NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA

DIRECTORATE OF ACADEMIC PLANNING

POLICY ON THE NUMBER OF CREDIT UNITS PER SEMESTER

1.0 The Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) provided by NUC have two
attributes:
a) The BMAS recognizes the autonomy of individual universities with regard to
academic programmes and only seeks to ensure that minimum requirements for
graduation are set and met.
b) The BMAS nevertheless allows each university a high degree of flexibility in
fashioning its programme (including biases) in the process of interpreting these
guidelines.

2.0 Definition of Terms

For the avoidance of clarities, the following have been provided.

2.1 Core/Compulsory Course:

A course which every student must compulsorily take and pass in any particular
programme at a particular level of study.

2.2 Elective Course

A course that students take within or outside the faculty. Students may graduate without
passing the course provided the minimum credit unit for the course had been attained.

2.3 Pre-requisite Course

A course which student must take and pass before taking a particular course at a higher
level.

2.4 Course Credit Unit System

This should be understood to mean a ‘quantitative system of organization of the
curriculum in which subject areas are broken down into unit courses which are
examinable and for which students earn credit(s) if passed’. The courses are arranged in
progressive order of difficulty or in levels of academic progress, e.g. Level or year 1
courses are 100, 101 etc. and Level II or Year II courses are 200, 202 etc.The National
Open University of Nigeria also has a policy of odd number representing first semester
and even number representing second semester.

2.5 Minimum credit load per Semester

The NUC’s general minimum credit load required for graduation for 3 years and 4 years
programmes is 90 credit unit and 120 credit units respectively. For 5 years programme, it

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 is 150 units. Nevertheless, specific programmes do have specific load capacity. It is to be
noted that these minimum graduating credit load does not include the GST courses.

2.6 Number of semesters per session

The programmes are runs on a 2 semesters per session basis.

2.7 Duration of programmes

The minimum length of the school’s undergraduate programmes for a 200 level entry
level is 3 years(6 semesters) and for 100 entry level is 4 years(8 semesters).There is a
maximum duration of 6 years(12 semesters) and 8 years(16 semesters) respectively.

3.0 Benchmark for Academic Programmes

From the NUC guidelines, the followings are the minimum Benchmark for each school:

3.1 School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS)

To graduate, a student shall have undergone 4 or 5 years of study depending on his entry
point, including one practical year of 12 months. The activities of the practical year is
expected to periodic seminars on the student’s work as a way of stimulating interest in
addition the presentation of a written report to be graded at the end of the year.
Course workload must meet the graduation requirements of the University. In doing so,
the student must earn a minimum of 167 credit units for the five year programme and 132
credit units for the four year (direct entry) programme in Agriculture and related fields as
indicated under course requirements. The minimum credit units to remain a bonafide
student is:

S/N PROGRAMME MINIMUM CREDIT MAXIMUM CREDIT UNIT

UNIT PER SEMESTER PER SEMESTER
1 All Agricultural 23 24
Science Programmes

3.2 School of Arts (SOA)

A student would be qualified for the award of a degree when he/she has earned the
minimum credit units of not less than 120 for UME and 90 for DE candidates for any of
the programmes in SASS.
The minimum credit units for the respective programme are:

S/N PROGRAMME MINIMUM CREDIT MAXIMUM CREDIT UNIT

UNIT PER SEMESTER PER SEMESTER
1 Christian Theology 16 20
2 Criminology & Security 18 24
Studies
3 English Language 19 21
4 French & International 18 22
Relation
5 Islamic Studies 19 21
6 Mass Communication 19 24

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7 Peace & Conflict Resolution 16 20
8 Political Science 19 22

3.3 School of Education (SOE)

a) For a four year education degree course, a minimum of 120 units is required for
graduation,
b) For a direct three year course, a minimum of 90 units should be required for graduation.

