The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) runs things a bit differently, you get to set your own study pace, which is great. But let’s be real, sometimes you’ll fail a course and have to retake it. That’s what everyone calls a carryover.
Understanding how carryovers work at NOUN really matters. They can mess with your progress, the courses you can register for, and even when you graduate. Here’s what you need to know: how carryovers work, how to avoid them, and what to do if you find yourself facing one.
A carryover happens when a student fails a course, usually by scoring less than 40%, and has to sign up for it again in another semester. The system’s pretty flexible, so students can retake failed NOUN courses without worrying about extra penalties or strict limits.
NOUN Carryover Rules
Below are the official and practical rules guiding carryovers at the National Open University of Nigeria.
1. You Must Re-register for the Failed Course
At NOUN, a failed course must be registered again in a subsequent semester. This means:
You pay the course registration fee again.
You must complete all required TMAs for that semester.
You must sit for the exam again.
The carryover course is treated as if you’re taking it for the first time.
2. No Limit to the Number of Carryover Courses
NOUN takes a different approach from traditional universities. Here, you’re not stuck with strict limits on carrying over courses.
If you fail a class, you can re-register for as many as you want, as long as you can manage it. That’s the whole point of NOUN’s flexible learning model.
3. Carryover Courses Must Be Cleared Before Graduation
You cannot graduate with any outstanding carryover courses. To be eligible for graduation clearance, you must have:
Passed all registered courses
Completed TMAs and exams
Settled all carryover course results
Even one unresolved carryover will delay your convocation.
4. You Must Complete TMAs Again for a Carryover Course
Many students mistakenly think they can skip TMAs for repeat courses. This is incorrect. For every carryover:
TMAs reset to zero
You must submit all TMAs for the semester
Without TMAs, you cannot sit for the exam
TMAs are compulsory, even for repeat or carryover courses.
5. You Must Pay Exam Fees Again
A carryover course requires a new exam fee. This applies whether the exam is:
e-Exam (computer based)
POP (Pen On Paper)
You cannot reuse your previous exam payment.
6. Carryovers Appear Only as Passed or Failed Grades
NOUN does not write “carryover” on your results. Your final transcript will show:
The old failed attempt (with the score)
The new passing score after repetition
Employers won’t see “carryover”; they only see your final grades.
7. You Can Write a Carryover Course Alongside New Courses
NOUN allows you to mix carryovers and new courses in the same semester. This gives you the flexibility to:
Clear old courses
Progress with new ones
Maintain your CGPA or improve it
But be careful not to overload your semester.
8. Carryover Courses May Get Updated Course Codes
Sometimes, NOUN updates course codes or replaces old courses. When this happens:
The new code replaces the old one
You must register the updated version
The new course fulfils the same graduation requirements
Always check your faculty’s updated course list.
9. Some Courses Must Be Cleared Before Proceeding to Higher Levels
Some basic classes come first. If you don’t pass them, you can’t sign up for the tougher ones later.
Common Reasons for Carryovers in NOUN
Understanding why students fail courses can help you avoid repeating mistakes.
Missing or incomplete TMAs
Wrong TMA submissions
Poor exam preparation
Late semester registration
Technical issues
How to Avoid Carryovers at NOUN
Start TMAs early
Download updated course materials
Attend tutorial classes
Join active study groups
Plan your workload
How to Clear a Carryover Successfully
Here’s the step by step process:
Identify failed courses in your semester results
Re-register the course during the next registration session
Complete all TMAs for the new semester
Prepare using updated course materials
Sit for the exam
Monitor your result when released
Step by Step Guide on How to Register for NOUN Carryover Courses
If you want to register your carryover courses (the ones you failed) on the NOUN Portal, just sign up for them as EXAMS. Don’t bother registering them again as Courses, just go straight to Exam registration.
If you’re stuck with an extra semester because of missing results or carryovers, make sure you pay the compulsory fee. Without it, you won’t be able to do your TMAs when they start.
And here’s something you can’t skip: if you need to register for a carryover or fix a missing result, you have to pay that compulsory fee first. The system won’t let you register for those courses until you’ve paid.
Follow the steps below to register your carryover courses at NOUN successfully.
Visit the NOUN Portal
Log in to your portal
After logging in, click on registration
Then click on register carry over exams
Fill in the semester you had a carryover, then click submit
After the page loads, click on proceed. The course you carry over for the level will appear. All you have to do is move to your right hand side, and you will see the add button
Click on the add button to register it, and click submit
If you follow the steps correctly, you should see registration successful
With proper planning and consistent TMA submission, you can avoid unnecessary repeat courses and stay on track for graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions on NOUN Carryover Rules
Q: Does NOUN allow rewriting exams without re-registering?
A: No. You must re-register for the course.
Q: Can I combine carryovers with new courses?
A: Yes. There is no restriction.
Q: Will my CGPA drop if I have a carryover?
A: A failed course affects your GPA, but passing it later improves your CGPA.
Q: Does NOUN delay graduation because of one failed course?
A: Yes. Even a single unpassed course blocks graduation clearance.
Q: Will the transcript show that I carried a course over?
A: No. It only shows your scores, not the word "carryover."
