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Everything You Need to Know About Diploma, ND, HND, Full-time, Part-time, Morning, Evening, and Other Polytechnic Programmes

Everything You Need to Know About Diploma, ND, HND, Full-time, Part-time, Morning, Evening, and Other Polytechnic Programmes

Everything You Need to Know About Diploma, ND, HND, Full-time, Part-time, Morning, Evening, and Other Polytechnic Programmes

A polytechnic is a technical institution offering post-secondary technical education programmes leading to the award of diplomas and certificates such as the National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND). Polytechnic education over the years has remained one of the best and the ladder to success because most of the programmes offered in the institution are more practical than theoretical.

Polytechnic education is the easiest to gain admission to and can be tedious. However, there are different types of programmes offered at the polytechnic but bear the same certificate. First, let us take a look at the Certificates that Polytechnic Awards.

A. DIPLOMA.

A Diploma is a programme run by polytechnics and some universities to train students in a career path. After completing the programme, the certificate can be used to gain admission to 200 level in some universities through JAMB D.E. for example “DIPLOMA IN LAW.”.

B. CERTIFICATE DIPLOMA.

You might have come across some polytechnics running certificate courses. This programme is majorly for certificate purposes only just to secure a job.  The certificate is used to add value to your qualification or secure a job. For instance, if you studied mechanical Engineering, you can add value to your qualifications by obtaining a certificate Diploma in graphic Design. Certificate programme is between 3-6 months.

C. NATIONAL DIPLOMA (ND)

A National Diploma (ND) or Ordinary National Diploma (OND) is a standard academic qualification offered by polytechnics in Nigeria. The OND or ND is a polytechnic award for a two-year course with which the holder can be employed or be offered admission into the Higher National Diploma (HND) and, through direct entry admission, be admitted to a 200-level course in a university. ND is a 2 year course on full-time and 3years on part time.

To gain admission for the ND award, you must obtain a JAMB UTME form and take part in the post-UTME or admission screening exercise of the school. If you pass, you’ll be given admission to ND 1 of your proposed course by JAMB and the school. After your two-year ND program, you will then proceed on a one-year industrial training programme that will prepare you for a higher national diploma (HND) or employment.

ALSO READ: Lists of all the Accredited Private Polytechnics in Nigeria

D. HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA (HND)

HND is a continuation of the National Diploma (ND) programme, both offered by polytechnics. The ND and HND programmes have a duration of two years. After the two-year HND programme, the graduates will be eligible to go into service (NYSC) or continue to further their education with a postgraduate (PGD, Masters, and PhD) level.

READ ALSO: THE 11 PROBLEMS OF POLYTECHNIC EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

E. PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA (PD) 

Professional Diploma or Professional courses is an Advanced diploma for the working-class people as it helps to upgrade them in their skills, Industries or profession.  Some schools call it a professional certificate.

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NOTE: Diploma, National Diploma (ND) courses are usually for holders of SSCE; WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, and their equivalents.

Now that you know what ND and HND programmes are, let’s take a look at the academic programmes under which you can study your ND and HND programmes. Actually, there are different types of programmes in the polytechnic where you can obtain your ND and HND certificates. They are listed below.

1. FULL-TIME PROGRAMME.

Candidates who gained admission through JAMB are referred to as “full-time students.” The easiest way to gain admission to polytechnics in Nigeria is through the UTME. Candidates who meet the general cutoff mark and pass the school’s POST-UTME will be admitted to the full-time programme. It is called a full-time Programme because lectures start from 8am to 6pm, Monday through Friday. All courses can be studied full-time at the polytechnic. This programme is stressful because students will have to focus on academic activities, and they have little or no time for fun.

ALSO READ: Lists of The Approved and accredit specialised Polytechnic Institutions in Nigeria

2. MORNING PROGRAMME.

The morning programme is a rebranded name for the full-time programme. The programme was introduced years back. Some schools called the Programme “Full-Time Morning” or the “Morning” programme. There is no difference between morning and full-time programmes because both are the same, just rebranded. The duration of the morning Programme is 2 years for both ND and HND. Lecture starts at 8 a.m. in the morning and ends at 6 p.m. in the evening for the morning students. Before you can be admitted to the morning Programme, you must have sat for the JAMB or UTME and obtained the general cutoff mark as stated in the JAMB brochure.

