Course at a glance
| Degree awarded | Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) / B.Sc(Ed) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years, then NYSC |
| Faculty / college | Faculty of Education |
| Career field / body | Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) |
| UTME subjects | Use of English plus any three relevant subjects |
| Competitiveness | Moderately competitive |
On this page
- What Guidance and Counselling is about
- A brief history of the discipline
- What you will study
- Why study Guidance and Counselling & who it suits
- Careers & where graduates work
- Salary outlook in Nigeria
- Where it’s offered
- Is it a good course?
- Skills you’ll gain
- Licensing, professional bodies & further study
- How to get in (UTME requirements)
- Practise the UTME subjects free
- Related & alternative courses
- Frequently asked questions
What Guidance and Counselling is about
Guidance and Counselling is the study of how to help learners and individuals with their personal, educational and career development through professional counselling and guidance.
A brief history of the discipline
As schools and workplaces recognised the importance of wellbeing and career support, guidance and counselling grew into a distinct, valuable field.
What you will study
You study counselling theories and techniques, educational and career guidance, developmental and abnormal psychology, testing and appraisal, and educational psychology — with supervised practice and a project.
Why study Guidance and Counselling & who it suits
This course suits patient, communicative people who enjoy helping others learn. Empathy, good listening and a desire to help people are essential.
Careers & where graduates work
Graduates work as school counsellors, in guidance services, human resources and staff wellbeing, NGOs and social services, teaching, and private counselling practice. Teaching/school roles require TRCN registration.
Salary outlook in Nigeria
Pay grows in school counselling, HR and wellbeing roles, and private counselling practice.
| Career stage | Typical monthly pay (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Entry (graduate teacher) | ₦80,000 – ₦200,000 |
| Mid-level (experienced teacher) | ₦200,000 – ₦450,000 |
| Senior / management, private & int’l schools | ₦500,000 – ₦1,200,000+ |
Figures are rough approximations (monthly gross) as of 2026, drawn from Nigerian salary aggregators. Actual pay varies widely by sector (oil & gas, fintech and multinationals pay far above the public service), employer, location (Lagos and Abuja pay more) and experience — treat these as a guide, not a guarantee.
Where it’s offered: notable universities
most Nigerian universities with a Faculty of Education, including the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Nigeria, Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Ilorin.
This is not a ranked or exhaustive list — always confirm the current institutions and their requirements in the official JAMB brochure, or use our subject combination checker and the Guidance and Counselling admission guide.
Is Guidance and Counselling a good course to study in Nigeria?
Guidance and Counselling trains you to support learners’ personal, educational and career development, with growing demand as wellbeing gains attention.
Why it’s a strong choice:
- School counselling, HR and wellbeing, NGOs and private practice.
- Growing awareness of mental health and wellbeing.
- People-centred, meaningful work.
- TRCN registration for school roles.
Challenges to weigh:
- Public pay is modest.
- Clinical depth needs further training.
- Competitive.
- Emotionally demanding.
It suits empathetic, good listeners who want to help people.
Skills you’ll gain
Beyond subject knowledge, Guidance and Counselling builds transferable skills valued across many careers:
- Counselling techniques
- Active listening and empathy
- Guidance and career advice
- Assessment
- Communication
- Problem-solving
Licensing, professional bodies & further study
B.Ed Guidance and Counselling (4 years) → NYSC → roles in school counselling, guidance, HR/wellbeing and social services; school roles require TRCN registration.
How to get in: Guidance and Counselling UTME requirements
The JAMB UTME combination for Guidance and Counselling is Use of English plus any three relevant subjects. You also need five relevant O’Level credits including English Language. Confirm the exact requirement for your chosen university.
Practise the UTME subjects free
Prepare with free official-syllabus notes and timed CBT practice for your UTME subjects:
- Use of English — practise CBT
- Economics — practise CBT
- Government — practise CBT
- Biology — practise CBT
Related guides
- How to choose the right course for JAMB
- Good courses you can study with a low JAMB score
- Understanding the JAMB brochure & subject combinations
- How to use the JAMB eligibility checker
- How to change your course or institution on JAMB
Related & alternative courses
If you like Guidance and Counselling, you may also want to explore these related courses:
Frequently asked questions
How long is Guidance and Counselling in Nigeria?
It typically takes 4 years, followed by the one-year NYSC.
What are the JAMB subjects for Guidance and Counselling?
Use of English plus any three relevant subjects
What can I do with a Guidance and Counselling degree?
Work as a school counsellor, in guidance services, HR and staff wellbeing, NGOs and social services, teaching and private counselling.
Is it the same as Psychology?
They overlap, but Guidance and Counselling is applied and education-focused, training you to counsel and guide, while Psychology is the broader science of mind and behaviour.
Is Guidance and Counselling a good course to study in Nigeria?
Yes — demand is rising as schools and workplaces value wellbeing, with roles in counselling, HR, NGOs and private practice.
What jobs can I get?
School counsellor, guidance services, HR and staff wellbeing, NGOs and social services, teaching and private counselling.
Guidance and Counselling vs Psychology?
This is applied and education-focused, training you to counsel and guide; Psychology is the broader science of mind and behaviour.
Can I do private counselling?
Yes — with experience and appropriate further training you can offer private counselling services.
Sources: Course content and career pathways summarised from Nigerian faculties and relevant professional bodies; admission requirements from the official JAMB UTME brochure. Last checked: 22 Sept 2026. Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with JAMB, the NUC or any professional body. Programme structure, duration and requirements vary by university — always confirm details with your chosen institution and the official JAMB brochure.