The cheapest universities in Ghana are most often public universities and it may surprise you to know that the cheapest universities in Ghana are among the best universities in the country. Their low tuition fee is no indication of the quality of these schools.
There are fifteen national public universities and ten technical universities in Ghana all of which are accredited, degree-granting, tertiary-level institutions. Private universities are very expensive in Ghana, although their facilities are usually of a higher quality than public universities.
If you are a local or international student looking for the best but most affordable university in Ghana, then this article has the best information to help you make an informed decision. This article has been painstakingly researched and fees presented are from the schools’ official website, although the fees may vary slightly depending on the course you want to study. Universities featured are all accredited and offer degree, and postgraduate courses.
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is a public university of Ghana that focuses on science and technology. In 1961, the college was granted full university status and is largest university in the Kumasi Metropolis and in the Ashanti Region.
The university offers several programmes which fall under five colleges: College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), College of Health Sciences, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Art and Built Environment, College of Engineering, and College of Science.
In November 2019, & 2020, KNUST was ranked as the best university in Ghana and West Africa by U.S. News & World Report. The latest Times Higher Education impact ranking in 2022 also adjudged KNUST as the best university in quality education in Africa and 14th globally.
There are numerous KNUST approved hostels, mostly in close proximity to the main campus. Students of all financial backgrounds have their accommodation needs catered for. There are facilities on campus where non-resident students can rest between lectures and study before they leave for their homes and hostels.
There is a large multinational international community at KNUST as a result of the high standards of education. There is an international student association that sees to the interests of foreign students such as accommodation, orientation and campus tours.
Tuition fees at KNUST for Ghanaian students who study humanities is GHC 1,351, and GHC 1,799 for science students. International students who study humanities also pay about USD 4,260, whiles science students pay about USD 6,063.
CONTACT
T: +233 3220 60021 / +233 5000 99299 | E: uro@knust.edu.gh |
Ghana Post GPS Address: AK-385-1973
2. University of Ghana
The University of Ghana is the oldest and largest of the thirteen Ghanaian national public universities. It was founded in 1948 and changed its name to the University of Ghana in 1961, when it gained full university status. The University of Ghana adopted the collegiate system and thus categorized all schools and departments under four colleges, which are: College of Basic and Applied Sciences, College of Humanities, College of Education, College of Health Sciences
The University of Ghana which is mainly based at Legon, about 12 kilometres northeast of the center of Accra has its medical school in the town called Korle-Bu, with a teaching hospital and a secondary/external campus in the city of Accra. It also has a graduate school of nuclear and Allied Sciences at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, making it one of the few universities on the African continent offering programs in nuclear physics and nuclear engineering.
The University of Ghana has consistently been ranked as the best university in Ghana and one of the best in Africa by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. The original emphasis on establishing the University of Ghana was on the liberal arts, social sciences, law, basic science, agriculture and medicine. However, as part of a national educational reform program, the university’s curriculum was expanded to provide more technology-based and vocational courses as well as postgraduate training.
If you are an international student, University of Ghana may be the best choice for you because the university has over 200 agreements with educational institutions all over the world, to facilitate student exchange programmes. Their International Programmes Office promotes all international activities, including admission of international students, Memorandums of Understanding between the university and international educational institutions, visiting scholars, study abroad programmes, staff and student exchange programmes and research collaboration.
Tuition fees at the University of Ghana for Ghanaian students is one of the cheapest priced at GHC 1,516 for students of humanities and GHC 2,047 for medical students. International students who offer humanities also pay about USD 5,109 and USD 13,946 for medical students.
CONTACT
+233-(0)302-213820
+233-(0)302-213850
pad@ug.edu.gh
P.O. Box LG 25
Legon, Accra
3. University for Development Studies
The University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale was established in 1992 by the government of Ghana. It was set up as a multi-campus institution and is the fifth public university to be established in Ghana.
It has four campuses in all, one at Nyankpala in the Northern Region of Ghana, the other at Navrongo, in the Upper East Region, the third at Tamale, in the Northern Region of Ghana and also one in Wa in the Upper West Region – a Business School, one Medical School, one Graduate School, one Institute, three Centres and, eight Faculties: Faculty of Planning and Land Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Integrated Development, and the Faculty of Education.
The university has a unique system of education where the whole of the third trimester is devoted to practical field work in the local communities. Students of a given year group identify a specific region, and in smaller groups live and interact with the people in the local communities during each third trimester for a period of three years.
Tuition fee at UDS is quite low for Ghanaian students who pay about GHC 1,512 to offer humanities and GHC 2,252 to offer science. International students also pay about USD 7,000 to offer medicine and USD 1,750 for Bachelor of Arts courses.
