Studying in the UK is a popular option among international students. In the 2022/23 academic year, 72,355 students from Nigeria were enrolled in UK higher education, representing a 66% increase from the previous year, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
As a polytechnic graduate, the National Diploma (ND) can provide a route into undergraduate study abroad. Several universities in the UK recognise the Nigerian ND for undergraduate admission, although the type of entry available depends on the university, your grades, previous coursework and how closely your ND relates to the degree you want to study.
This can be particularly useful for graduates of programmes such as Business Administration, Accounting, Computer Science, Engineering, Mass Communication and Public Administration who want to continue their education with a bachelor’s degree.
In this article, we highlight seven universities in the UK that accept ND graduates for direct bachelor’s admission, along with additional information on advanced entry options, English language requirements and what you should know before applying.
Universities in the UK That Accept ND Graduates for Direct Bachelor’s Admission
1. Bournemouth University
Bournemouth University is one of the UK universities that specifically lists the Ordinary National Diploma (OND/ND) among the qualifications that can be used to apply for an undergraduate bachelor’s degree.
According to the university’s entry requirements for Nigerian students, applicants who hold an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) or ND post-secondary certificate can apply to study a bachelor’s degree from Year 1, subject to the specific grade requirements of the chosen course. This is an important distinction for ND holders because the university does not describe the ND route as a final-year top-up route. Instead, eligible ND graduates can apply to begin a bachelor’s degree from the first year.
Bournemouth University also makes it clear that HND and ND are treated differently. While an ND can be used for Year 1 bachelor’s admission, an HND in a relevant subject is required for consideration for its top-up courses. The exact academic requirements depend on the degree you want to study, so an ND in Accounting, for example, may be considered differently from an ND in Engineering or another unrelated discipline.
2. University of Derby
The University of Derby also recognises the National Diploma for undergraduate admission. Its published international entry requirements state that Nigerian students with an ND can be considered for first-year entry to undergraduate programmes with a minimum CGPA of 2.5.
The university also lists an Ordinary National Diploma with a minimum CGPA of 2.5 for first-year bachelor’s entry. This means an ND holder who meets the required academic standard can apply directly to a bachelor’s programme rather than having to complete a foundation year first.
The University of Derby treats the HND differently. Nigerian students with an HND and a minimum CGPA of 2.5 can typically be considered for third-year entry, subject to the requirements of the chosen course. For ND holders, however, the published route is first-year bachelor’s entry.
The university also states that WAEC English with a C6 can be accepted as an equivalent to IELTS 6.0 for undergraduate study in applicable circumstances. However, individual courses may have different English requirements, so you should check the requirements for your chosen programme.
3. Coventry University
Coventry University is another UK institution that lists the Ordinary National Diploma (OND) among qualifications accepted for undergraduate admission.
The university’s Nigeria-specific entry requirements state that students holding an OND can be considered for undergraduate study. It also accepts certain federal university diplomas with a minimum lower-credit classification.
For Nigerian students, Coventry currently lists an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or accepted alternatives, for undergraduate study. The university also states that WAEC English with a minimum grade of C can satisfy its English requirement in the relevant circumstances.
It is important to note that Coventry separates its ND and HND pathways. An HND is listed under its top-up route, while an ND is listed under undergraduate admission. Therefore, as an ND holder, you should not assume that you will automatically enter Year 2 or Year 3 simply because you have completed a two- or three-year polytechnic programme. The university will assess the qualification against the requirements of the intended degree.
4. Leeds Beckett University
Leeds Beckett University also accepts the National Diploma for undergraduate applications. According to its Nigeria-specific entry requirements, applicants holding a National Diploma with a Credit or Upper Credit pass can be considered for undergraduate courses.
The university also accepts WAEC or NECO English at the required grade or IELTS where applicable. This provides a route for you as an ND holders who want to continue your education at bachelor’s level in the UK.
However, Leeds Beckett makes a clear distinction between ND and HND. While a National Diploma is listed under its general undergraduate requirements, an HND with a minimum 2.5/4.00 GPA or Lower Credit is listed for final-year undergraduate entry.
In other words, having an ND does not automatically mean you can enter the final year of a bachelor’s programme. The university’s published requirements point ND holders towards undergraduate admission, while the final-year route is specifically associated with an HND.
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5. University of Greenwich
The University of Greenwich provides another possible route for diploma holders, although its policy requires more individual assessment. The university states that Nigerian students with a three- or four-year university certificate or diploma may be considered for advanced entry into one of its bachelor’s degree programmes.
This means an ND holder may potentially be considered for entry beyond Year 1, but this is not an automatic ND-to-Year-2 or ND-to-Year-3 pathway. The university will consider the qualification, previous study and intended programme before deciding the appropriate entry point. You may therefore need to provide your academic transcript and detailed information about the subjects and modules you studied during your ND.
Greenwich also has specific direct-entry bachelor’s programmes. For example, its Business with Accounting (Year 3 Direct Entry) programme is designed for overseas students with qualifications such as an HND or two years of higher education in business or management.
6. UWE Bristol
The University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) also recognises Nigerian post-secondary qualifications for undergraduate admission. Its Nigeria entry requirements state that students who hold a Post-Secondary Certificate or Diploma such as an OND can be considered for undergraduate study. The university also considers students who have completed the first year of a bachelor’s degree at a Nigerian university for direct undergraduate entry.
UWE Bristol makes a useful distinction between ND and HND. While an OND can be considered for undergraduate admission, students with a Higher National Certificate or Higher National Diploma may be considered for direct entry into Year 2 or Year 3, provided they meet the university’s Accredited Learning requirements.
This means ND holders should not automatically expect to enter the second or third year. Your ND may qualify you to apply for the bachelor’s degree, but the actual entry point depends on the programme and the university’s assessment of your previous education.
7. University of Westminster
The University of Westminster in London accepts the Ordinary National Diploma (OND/ND) for undergraduate admission. For Nigerian applicants, the university states that an OND with Upper Credit or Distinction can meet the requirements for undergraduate entry. It also lists a Higher National Diploma with Credit for undergraduate applicants.
The university separately outlines requirements for possible entry into Year 2 of bachelor’s degrees. For this route, it typically requires an HND with Upper Credit or Distinction. This distinction is important for ND holders. An ND can give you a route into a bachelor’s programme, but the university’s published guidance does not indicate that an ND automatically qualifies you for Year 2 entry.
If you have an ND with Upper Credit or Distinction, you can therefore explore bachelor’s programmes at Westminster while checking the individual course requirements to determine the appropriate entry level.
If your qualification or academic background does not exactly match the published requirements, Westminster also advises prospective students to contact its course enquiries team for an individual assessment.
An ND does not necessarily mean that you have to stop at the polytechnic level or complete another qualification before pursuing a bachelor’s degree abroad. The UK universities listed above show that ND/OND holders can be considered for undergraduate admission, with requirements ranging from Lower Credit to Upper Credit or specific CGPA thresholds depending on the institution.
The key thing to remember is that direct bachelor’s admission is not the same as advanced entry. In several cases, an ND can get you into Year 1, while an HND may provide an opportunity to enter Year 2 or Year 3.
Before applying, check the university’s specific requirements, your chosen course requirements, English language requirements and the documents you need to submit. This will help you determine whether your ND qualifies you for the programme and what level of the degree you can realistically enter.
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