📌 Quick answer: NOUN does not charge one flat school fee. Every semester you pay a fixed set of compulsory charges (₦36,000 in your first semester as a new student, ₦18,000 in later semesters), an exam fee of ₦1,000 per course, and a course registration fee for each course you register, priced by its credit units. Your total therefore depends on how many courses you take. Since 1 January 2025, every new undergraduate also needs a JAMB profile, though you do not sit the UTME. Apply at nouonline.nou.edu.ng.
The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) is Nigeria’s federal open and distance learning university, with study centres in every state and the FCT. Its fees are among the lowest of any Nigerian degree route, but they are also widely misreported online. This guide uses NOUN’s own published schedule to show exactly what you pay, how to estimate your semester bill, and the two eligibility issues every applicant should understand before paying: NYSC and the Nigerian Law School.
NOUN School Fees 2026/2027 at a Glance
| Fee | Undergraduate | Postgraduate (PGD/Masters) |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory charges – first semester (new students) | ₦36,000 | ₦35,000 |
| Compulsory charges – every later semester | ₦18,000 | ₦18,000 |
| Exam registration fee | ₦1,000 per course | ₦2,000 per course |
| Course registration fee | Per course, based on its credit units | Per course, based on its credit units |
| Project / dissertation fee | Charged in the semester you register your project | Charged in the semester you register your dissertation |
What the ₦36,000 new-student charge covers
| Item | New student (₦) | Returning student (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | 6,000 | 6,000 |
| Caution deposit | 3,500 | – |
| Orientation | 1,500 | – |
| Matriculation | 1,500 | – |
| ID card | 500 | – |
| Library | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| ICT administrative charge | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| E-facilitation | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| JAMB regularisation | 6,000 | – |
| Result verification | 5,000 | – |
| Total | 36,000 | 18,000 |
How to Estimate Your Semester Bill
Because NOUN prices each course separately, use this formula:
Semester bill = compulsory charges + (₦1,000 exam fee × number of courses) + the course registration fee for each course you register
Course registration fees rise with credit units, so a 3-unit course costs more to register than a 2-unit course. When NOUN reviewed its compulsory charges, it said course and exam registration fees would stay unchanged. NOUN does not currently publish an up-to-date per-unit price list on its website, so the exact figure for each course appears on your portal when you add it to your semester registration. Check your total there before you fund your e-wallet.
Two things push your bill up or down: how many courses you register (you can take a lighter load if you work full-time, but your degree takes longer) and carry-over courses, which you pay for again when you re-register them.
Why you may see much higher figures online
Many websites quote NOUN fees of ₦30,000 or more per course, or annual totals running into hundreds of thousands of naira. Those numbers do not appear in NOUN’s published schedule. Use the official portal and NOUN’s schedule as your only reference, and never pay fees to an individual or agent.
Do You Need JAMB for NOUN in 2026?
You need a JAMB profile, but you do not need to sit or pass the UTME. NOUN announced that from 1 January 2025, all undergraduate admissions are processed on JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), like every other Nigerian university. This gives NOUN students an official JAMB admission letter, which is why “JAMB regularisation” appears in the new-student fees.
- Generate a JAMB profile code: send your NIN from your own phone number to 55019 or 66019.
- Create your JAMB profile using the code, at a JAMB office or accredited CBT centre if you cannot do it yourself.
- Apply on the NOUN portal at nouonline.nou.edu.ng (steps below).
- Once admitted, log in to JAMB CAPS and accept the admission.
- Print your JAMB admission letter after JAMB verifies the admission.
Our JAMB profile code guide explains step 1 in detail.
NOUN Admission Requirements
- 100 level: at least five O’Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics, in no more than two sittings (WAEC, NECO, NABTEB or equivalent). Your other credits must match the subjects your programme requires.
- Direct entry (200 level): a relevant OND, NCE, A-Level or equivalent, in addition to the O’Level credits.
- Postgraduate: a first degree from a recognised university; most programmes ask for at least a second class lower.
- Age: NOUN sets no upper age limit, which is why so many working adults study there.
- Awaiting result: if you are still waiting for your NECO or WAEC result, check it first — see our NECO result 2026 guide.
How to Apply to NOUN, Step by Step
- Complete the JAMB profile steps above.
- Go to nouonline.nou.edu.ng, NOUN’s official admission and registration portal. Read the “How to do things” guide on the homepage first.
- Create your applicant account and pay the application form fee shown on the portal.
- Fill in your personal details, O’Level results, chosen programme and preferred study centre, then upload the documents requested.
- Submit and monitor your portal for an admission decision.
- When admitted, accept the offer on JAMB CAPS and print your JAMB admission letter.