The minimum credit unit per semester to remain bonafide

S/N PROGRAMME MINIMUM CREDIT MAXIMUM CREDIT UNIT
UNIT PER SEMESTER PER SEMESTER
1 Agricultural Science 16 18
Biology 16 17
Business Education 18 23
Chemistry 15 18
Computer Science 16 20
Early Childhood 14 17
English 15 18
Integrated Science 15 19
Physics 16 17
Primary Education 15 19

3.4 School of Law (SOL)

A student shall obtained a minimum cumulative CGPA for graduation in the Law faculty must
not be less than specified by the university but not less than 1.49; earned the minimum credit
units of not less than 1.49 in addition to have

S/N PROGRAMME MINIMUM CREDIT MAXIMUM CREDIT UNIT

UNIT PER SEMESTER PER SEMESTER
1 All Law Programmes 15 24

3.5 School of Science (SOS)

Students are required to complete a minimum of 120 units for a four year programme and
90 units for a three year programme, 60 of which must come from the student’s
discipline. In addition, the students in the relevant disciplines must have been exposed to
a period of compulsory Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) in addition to
Laboratories/Workshop/Practical/ Training as reflected in the individual courses. A
minimum period of a semester carrying 18 credit units is considered to be adequate.

The minimum credit unit per semester is as follows for the respective programme
S/N PROGRAMME MINIMUM CREDIT MAXIMUM CREDIT UNIT
UNIT PER SEMESTER PER SEMESTER
1 Biology 22 23
2 Chemistry 16 22
3 Communication 15 20
Technology

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4 Community Health 18 18
5 Computer Science 16 23
6 Data Management 14 21
7 Mathematics & 20 22
Computer Science
8 Mathematics 20 22
9 Nursing Science 15 17
10 Physics 18 20

3.6 School of Social Sciences (SSS)

S/N PROGRAMME MINIMUM CREDIT MAXIMUM CREDIT UNIT

UNIT PER SEMESTER PER SEMESTER
1 Cooperative 17 18
Management
2 Entrepreneurial and 17 18
Business Management
3 Hospitality Management 19 20
(Tourism Studies &
Hotel & Catering)
4 Accounting 18 18
5 Business Administration 14 17
6 Public Administration 12 17
7 Marketing 15 18
8 Banking & Finance 15 18
9 Economics 27 27

3.7 School of Environmental Sciences (SES)

Students in each of the disciplines in Environmental Sciences are expected to take a
minimum of 180 credit units towards the award of a Bachelor’s degree.

In addition, all students in the relevant disciplines must have been exposed to a period of
compulsory Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) in addition to
Laboratories/Workshop/Practical/ Training as reflected in the individual courses.

The minimum credit load

S/N PROGRAMME MINIMUM CREDIT MAXIMUM CREDIT UNIT

UNIT PER SEMESTER PER SEMESTER
1 Environmental 15 18
Science Managemnt

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 3.8 School of Technology (SOT)
The maximum length of time allowed to obtain a degree in the School shall be fourteen
semesters for the 5-year degree programme and twelve semesters for students admitted directly
into the 200 level. For extension beyond the maximum period, a special permission of Senate
shall be required on the recommendation of the School.

All students in the relevant disciplines should be exposed to a period of compulsory Industrial
Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) in addition to Laboratories/Workshop/Practical/Training as
reflected in the individual courses.

The minimum credit load is

S/N PROGRAMME MINIMUM CREDIT MAXIMUM CREDIT UNIT
UNIT PER SEMESTER PER SEMESTER
1 All School of 15 24
Technology
Programmes

5.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)

This is the up-to-date mean of the Grade Points earned by the student in a programme of study.
It is an indication of the student’s overall performance at any point in the training programme.
To compute the Cumulative Grade Point Average, the total of Grade Points multiplied by the
respective Credit Units for all the semesters are added and then divided by the total number of
Credit Units for all courses registered by the student. However, in calculating the respective
GPAs and have CGPAs, all courses that have been registered and examined are used.

