EDUCATION

ND and NCE: Which one is Higher or Better? The Differences Between an ND and NCE Certificate

Many students have always asked us this question: What is the difference between ND and NCE? They want to know which one is better or higher so that they can follow the right path in their career. Well, I won’t give you a direct answer, but in this article, I’m going to explain in detail everything you need to know about the ND and NCE certificates.

I have comprehensively given you the difference between ND, HND, BSC, PGD, PhD, morning, evening, and weekend programs in my previous article.

What is an ND Certificate?

The ND, also known as National Diploma (ND), is a certificate issued to graduates after their first two years in the polytechnic. The ND result or certificate can be used to gain admission to 200 level in the university and also further to HND level after one year of industrial training (I.T.).

What is an NCE certificate or Qualification?

The Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) is a certificate awarded to graduates of colleges of education after their 3-year programme in the college. After completing your NCE programme, you can use your result to gain admission to the university through direct entry.

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Difference Between NCE and ND.

NCE is a programme for students who would like to become teachers in the future. So, after your NCE program, you could be employed as a primary or secondary school teacher, depending on your course of study in the college. You can as well be employed as a teacher in government schools.

Meanwhile, ND graduates, on the other hand, are trained to be technicians, technologists, or professionals, depending on their field of study. ND will train you to be ready for employment opportunities in areas related to your field. For example, if you studied marketing, business administration, or banking and finance, you could be employed to work in a bank.

Now, the major difference between ND and NCE is that ND products are for technologists, while NCE products are for teachers. Although ND graduates can still be employed to teach in private schools, they(ND holders) will not be recognized as qualified teachers. Meanwhile, NCE on the other hand can be employed to teach both at private and government schools.

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7 Key Differences between NCE and ND.

1. ND is a 2-year programme, and the students will undergo one year of industrial training so as to have working experience in their field, which will prepare them for employment opportunities.

2. NCE is a 3-year programme, and the students will undergo 3 months of Teaching Practice (TP) to prepare them to have teaching experience in their field.

3. The NCE certificate can be used to further your studies at the university through direct entry.

4. The ND result or certificate can be used to further at the polytechnic for a 2-year HND certificate programme and also for direct entry to the university.

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5. NCE are trained to be teachers; that is, after their 3-year program, they are expected to be employed as teachers either in primary or secondary schools, whether government-owned or private.

6. ND are trained to be technicians or technologists, that is, after their 2 years, they can be employed to work both in private and government establishments related to their discipline for job purposes.

7. Example: A food technology ND graduate can be employed as a food technologist in NAFDAC and other government agencies, while food and nutrition NCE graduates will be employed as food and nutrition teachers in primary or secondary school.

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ND or NCE, which one is Higher?

I believe by now you should have known the difference between ND and NCE, but which one is higher or better? There is no direct answer here. Both are on the same level but have different professions. The reason is that NCEs are teachers while NDs handle administrative and office work and other technical work. If you go for an ND certificate, you will need to go further at the polytechnic to obtain your HND certificate, and you can also cross over to the university and likewise NCE. After your NCE, you can cross over to the university to obtain your BSc.Ed or B.Ed.

GRADE LEVEL.

If you should be employed as a civil servant, levels 6 and 7 are the entry points for both ND and NCE, while level 8 is the entry point for HND/BSC graduates. Thus, ND and NCE are on the same level, so which one is higher and better depends on your choice and career path.

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After NCE what Next?

As an NCE holder, you are expected to further your education at the university to obtain a Bsc.Ed or B.Ed., which will qualify you to be mobilized for service (NYSC). This programme takes a duration of three(3) years.

After ND, what’s next?

After you have completed your one-year industrial training after your ND programme, you are expected to continue on to HND level at the polytechnic or further at the university through direct entry.

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Do ND graduates go for service?

As an ND holder, you can only be mobilized for service (NYSC) when you complete your HND programme. In short, an ND holder doesn’t qualify for service until they obtain their first degree, that is, an HND or BSC.

Is NCE equivalent to BSC/HND?

No, NCE is neither equivalent to BSc nor HND; rather, NCE is equivalent to ND, IJMB, JUPEB, and other advanced-level programmes.

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Is an ND/NCE holder a Graduate?

No, not until they obtain their first degree. You will be classified as a graduate when you are awarded an HND, BSc, or B.Ed. As an NCE or ND holder, you are still an undergraduate and not yet a graduate. So, I will advise you to further your education and obtain your B.Ed, B.Sc., HND, or B.Tech., which will qualify you to be a graduate and get you mobilized for NYSC.

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