CONTACT
Email: registrar@uds.edu.gh
Telephone: +233-37-209-3697
Postal address: P. O. Box TL1350
Digital address: NT-0272-1946 Tamale, Ghana
4. University of Education, Winneba
The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) is a university in Winneba, Central Region of Ghana. It was established in 1992 by the government of Ghana.
Its main aim is to train teachers for the education system of Ghana. The University of Education, Winneba is charged with the responsibility of teacher education and producing professional educators to spearhead a new national vision of education aimed at redirecting Ghana’s efforts along the path of rapid economic and social development.
The University of Education, Winneba is expected to play a leading role in Ghana’s drive to produce scholars whose knowledge would be fully responsive to the realities and exigencies of contemporary Ghana.The university has twenty-nine academic departments and centers, seven faculties and 18 distance education regional study centers throughout Ghana.
Tuition fee at University of Education, Winneba Ghanaian students studying humanities is GHS 1,615and GHS 1,699 for science students. International students also pay about USD 1,052
CONTACT
Winneba Campus: 03323 22139 | Ajumako Campus: 03321 93774
5. University of Mines and Technology
The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) was established on 3rd November, 1952. It is a public university located at Tarkwa in the Western Region of Ghana.
The university is on a mission to provide higher education in mining, petroleum, technology and related disciplines through effective teaching and learning; to promote knowledge through active research and dissemination of information and to offer professional services through extension activities to the mining and allied industries.
The school focuses heavily on the sciences and has three schools namely the School of Postgraduate Studies, School of Railways and Infrastructure Development and the School of Petroleum Studies. It also has four faculties: Faculty of Mining and Minerals Technology, Faculty of Integrated Management Science, Faculty of Engineering, and the Faculty of Geosciences and Environmental Studies.
The university has established academic, scholarly and other cooperative linkages and collaboration with other international universities, companies and institutes around the world to enhance: Teaching and research, Teaching of faculty and Cultural Integration. As a result of this collaboration, international students have a place among the students and receive world-class tuition.
Tuition at the University of Mines and Technology for engineering students who come from Ghana is GHS 1,870, whiles international students pay about USD 1,870 annually.
CONTACT
Hot line: +233 3123 20324/20280
Email: registrar@umat.edu.ghwebmaster@umat.edu.gh
Postal: Box 237, Tarkwa. W/R
6. University of Cape Coast
The University of Cape Coast (UCC) is a public university established in October 1962 located in the historic town of Cape Coast. It operates on two campuses: the Southern Campus (Old Site) and the Northern Campus (New Site).
The University of Cape Coast was established as a university college in response to the country’s dire need for highly qualified and skilled manpower in the education sector. Its original mandate was therefore to train graduate teachers for second cycle institutions, teacher training colleges and technical institutions.
The university has since added to its functions the training of doctors and health care professionals, business professionals, administrators, legal professionals, and agriculturalists. UCC graduates include Ministers of State, High Commissioners, CEOs, and Members of Parliament. The University of Cape Coast is today organized into six colleges. Each college has different faculties, schools and departments under them.
The Centre for International Education (CIE), University of Cape Coast, has fostered links with institutions of higher learning from the US, China, UK, Sweden, Germany, Liberia, Nigeria and Senegal, among others. The centre offers specialized support services for inbound and outbound exchange students and staff on issues including, but not exclusive to, orientation, admission, enrollment, accommodation, pastoral care, pre-departure briefings and post-return debriefings for inbound and outbound exchange students and staff.
Tuition fees at the University of Cape Coast for Ghanaian students offering humanities is aboutGHS 2,832 and GHS 3,957 for science students. International students also pay aboutUSD 5,797 for science students and USD 5,297 for students studying humanities.
CONTACT
The Registrar, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
+233 [03321]32440, +233 [03321] 32480-9
registrar@ucc.edu.gh
7. Ghana Communication Technology University
Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU) was originally known as Ghana Telecom Training Centre (GTTC) which was established in 1948. The purpose for the establishment of the training centre was to train technicians and linesmen to operate and maintain telecommunication equipment and plants. GCTU gained full public University status on 13th August 2020. The University has campuses located at Tesano (main campus), Abeka, Kumasi, and learning centers in Ho, Koforidua, Takoradi, and Nungua.
Today, Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU) is a technology-oriented institution of higher learning, committed to providing an educational experience of the highest quality. Currently, GCTU offers world-class Certificate, Diploma, and Degree programs under three core faculties: the Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Computing and Information Systems, and GCTU Business School. The University also runs a Graduate School which delivers postgraduate programs in the areas of Engineering, Business Administration, Management, and Information Communication Technology.
