Unlike what some may think, studying in Africa can be interesting. Are you looking for a top academically sound university to study, in Ghana? Do you desire a blend of African culture and good education?
The good news is that there are quite a few institutions in the nation of Ghana that will offer you a qualitative education and among such is the University of Cape Coast in Ghana.
We prepared a comprehensive article on the University of Cape Coast, its admission requirements, cut-off points, courses offered, notable alumni and scholarship opportunities, as well as information about the nation of Ghana.
Sit back and enjoy it.
Table of contents
- Know about Tertiary education in Ghana
- What do I know about Ghana?
- What you need to know about University of Cape Coast
- What is the Location of University of Cape Coast
- What courses are available in the University of Cape Coast
- What are the tuition fees in the University of Cape Coast
- How do I apply for admission in University of Cape Coast
- What are the Cut-off points for the courses in University of Cape Coast
- How high is the University of Cape Coast rated among other Institutions?
- Who are the Notable alumni of the University of Cape Coast?
- Student visa and other travel documents in Ghana
Know about Tertiary education in Ghana
Like other African countries, there exists a big growth of private institutions in Ghana. But due to limited spaces available, a lot of students are denied access. In 2008 two thirds of all university applicants are denied admission into the university.
The tight and rigorous selection is a result of lack of space and this cost Ghana a lot of talented fellows, as well as the fact that most high school graduates enter into the workforce directly.
Tertiary education in Ghana consists of universities, polytechnics and other institutions like specialized colleges. While all of the ten existing polytechnics are public, only eight out of 33 universities are.
Polytechnics need a certificate from senior high school with background on technical knowledge or crafts in a technical institute. Polytechnics in Ghana are practice-based and provide middle-level profession. Ghana has no private-owned polytechnics, unlike the universities.
Aside from the low enrolment numbers, Ghana’s tertiary education system faces additional problems because of a major problem of inequalities due to class stratification. This is especially boosted by the fact that students who do not meet the requirements may get a place at universities simply by paying fees. Furthermore, there is still a huge majority of men that are enrolled. There is also a high ratio of students in humanities compared to engineering and applied sciences.
In order to enroll at a university, you have to pass an entrance examination. The anglophone West African countries (Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia) have tried to develop uniform standards among students finishing secondary schools so as to coordinate university entrance across their borders. Still, only around five percent of the relevant age group goes to university in Ghana.
The number that is alarmingly low in Africa compared to developed countries. Talented students used to get free accommodation but nowadays you have to pay residential facility user fees. All universities allow you to achieve established titles such as Bachelors’s, Masters’s, and PhDs. Nevertheless, their recognition in other countries isn’t assured.
What do I know about Ghana?
Ghana is a unitary presidential constitutional democracy that is located along the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean, in the sub-region of West Africa. covering a landmass of 238,535 km2 (92,099 sq mi), Ghana shares border with Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, Togo in the east and the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean in the south. The word Ghana means “Warrior King” in the Soninke language.
The population of Ghana is approximately 28 million which covers a wide range of ethnic, linguistic and religious groups. The country has 5% traditional believers, 67.2% Christians and 23.6% Muslims. Its diverse geography and ecology range from coastal savannahs to tropical rain forests.
Ghana is a democratic country led by a president who is both head of state and head of the government. Ghana’s growing economic prosperity and democratic political system have made it a regional power in West Africa.
Ghana has a lot of plains, waterfalls, low hills, rivers, Lake Volta, the world’s largest artificial lake, Dodi Island and Bobowasi Island on the South Atlantic Ocean coast of Ghana. The northernmost part of Ghana is Pulmakong and the southernmost part of Ghana is Cape Three Points.
The climate of Ghana is tropical and has two main seasons: the wet season and the dry season and have an array of wildlife that can be seen at zoos and national parks in Ghana, although populations have been drastically reduced by habitat loss and poaching.
Ghana favors international and regional political and economic co-operation and is an active member of the United Nations and the African Union.
