How many years is a master’s degree in Nigeria?

Starting a master’s degree programme in Nigeria is often the choice for many recent graduates. It can lead to a more fulfilling career and increased Job opportunities.

However, some people would like to know how long it would take for them to finish their master’s degree program. This concern is not surprising when the challenges faced in the educational sector are considered.

In this article, I will reveal how long it takes to complete a master’s degree in Nigeria as well as other facts such as what you can do after completing your master’s degree. 

Requirements for doing a master’s degree in Nigeria

So, what does it take to start a master’s degree programme in Nigeria? The general requirements are detailed below;

  • You must possess a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of Second Class lower degree from an accredited university. Some programmes would only accept second-class upper division. HND and OND are not accepted for Master’s degree programmes. Holders of these qualifications would have to do a Post-Graduate Diploma before applying for a Master’s.
  • You must also have at least 5 credits in your O’level including Maths, English, and other related subjects.
  • You must have completed the compulsory National Youth Service or have your exemption certificate.

Some universities like the University of Ibadan would require you to take an English proficiency test before you are offered admission.

How many years is a master’s in Nigeria?

Master’s degree programmes in Nigeria usually take anywhere from 4 to 8 semesters depending on the specific programme you are going for. Since each semester is about 6 months, this takes 2 to 4 years to complete.

Note that, master’s degree programmes at the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos usually take 3 semesters ( 18 months).

One key issue that can impact the length of a master’s degree programme in Nigeria is Industrial action by bodies like ASUU ( Academic Staff Union of Universities). The strikes affect master’s degree students in public universities and are very unpredictable.

Types of masters degree programs

If you are interested in starting a master’s programme, you should know the types. Master’s degree programmes can be classified into three, namely;

1. Taught Masters degree

       These kinds of programmes are similar to undergraduate programmes because students participate in lectures where they are taught by experienced academicians. 

       However, students have to do a lot of independent study. Successful students are awarded Master of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Engineering, or Master of Laws depending on the field of study

2. Research Masters degree

A research Masters’s degree programme is meant for what the name implies- Research work. And students focus on just that. It involves far more independent study than a taught master’s. Successful students are awarded a Master of Philosophy or Master of Research.

3. Professional Masters degree

Professional masters are more practical and are intended to prepare students to work in specialized fields. These types of master’s degrees are probably the most dependent types of programmes. Successful students are awarded with degrees like Masters in Management or Masters in Business Administration depending on the field of study.

After the master’s degree what Next?

If you are wondering what you can do after completing your master’s degree in Nigeria, here are a few ideas;

Get a job- Your master’s degree can boost your Job application. Take advantage of Job boards, and social media platforms like LinkedIn, Newspapers, etc to apply for job openings

Get your Ph.D– If you are interested in an Academic career, getting your PhD might be the next thing for you. 

A PhD is usually done after your master’s degree in Nigeria although it can be done after skipping a master’s degree, especially in foreign universities.

PhD students can get sponsorships and scholarships in some universities but this is not usually common. A Ph.D. program can last anywhere from 4 to 6 years in Nigeria

Conclusion

Master’s degree programmes can help you build professional competence, and prepare you for a research-focused career. There are different types of master’s degree programmes. It is important to know them and understand how your chosen program can help you achieve your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let us go over some frequently asked questions you might have about doing a Master’s degree programme in Nigeria.

Can I do a Master’s degree with a second class lower degree in Nigeria?

Yes, you can do a master’s degree even if you only have a second class degree in Nigeria. However, your ability to get admitted would depend on the specific requirements of the programme. 

The admission officer can also decide to grant you admission based on other criteria like your experience and professional achievements.

Can I do a Master’s degree with a third class degree in Nigeria?

Yes. It is possible to gain admission to do a master’s degree in Nigeria with a third class degree. However, not all schools would accept an applicant with a third class degree for admission into a master’s degree programme.

You can find a list of Universities that accept third class degree here

Is it Ok to have 2 master’s degrees?

Yes. It is perfectly ok to have multiple masters degrees. Having different master’s degrees can offer more career opportunities in different fields.

This can pave the way for a more dynamic and exciting career journey.

What is the pass mark for a Master’s degree in Nigeria?

The pass mark for a Master’s degree in Nigeria is 50%. 

This is different from the 40%-45% pass mark used for undergraduate programmes.

Do we have first class in Master’s?

You can make a  distinction in a master’s degree programme in Nigeria. To earn a distinction, you would have to score up to 70% as your weighted average.

What is higher than a PhD?

A doctor of science is higher than a Ph.D in Nigeria.

After getting your Ph.D, you can progress further in academia to become a professor.

What do you put after your name if you have a master’s degree?

If you have a master’s degree you can add Msc, MA, M.Eng or other Master’s degree qualification after your name depending on the type of master’s degree you have earned.

What happens if you fail your master’s?

If you fail your master’s degree you would likely have to retake your exams. 

Every university has a maximum period that can be used to acquire a master’s degree. As long as you do not exceed this time limit, you should be able to retake your exams and eventually earn your master’s degree

4 thoughts on “How many years is a master’s degree in Nigeria?”

Leave a comment