Discover the best universities for third-class honours, schools that accept 3rd class degrees for masters in Nigeria; opportunities for your career as a graduate from a less-developed country.
Nigeria happens to be one of the largest economies in the world by GDP, with 2,326 USD per capita. As an under-industrialized nation, several eligible youths struggle with few available job slots within the private and public sectors. Consequently, graduating with third class and without any level of influence already placed many third-class graduates at more disadvantages in career merits.
For this reason, you are probably searching for schools to run your master’s degree, and upgrade your CV for better career opportunities. In my previous works and guides for students who graduated with third-class, I maintain my position that graduating this this low grade is not any death sentence.
Let us Clearly understand Third class
This section will be most useful for students who are currently in their various undergraduate and graduate levels. Also, for graduates with third-class certificates, it is important to understand that in this guide, you will be learning how to make the best of your low CGPA.
What CGPA is a third class?
CGPA is calculated with a standard of 5.0 and what a third-class certificate means is graduating with a CGPA from 1.5 to 2.49. In the same standard, second-class Upper is for graduates with a CGPA of 3.5 to 4.49 while first-class graduates are from 4.5 to 5.0 CGPA.
What is the CGPA for a third-class degree?
To be considered a third-class honour holder, you must have graduated with a CGPA of less than 2.49, using the 5.0 standard cumulative calculation that determines graduate grades. Outside the Nigerian academic curriculum, policies and guidelines, there could be other grading standards.
What to Do When you Have Third class Certificate?
First, understand that graduating with 3rd class in Nigeria or from any university in the world is not a death sentence. What this implies is that you still swim in the pool of amazing career options.
For several reasons, one could graduate with 3rd class in the first degree. Before getting into several Universities that accept third-class degrees for master’s degrees and other postgraduate programs for both local and international students.
To begin with, it is critical to understand that schools have set standards for accepting students into various disciplines across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
Consequently, for your school of choice to accept you for a master’s with a lower CGPA, you will need to tender the right application and for the right course.
Here are Jobreaders’ editorial recommendations for graduates with third-class graduates around the world:
Get Masters Degree
Generally, to run a master course with a low CGPA, students must take a post-graduate diploma program that is usually slated to last for almost one academic year.
Outside this arrangement, universities on their terms can accept students for various studies and with conditions that best suit the department(s) and programs.
Specifically, let us provide the answer to one of the most popular questions students ask online regarding their pursuit of a master’s degree when they have 3rd class certificate from their first degree.
Can someone with a third-class result go for a master’s degree?
Yes. Someone with 3rd class result can do masters in Nigeria and in any other country in the world. Once, as a student, you are able to afford the fees – there will always be reputable institutions that can admit you with a third-class certificate.
However, I will advice that you strive to graduate; some students give up when they discover how badly they are graduating and that is not my recommendation. Graduate from your school and ensure to enroll for the mandatory National Service.
Read Also: Universities in Canada with No Application Fee For International Students
Universities that accept third-class degrees for Masters in Nigeria
These are the Universities in Nigeria where you can apply for Master with a third class and get admitted to study your desired course.
Carefully go through the list to know the one that best suits you.
1. Taraba State University (TASU)
If you graduated with third class and have been looking for a University that will accept your application in Nigeria. Taraba State University (TASU) is one of the best places you should apply to stand a better chance of being admitted.
Read Also: University of Montreal Scholarship for International Students (Canada)
2. Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT)
The Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) is one of the outstanding state Universities in Nigeria, that offers admission easily to all candidates who meet their admission requirements. Enugu State University of Science and Technology was established as AUTECH on July 30, 1980; and remained a good choice for higher degrees in various disciplines.
Here is the school website: Enugu State University of Science and Technology(ESUT)
3. University of Ibadan (UI)
It is no doubt that the University of Ibadan (UI) is one of the premier Universities in Nigeria and also a popular choice for most candidates seeking admission, especially for those from the Southwest. The University of Ibadan still welcomes applications from postgraduate candidates who have a third class in their previous studies and seek to obtain a master’s degree in their discipline.
Here is the school website: University of Ibadan (UI)
4. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
The Ahmadu Bello University is one of the world-class Universities you can find in Nigeria equipped with high-quality facilities and multi-disciplinary approaches. Ahmadu Bello University Zaria is another popular student destination for master’s degrees in Nigeria.
Here is the University website: Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
5. University of Jos (UNIJOS)
The University of Jos is an innovative institution with a profound relationship between ‘town and gown’.
They have a pool of master’s students in different faculties. These students are provided with education for global competitiveness and the University of Jos also prepares them to match the needs of employers. be considered for admission if you graduated with a third class in your bachelor’s degree.
6. University of Benin (UNIBEN)
The University of Benin has a huge commitment to improving the students of their institution by impacting the much-needed academic resources in the students.
UNIBEN is known for its commendable educational standard and accepts postgraduate students who have third class as long as they meet every other requirement of admission.
7. Lagos State University (LASU)
The Lagos State University is among some of the universities in Nigeria where you can apply for a master’s with third class and get admitted.
Lagos State University is a world-class university situated in the heart of Lagos State with good facilities and enough resources to aid learning.
8. Ambrose Alli University (AAU Ekpoma)
Ambrose Alli University is located in Ekpoma, Edo state. It is one of the Universities in the country that one can apply to do his/her master’s degree with a third-class grade.
Here is the school website: Ambrose Alli University (AAU Ekpoma)
9. Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH)
The Cross River University of Technology is a state-owned University located in Calabar, a local government area of Cross River State, Southern Nigeria
Here is the school website: Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH)
10. Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University (UMYU)
The Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University was known as Katsina State University. The University was established in 2016 by the Katsina State Government. This school accepts third class for master’s degree applications.
Here is the school website: Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University (UMYU)
List of Universities That Accept Third-Class for Masters
- Covenant University (CU)
- Osun State University (UNIOSUN)
- University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT)
- University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
- Kaduna State University (KASU)
- Igbinedion University Okada, Edo State
- University of Calabar (UNICAL)
- African University of Science and Technology Abuja (AUST)
- Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED)
- Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife (OAU)
The fact has it that these are not the only Universities that accept the third class for master’s in Nigeria. We made this post to encourage candidates who happen to leave school with lower CGPA, and to those who may have an interest in continuing their education in various fields.
In Summary:
To ascertain which of these schools will accept your third-class transcript for a master’s ( or even in any other universities in Nigeria), you may really have to visit the institution or via their official website. It takes nothing but approaching the schools and finding out what it takes to further your education.
Related Post: Proven Secrets to Achieving Very High CGPA in Schools
Frequently Asked Questions
As a graduate with a third-class degree in any field, there are quite a number of information you can leverage to create the career path of your dream. Part of our journey with you is to make research that helps you learn what others are asking and how to stand out even with your degree being of a third-class grade.
Can I do masters in the UK with 3rd class?
Yes, as a graduate with 3rd class honours, getting admission to UK universities is not rocket science, however, you need to understand your limitations and also your competitive advantages.
First, in most cases, top universities in the United Kingdom offer admission for students with 2:1 and 1st class. In case you have a third-class degree and you apply for admission to any UK university, you will need to do a one-year Post Graduate Diploma (PGD).
