Universities that Accept Third Class for Masters in Nigeria 2023

Updated list of universities that accept third class for masters in Nigeria in 2023 with their entry requirements.

Do you know that there are good universities that accept third-class for master’s degree programs in Nigeria? If you didn’t know, then here is it.

Have you ever heard that third-class graduates cannot be accepted for masters without going through a Pre-master Diploma program?

If yes then here is good news that speaks the reverse. If you have ever heard that a third-class graduate cannot go for a master’s, then that is not true.

Third-class graduates in Nigeria can go for a master’s program as long as they meet every other requirement and possess good skills and work experience.

See Also: Universities in Europe that Accept Low GPA for Masters

Most of such Master’s programs may require at least 5 years of working experience in a related field to the course you are applying for.

Meanwhile, there are only a few universities in Nigeria that accept third-class graduates for masters in Nigeria.

Other universities only accept third-class graduates into a postgraduate diploma or pre-masters degree programs which will qualify them for Masters.

Interestingly, the few universities in Nigeria that accept third-class honours for masters are reputable universities.

Read also: Free Online Master’s Degree Programs

Why is Third Class Rarely Accepted in Nigerian Universities?

In the Nigerian Education System, a third student is compared to a student that scores below average in all his her courses.

That’s, a student that scores a ‘D grade‘ in all his courses and that is considered a poor grade.

Many universities in Nigeria assume that such a student does not or may not have the capacity to undergo a master’s degree program.

As such, they recommend that such students should, first of all, undergo a postgraduate diploma program to help build more academic strength.

Check out: Universities that Accept HND for Masters

How Can a Third Class Student Qualify for Masters in Nigeria?

Note: although the universities listed below accept third-class graduates for master’s, they may not actually be the best for you or they may not actually be your choice.

Considering that, we also thought it will be beneficial to discuss some tips that can qualify a third class graduate for masters with you.

To expand your opportunities and be qualified for a master’s in any university in Nigeria with a third class, you must undergo a postgraduate diploma program.

See Also: Universities that Accept Second Class Lower for Masters

Postgraduate Diploma Program for Masters in Nigeria

A Postgraduate Diploma in Nigeria is a kind of Postgraduate program which accepts both HND and Degree holders who want to apply and further for advanced education.

In Nigeria, postgraduate diploma programs are opened to both graduates with as low as a second class lower, third class, or a Higher National Diploma (HND).

The essence of the postgraduate diploma program in Nigeria is mostly to qualify graduates with low GPAs or graduates with HND for master’s degree programs.

Postgraduate Diploma Duration in Nigeria

In most Nigerian universities, a postgraduate diploma lasts for a minimum of 12 months (one year) with 3 months of supervised internship to a maximum of 24 months (2 years).

The Requirements for Such Programs are:

• Five credits the applicant’s O’level
• Credit passes must include Mathematics and English language.
• The O’level must not be more than two sittings.
• NYSC Discharge Certificate
• Those who do not have the NYSC Discharge certificate must present their NYSC exemption letter
• Each applicant must submit at least three referee reports.
• Official Transcripts
• Degree/HND certificates
• The applicant must be a graduate of an accredited institution

Universities in Nigeria that Accept Third Class for Masters/Pre-masters

Don’t be carried away when you hear about universities that accept a third-class for masters.

Is there any university that accepts students with third class for masters in Nigeria?

Yes!

There are few universities that accept students with third class for master’s and there are listed below.

But most commonly, universities that accept a third-class for master’s in Nigeria are mostly private universities and some state universities.

But if you wish to apply for a Master’s in a standard federal or state university, then you should consider getting a postgraduate diploma first.

Recommended: Universities that accept low GPAs for masters

Federal Universities that accept Third class for Postgraduate Diploma:

The following federal universities accept graduates with third class for pre-master’s/Postgraduate Diploma:

1. The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)
2. University of Ilorin (UNJLORIN)
3. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi (ATBU)
4. The Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA)
5. University of Jos (UNIJOS)
6. National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)
7. University of Lagos (UNILAG)
8. Federal University of Technology, Owerri
9. University of Abuja (UNIABUJA)
10. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUAU)
11. University of Ibadan (UI)
12. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
13. Bayero University, Kano (BUK)
14. University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)
15. Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH)
16. University of Benin (UNIBEN)
17. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
18. University of Calabar (UNICAL)
19. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
20. University of Nigeria (UNN)
21. Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUSOK)
22. University of Uyo (UNIUYO)

State Universities that Accept Third class for Postgraduate Diploma:

These are the names of some of the state universities in Nigeria that accept third-class graduates for pre-masters, postgraduate diplomas, and some master’s programs:

• Lagos State University (LASU)
• Nasarawa State University (NSUK)
• Abia State University (ABSU)
• Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST)
• Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH)
• Adamawa State University (ADSU
• Ebonyi State University (EBSU)
• Ekiti State University (EKSU)
• Benue State University (BSUM)
• Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH)
• Imo State University (IMSU)
• Yobe State University (YSU)
• Delta State University (DELSU)
• Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT)
• Gombe State University (GSU)
• Kogi State University (KSU)

Private Universities that Accept Third class for Postgraduate Diploma:

Here are some of the private universities in Nigeria that may accept a third class for master’s directly, or for pre-masters and postgraduate diplomas:

• Covenant University (CU)
• Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD)
• Achievers University (AU)
• Adeleke University
• Caleb University
• Igbinedion University
• Veritas University Abuja
• American University of Nigeria
• Lead City University
• Benson Idahosa University
• Babcock University
• Landmark University
• Bowen University
• Crawford University
• Madonna University
• Crescent University
• Fountain University
• Oduduwa University
• Pan-African University
• Salem University

Note: many of the universities listed above are universities in Nigeria that accept third-class graduates for a one-year postgraduate diploma, after which they instantly admit the student for a master’s program.