The Ultimate Guide to Universities in Ghana

Universities in Ghana — KNUST

In Ghana, universities belong to the best academic institutions for higher education. Most high school leavers in Ghana often strive to further their studies at the University level. This article will serve as an ultimate guide to Universities in Ghana. 

I remember about 4-5 years ago, I beamed with smiles when the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology offered me admission. It was a dream true; after 4 years of rigorous studies, I graduated from KNUST with a bachelor's degree in Physics. 

A lot of intrinsic and extrinsic factors come into play when students make decisions to go to the Varsity. Let's understand why Ghanaian students long to school at universities

Why University Education Matters in Ghana

Does university education actually matter? The answer is both yes and no. Depending on individual aspirations/goals, the university craze may vary across students. The fact is that some time ago, going to the university meant everything. 

Varsity graduates were well-respected because, most of them would end up landing high-paying jobs. As you may know, with money, respect follows automatically.  

But nowadays, due to the rampancy of graduate unemployment, university trends are changing significantly. Some Ghanaian high school leavers opt for teacher-training colleges and nurses training colleges. Even though, they may have the right results to move for their university degrees, the fear of graduate unemployment grips them.

However, there is another painful truth - statistics show that few Ghanaian high school leavers hold results that qualify them for university admissions. Despite the negative aspects of university education in Ghana, as a varsity graduate, I think that it is still a great idea and a privilege to school at a Ghanaian University. 

The reason is that, universities train students to specialize in various fields of studies. When these students are properly taught (trained), they can apply their knowledge to solve national or global problems. Taking myself as an example, I studied BSc. Physics at KNUST and specialized in electronics. From third to final year, I was able to apply my physics knowledge to troubleshoot and fix broken-down electrical gadgets. 

When I established my repair business, it became a game- changing solution to students with faulty appliances in their halls/hostels. Even though, repairmen don't necessarily need to attend universities, I was very proud of myself because I fully understood what I was doing - I was solving a problem and was also making enough money to sustain myself. 

In summary, what I mean is that, university education is very important in Ghana. It helps students to gain requisite industrial skills. When graduates are well-trained, they can create jobs to eliminate unemployment. Also, by going to a university, it uplifts your social status when you finally make it. Or even on a hilarious note, few girls can resist falling in love with a serious university graduate. 

List of Most Prominent Universities in Ghana

1. University of Ghana (UG), Legon

This University is highly reputable in Ghana. That is why it's called the premier University. It has a very beautiful campus with beautiful students, especially the ladies. In terms of age, UG beats all the rest - it was established in 1948, so this university is older than 70 years. 

Judging from its old age, you can now imagine the caliber of professors and doctors that have been produced by this premier university. Based on their academic excellence and research, the University has consistently been ranked as the best In Ghana, and one of the best in Africa. 

UG admits both foreign and local students. They have on-campus accommodation facilities and state-of-the-art lecture facilities. Yearly, students compete fiercely to gain admission to read law, medicine, engineering, physical science, mathematics, biological science and art (humanities) programs. The University is also popular because it's located in the national capital, Accra, Legon.

2. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi.

After University of Ghana, KNUST stands tall as an institution of academic excellence. The University is rooted in the pursuit of science and engineering programs. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) is their main purpose of existence. But over the years, KNUST has introduced other good programs in humanities. 

The University currently has up to 6 colleges: The colleges are of Science, Engineering, Art and Built Environment, Health Sciences, Agriculture and Natural Resources. KNUST admits foreign and local students to read both postgraduate and undergraduate programs.

 They are famous for their engineering programs, pharmacy, medicine, law, architecture and planning, political science and so on. KNUST, also known as TEK, is a technology hub of Ghanaian Universities. Admission is very competitive, like UG.

TEK probably has the nicest (most beautiful) campus environment among Ghanaian Universities - everywhere has been kept green and neat. They have 6 traditional halls of residence for accommodating only first-year students. 

The halls are high-rise buildings. The Unity Hall and the Katanga Hall are peaceful rivals. They have made names for themselves, due to their regular "processions" and music and dance nights termed "Jama". During my 4-year stay at KNUST, I can bet you that, there wasn't a single moment of boredom. It's all studies and play.

3. University of Cape Coast (UCC)

In terms of population, UCC places 3rd after UG and KNUST. Cape Coast was established in 1962 to serve as a training ground for teachers. This element of teacher-training is conspicuously missing in the two big Ghanaian universities; KNUST and UG. UCC has restructured its programs to include human biology (medicine), physical sciences (Physics & Chemistry), biological sciences and more. 

