Ghana

Why study a Bachelor or Master in Ghana

Find all the study programs in Ghana

  • About
  • Study
  • Living
  • Universities
  • Student Visa
  • How to Apply
  • Scholarship

About Ghana

The country of Ghana has a very special location on the globe, and near the coast of Africa. The country is known for its cheerful vibes; Ghana has been the birth of different types of African dance music, second largest producer of cocoa, colorful clothes and being a country that is rich in resources such as diamonds and gold. Ghana is known for being a place where people from different cultures live together in harmony and that it is inclusive of different ethnicities. The capital city of Ghana is Accra, the total population in Ghana is 31 million.

Languages

The country of Ghana is divided into different groups; and as a result of the diversity in the country, it has become linguistically varied as well.  The official language is English but there are two other dominant languages widely-spread and used across the country; the first being Twi which is the language used by people in the in the center of the country, the Ashtanis. The second language being Dagbani which is most commonly used among people who live near the north areas, the Dagombas. There are other minority groups who exist in the country and use other languages; however, the only common spoken language is English.

 

Currency

The official currency in Ghana is the Ghanaian cedi (GHS), and one cedi can be divided into a hundred pesewas. The exchange rate for buying a Ghanaian Cedi for a dollar is 7.52.

 

Geographical information

Ghana is known to be a country located at the center of the earth where it’s longitude is zero degrees and so it is very much near the equator. As a result, this country only experiences two different climates, either wet or dry with the dry season being more dominant. As a result, the land in Ghana is very well suited for planting coca seeds and fermenting them which led Ghana to become the second largest cocoa producer. The country is landlocked and shares borders with the following countries; Côte Ivoire from the west, Burkina Faso from the north, and Togo from the east.

 

Religion

The majority of Ghanaian citizens are Christians but there are other official religions in the country as well. The majority practice the Protestantism faith, the second most common religion is Islam followed by Traditional African faiths which are mostly oral and passed down from one generation to the other and not a documented like the previously mentioned religions.

 

Political stance

Despite the diversity of the religions, languages, cultures and ethnicities in Ghana, it is the most peaceful African country with people living there in harmony. The political framework in Ghana follows that of a presidential democratic republic. Where the elected president is the head of both state and government.

 

Tourism

Tourism in Ghana is an ever-growing sector with lots of potential. The country depends heavily on tourism as it generates several job opportunities for them, is a major factor in increasing their gross national income and fosters other economic sectors in the economy of Ghana. Visitors to the country of Ghana are usually attracted to the white sandy beaches in the country and visiting the Shai Hills. These hills are located at the end of the savannah and are filled with baboons and lots of pretty scenery. The area is very lively because of the energetic baboons and pickpocketing, also because of said baboons.

 

Food

When preparing food in Ghana; the cook usually aims to use ingredients which are healthy as possible. There are several famous dishes in Ghana and soup tops the list, followed by rice dishes. Their national dish though is called Fufu, which is not easily prepared at all and requires a lot of time and effort. The ingredients included in Fufu are; starchy foods which have been pounded and stirred for around 2 hours, it is served a side dish. Ghana’s signature salad on the other hand is easily prepared and includes the following ingredients; onion, lettuce, tomato, boiled eggs, tuna and baked beans. The food may not completely surprise you at Ghana but note that when eating there you will use your hands as the people of Ghana do, it is considered a cultural practice.

Study in Ghana

Ghana is a study destination which has a lot to offer, the country is promoting the importance of education and forcing students’ enrollment of young ages. They are also spending a lot to in order to better their education system. Therefore, studying at Ghana means you will be able to learn at a continually improving establishment and benefit from being in such a diverse culture.

Why should you study in Ghana?

There are several as to why you should study in Ghana; the country is delightful and peaceful! The cost of tuition is low and almost half that of the United Sates, you will find new adventures awaiting you among Ghana’s beautiful natural landscapes and historical sites. Diversity and variety are can be found in almost everything in Ghana, even the programs its offers and number of universities. Lastly, you will not struggle traveling within the country as it has a wide-ranging transportation system.

How much does it cost?

The universities in Ghana are not known to be expensive; the fees are different deepening on your selected university, program of study, number of enrolled courses and specialization. However, you can expect to pay an average range of $2,600 – $9,200. This is excluding other university costs and the amount you will pay may decrease if you are eligible for any types of tuition waivers.

Living in Ghana

When living in the town of Ghana, you can expect that there is a lot for you to enjoy. The living conditions in the town of Ghana are comfortable and you will have access to clean water. You will become immersed in learning about their rich culture and dealing with people of different backgrounds. You will get the chance to discover the many natural reserves across Ghana and can go on trips to the parks there. There are also sporting clubs for you to join and this will allow you a chance to see different parts of the country through competitions and meet new people.

