The Pre-degree programme started as Pre-Science programme in the early years of ESUT when it was perennially impossible for most of the science-based departments to get enough qualified students into their degree programmes. Fortunately today, most programmes are adequately subscribed; hence, the relevance of pre-science programme has been eroded. It has therefore become necessary to replace the Pre-science with another programme which has a different overall objective. This programme, called Pre-degree programme, is an upgraded one-year intensive programme which has been carefully designed to enhance the quality of some of our admitted students. Thus, the Pre-degree Programme of ESUT complements our JAMB intake with quality students. This Programme is intended to service all the departments in the university.

Another compelling reason for a conversion from Pre-science to Pre-degree programme is that statistics from other universities show that most students admitted into the university through the intensive one year programme out-performed those that came in through JAMB. Also, since the redesigned curriculum in Pre-degree incorporates both the SSCE and JAMB syllabi, even those admitted based on awaiting result but who did not make their papers are groomed to retake the O’Level exam while still in the Pre-degree programme, and at the same time they are all being trained and prepared to excel in JAMB exam.

The National Universities Commission demands that students undergoing remedial courses such as the Pre-degree programme must pass JAMB exam to the level of the minimum cut off point for that year. This JAMB stipulation has catalyzed the redesigning of the Pre-science calendar in order to optimize the relevance and service delivery of the Pre-degree Programme. For example, JAMB exam is taken about 2 months into the nine (9) month Pre-science Programme, in Pre-degree Programme, JAMB exam will be taken about one month to the end of the Pre-degree programme. This will help keep the students focused throughout the programme who otherwise would start playing truancy as soon as JAMB exams are over.

There are two options in the programme – Science and Arts and subjects taught under each option are shown below.

SCIENCE                                                                  ARTS

Mathematics                                                            Mathematics

English Language                                                    English Language

Biology                                                                      Literature in English

Chemistry                                                                 Economics

Physics                                                                      Government

Geography                                                               Geography

The Mature Students’ Programme (MSP) of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) was established in 1988 following its approval at the 63^rd meeting of the Senate of the then Anambra State University of Science and Technology (ASUTECH).

The programme is guided by the motto of the University, which is “Technology for Service” and is designed for intellectually capable men and women who have been successful in their chosen fields of endeavour as civil, or public servants, self-employed individuals or employees of companies and corporations, businessmen and women and professionals who did not have the opportunity of university education after secondary education. It is also meant for those adults who did not have the opportunity of formal secondary education but were able to develop themselves through private tuition or studies at ordinary or advanced levels of the General Certificate of Education (G.C.E.) in a number of subjects.

The popularity of the programme is such that within only five years of its existence, it had over five thousand registered students. 

To qualify for admission, a candidate should not be less than ten years in his or her career/profession. It is expected therefore that MSP students should have considerable experience in their chosen career in which also they wish to study and obtain a degree. The academic requirement is a minimum of five credits in the school certificate or any other equivalent qualifications.

The following may apply for admission and registration for the Postgraduate Diploma programme:

• Graduates of Enugu State University of Science and Technology or graduates from other approved universities who hold first degree qualifications acceptable to Senate;
• Candidates who hold good grades of non-first degree qualifications which are acceptable to Senate.  These include:
• HND (Upper Credit and Above) in relevant discipline;
• HND (Lower Credit) in relevant discipline plus 5 years relevant post qualification experience;
• Holders of professional qualifications such as FIMLT, FNLT, FIST, AIB, ACCA, ACMA, ICAN, CPA, ACCS and ACIS.

A.        Admission Procedure

• The Departmental Postgraduate Studies Committee shall recommend candidates

for admission to Senate through the Faculty Postgraduate Studies  Committee and the Board of the School of Postgraduate Studies .

• A candidate offered admission must accept it within 3 months of the date of the offer.
• A candidate must register at the commencement of a session. However, where there are acceptable reasons, registration can be deferred by one session only.

B.        Mode of Study

• The academic programme leading to the Postgraduate Diploma shall be by course work and a creative research project. The academic programme shall be approved by Senate on the recommendation of the Departmental Postgraduate Studies Committee through the Faculty Postgraduate Committee and the School of Postgraduate Studies Board. The Postgraduate Diploma course must be distinct from undergraduate courses and master’s programme but may include undergraduate courses for students who have deficiencies.
• A candidate may register for the full time or part time. Any member of staff of the University who possesses the necessary qualifications may be admitted for part time study.