3. REGULAR PROGRAMME.

Regular programme is an advanced rebranded name for full-time and morning Programme because lectures start in the morning, Mondays to Fridays. This programme is also two years. Students admitted through JAMB/UTME are called regular students. The word “Regular” is an alternative for “Full-time,” so if you come across some schools that use “Regular Programme,” it means full-time Programme or morning programme. 

ALSO READ: Lists of all the Accredited Federal Polytechnics in Nigeria

Is There Any Difference Between Full-Time, Morning, And Regular Programmes? 

No, they are all full-time programmes. “Morning” and “Regular” programmes are just rebranded or alternative names for full-time programmes. Some schools refer to their full-time programme as “morning,” while others use “regular.”

4. EVENING PROGRAMME.

This is an alternative full-time programme, especially for candidates who sat for the UTME and participated in the school’s POST-UTME but were not lucky enough to be admitted to the full-time, morning, or regular programme. Candidates who didn’t sit for the UTME may be admitted to the polytechnic through the evening Programme. Most times, the evening Programme is like direct entry because your admission is guaranteed provided you already have a minimum of five credits at O’Level. It is called the “evening programme” because lectures are held in the afternoon, from 12pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Some schools’ evening programmes start lectures in the morning. The  duration for the evening programme is 2 years. This programme is similar to full-time, morning, or regular programmes. Some polytechnics will offer you an evening Programme even if what you applied for was a full-time Programme. There is no cause for alarm; the evening programme is okay and it is similar to the morning programme.

ALSO READ: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT INDUSTRIAL TRAINING PLACEMENT

5. PART-TIME PROGRAMME.

A part-time programme is a programme for working-class students, that is, students who want to work as well as study. The part-time programme is mostly for civil servants and people who already own businesses but want to further their education. Part-time programmes have many branches: part-time, daily part-time, regular part-time, weekend part-time, weekday part-time, etc. All are part-time programmes, and the duration is between 2 and 3 years, depending on the polytechnic to which you want to gain admission. Part-time programme school fees are expensive because the school believes that those who enroll in the programme are working class. You don’t need Jamb for this programme, as the admission is automatic provided you have already obtained the minimum of 5 credit passes in O’Level at not more than two (2) sittings. Part-time programme duration is between 2 and 3 years.

ALSO READ: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC EDE (EDE POLY)

6. DAILY PART-TIME/WEEKDAYS PART-TIME PROGRAMME.

This is the type of part-time programme where lectures are held on weekdays, that is, Monday to Friday, and sometimes on weekends. Whether it is daily part-time (DPT) or weekdays part-time, both are the same in the sense that lectures are held during the week. The duration of this programme is 2 years. This programme doesn’t require Jamb, but it is advisable that you sit for Jamb. With or without a jamb, you may be considered for admission. DPT admission is direct entry, but the major challenge is school fees. The tuition fees and other fees are too expensive.

ALSO READ: See Why 2.00 CGPA is Better Than 3.00 CGPA

7. WEEKEND PART-TIME OR REGULAR PART-TIME PROGRAMME.

As the name implies, the weekend programme is for working-class students. Lectures are held on weekends only, that is, from Friday to Sunday. Some schools named this programme “weekend programme,” while others named it “regular part-time.” Whichever name your school gives it, both serve the same purpose. You should only take this course if you are a working-class student. School fees are expensive; the programme takes three(3) academic sessions.

What are the differences between Evening and part-time programmes?  The major differences are school fees, lecture period, and duration. Evening programmes last 2 years, while some part-time programmes may take 2 years, 30 months, or 3 years. 

ALSO READ: How to Gain Direct Entry Admission to Nigerian Universities

8. OPEN, DISTANCE, FLEXIBLE, AND E-LEARNING (ODFEL) PROGRAMME.

This is a flexible programme that doesn’t require the physical presence of the students, and lectures are attended at the convenience of the students. Study materials are exchanged online, and students receive lectures via e-learning. An open and flexible program is for the working-class students that hardly have time to visit campus. Students will be provided with study materials that will aid them in their learning. This means that you can even study while you are in bed; you can do your assignment at your convenience in the comfort of your home as you don’t need to be present on campus to receive lectures. 

