List of Professional Courses in Nigerian Universities & Requirements

Professional courses provide extra training tailored to equip graduates to become the right fit for the available jobs in the real world.

In this post, we’ll highlight some of these professional courses that you can study in Nigeria and their admission requirements.

List of Professional Courses in Nigerian Universities Requirements

List of Professional Courses in Nigerian Universities Requirements

1. Banking and Finance

Although banks tend to recruit graduates from every kind of discipline, banking and finance graduates definitely have an edge when applying to bank jobs.

As a graduate with the intention of charting a career in the banking industry, you can take it a step further by enrolling in the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Nigeria. Earning this certification can boost your chances of climbing up the ladder really quickly in the industry.

There are basically two modes of entry into the B.Sc programme.

Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME)

Direct Entry (DE)

The two options are achieved by application to the university through the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Candidates must satisfy the minimum university and departmental entry requirements as contained in the university senate approved entry requirements and JAMB brochure (visit, www.unn.edu.ng). The UTME candidates should also sit for the UTME and Post-UTME and ensure that they write the required subjects for their desired course of study. The DE candidates should also sit for the interview of the university/department.

2. Accounting

Studying accounting in the university is one of the best paths to earning the status of a chartered accountant.

Accounting is a 4-year course in any Nigerian university. And as stated earlier, the course is a great way to prepare you to become a chartered accountant.

With an ICAN certificate, your growth as an accountant can be really quick with many opportunities for you in the job market.

You can enroll for the ICAN exam as an undergraduate and if you’re able to pass each stage of the exam at your first attempt, you’ll definitely be chartered by the time you graduate from the university.

The admission requirements for UTME & direct entry candidates are highlighted below

University and Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME)

In addition to the University general admission requirements, candidates for admission into the four year B.Sc. Accountancy Degree Programme through UTME should possess the Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSCE) or the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary level or an equivalent qualification with  credit level passes in at least  five subjects which must include English Language, Mathematics, Economics and any one of the following – Book-keeping & Accounts, Commerce, or Government obtained at not more than two sittings.

Direct Entry Admission

Applicants seeking admission by direct entry should possess five credit passes in the GCE or equivalent examination, at least two of which shall be at the Advanced level or four credit passes at least three of which shall be at the Advanced level provided that subjects are not counted at both levels of the examination. Credit passes at the Ordinary Level must include English Language, Mathematics and Economics.

3. Estate management

Although many people work as estate surveyors and valuers without the prerequisite degree or certificate, earning a professional degree in estate management can give you a unique edge over these other practitioners.

Additionally, after completing your degree in estate management, you can register with the Nigeria Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers to become a member of the Institute.

A combination of your degree in estate management and membership with the NIESV can improve your network and boost your job opportunities.

The UTME Requirements are Five-O/Level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Geography and any two of Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Economics, and Fine Arts/Technical Drawing. And the UTME Subject are English Language, Mathematics, Geography /Economics and any one of Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Fine Arts/Technical Drawing

On the other hand, Direct Entry Requirements: Very good passes in JUPEB/A Level subjects: Mathematics, Geography and any one of Chemistry, Physics, Biology or Economics.

HND/ND (Distinction) in Urban and Regional Planning into 300/200 level.

4. Medicine

If you’re to ask a science student in any of the Nigerian secondary schools what s/he intends to study at the University, it is very likely that the response will be, “I want to be a medical doctor.”

Medicine as a course in Nigeria is the height of professionalism in many Nigerian homes. Often times, parents are extremely proud to have one of their children as a medical doctor.

Studying medicine involves six years at university. But that’s not all. Before you’re certified to practice medicine by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, you need to pass through one year of housemanship after which you’re certified as a medical doctor.

Afterward, you can choose to study in any field of your choice. Some of the specialties in medicine include Dermatology Emergency medicine, General medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Gynecology, Medical research and education, Oncology, Neurology, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Pathology, Public health, and Radiology.

The admission requirement for Medicine is either Two A level subjects from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Zoology or Botany plus UME requirement.     English Language, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology or 5 O’ Level Credit Passes in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology

5. Pharmacy

Pharmacy is another professional course that comprises 5 years of study at the university. After graduation, the pharmacy graduate will proceed to a one-year internship at any of the centres registered by the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN). At the end of the internship year, the PCN will certify the intern a pharmacist and s/he’s can practice as a pharmacist anywhere in the country.

The admission requirements are A/Level Passes in Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Mathematics plus UME requirements or B.Sc degree in relevant fields. Another option is 5 O’ Level Credit Passes in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology at a single sitting in addition to UTME requirements.

6. Law

Lawyers are well-respected professionals in the country. And the journey to becoming a lawyer starts from enrolling at a law program at the University.

It takes 5 years to complete a law degree. Then there’s an extra year that the law graduate will spend at any of the centres of the Nigerian Law School in the country. Afterward, s/he’s called to bar and can practice as a lawyer. Below are the steps involved in becoming a lawyer in Nigeria:

The admission requirements are two papers at Advanced Level plus Credit in 5/6 other ‘O’ level subjects including English Language and Literature in English. Another option is a good first Degree with credit in the English Language at ‘O’ Level English Language and any three subjects from Arts, Social Science and/or Science.     Another option is 5 ‘O’ level subjects at one sitting or 6 ‘O’ level subjects at 2 sittings to include English Language, Literature in English and any other subjects from Arts, Social Sciences or Science in addition to UTME requirements.

7. Engineering

Apart from medicine, engineering is another popular course among secondary school leavers seeking admission into the university.

This is simply because being an engineer is seen as a prestigious profession with vast job opportunities. As an engineer, you can work with oil and gas firms, telecoms companies, IT firms or any of the reputable manufacturing companies in the country.

An engineering student spends five years in the university after which he can go on to take professional courses to boost his resume as a professional.

The admission requirements are highlighted below:

Candidates who have passed the West African School Certificate or the General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) may be admitted into the five-year programme through an entrance examination. In addition to the University entry requirements, candidates wishing to be admitted into the Department must fulfill the requirements listed below. Applicants for admission by entrance must have passed either the West African School Certificate, Senior Secondary School Certificate or its equivalent with at least credits in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and English Language obtained in one or two sittings or obtain at least five papers in the General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) passed at not more than two sittings.

2 thoughts on “List of Professional Courses in Nigerian Universities & Requirements”

Leave a Comment

error: Content is Read-Only!!