Courses and programs of the University are carefully structured and taught by seasoned lecturers with modern training equipment in a conducive learning environment. Graduates of GCTU have the theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience that equip them for successful careers in the telecommunications, business, and ICT industries.
Tuition at Ghana Communication Technology University for Ghanaian students studying I.T is about GHS 3,843 and GHS 4,326 for engineering students. International students also pay about USD 3000 for I.T students and USD 4,000 for engineering students.
CONTACT
Tel: +233(0) 302 221446/302 21412/302 221479
Digital Adress: GA-167-2979
PMB 100, Tesano, Accra – Ghana
Off J.A Kuffour Avenue, Adjacent the Police Training School, Tesano, Accra
8. Accra Technical University
The Accra Technical University was established in 1949 as a Technical School in Ghana and commissioned in 1957 as Accra Technical Institute and converted into a Technical University by the Parliament of Ghana in 2013. Accra Technical University was the first Technical University to be established in Ghana.
Accra Technical University offers Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Building Technology, Civil Engineering, Furniture Design and Production, Secretaryship and Management Studies, Bilingual Secretaryship and Management Studies, Accountancy, Marketing, Purchasing and Supply, Hotel Catering and Institutional Management, Fashion Design and Textiles, Mathematics and Statistics, and Science Laboratory Technology.
Accra Technical University currently, offers ten (10) Degree (Btec) and fifteen (15) HND Programmes. These programmes are run in three schools. The university is aimed at enhancing technical training with emphasis on producing world-class graduates moulded in excellence and professionalism in diverse technical programmes in theory and in practice.
Tuition at Accra Technical University for Ghanaians, is about GHS 3,481 for degree programmes (B’Tech) and GHS 2,296 for HND programmes. Foreign students pay about USD 1,950 for tuition as well.
CONTACT
Accra Technical University, Barnes Road, Accra, Ghana. Digital Address: GA-106-2535. Call: +233 33 209 5371 / +233 54 326 4917. Email: info@atu.edu.gh
9. University of Professional Studies
The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) formerly known as Institute of Professional Studies (IPS), is a public university in Ghana. The main campus is located in Accra. The university was founded in 1965 as a private professional business education tuition provider and was taken over by government in 1978
UPSA is the first university in Ghana to provide both academic and business professional education. The University offers undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in several programmes. UPSA has achieved the reputation as the oldest Ghanaian human resource development institution in professional Accountancy and Management with many of its products in key leadership positions in Ghana and abroad.
UPSA has recently introduced “dual qualification scheme” for student for the 2019/2020 academic year. The policy is to make students who enroll in a degree programme to simultaneously and compulsorily pursue a corresponding professional programme such as ACCA, ICAG, CIM, CIMA, ICSA among others as an additional course thus graduating with both a degree and a chartered certificate.
Tuition fee at UPSA is about GHS 4,326 for Ghanaian students and USD 4,000 for foreign students.
CONTACT
+233 303 937 542
+233 303 937 544
admissions@upsamail.edu.gh
10. University of Health and Allied Sciences
The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) is a public university located at Ho in the Volta Region of Ghana. UHAS is one of the youngest public universities in Ghana having started its operation in September 2012. The university is devoted to teaching, research and service in the Health Sciences.
The university aims to provide higher education in the Health Sciences through teaching and research for persons suitably qualified and capable of benefitting from such education, to disseminate knowledge and the results of research and their applications to the needs and aspirations of the people of Ghana, and to provide clinical and other skills services to contribute positively to improving the health status and overall quality of life, and foster partnerships with outside persons and bodies.
Medical students at the University of Health and Allied Sciences pay tuition of about GHC 6,090; 2,589 of which is the university’s tuition, and GHC 3,501 is for other approved charges. International students also pay USD 6,558; USD 5,264 of which is the university’s tuition, and USD 1,293 is for other approved charges.
CONTACT
University of Health and Allied Sciences
PMB 31, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana.
+233 (0) 362 196122
+233 (0) 245 125359
info@uhas.edu.gh
11. REGENT UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
The Regent University College of Science and Technology (often referred to as Regent-Ghana) is located at McCarthy Hill, off the Mallam-Kasoa-Winneba Highway in Accra, Ghana. It was registered in September 2003, and received accreditation to operate as a tertiary institution in 2004. It is recognized as one of the leading private science and technology Universities in Ghana
The University College has four schools – the School of Business, Leadership and Legal Studies (SBLL), the Faculty of Arts and Sciences: The Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Allied Sciences (FECAS), and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FAS). The School of Research and Graduate Studies offers four postgraduate degree programmes – Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Statistics, Master of Divinity, and Master of Theology.
Tuition at Regent University College of Science and Technology for Ghanaian students is about GHC 1,731, while international students pay about USD 1,100.