs its own calendar in two semesters a year, labelled like 2026_1 and 2026_2.
| Item | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Admission portal for 2026 | Open from 1 January to 31 December 2026 | NOUN’s approved 2026 academic calendar, as reported by Myschool |
| 2026_1 course and examination registration | 5 January to 22 March 2026 (closed) | Same calendar |
| 2027 academic calendar | Not yet published | Check nou.edu.ng and your portal |
So, on the published calendar, the 2026 admission portal stays open until 31 December 2026. Because the outcome of an application is almost instant, people who apply now can usually be admitted and then register for the semester that is open on the calendar. NOUN has not published its 2027 calendar yet, so 2027/2028 applicants should watch nou.edu.ng and the portal from January 2027.
The NOUN Enugu Study Centre: what it does for Information Technology students
NOUN admits centrally from its headquarters in Jabi, Abuja. The study centre is where you are attached for support: student records, facilitation, examinations, project defence and, at the end, certificate collection. When you apply, you pick Enugu as your study centre on the form.
- Leadership: NOUN News named Prof. Charity Akuadi Okonkwo as Director of the Enugu Study Centre when it reported an NUC accreditation visit to the centre on 26 November 2024.
- Examinations: the same report said the centre had 297 computers in its e-examination hall.
- Certificates: in July 2025 the centre told its graduands to collect certificates at the Centre Director’s office, with proof of final clearance, convocation and alumni fee payments, a bound project copy and a valid ID (reported by Myschool, 11 July 2025).
- Address: NOUN does not publish the street address in the sources I checked. Confirm it on the study centres directory on nou.edu.ng before you travel, and do not rely on addresses copied around on blogs.
NOUN also does not publish which programmes each study centre supports. Being admitted into Information Technology and choosing Enugu should place you there, but if you need clinical placement, practical sessions or a project supervisor in Enugu, ask the centre to confirm it in writing before you pay registration fees.
Mistakes to avoid
- No Physics credit: it is one of the three core subjects.
- Claiming 300 level with the wrong HND: only computing-related fields on NOUN’s list qualify.
- Registering more than 25 units: the semester cap applies.
- Skipping the SIWES plan: six months of industrial training sits in 300 level, so think early about where you will do it.
NOUN Information Technology: frequently asked questions
Can I study Information Technology in NOUN without Physics? No. English, Mathematics and Physics are the three core O’level credits for IT, and you need two more from Chemistry, Biology or Agriculture, Further Mathematics or Computer Studies.
Can HND holders enter NOUN IT at 300 level? Yes, if the HND is at Upper or Lower Credit in a computing-related field such as Computer Science, Statistics, Computer Engineering or Electrical/Electronic Engineering.
Is there a NOUN cut-off mark for Information Technology? No. NOUN admits on O’level and Direct Entry qualifications through its online portal and does not use a UTME score.
What is the difference between NOUN Computer Science and Information Technology? Computer Science focuses on programming, algorithms and software; IT focuses on networks, communication technology and information systems, and it publishes a 300-level route for computing HND holders.
Sources and updates
Entry levels, O’level subjects, the list of computing-related fields, semester structure, credit units, load limits and course titles come from NOUN’s B.Sc Information Technology page on the Faculty of Computing site, checked on 30 October 2026. Computer Science comparisons come from NOUN’s B.Sc Computer Science page. The CPN update comes from CLEAR (13 May 2026), and the end of independent accreditation by professional bodies from The Sun (22 May 2025). NOUN’s undergraduate requirement wording and the automated application steps come from its Admission Requirements page on nou.edu.ng. Programme-specific requirements, the ₦5,000 form fee and the Remita payment rule come from NOUN News, “NOUN admission requirements” (8 August 2024). Compulsory charges, the examination fee and the JAMB regularisation charge come from NOUN’s fees schedule page (undated when checked). The programme list and accreditation statuses come from NOUN’s Programmes and Accreditation Status document (November 2024). The 2026 admission portal period and registration window come from Myschool’s report of NOUN’s approved 2026 academic calendar. Details on the Enugu Study Centre come from NOUN News (2 December 2024) and Myschool (11 July 2025). This page will be updated if NOUN changes the requirements or publishes a 2027 calendar.
I am Jude Chinecherem, a final-year MBBS student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I know what it feels like to want an education your family cannot afford. When my parents could not pay for my schooling, I had to learn how to find scholarships and work the system out on my own, with nobody to guide me. I came out the other side, and now I share everything I learned so the next student does not have to figure it out alone. This is the advice I wish someone had given me back then.
