How to Convert Your HND to BSc in Nigeria

To Convert your HND to BSc in Nigeria, you will need to apply for HND – BSc conversion programme in any Nigerian University of your choice.

HND programs focus on practical skills and application. So holders of HND come out practically equipped to handle the day to day activities in organizations. But BSc programs offer a much broader theoretical foundation to students.

After a Higher National Diploma (HND), students usually opt for a bachelor’s degree. An HND is a vocational qualification equivalent to the first two years of a bachelor’s degree.

• Difference in Curriculum

HND courses focus more on practical training and skills development, while bachelor’s degrees are more traditional and focus on providing a broader and theoretically based education. HND courses are typically more specialised and industry-specific, while bachelor’s degrees offer a more general curriculum that provides a broader knowledge base.

•  Employment and Career Prospects

One significant difference between HND and bachelor’s degrees is the employment and career prospects. HND graduates are typically more focused on vocational careers, for e.g., business and management, construction management and digital technologies. Bachelor’s degree holders pursue a more comprehensive range of career opportunities, including business, finance, healthcare, etc. However, HND graduates may have an advantage in industries where practical experience is highly valued.

• Cost and Duration

HND courses are typically less expensive and shorter in duration than bachelor’s degrees with HND courses usually taking two years to complete, while a bachelor’s degree typically takes three to four years. This means the HND course can be a more cost-effective option for students who want to enter the workforce quickly.

• Transferability and Articulation

Transferability and articulation policies differ when it comes to HND and bachelor’s courses. Some HND courses can be used as a steppingstone towards a bachelor’s degree, while universities do not recognise others as equivalent to the first two years of a bachelor’s degree. Thus, it is vital for students to assess the differences between HND courses and bachelor’s degrees, to ensure that the transferability and articulation policies on a course meet their personal and professional needs.

Why Convert HND to BSc? Reasons to Consider

There are many reasons why as a holder want to convert your HND to BSc of HND. Here are the highlight of some of the reasons:

• Bachelor’s degree offers a comprehensive education in a particular field of study, providing students with a strong foundation in theory, research, and critical thinking skills.
• Many bachelor’s degrees include research projects, allowing students to develop their research skills and explore their interests independently in greater depth.
•  Bachelor’s degrees are usually recognised internationally, allowing students to study and work in different countries.
• A bachelor’s degree can lead to a wide range of career opportunities across many sectors, including business, finance, healthcare, law, and more.
• In the Nigerian educational landscape, there is an unfortunate dichotomy between HND and bachelor’s degree. For example, HND holders are not allowed to proceed for master’s degree directly, they need to acquire a PGD first. But the case is different in many other European countries.
• Up till the date of writing this post, HND holders are not allowed to join the polytechnics as assistant lecturers just like their university counterparts.
• The Nigerian system has a lot of prejudice against HND holders. For example, BSc graduates generally earn significantly more than HND holders throughout their careers.
• BSc holders are seen as having broader knowledge base and advanced skills. This makes them to be more competitive in the job market.
• Most employers prefer BSc to HND holders.
• BSc is an internationally recognized degree. On account of that, it opens doors to further education and career opportunities worldwide.

How to Convert Your HND to BSc in Nigeria

There are many ways to convert your HND to BSc in Nigeria. The common way for HND Conversion to BSc in Nigeria is Direct Entry Programs, NBTE and Bridge Programs. Now lets see how you can convert your HND to BSc in Nigeria through anyn of these method:

1. NBTE Program

According to the information from the board on how to convert your HND to BSc in Nigeria, holders of HND can convert their certificates to BSc degree through the NBTE’s one-year programme by taking the following steps: The individual must ensure he/ she owns a HND certificate in one of the recognised and approved polytechnics and monotechnics.

The concerned candidate is to visit the NBTE Admission Portal and register or login if you already created an account.

Then he/she must supply all the required details in relation to his/her HND which he/she already have.

Furthermore, the candidate is required to create an account, and then move ahead to submission of a new application.

He/she must ensure that the university’s programmes chosen aligns with the technical and vocational fields covered by NBTE.

After selecting a course of one’s choice, the candidate will get the option to select which institute he/she want to study at and there he/she can see their programme fees followed by a button to even view details about the institute on their institutional profile page.

After submitting the form candidate will see the application status under the ‘my applications’ tab and he/she can go ahead with the submission of the form fees (USD 100) to enable the university to start processing your admission.

Interested candidate can further go to the payments tab to download his/her fees receipt for the application form fee payment.

After the university has approved his/her admission, then he/she can go to my application and download your admission letter.

The NBTE one-year top-up program is a newly launched HND to BSc conversion program. It is an initiative of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and aims to allow HND holders to complete a one-year online top-up with foreign accredited universities. At the end of the one year, they earn a recognized BSc degree.

Requirements to Convert your HND to BSc in Nigeria Through NBTE

Here are the requirements and step-by-step guides for HND holders to convert their certificates to BSc through the NBTE’s one-year programme:

• You must own a HND certificate in one of the recognized and approved polytechnics and monotechnics.
• Visit the admission portal https://admission.topup.nbte.gov.ng, create an account and log in.
• Supply all your details in relation to your HND which you already have.
• After creating the account you can move ahead to submission of a new application.
• The university’s programs chosen should align with the technical and vocational fields covered by NBTE.
• After selecting a course of your choice, you will get the option to select which institute you want to study at and there you can see their program fees followed by a button to even view details about the institute on their institutional profile page.

2. Direct Entry Programs

You can convert your HND to BSc in Nigeria through direct entry program into any university in Nigeria. The Special Direct Entry is also known as the HND-B.Sc Conversion/TopUp Programme. The programme is open to HND degree holders seeking to obtain a bachelors degree. Minimum Class of degree for conversion is a Merit.

This programme which is being massively and competitively accessed is aimed at bridging the gap between HND and B.Sc. Degrees, as well as providing a platform for candidates to improve upon their class of degrees or move over to other related disciplines.

Gaining Direct Entry admission into the 200 level of a relevant BSc program is a popular way of converting HND to BSc. HND graduates with good grades can apply for a BSc program relevant to their field.

If the duration of the BSc program is four years, HND holders would study it for three years to obtain their BSc. If the duration of the BSc program is five years, HND holders would study for four years to obtain their BSc.

Most Nigerian universities accept direct entry candidates with HND into relevant BSc programs.

Applicants must have purchased JAMB Direct Entry Form before obtaining our application form.

3. Bridge Programs

Certain universities in Nigeria conduct bridge programs designed for HND holders to bridge the gap between their diploma and the BSc curriculum. We are going to mention some popular schools offering bridge programs later on this post.

Can You Turn a HND Into a Degree?

YES: A Higher National Diploma (HND) holder can complete a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree. HNDs are often designed to provide a pathway to a bachelor’s degree. Many universities offer “top-up” courses that allow HND holders to complete a bachelor’s degree in a shorter amount of time than it would take to complete the degree from scratch. The specific requirements for entry into a bachelor’s degree after completing an HND may vary depending on the institution and the subject area, so it is always best to check with the university directly for more information.

Is HND Recognized Internationally Like Bachelor Degree?

International recognition for Higher National Diploma (HND) courses can vary depending on the country and the specific HND course. HNDs are generally recognised within the United Kingdom and other countries that have similar education systems.

However, many HND courses are designed to meet international standards with some institutions offering HND courses in partnership with international institutions. It is always best to research the specific HND course and the international recognition of the qualification before enrolling.