Glossary of NOUN Acronyms

Decode the language of the National Open University of Nigeria with our comprehensive A-Z glossary of common terms and acronyms.

Academic Programme
The specific course of study a student is enrolled in, such as B.Sc. Computer Science or M.A. English. Each programme has its own set of required courses and curriculum.
Admission
The process through which a prospective student applies and is accepted into a programme at the university. This involves meeting specific entry requirements and receiving an official offer of admission.
Business Plan
A course (often GST302) where students develop a detailed plan for a business, designed to provide practical entrepreneurial skills. It is a graded requirement for graduation in many programmes.
C/O (Carry-Over)
Refers to a course that a student failed and must retake in a subsequent semester. This can happen due to failing the exam or not completing the required TMAs.
Core Courses
Compulsory courses that a student must take and pass to be eligible for graduation. These courses are fundamental to a student's programme of study.
Course and Exam Registration (C&ER)
The official process students undertake each semester via the student portal to register for their chosen courses and examinations.
E-Exam
A computer-based examination format, primarily for 100 and 200-level students. It consists of Objective (OBJ) and fill-in-the-gap questions.
E-wallet
A digital wallet on the NOUN student portal where students can deposit funds. This money is then used to pay for school fees, course registrations, and other services.
Elective Courses
Optional courses that students can choose to supplement their core curriculum. Failing an elective course does not typically prevent a student from graduating.
GST (General Studies)
A set of compulsory, multidisciplinary courses required for all undergraduate students, regardless of their primary field of study.
I (Incomplete)
A grade status indicating that a student's result for a course is not yet finalized. This could be due to pending checks, a missing TMA score, or other administrative issues. It is typically resolved later.
Matriculation
The formal ceremony where newly admitted students are officially inducted into the university. It marks their official entry into NOUN as bonafide students.
Matriculation Number
A unique identification number assigned to every student upon admission and matriculation. It starts with "NOU" followed by a series of numbers (e.g., NOU123456789) and is used for all official purposes.
MOQ (Multiple Choice Questions)
In the NOUN context, this often refers to fill-in-the-gap or short-answer questions where students must type the answer directly, as opposed to selecting from options.
NE (Not Examinable)
This status is applied to courses that may have been wrongly registered or have been discontinued. Students can officially drop such courses.
NT (No TMA)
This indicates that a student wrote the final exam for a course but did not complete the required Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs). The student will have to retake the entire course.
OBJ (Objective Questions)
Refers to the standard multiple-choice question format used in examinations where students select an answer from a predefined list of options.
POP (Pen-on-Paper)
A traditional examination format where students write their answers on paper. This is typically for students in the 300 level and above.
Semester Registration
A mandatory registration process at the beginning of each semester. It is separate from course/exam registration and confirms a student's active status for that semester. It usually involves a nominal fee.
SIWES (Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme)
A skills training programme designed to expose and prepare students for the industrial work situation they are likely to meet after graduation.
SOR (Statement of Result)
An official document that shows a student's academic performance, listing all courses taken and grades obtained up to a specific semester. It is often requested for job applications or other purposes before the final transcript is issued.
Student Counsellor
An academic staff member at a study centre assigned to guide and support students. They provide advice on course selection, academic challenges, and university procedures.
Study Centre
A physical location where students can receive administrative support, attend tutorials (if available), write exams, and interact with fellow students and staff. It acts as a local campus for the distance learning students.
TMA (Tutor-Marked Assignment)
Compulsory online assignments or quizzes that form a part of the continuous assessment for a course. They account for 30% of the final grade.
Transcript
The final, official document issued upon graduation that provides a comprehensive record of a student's academic history, including all courses, grades, and final CGPA. It is different from the SOR, which is a provisional statement.