Home General Articles Schools University of Ghana – Legon

University of Ghana – Legon

Modified date: April 18, 2022

The University of Ghana – Legon was founded in 1948 as the University College of the Gold Coast on the recommendation of the Asquith Commission, on Higher Education in the then British colonies. The Asquith Commission, which was set up in 1943 to investigate Higher Education, recommended among other things, the setting up of University Colleges in association with the University of London.

This was followed up by a number of separate Commissions in different regions. The West Africa Commission was under the Chairmanship of the Rt. Hon. Walter Elliot.

The Elliot Commission published a majority report which recommended the establishment of two University Colleges in the Gold Coast (Ghana) and Nigeria, and a minority report which held that only one University College for the whole of British West Africa was feasible.

The British Government at first accepted the minority report of the Elliot Commission and decided that a University College for the whole of British West Africa should be established at Ibadan in Nigeria. But the people of the Gold Coast could not accept this recommendation.

Led by the scholar and politician, the late Dr. J.B. Danquah, they urged the Gold Coast Government to inform the British Government that the Gold Coast could support a University College. The British Government accordingly reviewed its decision and agreed to the establishment of the University College of the Gold Coast.

The University College of the Gold Coast was founded by Ordinance on August 11, 1948 for the purpose of providing for and promoting university education, learning and research. Its first Principal was the late Mr. David Mowbray Balme. Balme was far-sighted, courageous and dedicated to the promotion of scholarship.

By his vision, industry and single-mindedness of purpose, he built a college and laid the foundations for a sound University which is now a source of pride. In his ten years of Principalship, he created an institution whose key-note was orderly living with dignity in a community of scholars.

One of the recommendations of the Asquith Commission was that the British Government should set up an Inter-Universities Council to advise on all matters relating to Higher Education in the new British Colonies. The Inter-Universities Council served the new University College of the Gold Coast in an advisory capacity, but it approved all academic appointments.

This arrangement helped the College to maintain the high academic standards associated with the Universities in Britain. Also, it enabled the College to seek support from the Council in obtaining funds from the United Kingdom Government sources.

From its inception, the University College of the Gold Coast was admitted to the Scheme of Special Relationships extended by the University of London to certain English and overseas University Colleges. Under this scheme, the University College was allowed to teach for the external degree examinations of London University. It also allowed the College to modify the London syllabuses to suit local conditions and to take part in the setting and marking of examinations.

But London University gave final approval to courses and examinations since the degrees are given were those of the University of London. For thirteen years, therefore, the University College looked up to two separate institutions in Great Britain: the Inter-Universities Council for guidance on its broad policy, and to the University of London for approval and control of details of degree regulations. The University College benefitted greatly from this arrangement which certainly helped to maintain its high academic standards.

In the 1960-61 academic year, the College Council made a request to the Government of Ghana for legislation to constitute the University College into a University with the power to award its own degrees. The Government appointed an International Commission to examine the problem.

On the recommendations of that Commission, the University of Ghana was set up by an Act of Parliament on October 1, 1961 (Act 79). The then President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, became the first Chancellor of the University, with Nana Kobina Nketsia IV, BLitt DPhil (Oxon), Omanhene of Essikado, as the (Interim) Vice Chancellor.

Table of Contents

University of Ghana Courses/Programmes

The Courses offered at UG are the approved programs run by the university, and these are programmes accredited by the National Accreditation Board.

Masters Programs

The University of Ghana offers dozens of Master’s programmes for prospective graduate students. It is not only the main campus that applicants can offer these postgraduate courses, and prospective distance students can browse the IDL postgraduate courses available.

Prospective graduate students interested in research master’s programmes can check the MPhil courses available at UG. Applicants are to note that the duration of these programmes is two years.

Distance Courses

For one or two reasons, students who cannot travel to the main campus may consider the distance courses available at UG. UG has centres across the country for distance studies.

Diploma Courses

There are diploma courses offered by the University of Ghana. UG also provide diploma courses to students of its affiliate universities. The University award diploma certificates to students graduating from the affiliated schools. There are top-up courses for nurses with diploma certificates who want to further their education.

