NOUN International Relations admission requirements for 100 level are five O’level credits, including English Language and Mathematics, in not more than two sittings, with at least two of the credits in subjects relevant to the course. That is the Faculty of Social Sciences rule in NOUN’s own admission notice. National Open University of Nigeria does not use a JAMB cut-off mark for International Relations, and Direct Entry into 200 level is open to ND, NCE and A level holders who meet the grades below.
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.
One thing to know early: the International Relations entry on NOUN’s Faculty of Social Sciences site lists the programme but its admission section did not load any text when I checked it on 30 October 2026. So the requirements in this guide come from the university’s general and faculty rules, and the final word is what the application portal shows when you click View Requirement. Below you will find the subjects, Direct Entry routes, what the course covers, fees, the 2026 admission window and the steps to apply through the Enugu Study Centre.
NOUN International Relations admission requirements at a glance
| Item | What NOUN publishes |
|---|---|
| Programme (NOUN’s name) | B.Sc. International Relations (Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences) |
| O’level for 100 level | Five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, at not more than two sittings; at least two credits in subjects relevant to the course |
| Direct Entry | ND at Upper Credit, NCE (one merit and two passes) in relevant subjects, or two A level/IJMB/IB papers in relevant subjects, plus O’level English and Mathematics credits |
| Entry level | 100 level (O’level) or 200 level (Direct Entry) |
| Duration | Not stated on the programme page; Economics in the same faculty states a minimum of eight semesters from 100 level and six by Direct Entry |
| NUC status (NOUN document, November 2024) | Full |
| UTME score | Not required; no cut-off mark |
| Form | ₦5,000 via Remita (last published figure, August 2024) |
Is there a NOUN cut-off mark for International Relations?
No. NOUN does not set a UTME cut-off mark for International Relations 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 International Relations 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 International Relations
NOUN’s admission notice of 8 August 2024 sets two layers of rules. Every faculty needs credits in English Language and Mathematics, and in the Faculty of Social Sciences at least two of your five credits must be in subjects relevant to the course you choose. The notice does not name the relevant subjects for International Relations, and the programme page is blank on this point, so the table below is my reading of what counts as relevant for a politics and diplomacy degree.
| Subject | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | Compulsory credit | NOUN rule for all faculties |
| Mathematics | Compulsory credit | NOUN rule for all faculties; a pass (D7) does not meet it |
| Government | Strongly advised | The closest school subject to the course |
| History or Literature in English | Advised | Useful for diplomatic history and essay writing |
| Economics, Geography, Civic Education, CRS or IRS | Acceptable fifth subject | Any social science or arts subject fits the wording |
If you have Government and one of History, Literature, Economics or Geography among your five credits, you meet the faculty rule comfortably. A result made up of English, Mathematics and three pure sciences may still pass the portal check, because the rule only says relevant, but you would be guessing. Confirm on the View Requirement screen before you pay.
Can I use a D7 in Mathematics?
No. Some conventional universities let Political Science and International Relations candidates in with a pass in Mathematics, which is why this question comes up. NOUN’s notice says candidates for all faculties must have credits in English Language and Mathematics, so a D7 will not do. Resit Mathematics in a WAEC or NECO GCE and apply when the result is out; the NOUN portal stays open through the year.
Two sittings, one name
You may combine two results, for example a WASSCE and a NECO GCE, but not three. Make sure both certificates carry the same name in the same order. A mismatch between results is one of the things that holds students up at verification after admission.
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 into NOUN International Relations
NOUN’s general Direct Entry rule admits candidates into 200 level with one of the qualifications below. The International Relations page itself does not add anything, so these are the routes that apply until the portal says otherwise.
| Route | What NOUN’s general rule asks for |
|---|---|
| National Diploma (ND) | Upper Credit from a recognised institution |
| NCE | In subjects relevant to the programme, with at least one merit and two passes |
| A level, IJMB or International Baccalaureate | At least two A level papers in relevant subjects |
| O’level (every route) | Credits in English Language and Mathematics, plus the other credits the programme needs |
Three points people miss:
- ND grade: the general rule says Upper Credit. An ND at Lower Credit does not meet it, so apply at 100 level with your O’level instead.
- Relevance: an ND in Public Administration, Mass Communication or Office Technology sits closer to the course than an ND in Science Laboratory Technology. NOUN does not publish a list of accepted ND fields for this programme.
- HND and first degrees: NOUN’s general notice does not give a 300 level route for Social Sciences. If you hold an HND or a degree, select the programme and each entry level on the portal and see which one it accepts.