The University's colleges are of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Distance Education, Education Studies, Humanities and Legal Studies, Health and Allied Sciences. UCC also has a School of Graduate Studies and Research. Their admission arms are open to both local and foreign students. On-campus accommodation facilities (halls of residences are also available). You can locate the university in Central Region, Cape Coast.

4. University of Education, Winneba

Established in 1992, this University is located in the Central Region of Ghana, Winneba. Winneba's core training is much similar to that of University of Cape Coast. Its aim is to produce high-quality teachers and educators to teach Ghana and beyond. 

There are faculties of Agriculture Education, Science and Environment Education, Business Education, Language Education, Technology Education, Vocational Education and Creative Art School etc. 3 Campuses are in Winneba, but there are 2 more in Kumasi and another one at Ajumako.

5. University for Development Studies (UDS)

UDS is a multi-campus University with its central campus at Tamale, in the Northern Region of Ghana. The University was established in 1992 (about 29 years ago). The other three branches are: UDS Navrongo Campus - they offer programs in Applied Science and Math.

UDS Was Campus - it is located in the Upper Wester Regional Capital, Wa. The Wa Campus has been mandated to offer Integrated Developed Studies (IDS programs)

UDS Campus Nyankpala Campus - this is located in Northern Region, Nyankpala. They offer Agricultural programs. 

There is a Faculty of Planning and Land Management in the Wa Campus.

The Tamale Campus is the heart of UDS. They are famous for their excellence in health programs; School of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences (nursing, midwifery etc.).

On-campus accommodation facilities are very scarce in UDS.

6. University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA). This University was formerly known as Institute of Professional Studies (IPS). UPSA combines undergraduate and professional programs in accounting, marketing, management and the like. 

7. University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR).

It was established in 2012 at Sunyani of Brong Ahafo Region. UENR is slowly grounds with its programs.

The University is structured to have 6 schools: Engineering, Sciences, Geosciences, Agriculture and Technology, Natural Resources and then a Graduate School. They have 3 Campuses; Dormaa, Nsuatre and Sunyani.

8. University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho (UHAS)

It was established in 2012 together with UENR. UHAS is located in Volta Region, Ho.  The University has schools of medicine, Public Health, Pharmacy, Allied Health Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Nursing and Midwifery. UHAS also has research Institutes which tackle malaria, tropical diseases and many more.

List of Other Universities in Ghana

Ashesi University 

Regional Maritime University (RMU)

Ghana Telecom University College 

All Nations University College (ANUC)

Valley View University (VVU)

University of Mines and Technology (UMAT)

Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA)

Accra Technical University (ATU)

Accra Institute of Technology (AIT)

Cape Coast Technical University (CCTU)

Tamale Technical University (TATU)

Takoradi Technical University (TTU)

Sunyani Technical University (STU)

Anglican University College of Technology (ANG. U. TECH)

Kumasi Technical University (KsTU)

Islamic University College (ICUC)

Knutsford University College (KUC)

Lancaster University

Methodist University College of Ghana (MUCG)

Presbyterian University College (PUC)

Wisconsin International University College (WIUC)

Central University College 

KAAF University College (KUC)

Radford University College

Garden City University College (GCUC

Regent University College of Science and Technology

Technical University College (TUC)

Radford University College

Spiritan University College

Datalink University College

Mountcrest University College

University College of Agriculture and Environmental Studies (UCAES)

Deltas University College (DUC)

Evangelical Presbyterian University College (EPUC )

Ghana Baptist University College (GBUC)

Kings University College (KUC)

Maranatha University College (MUC )

Pan African Christian University College (PACUC)

Advanced Business University College (ABUC)

BlueCrest University College (BCUC)

Jayee University College  (JUC)

University College of Management Studies (UCOMS)

Webster University Ghana Campus

Sikkim Manipal University Ghana LC (SMUG)

Ghana Christian University College (GCUC)

Australian Institute of Business Administration 

Zenith University College (ZUC)  

China Europe International Business School CEIBS

Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ)

Ghana Christian University College (GCUC)

The Bible University College of Ghana (BUCG)

Catholic Institute of Business and Technology (CIBT)

Ho Technical University (HTU)

Catholic University College of Ghana (CUG)

Christian Service University College (CSUG)

Conclusion

The number of Ghanaian universities shot up when some of the country's Polytechnics were converted into technical universities - examples include Kumasi Technical University and Sunyani Technical University. 

Private universities such as Ashesi University and All Nations University, are doing so well in rankings/performance. But the cost of private universities is way more expensive than the public ones. If you intend applying to some of these Universities in Ghana, it's recommended that you do more research on the universities' websites to know the various courses/programs they offer. 

University education is very important; I'm yet to regret as a Varsity graduate. 

Good Luck in your search for the best higher-learning institution.