6.0 Degree Classification

The determination of the class of degree is based on Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)
earned at the end of the programme. The GPA is computed by dividing the total number of credit
point earned (TCPE) by the total credit carried (TCC) for all the courses taken in the semester. The
CGPA is used in the determination of the class of degree according to the following table:

CUMULATIVE GRADE POINT CLASS OF DEGREE

AVERAGE (CGPA)
4.50 – 5.00 First Class
3.50 – 4.49 2nd Class Upper
2.40 – 3.49 2nd Class Lower
1.50 – 2.39 3rd Class

7.0 GST Courses

7.1 Goal
To produce a well-rounded, morally and intellectually capable graduates with vision and
entrepreneurial skills in an environment of peace and social cohesiveness.

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7.2 Objectives
The objectives of the General Studies programme consist of the following:
a) Acquisition development and inculcation of the proper value-orientation for the survival
of the individual and society.
b) The development of intellectual capacities of individuals to understand, appreciate and
promote peaceful co-existence.
c) Production graduates with broad knowledge of the Nigerian National and people with a
view to inculcating in them mutual understanding and patriotism.
d) Exposing graduates of Nigerian Universities to the rudiments of ICT for computer
literacy and ability to live usefully in this ICT age.
e) Preparing students for a post university life with opportunities for job creation and
entrepreneurial skills.
f) Production of graduates capable of communicating effectively (both oral and written).

7.3 Course Descriptions

For the clarity, the following GST courses are available for use.
GST111: Communication in English (2 Units)
Effective communication and writing in English, Language skills, writing of essay
answers, Comprehension, Sentence construction, Outlines and paragraphs,
Collection and organization of materials and logical presentation, Punctuation.

GST112: Logic Philosophy and Human Existence (2 Units)

A brief survey of the main branches of Philosophy Symbolic Logic Special
symbols in symbolic Logic-conjunction, negation, affirmation, disjunction,
equivalent and conditional statements law of tort. The method of deduction using
rules of inference and bi-conditionals qualification theory. Types of discourse,
Nature or arguments, Validity and soundness; Techniques for evaluating
arguments; Distinction between inductive and deductive inferences; etc.
(Illustrations will be taken from familiar texts, Including literature materials,
Novels, Law reports and newspaper publications).

GST113: Nigerian Peoples and Culture (2 Units)

Study of Nigerian history, culture and arts in pre-colonial times, Nigerian’s
perception of his world, Culture areas of Nigeria and their characteristics,
Evolution of Nigeria as a political unit, Indigene/settler phenomenon, Concepts of
trade, Economic self-reliance, Social justice, Individual and national
development, Norms and values, Negative attitudes and conducts (cultism and
related vices), Re-orientation of moral Environmental problems.

GST121: Use of Library, Study Skills and Information Communication Technology

(ICT) (2 Units)
Brief history of libraries, Library and education, University libraries and other
types of libraries, Study skills (reference services). Types of library materials,
using library resources including e-learning, e-materials; etc, Understanding

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 library catalogues (card, OPAC, etc) and classification, Copyright and its
implications, Database resources, Bibliographic citations and referencing.
Development of modern ICT, Hardware technology Software technology, Input
devices, Storage devices, Output devices, Communication and internet services,
Word processing skills (typing, etc).

GST122: Communication in English II (2 Units)

Logical presentation of papers, Phonetics, Instruction on lexis, Art of public
speaking and oral communication, Figures of speech, Précis, Report writing.
GST123 Communication in French (2 Units)
Introduction to French, Alphabets and numeric for effective communication
(written and oral), Conjugation and simple sentence construction based on
communication approach, Sentence construction, Comprehension and reading of
simple texts.
OR

GST123: Communication in Arabic (2 Units)

Introduction to Arabic alphabets and writing systems, Elementary conversational
drills, Basic reading skills, Sentence construction in Arabic.

GST211: History and Philosophy of Science (2 Units)

Man – his origin and nature, Man and his cosmic environment, Scientific
methodology, Science and technology in the society and service of man,
Renewable and non-renewable resources – man and his energy resources,
Environmental effects of chemical plastics, Textiles, Wastes and other material,
Chemical and radiochemical hazards. Introduction to the various areas of science
and technology. Elements of environmental studies.