Program Prospects For Senior High School Graduates at UG

Senior High School graduates thinking of the right course to select can access our dedicated pages highlighting the visual arts courses, business courses, home economics courses, general arts courses and agriculture courses available at UG.

University of Ghana Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements are the minimum criteria the school use when accepting a student into the university.

We have a dedicated page for the UG admission requirements for students who want to attend the University of Ghana. You can access the admission requirements by using the highlighted link.

Applicants seeking a top-up may check the top-up requirement for their desired programmes before purchasing the form.

University of Ghana Admission Forms

Admission Form means the form provided by the School for parents/guidance to complete when accepting a place at the School. The undergraduate admission forms for the University of Ghana can be accessed by visiting our dedicated page.

City campus applicants can access their admission forms by visiting this page.

The page also has other vital information like the price for the various forms on sale, the year of programs available for admission, and a bit of the admission requirements for program-specifics.

Note: Prospective applicants must be mindful of the admission deadlines to submit applications for processing.

University of Ghana Portal

The admission and student portals accelerate the journey of a potential student until enrolment and graduation. The admission portal simplifies and streamlines the admission process, otherwise very long and consists of various stages.

The student portal was created to make it easy for students to easily access the school internet platform to perform some internet-based academic works.

All students and candidates of the university are to create an online account or log in to perform specific academic actions at ease. This portal also links to:

Course Registration
Fees Payment
Result Checking
Admission List/Status Checking
Academic Calendar Checking
Printing of Transcript, etc.

The university has a dedicated virtual space known as the UG Sakai for online studies. All students can access their Sakai platform to access assignments from lecturers and more.

The staff of the UG can also use our dedicated page to know more about accessing the staff portal.

University of Ghana Admission List

The admission list of the University of Ghana is the list of students who have successfully been offered a place to study at the university. Students who want to apply to this university use its dedicated admission portal.

Successful students who meet the admission requirements and the cut-off point of the university are admitted.

The list of successful applicants is published on the School’s website.

Applicants are often sent text messages confirming their acceptance into the institution.

The UG admission list may be accessed by using our dedicated page for the admission list of the University of Ghana. Applicants from less endowed schools can use their dedicated page to check the less endowed admission list.

City campus applicants can use this link to check their admission status.

University of Ghana Fees Schedule

The fees schedule of the University of Ghana is the university’s approved academic fees and other related charges.

You may visit our page for the fees schedule to determine the exact fees schedule of the University of Ghana.

Applicants are advised to check the figures well to determine what they need to pay for and vice versa. All fees must be paid into the designated fees collection account of the university.

University of Ghana Cut Off Points

The Cut Off Point for programmes at the University of Ghana varies. We have a dedicated page for the UG cut off points for programmes at the main campus.

UG City campus applicants can use this page to also check the UG City cut off points for programmes. You are advised that cut off points do change, so you are encouraged to check year by year to see if you qualify before starting your application.

UG Grading System

The University of Ghana uses the GPA grading system. Applicants may visit this page to learn more about calculating the UG grades.

UG Academic Calendar

UG has an academic calendar to keep students, faculty, and staff reminded of key dates throughout the academic semester and year. It can also be helpful for prospective students, alumni, and parents.

You can access the complete academic calendar of UG by using the highlighted link.

University of Ghana Post Office

The UG Post office is a public facility and a retailer that provides mail services, such as accepting letters and parcels, providing post office boxes, and selling postage stamps, packaging, and stationery. We have covered more on the UG Postal address in our article here.

UG Halls and Hostels

UG currently has about 14 halls and 2 hostels on campus for all students. The university practices the in-in-in-in system, which means the traditional halls are always available to students till completion. Continuing students are expected to make their arrangements and book hostels in and around the university campus after spending the first year in the hall.

The university opens the accommodation portal for freshers who have fully paid their academic fees to book and pay for bed space at any traditional halls.

Continuing students interested in the diaspora halls can use this page to book and pay the fees to secure a bed space.

We also have a dedicated page that has the list of hostels around UG continuing students can consider. The owners regulate the hostel prices for off-campus hostels.

There is 24/7 WiFi internet connectivity at all traditional halls, libraries, lecture halls, and other university facilities to help students and staff research. Freshers can use our guide here to connect to the UG WiFi.