Accommodation

There are different means of accommodation for students who wish to study at Ghana, the primary selected one by international students are the housing options provided by the host university. Almost all universities offer residency halls in Ghana and they are most likely going to be cheaper than if you were to rent an apartment on your own. The most expensive residency halls are around $1000; this is for the entire semester duration. Other options for housing are private rentals or staying at hostel.

 

Other costs of living

Besides accommodation and tuition, other costs in Ghana are inexpensive and will cost you the following for basic goods; $1.12 for a kilogram of tomatoes, $1.00 for a kilogram of apples, $1.12 for a load of bread and $1.12 for a litre of milk. Other goods, such as utilities will surprise you as to how inexpensive they are, where on average you can expect to pay $50 for an 85m2 including water and electricity.

Universities in Ghana

At Ghana, you can expect to find public and private universities with a variety of possible programs and degrees. The variety of offered degrees will give you the chance to pursue your passion. Despite the many offered courses for study, the most famous ones in Ghana are focused on education, agriculture and sciences.

Degrees available

Ghana’s available degrees will leave you confused about which university you should be joining. Degrees offered are for undergraduates, graduates, diplomas and post graduate studies. Additionally, some universities also offer a number of modes of study to cater for the needs of its students and allow them to attend university while working around their schedules.

Top ranked universities

  • University of Ghana

The highest ranked university in Ghana was established in 1948, and it offers undergraduate, graduate and post graduate degrees to almost 35,000 students annually. There are four college within the university; education, humanities, basic and applied sciences and lastly, health sciences. There are also a number of available bachelor’s degrees for undergraduate students; bachelor of arts, science in administration, science in nursing and science in information technology. The university is inclusive of different programs and known for the variety and for not limiting the choices of its students.

 

  • Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

This university was established in 1951, is a public university located in an urban area in Ghana. This 72-year-old establishment offers bachelor’s degrees, master’s and doctorate degrees in different fields. There are six colleges within the university; science, engineering, agriculture, arts, health sciences and humanities. Within each college are different offered specializations for students to select from. Tuition differs based on your selected specialization and type of degree but an average bachelor’s degree costs international students between $3000 – $5800 annually for tuition only. The most expensive bachelor’s degree are human biology and dental surgery while the least costly are humanities and education degrees.

 

  • University of Cape Coast

The university of Cape Coast came into being in 1962, it follows a semester based calendar and is the chosen university by 35,000 students. While applying at this university you can expect to find; a college of health and science, college of agriculture and natural sciences, college of education studies and college of humanities and legal studies. The benefit of applying to a university with several degree options is that you are may consider a dual degree or switch majors to one which you find better suited for your future than your enrolled one. The university also offers distance learning for a number of courses, to facilitate your learning journey.

 

  • University of Education, Winneba

The university of Winneba is home to several universities which were all brought together to from one. It was founded in 1992 and has been growing ever since, there are now two campuses. There is a total of ten faculties encompassing education, arts and sciences. Additionally, this is a total of 49 departments for undergraduate studies! The university also offers a number of degrees; bachelor’s being the most popular, diplomas, undergraduate and graduate. The aspect which differentiates this university from others, besides the large number of offered courses, is the fact that the modes of study are also several. The university offers choices for part-time students, online students, evening students which is an ideal program for working students.

 

Examples of other universities

Other universities which also offer a number of degrees and rank as highly as the previously mentioned ones; Ashesi university is known for its outstanding master program in mechatronic engineering and numerous undergraduate studies. While Ghana institute of management and public administration, is the go to university for students seeking a degree management and the University of Devloment Studies has two different campuses and one is designated to offering excelling medical degrees and courses.

Student Visa - Ghana

Student visas are a requirement for international students who wish to attend a university at Ghana, the visa may be easily obtained through the embassy or by applying on their official website from anywhere in the world. Universities in Ghana will assist you throughout the process, as coming to study here without one is not an option.

How to apply - Ghana

You will start by making a transfer payment to the university of your choice with for the online application fee and uploading all required documents such as previous test scores, proof of being an English speaker and other documents. After they reply with an acceptance you begin your visa procedures. Again, you fill out the application along with all required documents and await your approval. The visa fees will differ based on your home country and a yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for applying.

Scholarship in Ghana

There are several scholarships awarded to international students seeking an education at Ghana; they differ based on your academics and program which you are applying for. Some universities in Ghana provide aids to students who do not have the means for tuition, while the state department also assists other students. There is a specific scholarship by the state department designed for students who are looking to complete post graduate studies while another one is designed for undergraduates who are excelling academically but require a financial aid; this scholarship is known as Benjamin A. Gilman International and the amount granted by the university cannot exceed $7,000 and varies depending on the individual’s situation. The last type of scholarship is awarded to only African students who are coming from developing countries, including Ghana, for educational purposes and have the good grades but not the financial means.