BREAKING: NBTE (HND to BSC) one-year top-up degree commences officially in Nigeria

By: Destiny Young

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has commenced a one-year HND to BSc top-up degree programme in Nigeria. This is following the official launching of an online portal for application into the programme.

NBTE is Nigeria’s government agency responsible for regulating and supervising technical and vocational education in the country. Established in 1977, the NBTE plays a crucial role in formulating policies, standards, and guidelines for technical education institutions, including polytechnics and colleges of education offering technical programs. It ensures quality assurance, curriculum development, and accreditation of programs to meet national and international standards. The NBTE also collaborates with various stakeholders, including industries and employers, to ensure that technical education aligns with the needs of the workforce and the overall development goals of Nigeria. Its efforts contribute to producing skilled and competent individuals who can contribute effectively to the nation’s technological and economic growth.

NBTE has also launched a Credit Transfer Framework.

The credit transfer framework for a diploma to degree top-up program establishes a seamless pathway for students to transition from a diploma program to a corresponding bachelor’s degree program. This framework acknowledges and values the academic achievements of students during their diploma studies by allowing them to transfer credits earned towards relevant courses in the degree curriculum. By doing so, students can expedite their degree completion while focusing on advanced coursework and specialized subjects. This approach not only saves students time and resources but also facilitates a smoother progression towards higher academic attainment, aligning with the evolving needs of the workforce and enabling a more efficient educational journey.

The launch of the portal we are ensuring that all the institutes are following international norms for the credit transfer to accept approved HND issued by NBTE for successful migration of credits towards a one-year Bachelors Top-up program run by globally recognised universities.

THE TOP-UP INITIATIVE

There is a major societal and academic segregation when it comes to ND and HND Holders for growing in their career at the University level. 

Now the NBTE has started inviting reputed, ranked and recognized global universities to be on-boarded on this nationwide platform under the aegis of NBTE so that, across the nation only recognized and reputable universities Degree top-up program can easily be implemented wherein a standard framework of credit mapping is being used to enable easily awards of credits followed by completion of the remaining program in 1 academic year for attaining the Bachelor’s Degree.

The programs are going to be solely managed by the universities concerned and NBTE is playing a pivotal role to bridge the gap between candidates who have NBTE-approved HND and universities who can offer top-up degree programs. This way both the university and the applicants are ensured for a most effective and systematic approach towards attaining their Top-up degrees.

Furthermore, the credit transfer framework which is adopted is of global standards in line with those followed in the UK, USA and other European regulatory bodies along with academic councils and boards of partnering universities to ensure the best academic environment is in place which is at par with the global norms.

Why students should apply for a top-up through the NBTE portal: NBTE PORTAL

• Enable easy access to recognised universities
• Maximum equivalent programs to choose from
• On-time program completion
• Easy online instalment payments using Naira card
• Flexibility of learning as per your pace

From the information gathered, 2 Indian universities have already enrolled in the programme; Mewar University and University of Delhi

Interested? Following the steps here to apply: ADMISSION PROCESS INFORMATION