The top 10 biggest universities in Ghana stand out for their vast campus land size, extensive academic programs, cutting-edge research, and substantial student populations. As the demand for higher education continues to grow, so does the prominence of these universities, which are pivotal in shaping the future leaders, innovators, and professionals of Ghana. These top 10 biggest universities in Ghana are also the largest universities in Ghana when it comes to their campus land size and student population.
In this article, we delve into the top 10 biggest universities in Ghana, exploring their campuses, student bodies, academic offerings, and their roles in the broader educational landscape. Whether you’re a prospective student, an academic, or simply curious about Ghana’s educational institutions, this guide provides a comprehensive overview of the leading universities that are making a significant impact both locally and globally.
Here are the top 10 biggest universities in Ghana:
- University of Ghana, Legon
- University of Cape Coast
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
- University of Education, Winneba
- University for Development Studies
- University of Health and Allied Sciences
- Valley View University
- Accra Technical University
- Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration
- Ashesi University
- University of Ghana, Legon Campus
The University of Ghana, the premier university in Ghana, was founded on August 11, 1948, to provide and promote university education, learning, and research. As the premier university in Ghana, the University aims to produce the next generation of thought leaders to drive national development. The University of Ghana has five main campuses: Legon Campus, Korle-Bu Campus, Accra City Campus, Kumasi City Campus, and Takoradi City Campus.
The Legon campus covers a vast land area, making it one of the largest university campuses in Africa and the world. The main campus of the University of Ghana, the largest University in Ghana, covers an area of about 11.4 km2, approximately 99.3 hectares or 2,817 acres.
The Legon campus lies about 13 kilometers northeast of Accra, the capital of Ghana, at an altitude of between 300 and 400 feet. From the Main University Gate on the National Highway 4 (N4), the University Avenue extends to Commonwealth Hall on Legon Hill. The University of Ghana, Legon campus, spans a significant area, with its Botanical Gardens alone covering approximately 25 hectares.
Most buildings at Legon Campus are on average three floors. The campus is characterized by tropical compound buildings and long horizontal buildings oriented in the north-south axis concerning the Solar path. It has a Colonial Architectural Style with a majority of the buildings having a gable roof with distinctive Red Clay Roofing Tiles. The majority of the buildings are painted, White. The Campus Landscape creates a distinctive Visual identity and harmonizes the Campus Built Environment. The main access to the campus is characterized by its unique and welcoming entrance gate with a dual carriage road. This type of road also brings identity and character to the campus Core.
The student population of the University of Ghana is approximately 61,000 made up of students enrolled in regular, sandwich, and weekend programmes, distance education, and students from affiliate institutions. The University has experienced a steady growth in the number of international students who come from over 70 countries to join either the regular undergraduate and graduate programmes or enroll in a study abroad and other special programmes designed for international students.
Behind Commonwealth Hall is an open-air theatre with a Grecian-style auditorium built into the slope of Legon Hill. On the summit of Legon Hill is the Convocation Group of Buildings which houses the University’s central administration offices, the Great Hall, with a seating capacity of 1,500, and a tower donated by the Government of Ghana in 1957 to commemorate Ghana’s Independence.
On the southern side of the University of Ghana Legon campus are residential accommodations for staff, the University Basic School, a Banking Square, the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, the School of Public Health, a Sports Stadium, student residences and the University of Ghana Medical Centre. On the Northern side are teaching departments, lecture theatres, and laboratories.
The University of Ghana’s Korle-Bu Campus houses the College of Health Sciences administration, which a Provost heads. Some of the constituent schools are also located on the Korle Bu Campus; the University of Ghana Medical School, the University of Ghana Dental School, and the School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences.
2. University of Cape Coast (UCC) Campus
The University of Cape Coast is a public university established in October 1962. It has two large campuses: the Southern Campus and the Northern Campus.
The Southern Campus or Old Site is uniquely situated in the heart of the hilly settlements of “Apewosika” and “Kokoado” in the Cape Coast metropolis close to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, providing a daily comfortable sea breeze. The site sits on high ground above sea level providing a beautiful bird’s eye view of the ocean. The University’s Central Administration Block, the Adehye Hall only female hall of residence, the Atlantic Hall, and the Oguaa Hall are located here.
UCC initially acquired 2,900 acres in 1969 which was increased to 3,980.8 acres in 1972 and finally reduced to 3,690.24 acres in 1987, but due to land encroachment in recent times, the university’s land size has greatly reduced by over 750 acres, making the University of Cape Coast, the second largest university in Ghana.