Worked example: four applicants
These are my illustrations of how NOUN’s published rules apply, not decisions by the university.
| Applicant | Profile | Outcome on NOUN’s rules |
|---|---|---|
| Ada, school leaver | WASSCE credits in English, Maths, Government, Literature, Economics | Qualifies for 100 level |
| Obinna, civil servant | ND Public Administration, Upper Credit; credits in English, Maths, Government and two others | Qualifies for 200 level |
| Ngozi, secondary school teacher | NCE Social Studies/Political Science with one merit and two passes; O’level credits in English and Maths | Fits the NCE route into 200 level |
| Kelechi, trader | Credits in English, Government, CRS, Economics and a D7 in Maths | Does not qualify yet; needs a Mathematics credit |
How to apply for International Relations 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 International Relations, then your entry level, and click View Requirement. Read the requirement that appears before you go further.
- Pick your entry level: 100 level with O’level only, or 200 level with an ND at Upper Credit, an NCE or A level passes. Upload the certificate and its result or transcript.
- 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 International Relations
International Relations sits in NOUN’s Department of Political Science. The faculty’s department menu has no separate International Relations department; the programme appears in the Political Science department’s list of programmes alongside B.Sc. Political Science. NOUN’s November 2024 programmes and accreditation document lists B.Sc. International Relations with full NUC accreditation.
NOUN’s course materials on nou.edu.ng give a feel for the content. Titles you will meet include:
| Course code | Title (as NOUN publishes it) |
|---|---|
| INR 122 | Concepts in International Relations |
| INR 232 | Introduction to Foreign Policy |
| INR 302 | International Relations and the Media |
Around these core courses you take NOUN’s general studies (GST) courses, research methods and a final year project. Because the programme shares a department with Political Science, expect overlap in courses on government, political theory and Nigerian politics. The department does not publish a full International Relations course list on the page I checked, so ask the Enugu centre for the current course registration list once you are admitted.
How long does it take?
The International Relations page does not state a duration. NOUN’s Economics department, in the same faculty, describes a minimum of eight semesters for 100 level entrants and six for Direct Entry students, and NOUN degrees generally allow you to take longer than the minimum because you set your own course load. Plan for at least four years from 100 level and three from 200 level, and confirm the maximum period on your portal.
Careers
- Public service: roles in federal and state ministries, agencies that deal with foreign affairs, immigration, trade and border issues.
- International and non-governmental organisations: programme, research and advocacy roles.
- Media and research: foreign affairs reporting, policy analysis and think tanks.
- Further study: master’s degrees in international relations, diplomacy, strategic studies or peace studies.
If you already work, the degree is most useful when it builds on your job. A civil servant in a ministry with external links or a journalist on a politics desk gets more out of it than someone hoping the certificate alone will open a diplomatic career.
Related programmes
- NOUN Enugu Political Science admission requirements, the sister programme in the same department;
- NOUN Enugu Peace Studies, Development Studies and Tourism admission requirements;
- NOUN Enugu Study Centre admission requirements for every programme;
- if you would rather take the UTME route, compare ESUT International Relations and Diplomacy and UNN History and International Studies.
NOUN form price and fees for International Relations 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 International Relations 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 International Relations 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
- Applying with a pass in Mathematics: NOUN needs a credit for every faculty.
- Paying an agent for a “NOUN cut-off” or admission list: there is no cut-off and the outcome comes from the portal.
- Using a Lower Credit ND for 200 level: the general rule asks for Upper Credit.
- Starting the postgraduate form by mistake: it costs more and leads to a different process.
- Mixing up programmes: International Relations and Political Science are separate options on the portal, so pick the one you want before you pay.
NOUN International Relations: frequently asked questions
Does NOUN offer International Relations? Yes. B.Sc. International Relations is in NOUN’s Faculty of Social Sciences under the Department of Political Science, and NOUN’s November 2024 accreditation document lists it with full NUC accreditation.
What subjects do I need for International Relations in NOUN? Five O’level credits in not more than two sittings, including English Language and Mathematics, with at least two in relevant subjects. Government plus History, Literature or Economics is the safest set.
Do I need JAMB to study International Relations in NOUN? You do not need a UTME score or cut-off mark. NOUN does charge new students a ₦6,000 JAMB regularisation fee after admission.
Can I use ND to study International Relations in NOUN? Yes, an ND at Upper Credit plus O’level credits in English and Mathematics fits NOUN’s general Direct Entry rule for 200 level.
Sources and updates
The Faculty of Social Sciences rule (credits in Mathematics and English, at least two relevant subjects) and the general Direct Entry routes come from NOUN News, “NOUN admission requirements” (8 August 2024). The programme’s place in the Department of Political Science comes from NOUN’s Political Science department page, checked on 30 October 2026, when its admission section was not displaying text. Course titles come from NOUN course materials published on nou.edu.ng. The Economics duration used for comparison comes from the Department of Economics page. 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 when NOUN publishes programme-level requirements for International Relations or 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.
