Study and find schools in Ghana

Studying in Ghana

Ghana, on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa, is an English-speaking country and one of the region's established study destinations. The Ghana Statistical Service projects a population of about 34.4 million for 2026. English is the language of teaching at universities, which makes Ghana an option for students from other parts of Africa and for study-abroad students from Europe and the Americas who want to study African history, culture, development or business on location.

The country has a mix of long-established public universities, technical universities and private institutions. Our directory lists five Ghanaian schools: the University of Ghana in Legon, the University of Cape Coast, Ashesi University, Valley View University and Accra Technical University.

The education system in Ghana

Tertiary education is regulated by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), created under the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023) by merging the former National Council for Tertiary Education and the National Accreditation Board. GTEC accredits institutions and regularly publishes lists of accredited institutions and warnings about unaccredited centres and campuses, so it is worth checking that a programme appears on its lists before applying.

The main types of institution are:

• Public universities, such as the University of Ghana, founded in 1948 as the University College of the Gold Coast, and the University of Cape Coast, established in 1962
• Technical universities, such as Accra Technical University, which grew out of the former Accra Polytechnic
• Private universities, such as Ashesi University and Valley View University, which describes itself as Ghana's first chartered private university
• Colleges of education and other specialised colleges

Universities award bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, alongside diplomas and certificates. Larger universities are organised in colleges; the University of Ghana, for example, has colleges of Basic and Applied Sciences, Education, Health Sciences and Humanities, and a School of Graduate Studies.

Admission and recognition

Each university runs its own admissions, and applications are accepted only within the window announced for each academic year. At the University of Ghana, entry requirements for non-Ghanaian applicants depend on the qualification: the university publishes separate requirements for the International Baccalaureate, Cambridge O and A Levels, American high school qualifications and the West African WASSCE. International undergraduate applicants pay a non-refundable application fee of US$55.

Ashesi University has several application rounds, with classes starting in September or January. Other universities publish their own deadlines and requirements, and many have international offices that help with admission and housing.

Students who want to use a Ghanaian degree in another country should check how it is recognised there; within Ghana, GTEC accreditation is the main reference.

Student visa and residence

Most international students need a visa to enter Ghana and a student permit to stay. Nationals of ECOWAS member states and some other African countries are exempt from the visa requirement. Visas issued by Ghana's 56 diplomatic missions abroad cover single or multiple journeys for periods between six months and five years.

According to the Ghana Immigration Service, a foreign national admitted to a Ghanaian school must by law obtain a student permit to reside in the country for the length of their studies. The requirements include:

• an application letter from the school to the Comptroller-General of Immigration
• two recent passport photographs and the passport
• copies of the admission letter and of school fee receipts
• a copy of the Non-Citizen Identification card
• where applicable, a bond, birth certificate, sworn affidavit or a guarantor's letter of support

Requirements and fees can change, so check the Ghana Immigration Service and the Ghanaian embassy in your country before travelling (information checked in October 2026).

Costs

Fees are set by each institution, and many charge international students in US dollars. As an example, Ashesi University lists tuition for international students of US$4,553 per term, plus US$803 for housing and US$160 for health insurance per term, while Ghanaian students pay in cedis. Public universities publish their own schedules of fees for international students, so compare the full cost per year, including housing and the student permit.

Where to study in Ghana

• Accra and Legon: the capital region has the University of Ghana at Legon, Accra Technical University, Valley View University at Oyibi and Ashesi University, whose campus is at Berekuso, outside the city
• Cape Coast: home to the University of Cape Coast, on the coast west of Accra

Several universities have exchange agreements with universities abroad; Ashesi, for example, lists student exchange and joint programmes with partners in Africa, Europe and elsewhere.

Frequently asked questions

What language are university courses taught in in Ghana?

English. Universities such as the University of Ghana, the University of Cape Coast and Ashesi University teach in English.

Do I need a visa to study in Ghana?

Most international students do; nationals of ECOWAS countries and some other African countries are exempt from the visa. All admitted foreign students must obtain a student permit from the Ghana Immigration Service.

How do I check that a Ghanaian university is accredited?

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) publishes the list of accredited institutions and notices about unaccredited centres on its website.

How much does it cost to study in Ghana?

It depends on the institution. Ashesi University, for example, lists US$4,553 per term in tuition for international students; public universities publish their own fee schedules.