The Northern Campus or New Site of the University of Cape Coast popularly referred to, as “Science” is located near Kwaprow and Amamoma communities, just about 1km away from the Old Site. Being a recently developed campus, the new site is home to everything new you would find on campus; good roads, shopping centers, and modern structures, among others. The University’s only male hall, Casley Hayford Hall, Kwame Nkrumah Hall, Valco Hall, and the Campus Broadcasting Centre are all located here.
The area is popularly referred to as “Science” because it is the location of the science building complex. Also located on the new site campus is the University Garden, where flowers, ornamentals, shrubs, and trees have been planted with a carefully designed plan that creates a natural atmosphere for the leisure of both residents and visitors. The University’s main library is the biggest repository of documented knowledge you would find anywhere on this side of the country.
The University of Cape Coast now has a total student population of 74, 720 The breakdown is as follows: 18949 regular undergraduate students, 1445 sandwich undergraduate students, 1014 regular postgraduate students, 2773 sandwich postgraduate students 48989 distance undergraduate students, and 1540 postgraduate distance students.
3. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Campus
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), often referred to as KNUST, Tech, or Kwame Tech, is a public university situated in Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. KNUST is the third-largest university in Ghana and the largest in the Ashanti Region.
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) spans a total land area of 2,512.96 acres (1,016.96 hectares). The main campus, covering approximately seven square miles, is located about eight miles (13 kilometers) east of Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region. KNUST currently has a student population of 85,000.
Nearly all undergraduate students of KNUST and more than 50 percent of graduate students live in halls and hostels on campus. KNUST boasts six traditional halls of residence; University, Unity, Africa, Queen Elizabeth II, Independence, and Republic Halls of residence are all mixed-sex Halls.
KNUST campus is distinguished by its intriguing and striking modern architectural style. The naturally beautiful landscape creates a beautiful stimulating environment for comfortable living. Most of the buildings on the KNUST campus are painted yellowish-cream and light and dark gray colors. Most of the buildings are Compound and long-horizontal typologies-oriented north-south about the Solar Path. The dominant roof typologies are Gable and Parapet. Wooden framed glass pivoted and louver windows are the dominant window types.
KNUST is a community by itself and therefore houses numerous business centers. The Commercial area is the main business hub of the university. The commercial area houses a pool of banks, a post office, and a well-resourced bookshop. It also houses several mini-marts where an assortment of foodstuff can be found. There is also a shuttle and taxi station in the Commercial area. Printing and photocopy shops are scattered around campus to aid academic work.
There are also several ICT facilities and installations all over the KNUST campus. Also located at the College of Science and Engineering is the very first Tech Hub in the sub-region. The Campus is identified with a group of modernist architectural buildings.
KNUST School of Engineering building is tropical modern architecture that maximizes natural lighting and ventilation. The dominant concrete wing structure directs air into the building. The building is punctuated by a sequence of Y-shaped reinforced concrete beams with centers 30 feet wide.
The Great Hall, an iconic building on the KNUST campus is designed with a modernist architectural style mixed with colourful paintings on walls and staircases. The Great Hall makes use of natural ventilation techniques to achieve thermal comfort. The building is a multi-functional design that includes a library, theatre, chapel, and a great hall. It was designed to serve as a large assembly room with a seating capacity of 1,250 people on the ground floor and with an extra 350 seating in balcony seating. This building is linked by walking distance to an annex, a reception area with changing rooms, pantry facilities, and excellent campus views.
The Unity Hall and the Africa Hall are two modern architectural landmark buildings on the campus. The buildings are high rise divided into individual units. The library is a four-story small-scale building effectively designed and situated east-west across the ridge’s crown.
4. University of Education, Winneba Campus
The University of Education, Winneba is a multi-campus university in Ghana with four campuses located in the Central Region of Ghana. The university’s main campus is in Winneba, a coastal town in the Effutu Municipal District of the Central Region. The University of Education, Winneba is the fourth largest university in Ghana.
The Winneba Campus which is the main campus of the University is spread over three sites (North, Central, and South) within the Winneba Municipality. The Central Administration of the University is located at the North Campus.
The Ajumako Campus currently hosts the Department of Akan Nzema Education, the Department of Ewe Education, the Department of Gur-Gonja Education, and the Department of Ga-Dangme Education of the Faculty of Languages Education. The Faculty of Languages Education will gradually move from the Winneba Campus to the Ajumako Campus and eventually become the College of Languages Education.
The total land area of the main Winneba campus is approximately 1,682 acres (6.8 square kilometers). The other university campuses are located in Kumasi, Mampong, and Ajumako. The student population of UEW in 2024 is over 60,000 pursuing various degrees, diplomas, and certificate programmes.
5. University for Development Studies Campus
The University for Development Studies (UDS) is Ghana’s first public University in the North. It was established by the Government of Ghana by PNDC Law 279 and gazette on 15th May, 1992.