Open, Distance, Flexible, and e-Learning is a mode of study that blends open learning principles, distance education, and e-learning with traditional face-to-face learning. It eliminates the traditional barriers and increases access to the acquisition of knowledge by allowing flexibility in the choice of time, pace, and place of learning. There will be an interactive online learning platform with tools and resources to support the learners and enhance education delivery management. All the practical sessions and examinations shall be conducted using the traditional face-to-face mode.

The students will have the freedom to choose when to learn, learn at their own pace and time, have no class schedule, flexible payment, no headache meeting up with lecturer time, no traffic nightmare 24 hours a day, and have unlimited access to lectures and course content.

The ODFEL programme is suitable for: housewives, office and factory workers, persons with disabilities (PWD), business tycoons, and the younger generation that prefers to learn outside the classroom. However, not all courses can be studied through distance learning, and only a few polytechnics in Nigeria are approved to run the programme. 

 ALSO READ: The 11 Most Underrated and Less Competitive Courses In Nigerian Polytechnics

Will I Be Mobilized For Nysc If I Studied Part-Time/ODFEL Programme? 

It depends on your school. Normally, HND part-time graduates are not eligible to be mobilized for NYSC; instead, they are issued a NYSC exemption certificate or NYSC exclusion letter, but some schools do mobilize their HND graduates for service under the condition of JAMB REGULARIZATION. You should ask your institution’s admission officer to be sure if the part-time programme is eligible for service.

ALSO READ: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC ADO-EKITI

Will I be mobilized for NYSC if I study the evening or daily part-time programme?

Yes, but it also depends on your school. If you are an HND evening student, you should be mobilized for NYSC after your programme, but you must have done your Jamb regularization to be eligible. However, make sure you get clarifications from your school’s admission officer because part-time and evening programme are no longer eligible for the NYSC program.

ALSO READ: 15 Toughest and Most Difficult Courses to Study in Nigerian Polytechnics

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

The fear of some polytechnic students who are part-time students is whether they can secure a job with their ND or HND result. I can confirm to you authoritatively that there is no difference between full-time and part-time certificates, so getting a job is not difficult as long as your course is highly demanded. 

SEMESTERS IN THE POLYTECHNIC.

Students will have to undergo four academic semesters during their ND or HND programme in the polytechnic before they can graduate. The semesters are the first semester, the second semester, the third semester, and the fourth semester.

  • 1st semester = ND1/HNDI first semester 
  • 2nd semester = NDI/HNDI second semester 
  • 3rd semester = NDII or HNDII first semester. 
  • 4th semester = NDII/HNDII second semester.

Each semester takes a minimum of 4-5 months. So before you could graduate as a ND or HND student, you must pass all the courses offered in each semester, and if you fail any course, you would have to carry the course over.

ALSO READ: How to Pass Any Examination on Campus: 12 Tips to Boost Your CGPA Without Stress

REPEAT PROGRAMME/REMEDIAL. 

This programme is for students who are already admitted but failed their academic courses, that is, students who couldn’t meet the minimum CGPA or had some deficiencies that prevented them from graduating with their colleagues. They would have to repeat the semester and retake the examination. 

In conclusion, all polytechnic programmes, full-time, part-time, morning, evening, regular, stream A/B, daily part-time, regular part-time, weekend, weekdays, open and distance learning, come with the same certificate. The same certificate that full-time students get is the same certificate that part-time students will get. If you have any questions, please drop them in the box below.

ALSO READ: Everything You Need to Know About HND to Degree (Bsc) Conversion/Top-up Programmes


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Comrade 9ja A.k.a 9jaPoly is A passionate Reporter that provides complete, accurate and compelling coverage of both anticipated and spontaneous News across all Nigerian polytechnics and universities campuses. 9jaPoly Started his career as a blogger and campus reporter in 2016.He loves to feed people with relevant Info. He is a polytechnic graduate (HND BIOCHEMISTRY). POLY TV is a relationship expert, life coach and polytechnic education consultant. Apart from blogging, He love watching movies and meeting with new people to share ideas with. Add 9jaPoly on WhatsApp +2347040957598 to enjoy more of his Updates and Articles.

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Please is yabatech part time student hnd go for nysc

  2. Wareez

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    Please can you prescribe any school that offer nysc for there part time/ odfel student for me

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