Comprehensive Guide to NOUN School Fees Schedule
The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) remains one of the most flexible and sought-after higher education institutions in the country. Operating on an Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system, NOUN allows students to study at their own pace, making it an ideal choice for working professionals, business owners, and individuals seeking affordable education without the rigid structures of conventional universities.
A major point of interest for prospective and returning students is how financial commitments are structured. Unlike traditional federal or state universities that charge a flat fee per session, NOUN operates a unique pay-per-course/credit-unit structure.
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Understanding NOUN’s Unique Fee Structure
The core philosophy of NOUN’s billing system is straightforward: you pay for what you register. Your total semester bill is an accumulation of compulsory administrative charges, course registration fees, examination fees, and occasionally ancillary fees like practicals or project fees depending on your level.
Breakdown of Undergraduate School Fees
When budgeting for an undergraduate degree at NOUN, fees are broadly categorized into New Students (Freshers) and Returning Students.
1. Compulsory Compulsory/Administrative Fees (Fresh Undergraduates)
When you are newly admitted, you pay one-time and session-based registration charges alongside your semester fees. On average, fresh undergraduate students pay roughly ₦59,000 to ₦70,000 in initial registration and compulsory levies, which typically cover:
- Semester Registration Fee
- Caution Deposit
- Orientation Fee
- Matriculation Fee
- ID Card
- Library Fee
- ICT Administration Charges
- E-Facilitation
- Result Verification / JAMB Regularization
2. Course and Examination Registration Fees
- Course Registration: Varies by credit units (typically ranges between ₦2,000 to ₦3,000 per course depending on the credit load, e.g., 2-unit or 3-unit courses).
- Examination Registration: Charged at a flat rate of roughly ₦1,500 per course for undergraduates.
3. Returning Undergraduate Students
Returning students do not pay onboarding fees like matriculation or orientation. Their semester costs are significantly streamlined, typically requiring compulsory registration fees ranging from ₦20,000 to ₦30,000 per semester, plus individual course and exam registrations.
Breakdown of Postgraduate School Fees
Postgraduate studies at NOUN (including Postgraduate Diplomas (PGD), Masters degrees, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes) follow a similar modular format but attract higher rates than undergraduate studies.
- Fresh Postgraduate Students: Initial acceptance, registration, and compulsory administrative charges range from ₦84,000 to ₦95,000 depending on the specific faculty and programme.
- Course & Exam Fees: Postgraduate course registration usually costs between ₦4,000 to ₦5,000 per course, while examination registration sits at around ₦3,000 per course.
Special and Ancillary Fees
Depending on your course of study or academic progress, you may encounter specific flat-fee additions during certain semesters:
- Undergraduate Project Fee: ₦15,000 to ₦25,000 (paid final year)
- Postgraduate Diploma Project Fee: ₦40,000
- Masters Thesis / Project Fee: ₦50,000
- Science Practical Courses: ~₦5,000 to ₦6,500 (for science-based students needing laboratory access)
- SIWES / Teaching Practice / Practicum: Generally ranges from ₦12,000 to ₦15,000 for relevant professional and education faculties.
Factors That Can Influence Your Total Cost Per Semester
- Number of Credit Units Registered: Because NOUN charges per course, a student taking 4 courses will pay considerably less in a semester than a student registering for the maximum load of 8 courses.
- Carryovers: Failing a course means paying registration and examination fees for that specific course afresh when retaking it.
- Faculty Variations: Certain professional courses or programmes requiring specialized laboratory components, clinical attachments, or law components may attract minor adjustments.
How to Pay NOUN School Fees Safely
To avoid falling victim to fraudsters or network glitches, payments must follow the official protocol:
- Log into your profile on the official NOUN Student Portal.
- Generate your Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) code explicitly for the specific fee category (Course registration, exam registration, semester fee, etc.).
- Proceed to make payments via designated commercial banks or online using debit cards through the Remita platform.
- Always print your payment receipts and confirm that the transaction reflects on your student portal dashboard before proceeding with course registration.