Ghana has a good bilateral relationship with the United States. Three recent US presidents–Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama–made diplomatic trips to Ghana. Many Ghanaian diplomats and politicians hold positions in international organizations, including Ghanaian diplomat and former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan, International Criminal Court Judge Akua Kuenyehia, and former President Jerry John Rawlings and former President John Agyekum Kuffour, who both served as diplomats of the United Nations.
What you need to know about University of Cape Coast
Established in 1962, The University was created out of a dire need for highly qualified and skilled manpower in education. Its initial assignment was to train graduate teachers for second cycle institutions such as teacher training colleges and technical institutions, a mission that the two existing public universities at the time were unequipped to fulfill.
Currently, the university has upgraded to its functions the training of doctors and health care professionals, as well as education planners, administrators, and agriculturalists. UCC alumni include Ministers of State, High Commissioners, CEOs, and Members of Parliament.
What is the Location of University of Cape Coast
The University of Cape Coast is a prestigious public research university located in Cape Coast, Ghana. The university, which is about five kilometers west of Cape Coast, is located on a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
It operates on two campuses: the Southern Campus (Old Site) and the Northern Campus (New Site). Two of the most important historical sites in Ghana, Elmina and Cape Coast Castle, are sited a few kilometers from the university.
What are the programs available in the University of Cape Coast
Undergraduate Studies
The University of Cape Coast is opened for opportunities to earn Bachelor’s degrees to working adults seeking to develop their knowledge and skills for personal and professional progress; international students looking for an exceptional study-abroad opportunity, and high school graduates seeking a lifelong academic experience.
Graduate Studies
The School of Graduate Studies offers over 200 postgraduate programmes and students’ population of about 5000 on regular, distance and sandwich modes. The postgraduate programmes are in a wide range of disciplines in response to national and global needs.
The School provides a diverse and exciting community of students and faculty with a focus on solving real-life issues through innovative research and community engagement. Located in the tourism and educational hub of Ghana, the School provides a comfortable and lively atmosphere for learning.
College of Distance Education in University of Cape Coast
The College of Distance Education (formerly Centre for Continuing Education), was established in 1997 and upgraded to college status in 2014. There are currently three academic departments including that of mathematics and science, business studies and education studies.
The objectives for establishing the College of Distance Education (CoDE) were to provide opportunities for people to pursue higher education; train more professional teachers for all levels of Education in the Ghana Education Service; raise the professional competence of serving teachers and personnel of the Ghana Education Service, as well as accounting and management personnel in civil/public service, commerce, and industry.
More importantly, the CoDE aimed at providing opportunities for applicants who, even though they qualify for admission, fail to enter the conventional University system due to constraints in physical facilities. It has the vision of positioning the college as the leading provider of quality distance and continuing education in Ghana and beyond.
CoDE currently runs programmes in education and business leading to the award of diploma, post-diploma, and master’s degree. Presently, there are 69 Learning Centres across the country, offering twenty-seven (27) programmes in Education, Business, Science, Tourism and Hospitality Management.
What courses are available in the University of Cape Coast
The university runs institutes and departments that offer research-based courses which include the following;
School of Physical Sciences: offers courses that equip the students with knowledge in natural sciences. This includes; Physics, Mathematics & Statistics, Laboratory Technology, Computer Science & Information Technology, and Chemistry. It also runs centers like Laser & Fibre Optics Centre and Industrial Chemistry Programme
School of Biological Sciences: runs biological courses like Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Entomology & Wildlife, Biomedical & Forensic Sciences and Biochemistry
School of Agriculture: offers agricultural courses like Soil Science, Crop Science, Animal Science, Agricultural Engineering and Agricultural Economics and Extension. It also operates institutes like Technology Village, Supervises Enterprise Projects (SEPs) and a Meat Processing Unit (MPU).
College of Distance Education: conducts studies in the following subjects; Business Studies, Education and Mathematics, and Science.
