Which is the Best A-Level Program in Nigeria? Everything You Need To Know About the Top 3 A-Levels Program

In a bid to find which is the best A-level program in Nigeria, we have done some critical analysis on the curriculum, duration, and costs of undergoing the advanced level programs in the country.

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Why Do I Need to Undergo A-Level Programs?

Gaining admission into Nigerian universities is popularly known to be a very competitive adventure, this is because students mostly prefer pursuing academic degrees in the universities more than in the Polytechnics and colleges of education in the country.

In a bid to reduce and filter the influx of the unqualified and the less-deserving students into the universities, stricter examinations are organized for those seeking admissions.

The most common of these is the joint admission and matriculation board examination (JAMB). However, most universities in Nigeria resort to conducting more examinations within the institution for students, to enable them adequately select the best set of minds among those seeking admission.

It is saddening however that passing through all of these stages still doesn’t guarantee any student admission into their most preferred university in Nigeria, probably because of the level at which corruption has eaten deep into the country’s educational system or because of the saturation level in their chosen courses.

I’ve found out in the past about students with higher jamb scores not making it into the universities in Nigeria, and I have seen also, those with lower marks being admitted effortlessly. Of course, there is more to this than meets the eyes, something, somewhere, definitely is not right.

But before we digress from the bolded, let me quickly state categorically that the importance of A-level programs in Nigeria as well as anywhere in the world is beyond seeking admissions.

You will find in this post, the meaning of the A-level program, which is the best A-level program in Nigeria, more importance of A-level programs, different A-level programs available in the country as well as the estimated cost of undergoing them.

What is an A-Level Program?

A-Level is a short form for advanced level programs, which is usually subjects-based. In Nigeria, they are usually a special kind of program that focuses on teaching students beyond the scopes of secondary school level within a year and lesser for some.

During the course of advanced level programs, students are thought beyond the introductory levels in different subjects. This is why an A-level program like IJMB is deemed fit to land you admission into the 200level in some universities across the country.

Students are assessed by examinations at the completion of the program.

Types of Advanced Level Programs in Nigeria

These include-

The Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB)
The Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB)
The Cambridge A-Level

Which is the Best A-Level Program in Nigeria?

In other to adequately put a befitting justification to this query, we have analyzed in this post certain criteria features of each of these programs. These include the estimated cost of each program, the level of admission options available, the duration as well as the scope of the curriculum covered during the program.

The Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB)

Top of our list is IJMB, let’s see some of its criteria features below

The Estimated Costs of IJMB

Depending on the type of institution you are enrolled in for the program, the estimated cost for IJMB ranges from 120,000 – 200,000naira, this includes tuition fees, the final examination fee, accommodation, and acceptance fees.

Admission Options Available

Broken into 2 semesters, at the completion of IJMB, successful students will be able to seek admission and can be admitted into the 200 level to study their most preferred courses in any of the northern state’s universities, some universities from other regions, the south-west, for instance, admits IJMB students into 100-level for medical courses.

However, IJMB is a widely accepted form of an A-level program across the country, and with at least 10 points secured out of the possible 15, it offers students varieties of admission options to select from.

The Duration

The duration period for IJMB is usually one year. Students will have to prepare to sit for the final examination when rounding up.

Just as it is in the WAEC, the IJMB examination includes both- objectives, theories, and practical experiments.

Curriculum In-depth

In my IJMB days, I was exposed to and gained deep insights into what I was thought in secondary school. The one-year allocated duration of the program allows you to adequately explore every aspect and cover more topics in your textbooks.

During the course of your program, you will be made to carry out experiments, practicals, and research where necessary.

The Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB)

Estimated Cost of JUPEB

Although the figure differs in various centers, the average tuition fees for JUPEB range from 255,000 – 400,000naira. How enormous does that resonate? Much, right?

Admission Options Available

JUPEB is considered a very competing advanced level program, its certificate as well is generally accepted everywhere in the country.

No doubt, it possesses a wider range of admission options compared to IJMB due to its acceptability level across the country.

Compared to IJMB, JUPEB can only land you admission into the 100-level in any federal university of your choice within Nigeria with a minimum of 10 – 13points out of a possible 16.

Entrance into state or private universities with JUPEB may get you into 200-level as well anyways.

The Duration

JUPEB is roughly a 9 – 10 months program. It is broken into two semesters. Students will be assessed at the completion of the program with the final examination.

Once the result is available, successful candidates are to purchase the annual JAMB form and apply to study at their choice of institution.

Curriculum In-depth

There is not much difference between the curriculum in-depth of both IJMB and JUPEB because they are both run with the same syllabus, and both include practical, objectives and theories in their final examinations.

Cambridge A-Level

Estimated Costs for Cambridge A-Level in Nigeria

The estimated sum of Cambridge A-level school fees in Nigeria ranges from 650,000 – 2,500,000naira depending on your choice of center.

Admission Options Available

Cambridge is a ten-month program with a total of 16points up for grabs for candidates. It is not as popular as the previous advanced level programs mentioned above in this post.

Only a few students get to enroll in the Cambridge A-level program and this is understandably so if we are to consider the tuition fees for the Cambridge program.

Upon completion of the program, students will be tested with a final examination just as it is with IJMB and JUPEB. With at least 9-10 points out of the possible 16, students can apply to study at the university and are almost certain to be admitted into the 200 level depending on the institution and the aspiring course chosen by the student.

The Duration

As stated above, Cambridge is a ten-month program and is divided into two semesters.

Curriculum In-depth

In some A-level private centers in Nigeria, IJMB, JUPEB, and Cambridge students are thought together. This is primarily because there is only little significant difference among all A-level programs.

Therefore, it is safe to say Cambridge teaches and equips students with much knowledge as IJMB and JUPEB.

Importance of Advanced Level Programs

The importance of an A-Level Program is numerous, some of which include-

It boosts the chance of getting admitted without the struggle for space with JAMB recruits
Undergoing an A-level program upgrade and exposing students to higher learning scopes involved in their courses
Students get to be equipped with preliminary knowledge needed to make studies easier in the higher institution

Frequently Asked Questions about Advanced Level Programs

Which Is the best A-Level Program In Nigeria?

Well, as highlighted above, putting into consideration features like the costs, acceptability, popularity, duration, and curriculum in-depth-IJMB has the best options among the rest.

Which Is the Hardest A-Level Program?

All A-level programs require maximum seriousness as you might end up meeting yourself performing badly in your studies the moment you chose to not put in the necessary work.

To simply put it, most A-level programs are run on similar syllabuses, and all is not hard if you put in the needed attention to your study.

Which Is Cheaper Between IJMB and JUPEB?

IJMB is cheaper than JUPEB

Which Has the Longest Duration Between IJMB and JUPEB?

IJMB is a one-year program, the duration for JUPEB lapses nine months but not up to a year.

Is JUPEB Popular than IJMB?

Yes, JUPEB is the most popular A-Level program in Nigeria.

What Is the Cut-Off Mark for IJMB and JUPEB?

A total sum of 16 points is up for grabs for students, but to boost your chances of getting admitted to study your desired choice, of course, every student is expected to meet at least a cut-off mark of 10 points.

Which Should I Chose Between IJMB and JUPEB?

Depending on the region you are aiming to continue your education, JUPEB, however, is most popular in the south-west universities, while IJMB on the other hand is widely accepted by all universities in the North-central universities.
Another factor to consider is the affordability of the programs.

Conclusion

A-Level programs are good alternatives to easily secure admissions into the universities in Nigeria provided a student earns a good point at the completion of any of the programs.

Another good thing about this program is that students can be admitted directly into 200 levels depending on their desired course and university chosen.