C.         Duration of the Postgraduate Diploma Programme

The full-time Postgraduate Diploma programmes shall last for a minimum of 12 calendar months, while the part-time programmes shall last for a minimum of 18 months. The evening programmes where they exist shall last for 4 semesters.

D.         Examination and Assessment of the Candidates Work

• The workload shall be made up of at least 28 credit hours and at most 36 credit hours including a research project of 6 credit hours;
• There shall be an examination for each course at the end of each semester. The departments shall determine the courses to be registered by candidates for each semester or number of credit hours to be covered by the candidates in a semester provided the credit hours do not exceed 18 per semester. The passing grade in a course would be C. (50) on a 5-points grade scale. But candidates will be expected to obtain 2.0 cumulative grade point average for a Diploma certificate to be awarded (see Tables 1 & 2 on page 17).
• At the end of each semester, there shall be the Postgraduate Diploma examination. There shall be an oral examination for the defence of project report.
• The Postgraduate Diploma project report shall follow the format and regulations of the degree project report of the University and work reported therein must be work done during the approved period of the programme.

E. Mode of Study

A candidate may register for either full-time or past-time. A candidate engaged in any work other than his advanced study must submit the details through the Departmental Postgraduate Studies Committee and School of Postgraduate which shall recommend to Senate the minimum period to be prescribed for the candidate’s study. Where a candidate is engaged in work other than his advanced study for more than 12 hours a week, his period of study shall normally be longer than the period of full-time study by about one-third.

Member of staff of the University including staff and research fellows who possesses the necessary qualifications may be admitted for part time study only.

Where course work is involved, it shall be based on a programme approved by Senate on the recommendation of the Departmental Postgraduate Studies Committee and through the Faculty Postgraduate Studies Committee and Board of the School of Postgraduate Studies.

Where qualifying examination and/or remedial programme are necessary, the candidate’s department would be expected to inform the school on the remedial courses to be offered.

F. Duration of Programme

The Degree of Master’s shall last for a minimum of 12 calendar months for full-time or 18 months for part-time students. The maximum duration shall be three years for full-time students and four years for part-time students. Senate does not normally grant approval for extension of period of study but in special circumstances, application shall be received and considered on individual merit. Such application, which must be channelled through the candidate’s supervisor, Departmental and Faculty Postgraduate Committees, is to be addressed to the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies for the consideration of the Board of the School and recommendation to Senate.

General Requirement for Admission

1. Through Joint Admission and Matriculation Examination Board (JAMB)

Application who take the University Matriculation Examination (UME) may be admitted in the first year degree course provided that:

1. They have completed a full course of training in a secondary school or in an approved institution of equivalent status;
2. They are normally sixteen years of age or above on the first day of October, in the year of their candidature;
3. They reach the appropriate standard in the examination for entry to their degree programme in view;
4. They possess one or more of the following qualification;
5. The Senior school certificate (SSCE) or National Examination Council (NECO) or General Certificate Education (GCE) O’Level with passes at credit level in at least five subjects including English Language and Mathematics obtained in not more than two sittings, except for candidate applying for medicine. SSC/GCE and combined with NECO.
6. All candidates for medicine must have five credits at a sitting including English Language and Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology/Health Sciences.
7. The Teacher’s Grade II Certificate wit merit/credit level in at least five subjects including English Language and Mathematics obtained in not more than two sittings
8. Qualifications approved by senate as equivalent to 1 and 3 above.

• Through Direct Entry
• Possess at least two passes at the principal or advanced level, plus five credit passes at the SSCE/NECO/GCE O’Level in not more than two sittings including English Language and Mathematics.
• Passes in two major subject in the NCE with O’Level credits or equivalent in three other subject (mainly for education courses). Education is accepted as a third A’Level subject.
• Other qualification acceptable to the Senate of the University, and being equivalent to (a) and (b) above.
• In addition to the above minimum admission requirements, candidates must also satisfy such Faculty/Departmental entry requirements.

Special Note

A pass H.S.C/GCE A’Level General Certificate or English Literature or NCE English major or General English could be substituted for O’Level credit in English Language

Deferment of Admission

Every Application for deferment of admission must be accompanied by a receipt of approved acceptance and school fees issued by the Bursar, Enugu State University of Science and Technology. It must be stressed that candidates seeking deferment of admission must have obtained a registration number. Deferment can only be for one academic year.