College of Education Studies: has the responsibility of training qualified teachers and well-grounded educationists in courses like; Science and Mathematics Education, Basic Education, Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Educational Foundations, Vocational and Technical Education, Arts and Social Sciences Education. It also has an Institute for Educational Planning and Administration and Institute of Education.
College of development studies: offers courses like; Sociology & Anthropology, Population & Health, Hospitality & Tourism Management, Geography & Regional Planning, and Economics. It also has a Centre for Gender, Research, Advocacy and Documentation (CEGRAD, a Micro-finance Unit and Centre for Data Archiving, Management, Analysis and Advocacy (C-DAMAA)
College of Arts: offers research-based subjects and courses on the acquiring and development of Information & Literacy Skills like Theatre & Film Studies, Religion and Human Values, Music & Dance, History, Ghanaian Languages & Linguistics, French, English, Communication Studies, Classics & Philosophy and African Studies
Faculty of Law: trains students in legal practices with courses in Law and has a Law Clinic & Department for Legal Extension as well as a Centre for Legal Research and Law Library & Information Centre
School of Business: offers courses that are business and management related like Management, Accounting, Finance, Marketing & Supply Chain Management, and Human Resource Management. It also has a Professional & Management Development Unit (PMDU) and Centre for Entrepreneurship and Small Enterprise Development (CESED).
School of Medical Sciences: is tasked with the responsibility of training qualified medical and Para-medical practitioners by offering courses in Nurse Anaesthesia, Anaesthesia & Pain Management, Anatomy & Cell Biology, Medical Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology & Fetal Medicine, Chemical Pathology, Community Medicine, Internal Medicine & Therapeutics, Medical Education & Information Technology, Microbiology & Immunology, Pharmacology, Paediatrics, Morbid Anatomy & Histopathology, Surgery, Psychological Medicine & Mental Health, Physiology, Nursing & Midwifery, Nursing, Allied Health Sciences, Sports Science, Physician Assistant Studies, Nutrition and Dietetics, Medical Laboratory Technology, Medical Imaging, Health Information Management, and Optometry.
Other institutes include the College of Humanities and Legal Studies [CHLS], Institute for Oil and Gas Studies and Institute for Development Studies (IDS).
What are the tuition fees in the University of Cape Coast
The University of Cape Coast fees are usually made known at the beginning of the academic year. Students will, however, pay between Ghc 15000 and Ghc 2500. To get more information on the exact payments for the academic year, Contact the University on the university portal or addresses below.
However, the undergraduate program tuition fee for local students is about GHC 2500 and for international students about $5,647.
How do I apply for admission in University of Cape Coast
Before you apply, you should check that you meet our entry requirements and you should have all your supporting documents ready. To study at the postgraduate level, you will need to meet our academic and English language entry requirements. Applications are accepted every year between January and April.
Application Requirements
The University of Cape Coast accepts applications from qualified persons for admission into undergraduate, graduate, sandwich and distance programmes from Jan – April each year.
Applicants are to buy scratch cards which will enable them to apply online. The scratch cards are up for sale.
International applicants and Ghanaian applicants abroad can make payment by VISA Card and have their Scratch Card PIN sent to their e-mail addresses to enable them to complete their applications online.
The deadlines for the sale of Application scratch cards and the submission of completed application forms will always be communicated each year.
Online Applications
Applicants should visit Apply Now for further instructions.
All applicants are required to provide the following information at the back of the large EMS envelope: (a) application reference number (b) full name (c) postal address (d) first choice programme and (e) application category which should be one of the following:
SSSCE/WASSCE or Post-Diploma or Post First Degree or OTHER (to be specified by applicant).
Applicants are advised to read application instructions as well as the contents of the admissions brochure very carefully before completing the online application form. Applications on which APPLICATION REFERENCE NUMBERS are not indicated will not be processed.
