University of Ghana UG Legon Admission Requirements
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
PREAMBLE
The University of Ghana is a co-educational secular institution of higher learning, offering a
wide range of academic programmes to which it admits applicants with different academic backgrounds.
The University’s academic programmes cover sub-degree certificates/diplomas,
bachelors’ degrees, masters’ and doctoral degrees. As a policy, the University admits applicants
from all races and nationalities, irrespective of their religious, cultural, social or ethnic
persuasions. There is no minimum age limit for admission to any of the approved programmes
of study in the University of Ghana.
SUB-DEGREE CERTIFICATE/DIPLOMAS
Applicants for admission must have obtained at least passes in Core English, Core Mathematics,
Core Social Studies, Core Integrated Science and two electives at the Senior Secondary School
Certificate Examination (SSSCE) or West African Senior School Certificate Examination
(WASSCE) or the Post-Secondary Teachers Certificate ‘A’ of the Ministry of Education of
Ghana or any relevant professional qualification approved by the Academic Board. Other
suitable candidates who pass a special qualifying examination may be admitted. In addition,
candidates must have satisfied approved departmental requirements.
BACHELORS’ DEGREES
The general requirements for entry to Levels 100 and 200 of the bachelor’s degree programmes
are as follows:
i. Senior Secondary School Certificate/ West African Senior School Certificate
Examination: Passes in the four core subjects, namely, English, Mathematics, Integrated
Science, and Social Studies and Three Elective Subjects, with an aggregate score of 24 or
better in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSSCE) or West African
Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
iii. Other Qualifications: Other qualifications include International Baccalaurette (IB),
IGCSE, GCSE the American Grades 12 and 13 examinations and other external
qualifications which have equivalences to the SSSCE or the WASSCE. Candidates with
external qualifications are admitted to either Level 100 or Level 200, depending on the
nature of qualification and their equivalences to local qualifications.
iii Direct entry to the next higher level is possible if a course of approved content has been
taken in a recognised institution. Additional Faculty and Departmental (Subject)
requirements must be satisfied. Normally, bachelor’s degree courses (BA, BSc, BMus,
BFA) are of a 6-Semester (3-year) duration for candidates with certificates of the General
Certificate of Education and its equivalent, and an 8-Semester (4-year) duration for
candidates who possess the Senior Secondary School certificate or its equivalent. The postfirst
degree Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree is of a 4-semester (2-year) duration. The
Bachelor’s degrees in Medicine and Dentistry normally last 11 semesters (5½ years).
Bachelor‘s degrees in Business, Agriculture, Arts, Law, Science, Social Studies, Pharmacy,
and Engineering Sciences are classified (First Class, Second Class-Upper Division,
Second Class-Lower Division, Third Class and Pass). Degrees are awarded with
Honours to candidates who attain Third Class or higher. The Bachelor of Science in the
Medical Sciences [BSc Med. Sci], Bachelor‘s degrees in Medicine and Surgery (MB ChB),
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Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) as well as BSc in Allied Health Sciences are not
classified. They may, however, be awarded with Distinction or Credit in the various
disciplinary subjects.
MATURE STUDENTS
Mature persons applying for admission, who do not satisfy the approved requirements, must
have attained the minimum age of 30 years at the time of submitting their applications.
Successful candidates are selected on the basis of a competitive selection examination in English
(Essay, Comprehension, Grammar and Usage) and General Paper (Quantitative Methods,
Critical & Logical Thinking and Current Affairs). A candidate shall be deemed to have passed
the examination for consideration for admission if he/she obtains a minimum of Grade C (40%)
in each paper. Successful candidates are admitted to Level 200.
HIGHER DEGREES
Applicants for admission to higher degrees must hold good bachelors‘ degrees in appropriate
subjects. All higher degrees are open to graduates of other approved universities. For Master of
Philosophy degrees, at least two semesters must be spent studying in the University. For the
PhD, at least two semesters for graduates of the University of Ghana and at least four semesters
for those of other universities must be spent in this University. Thereafter, subject to approval by
the Board of Graduate Studies, candidates may pursue their studies outside the University.
Master of Arts programmes are of a two-semester full-time or four-semester part-time duration.
VISITING STUDENTSHIP (SPECIAL ADMISSIONS)
This operates under the principle of Academic Credit Transfer, requiring the recognition by
one higher educational institution of courses, study periods and examinations which have been
completed in another higher educational institution. Under this scheme, students who have
completed two years of higher education at their overseas universities are admitted to spend a
third year of study at the University of Ghana under close supervision of the host institution,
after which they return to complete their final year at their home university. Acceptance is
normally based on the applicant’s previous academic record and his/her proposed programme.
Applicants must have an academic record that is above average. Credits earned under this
special study programme are transferable. To be eligible for participation in this programme,
therefore, one must have obtained a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of
3.00 on a 4.00 point scale.
OCCASIONAL STUDENTSHIP
Non-members of the University may be admitted to be part of courses for up to one session/
semester, subject to the approval of the Dean of Faculty and the Head of Department concerned,
and upon payment of a fee. Such persons are not eligible to take university examinations.
FOREIGN STUDENTS
The University attaches great importance to the cross-cultural experience that is made possible
by the presence of foreign students on campus. The successful participation of international
students in our courses has helped us to acquire an excellent reputation for the quality of our
teaching and research and of our student care services. We pride ourselves on the attention given
to the individual needs of our students, whatever their cultural backgrounds. Foreign students
may pursue courses towards the award of University of Ghana degrees, or as visiting students,
study for the degrees of their own universities. Foreign students may be admitted if they hold
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qualifications equivalent to those listed above. Evidence of command of the English Language at
the SSCE/WASSCE or its equivalent is required. There is a one-year English proficiency course
(without specific entry requirements) for candidates who do not have the requisite English
background.
TRANSFER STUDENTS
The University admits a limited number of students who are already enrolled in other
Universities, though local transfers are not usually allowed. Such students transfer from their
university to the University of Ghana to complete their course of study for a degree/diploma
of the University of Ghana. A student transferring from one university to this university
should accumulate a minimum study period of 4 semesters as a full time student in this
university before he/she becomes eligible for graduation. The classification of the degree will
be based only on the courses taken at this University.
REGISTRATION AND ORIENTATION
The University requires all freshmen to report at least one week before the commencement of
the academic year to go through a process of registration and orientation. Orientation is
compulsory for all freshmen. All students are required to register fully with the Hall of
Residence/Attachment, the Academic Affairs Directorate and the relevant
Faculty/Department(s).
All enquiries about admissions should be addressed to:
The Director (Academic Affairs Directorate),
University of Ghana,
Registrar’s Offices
P. O. Box LG 25,
Legon, GHANA