The university has two main campuses: Nyankpala and Dungu in Tamale. The university has the Wa, campus, Nyankpala campus, Tamale North Campus, and the Navrongo campus. The University has seven (8) Faculties, a Business School, a Medical School, a Graduate School, and three (3) centers. The current student population stands at about twenty thousand. University for Development Studies is the fifth largest university in Ghana
The University for Development Studies (UDS) Tamale campus in Ghana covers an expansive area of approximately 122 acres (493,964 square meters). This large campus supports a variety of academic programs and facilities, contributing to its mission of promoting development-oriented education.
6. University of Health and Allied Sciences Campus
The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) is a public university established in 2012, located at Ho in the Volta Region of Ghana. Its Hohoe campus is the central administrative campus.
UHAS has five campuses namely: Sokode, Hohoe, Woawoara, Trafalgar, and Dave. The university has two halls of residence built by the university called Asogli Hall and the 680-bed Sokode Hall.
UHAS has a campus land size of about 703 acres at its permanent campus at Sokode with a student population of about 7,688. UHAS’s large campus size and huge student population make it the sixth-largest university in Ghana.
7. Valley View University Campus
Valley View University is a private university established in 1979. The Government of Ghana, in 2006, granted Valley View University a Presidential Charter to operate as an autonomous degree-granting institution. This milestone makes Valley View University the first Chartered private university in Ghana.
Valley View University is located at Oyibi, 31 km from the city of Accra, and 13 km from Adenta, a suburb of Accra. The serene atmosphere and the hilly surroundings provide the necessary tranquil, conducive to serious academic work. Valley View University is the seventh biggest university in Ghana with a vast land size of 335 acres that constitutes an important guarantee for future physical development.
Valley View University has Kumasi, Tamale, Techiman, and Takoradi campuses. Their Kumasi new and young Campus does not have much physical infrastructure to boast of. Valley View University has a student enrollment of about 8,473 students with about 3,832 enrolled on the Techiman campus. Over 50 percent of students at Valley View University are sandwich students. The vast land size and large student population make Valley View University the seventh-biggest university in Ghana.
8. Accra Technical University
Accra Technical University, Ghana’s premier Technical University, became a public technical university in 2016. The university offers education in hands-on and competency-based training in diverse fields of engineering and industrial practice. The University is endowed with skilled experts as lecturers and instructors, competent to impart invaluable knowledge and lessons to students.
Accra Technical University (ATU) has two campuses, one in Accra and the other at Mpehuasem in Nsawam in the Eastern Region. ATU’s Mpehuasem campus spans 160 acres, and upon completion, it will become an ultramodern school facility with five laboratories.
ATU has a total student enrolment of 11, 437 with 2,433 admitted into the Faculty of Engineering, 291 into the Faculty of Applied Sciences, 2,088 into the Faculty of Applied Arts, and 5,371 admitted into the Faculty of Business.
ATU Accra Campus covers a total land area of about 1.4 km (345.95 acres). The total campus size of both campuses of ATU, as well as the large student population, make ATU the eighth-largest university in Ghana.
9. GIMPA Campus
GIMPA was established in 1966 through a joint scholarship between Ghana and the UN. GIMPA now offers courses in its areas of competence leading to the award of certificates, diplomas, and degrees up to the doctoral level.
Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) premise is at Greenhill, Achimota, on 150 acres of high ground surrounded by the Achimota forest reserve. GIMPA’s campus provides an absorbing, panoramic view of Accra, stretching from the airport to the business district. The name, “Greenhill”, is a reference to the lush greenery and hilly topography of the main campus
The main campus has a serene environment, well-kept lawns, and general greenery that creates a truly natural setting. You will find top academic, social, and recreational facilities quite unmatched here in Ghana.
GIMPA also has over 6,000 students enrolled in six schools for undergraduate and graduate studies. GIMPA’s land size and student population make it the ninth-largest university in Ghana.
10. Ashesi University Campus
Ashesi University is a private university on a mission to propel an African renaissance by educating ethical, entrepreneurial leaders. The President of Ghana granted Ashesi a Charter to operate as a fully autonomous institution in 2018.
Ashesi University is situated on 100 acres in Berekuso, with a view of Ghana’s capital city, Accra, Ashesi’s campus blends traditional design with modern technology and environmental best practices. This creates an inspiring environment where young Africans from diverse backgrounds can live, collaborate, and study together for generations to come. The size of Ashesi University’s campus and the student population make it the tenth-biggest university in Ghana,
Ashesi University has a total student population of 1505 students in 2024. These students span 34 different countries including Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Congo, Côte D’Ivoire, Eswatini, France, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Spain, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and the United States of America.