Do you want to apply for a change of course in a Nigerian university? If the answer to this question is yes, then this article is just for you!
A number of students in Nigerian universities are not satisfied with the current course in which they have been given to study (this can occur due to a number of reasons, one of which being that you did not score a mark that is good enough for the course) and they wonder if they can change to another course but are not certain of the process involved in taking this step.
Realistically, the process of applying for change of course in a Nigerian university after acceptance can be quite a challenge and as a result, lots of students do not complete this process due of the time it takes and the unsuccessful result they receive.
However, this is not to discourage you but to keep you aware of the journey ahead.
Nonetheless, it is not an impossible thing to change your course of study in a Nigerian university.
In essence, this article will serve as a guide to enlighten and lead you in the process of changing your course of study in a Nigerian university.
This article will also provide a list of schools that accept the change of course of study and what is required to change your course of study. So let us get right into it!
Everything You Need To Know Before Applying To Change A Course In A Nigerian University
Changing your course of study is normally permitted within the same faculty or department but this varies from one university to another.
If any university allows you to change your course of study, it usually only allows you to do so if the course you are changing to is within the same faculty.
Let’s use this example; a student from the faculty of Education may be denied admission into the faculty of Medical Science.
A student from the department of Agriculture may not be permitted to move over to the department of Engineering.
The same way, a student studying Building in 100 level can be permitted to switch to Architecture at 200 level.
This is because Building and Architecture are both courses from the same faculty of Engineering, Technology and environment.
On the other hand, some universities allow their students to transfer between faculties and departments, this is based on the fact that students at the same level basically take the same courses.
And so as a result, if a student is allowed to transfer from their current department to another, it may not be so difficult to adjust.
Typically, a specific Grade Point (GP) is usually required to change a course in a Nigerian university, however, if you seek to change a course in a Nigerian university at the end of your 100-level or at the end of your first year, it is usually not an issue.
The issue is the specific GP or Grade that the university may require, and so your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) must be high enough to meet up with the school’s criteria.
For instance, a university may use a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5 as the overall point total.
The university may require such a student to earn a GP of 4.5 or higher to progress to the 200 level of another course (that is, the course the student would like to change to).
Many students, however are not able to change a course of study in a Nigerian university because of this requirement.
List of Universities in Nigeria that Accepts Change of Course
Not every university in Nigeria accepts change of course, which is why students have to first check with their institutions to be sure whether or not this opportunity and the conditions associated with it are available to them.
Below is a list of few universities in Nigeria that permit change of course:
- University of Nigeria Nssuka (UNN)
- Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA)
- University of Lagos (UNILAG)
- University of Ibadan (UI)
- Lagos State University (LASU)
- Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso (LAUTECH)
- University of Osun State (UNIOSUN)
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
- Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB)
- University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
However, a number of Nigerian universities that allow students to change courses in the institution are not listed here.
This is why it is important to make inquires in your institution to know whether it is allowed or not.
Let us see the questions you should answer before deciding to change a course in a Nigerian university:
- What motivates you to change your current course of study?
- Will you perform better in the future course than in the present?
- Is it possible for you to change the components of the existing course?
- What is your current performance?
- Are you switching to a different department or faculty?
- Are you eligible for a change of course?
These are some questions you should answer before proceeding to change your course.
How To Change A Course In A Nigerian University
At the end of your first year, you can apply for a change of course or degree program; this action can be taken online or in-person, depending on the institution. You have to complete the processing within one month of the start of the following session.
The institution will require you to pay the mandatory and non-refundable fee to change a course in a Nigerian university.
The admissions officer will process your admission to the new department after he or she confirms that you are qualified for the new department.
At the end of the specified period, students will be transferred from the admissions office to their respective faculty, and then you will be registered in your new department and you can study your course of choice.
Let us review other options that can be undertaken to change a course of study in a Nigerian university:
- Firstly, you are to fill out another JAMB UTME form and then enter the details required for the course you want to change to. However, do not leave your current course of study until you have been accepted.
- You can also choose to finish your course right away and then proceed with Direct Entry (DE) to your desired course of study. Some universities will permit you to use a B.Sc for DE in the 300 level (3rd year) of your desired course if you have a B.Sc.
- Finally, you can complete your current course and then pursue a Master’s Degree in the field of your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are questions that are commonly asked by readers. These questions will be answered on this page, so keep reading to find out:
Can I Change Course After The First Year?
Yes, you can change your course of study after the first year. If you are not satisfied with what you are currently studying or you are not particularly interested in what you are studying, switching courses in your first year is your best option.
Is It Easy To Change University Courses In Nigeria?
In all honesty, changing courses in a Nigerian university is not always a piece of cake.
You can experience unbearable anxiety especially when the waiting period extends up to two months (because it can).
If you truly need or desire to change or switch your course of study, you must be prepared to confront all of the obstacles or challenges.
The cost of making this decision will not be small, but it will not be too high.
Can I Continue My Degree At Another University?
Yes, you definitely can! Whatever leads you to a new school, you must be willing to learn to settle down and face the music squarely in the new school.
Is It Possible To Change University Courses?
If you realize and decide that the course you are studying is not right for you, you can transfer to a different course of study at either the same institution or at a different university or college.
The process of transferring differs by university or college, as well as per the course.
Can One Change Course After Post UTME?
Absolutely! The decision of changing courses is something that never stops happening, regardless of where you go to school.
Even after you have been granted Post UTME and general admission, all schools will continue to enable students to change their courses.
Therefore, candidates can change their courses before, during, and after the post-UTME examination.
Can I Change My Course To 200 Level?
It is quite possible! You can have a change of course after you have been accepted or during your 200 level, but there are a few things to consider first changing courses at the 200 level is not only difficult and time-consuming, but you may also have to take some time off school before starting your new course, and there is a chance that you may not be able to get onto your preferred course at all.
Can I Change My Degree Program Before I Start?
Yes, it is possible to do so! In Nigerian universities this is known as ‘Relocation’. Before you even begin school, you can easily change your course or transfer to another department.
It’s relatively easy to change your course before even attending university. If that is not the case, you can contact the universities individually to try and work something out. Do not worry, remember that universities are in the business of attracting students, and that’s how they make their money so they need you probably as much as you need them.
Conclusion
This article was put together just for you so you can clearly understand the procedures you can take to change a course in a Nigerian university and what they entail. I wish you the best!