What are the basic entry requirements
Entry requirements for admission into programmes of study for both local and international students include the following:
- WASSCE/SSSCE: Applicants should have credit passes in six (6) subjects with an overall aggregate of 36/24 at the WASSCE/SSSCE respectively. Three of the six subjects should be core subjects: English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science or Social Studies and three must be in relevant electives.
For purposes of admission, credit passes in:
- WASSCE means A1 – C6
- SSSCE means A – D
- General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level: Applicants should, in addition to credit passes in five (5) GCE ‘O’ Level subjects (including English and Mathematics), have three (3) passes in the relevant subjects at the Advanced Level.
- General Business Certificate Examination (GBCE): Applicants should have credit passes (A-D) in six (6) subjects comprising three (3) core subjects including English Language and Mathematics plus three (3) relevant elective subjects.
- International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE): Applicants should have credit passes in five (5) GCE ‘O’ Level subjects (including English and Mathematics) and three (3) passes in the relevant subjects at the Advanced Level.
- International Baccalaureate (IB): Applicants should have a minimum of grade 4 at the Higher Level in three (3) subjects relevant to the programme of choice (minimum of grade 5 for Health and Allied Sciences). Applicants should, in addition, have a minimum of grade 4 in English/Literature and Mathematics (SL).
- American High School Grade 12 Examinations. Applicants should have a Final Grade point of 3.0.
- Applicants are required to read specific Departmental/programme requirements contained in the Admissions Brochure before completing the online application.
- Fee-paying facilities are available for candidates/applicants who are unable to meet the competitive cut-off points determined by the Joint Admissions Committee.
- Applicants who wish to be considered may complete and attach the fee-paying forms (available at the sale centers or downloaded from the university’s admissions portal) to their printed online application forms. Such candidates shall be required to meet the minimum admission requirements. Copies of last year’s cut-off points for the various programmes are available at the sale centers and the University’s website for applicants’ guidance.
- Applicants who are applying to the School of Medical Sciences should note that the programme is strictly fee-paying.
SUBMISSION OF COPIES OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS
- Two copies of completed online application forms accompanied by two copies of results slips should be sent by POST and NOT delivered by hand.
- Copies of the completed online application forms should reach the Director, Directorate of Academic Affairs (DAA), University of Cape Coast.
- Applicants are to ensure that application forms are posted early enough to be received before the deadline for submission as forms received after the deadline will not be processed.
- No additional documents will be accepted after submission of completed application forms. Applicants are to note that only photocopies of certificates or result slips should accompany completed application forms. Original certificates/result slips of applicants offered admission will be inspected before registration. The documents accompanying the application forms are not returnable.
- Application forms received without Application Reference Numbers, two (2) copies each of WASSCE/SSSCE results in slips or transcripts, in the case of Post-Diploma and other applicants, will not be processed (this does not apply to persons awaiting results).
- A change of programme after the submission of application forms will NOT be allowed.
What are the Cut-off points for the courses in University of Cape Coast
There are certain criteria to be observed before being admitted to study in any of the courses in any tertiary institution in Ghana. One of these which include meeting the required cut-off points for each school as well as the courses itself. It is very easy to obtain admission if one has met the required cut off mark for admission into a particular course.
The University of Cape Coast Cut off Points are used to determine who gets admitted into the University of Cape Coast and which course the person is offered.
In most cases, the cut-off point of UCC is to be used by prospective students seeking to get admission into the institution as guidance is selecting his or her courses or programmes.
The said student is to measure the UCC Cut off points 2024 against his or her grades to find out whether he or she is qualified to be admitted into the particular programme of choice.
UCC cut-off points are used in determining what program a person can apply for. The cut-off points are meant to serve as a guide only when applying.