GST222: Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution (2 Units)

Basic Concepts in peace studies and conflict resolution, Peace as vehicle of unity
and development, Conflict issues, Types of conflict, e. g.
Ethnic/religious/political/economic conflicts, Root causes of conflicts and
violence in Africa, Indigene/settler phenomenon, Peace – building, Management
of conflict and security. Elements of peace studies and conflict resolution,
Developing a culture of peace, Peace mediation and peace-keeping, Alternative
Dispute Resolution (ADR).
Dialogue/arbitration in conflict resolution, Role of international organizations in
conflict resolution, e.g. ECOWAS, African Union, United Nations, etc.

GST223: Introduction to Entrepreneurial Skills (2 Units)

Introduction to entrepreneurship and new venture creation; Entrepreneurship in
theory and practice; The opportunity, Forms of business, Staffing, Marketing and
the new venture; Determining capital requirements, Raising capital; Financial
planning and management; Starting a new business, Feasibility studies;
Innovation; Legal Issues; Insurance and environmental considerations. Possible
business opportunities in Nigeria.

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ESP 311: Introduction to Entrepreneurship Studies (2 Units)
Some of the ventures to be focused upon include the following:
1. Soap/Detergent,Tooth brushes and Tooth paste making
2. Photography
3. Brick,nails,screws making
4. Dyeing,Textile blocks paste making
5. Rope making
6. Plumbing
7. Vulcanising
8. Brewing
9. Glassware production/Ceramic,production
10. Paper production
11. Water treatment/conditioning/Packaging
12. Food processing/packaging/preservation
13. Metal Working/fabrication-Steel and aluminum door and windows
14. Training Industry
15. Vegetable oil and Salt extractions
16. Fisheries /Aquaculture
17. Refrigeration/Air conditioning
18. Plastic making
19. Farming(crop)
20. Domestic Electrical wiring
21. Radio/TV repairs
22. Carving
23. Weaving
24. Brick laying/making
25. Bakery
26. Tailoring
27. Iron welding
28. Building drawing
29. Carpentry
30. Leather Tanning
31. Interior decoration
32. Printing
33. Animal husbandry(Poultry, Piggery, Goat etc)
34. Metal Craft-Blacksmith, Tinsmith etc
35. Sanitary wares
36. Vehicle maintenance
37. Book keeping

8.0 Summary & Recommendations

In conventional Universities, the minimum registrable unit to remain a bona-fide student
is 15 credit units per semester. From the forgoing, the DAP observed that the minimum

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 credits per semester depends on a specific programme with values from 14 Early
Childhood Education to 27 for Economics.

In view of the flexible nature of the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system of education,
where a number of factors affect registration of students such as
a) Flexibility inherent in ODL mode
b) Affordability of the programme
c) Work schedules of the students
d) Societal or social commitments

Following from the above, the DAP recommends that:

1. The minimum credit unit to be regarded as a bonafide student of NOUN per semester is
10 credit unit.
2. No student should be allowed to register for more than 20 credits units if he/she does not
have a carryover course.
3. A student may be allowed to register for up to 24 credit units if he/she has carryover
courses.
4. The School of Law be exempted from the minimum credit unit of 20 due to the weight-
attached to the respective courses. In this case, the NUC stipulation may be adhered to.

9.0 Implementation:
In implementing this recommendation, it is recommended that the ICT director should
ensure that the boundary is properly defined on the registration and examination portal so
that student would not have to register outside the minimum and maximum credit load.
Where fringements are noticed (with the help of an alert), it is hereby recommended that
the student be allowed to correct this breach at least 4 weeks to the commencement of
examination failure which the DEA will exercise discretion in acting to correct the breach
and thereafter inform the student.

In order to implement this policy, it is recommended that the students be informed via
SMS message and be included in their future orientation pack.

Thank you.

Prof. Femi Peters

Director

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