- Pay your first-semester charges, register your courses and exam courses on the portal, and attend orientation at your study centre.
NOUN admits for more than one semester each year, so you do not wait for a single annual window as with conventional universities. Check the portal for the current admission period.
Faculties and Programmes
NOUN runs nine faculties: Agricultural Sciences, Arts, Computing, Education, Health Sciences, Law, Management Sciences, Sciences and Social Sciences, plus a School of Postgraduate Studies offering PGDs, Masters and doctorates. Popular choices include Business Administration, Accounting, Computer Science, Mass Communication, Criminology and Security Studies, Public Health, Education and Law.
Before you apply, open NOUN’s “Programmes and Accreditation status” document on nou.edu.ng and confirm your programme’s current NUC accreditation. Programmes that depend on heavy clinical or studio training, such as Medicine and Architecture, are not offered.
Two Things to Know Before You Pay: NYSC and Law School
NYSC: NOUN graduates are currently excluded
NYSC does not currently mobilise NOUN graduates for service. Instead, graduates apply for an NYSC exclusion letter, which shows employers that national service was not required of them. In April 2026, the National Universities Commission said it would engage NYSC on changing this, because more NOUN graduates are now under 30, but no new mobilisation policy has been announced. Plan around the exclusion letter — our NYSC exclusion letter guide shows how to get it.
Law: Nigerian Law School admission is unresolved
NOUN’s LLB is NUC-accredited, but to practise as a lawyer you also need the Nigerian Law School, which is controlled by the Council of Legal Education. An earlier batch of NOUN law graduates was admitted after a special remedial programme, but in July 2026 NOUN law graduates protested that more than 4,000 of them who finished from 2020 onward were still awaiting admission. If you want to practise law, get written confirmation of the Law School route for your cohort from NOUN’s Faculty of Law before enrolling.
Study Centres and How Learning Works
NOUN has study centres in all 36 states and the FCT, listed by geopolitical zone under “Study Centres” on nou.edu.ng. Your study centre is where you do orientation, get support and sit exams. Choose one close to your home or workplace, because you will visit it every semester.
- Course materials: each course has a NOUN-written course guide, available in print and as e-courseware.
- Online facilitation: through NOUN’s e-learning platform, which the ₦4,000 e-facilitation charge pays for.
- Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs): done online during the semester and counted towards your final score.
- Exams: taken in person at your study centre, either on computer or pen-on-paper depending on the course.
NOUN suits disciplined, self-directed learners. The most common reasons students fall behind are skipping TMAs and missing registration deadlines, so put both on your calendar at the start of each semester.
Is NOUN Right for You?
| NOUN is a strong fit if you… | Think twice if you… |
|---|---|
| Work full-time or have family commitments | Want to serve in NYSC soon after graduating |
| Need a cheaper route to an NUC-accredited degree | Plan to become a practising lawyer and cannot risk a Law School delay |
| Live far from a conventional university | Need daily lectures and supervision to stay motivated |
| Are an adult learner returning to education | Want Medicine, Pharmacy or Architecture |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is NOUN school fees for new students in 2026?
New undergraduates pay ₦36,000 in compulsory charges in their first semester, plus ₦1,000 exam fee per course and the registration fee for each course they take. Your exact total shows on the NOUN portal when you register courses.
How much do returning NOUN students pay per semester?
Returning students pay ₦18,000 in compulsory charges each semester, plus exam and course registration fees for the courses they register.
Does NOUN require JAMB?
You do not write the UTME, but since 1 January 2025 you must create a JAMB profile and accept your NOUN admission on JAMB CAPS.
Do NOUN graduates go for NYSC?
Not at present. NOUN graduates receive an NYSC exclusion letter. The NUC has said it will discuss the policy with NYSC, but nothing has changed yet.
Is a NOUN degree recognised?
Yes. NOUN is a federal university and its accredited programmes are recognised by the NUC like any other Nigerian university degree. Check your specific programme’s accreditation status before enrolling.
Where do I pay NOUN school fees?
Only through your account on nouonline.nou.edu.ng. Do not pay any agent or send money to a personal account.
Sources
- National Open University of Nigeria — fee schedule, admission procedure, study centres and NOUN Information Call Centre (+234 908 290 7092, centralinfo@noun.edu.ng) — nou.edu.ng
- News Agency of Nigeria — NUC assures action on NYSC mobilisation for NOUN graduates (18 April 2026)
Last updated: 12 October 2026 · NaijaSabi Education Desk. Fees and admission rules can change; always confirm on NOUN’s official portal before paying. NaijaSabi is not affiliated with NOUN.
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