The following is the University of Cape Coast, UCC cut-off points to consider before applying for admission to any academic programme available at UCC for the 2024/2024 Academic Year.
| PROGRAMME | MALE | FEMALE |
| Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) | 15 | 15 |
| Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) | 12 | 12 |
| Bachelor of Commerce (Human Resource Management) | 20 | 20 |
| Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) | 20 | 20 |
| Bachelor of Commerce (Procurement & Supply Chain Management) | 17 | 17 |
| Bachelor of Commerce (Management) | 17 | 17 |
| B.A. (Social Sciences) Econs/Geo/Maths | 25 | 25 |
| B.A. (Population & Health) | 26 | 26 |
| B.A. (Anthropology) | 28 | 28 |
| B.A. (Geography & Regional Planning) | 18 | 19 |
| B.Sc. (Tourism Management) | 32 | 32 |
| B.Sc. (Hospitality Management) | 20 | 20 |
| B.A. (Arts) | 33 | 33 |
| B.A. (Communication Studies) | 19 | 19 |
| B.A. (Theatre Studies) | 28 | 28 |
| B. Music | 28 | 28 |
| B.A. (African Studies) | 30 | 30 |
| B.A. (Linguistics) | 26 | 26 |
| B.A. (Film Studies) | 33 | 33 |
| Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery | ||
| B.Sc. (Fisheries & Aquatic Science) | 30 | 33 |
| B.Sc. (Biochemistry) | 15 | 15 |
| B.Sc. (Nursing) | 11 | 11 |
| B.Sc. (Environmental Science) | 29 | 29 |
| B.Sc. (Molecular Biology & Biotechnology) | 28 | 29 |
| B.Sc. (Entomology & Wildlife). | 28 | 28 |
| B.Sc. (Biomedical Science) | 19 | 19 |
| B.Sc. (Forensic Science) | 25 | 25 |
| B.Sc. (Information Technology) | 19 | 19 |
| B.Sc. (Computer Science) | 21 | 21 |
| B.Sc. (Optometry) | 11 | 11 |
| B.Sc. (Laboratory Technology) | 20 | 20 |
| B. Sc. (Medical Laboratory Technology) | 15 | 15 |
| B.Sc. (Chemistry) | 27 | 27 |
| B.Sc. (Industrial Chemistry) | 23 | 23 |
| B.Sc. (Water & Sanitation) | 28 | 28 |
| B.Sc. (Physics) | 27 | 27 |
| B.Sc. (Engineering Physics) | 27 | 27 |
| B.Sc. (Meteorology & Atmospheric Physics) | 27 | 27 |
| B.Sc. (Mathematics) | 29 | 29 |
| B.Sc. (Actuarial Science) | 14 | 14 |
| B.Sc. (Statistics) | 27 | 27 |
| B.Sc. (Mathematics with Economics) | 19 | 19 |
| B.Sc. (Mathematics & Statistics) | 28 | 28 |
| B.Sc. (Mathematics with Business) | 19 | 19 |
| B.Sc. (Agriculture) | 32 | 33 |
| B.Sc. (Agricultural Extension & Comm. Devt.) | 30 | 30 |
| B.Sc. (Agri-Business) | 29 | 29 |
| B.Sc. (Agro-Processing) | 34 | 34 |
| B.Sc. (Psychology) | 20 | 20 |
| B.ED. Home Economics (Food & Nutrition) | 30 | 30 |
| B.ED. Home Economics (Clothing & Textile) | 30 | 30 |
| B.ED. (Physical Education) | 34 | 34 |
| B.ED. (Social Sciences) Geo/Econs/History | 14 | 14 |
| B.ED. (Accounting) | 13 | 13 |
| B.ED. (Management) | 15 | 16 |
| B.ED. (Arts) | 18 | 19 |
| B.ED. (Social Studies) | 18 | 19 |
| B.ED. (Basic Education) | 23 | 24 |
| B.ED. (Early Childhood Education) | 25 | 25 |
| B.ED. (Science) | 23 | 23 |
| B.ED. (Mathematics) | 18 | 19 |
| B.ED. (Computer Science) | 28 | 28 |
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST STUDENT PORTAL
The Authority of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has enabled the student portal. The Online Portal created for formal Students of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) to create an account or log to perform certain academic actions at ease e.g. Course Registration.
You can visit and Access the UCC Student Portal using a computer or mobile via the following link:
https://portal.ucc.edu.gh/reset/login.php
All inquiries about the University of Cape Coast UCC should be addressed to:
The Registrar
University of Cape Coast
Cape Coast, Ghana.
Telephone: +233 [03321] 32440
+233 [03321] 32480-9
Fax: +233 [03321] 32484
Email: registrar@ucc.edu.gh
How high is the University of Cape Coast rated among other Institutions?
Just like most of the universities in Ghana, the University of Cape Coast occupies an enviable position in the rankings among the top universities in the country and in Africa. Its high standards have contributed to the rise in ranks and position as one of the most desired institutions of higher learning in Ghana.
Currently, the University of Cape Coast ranks 3rd among Ghanaian higher institutions; it ranks 29th in Africa and 3085th in the world.
Who are the Notable alumni of the University of Cape Coast?
- Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang: Former Minister of Education of the Republic of Ghana; First Female Vice-Chancellor of a Public University in Ghana.
- Kwesi Ahwoi: Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa; Former Minister of Interior of the Republic in Ghana.
- Akwasi Aidoo: Former President of TrustAfrica; former Director at Ford Foundation; current member of Board of Directors of Human Rights Watch; and current member of the Board of Governors of International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada
- Seth Terkper: Former Minister of Finance, MOFEP
- Aba Andam: a Ghanaian particle physicist
- Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo: Member of Parliament and Minister of State for Private Public Partnership
- Millison Narh: Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana
- Malik Al-Hassan Yakubu: a former Speaker of Parliament, a former Minister of Interior and a former member of parliament.
- Juliet Asante: an award-winning filmmaker, entrepreneur, and activist. She is also an avid blogger for the Huffington Post, an Aspen Global Leadership Fellow, a Legatum Institute Fellow, an alumnus of the Fortune 500/State Department Mentorship program, and Vital Voices Global leaders forum
- Dr. Yaw Ansong Jnr: Medical Practitioner; Founder and CEO of LoveRealm
- M N D Jawulah: Former Chairman of the Ghana Football Association ;(1997 to 2001); former Chief Director, Ministry of Ports, Harbours and Railways as well as Ministry of Health.
Student visa and other travel documents in Ghana
A Student Visa for Ghana is almost like an extension of a visitor’s visa. In order for a person to study in Ghana, the prospective student should first have:
- An offer of admission from a recognized and accredited Institution in Ghana including dates of enrolment.
- For students other than those from ECOWAS a Student Visa for Ghana and / or entry permits before proceeding to Ghana.
- If accepted, students are given permission to reside in Ghana for the extent of their term in school.
No matter what nationality the student is from the following requirements must be met before a Student Visa for Ghana will be issued:
- A valid travel document i.e. (passport, Ecowas Travel Document)
- Proof of admission letter from an accredited institution.
- Proof of an offer of an approved course from an accredited institution.
- Proof of exemption or payment of the required course fees.
- Proof of a guarantee of accommodation.
Student Visa for Ghana application requirements
- An Application form completed in duplicate.
- Passport must be valid for at least (6) six months to expiration. Example of a Student Visa for Ghana
- Two (2) recent passport-sized photographs of the applicant (taken not more than six months prior to application) and showing the full face of applicant, without a hat, cap, and sunglasses.
- Photocopy of your round trip ticket OR Travel Itinerary.
- Copy of Permanent Residence Card
- Minors and children under the age of 18 traveling to Ghana need written parental authorization including copies of parents’ passports and Residence Permit.
- Yellow Fever Vaccination: In accordance with international health regulations, all persons entering Ghana are required to have a valid certificate of immunization against Yellow Fever.
- In addition to an original passport, all applicants are required to attach a photocopy of the bio-data page of their passports to completed forms.
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