The University of Ghana, Legon (UG), the largest and the oldest university in Ghana was founded as the University College of the Gold Coast by Ordinance on August 11, 1948, for the purpose of providing and promoting university education, learning, and research.
UG’s mission is to create an enabling environment that makes the University of Ghana increasingly relevant to national and global development through cutting-edge research as well as high-quality teaching and learning.
As part of its vision to become a world-class research-intensive institution, the University of Ghana has several research institutions and centers for learning and research, including;
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIR)
- Centre for Tropical, Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Regional Institute for Population Studies
- Institute for Environmental and Sanitation Studies
- Institute for Statistical, Social and Economic Research.
UG is the best and leading university in Ghana. As a leader in tertiary education in Ghana, the University has established several link agreements with universities in Africa, Europe, and North America for student, faculty, and staff exchange as well as collaborative research.
Check out: How to log into Sts UG
The student population is over 39,000 made up of students enrolled in regular programs, sandwich programs, and distance education as well as students from affiliate institutions.
The growing number of international students come from over 70 countries to join either regular undergraduate and graduate programs, enroll in a study abroad, or other special programs designed for international students.
The University’s distinctive specialized teaching and impactful research is carried across three campus communities – Legon Campus, Korle Bu Campus, and Accra City Campus.
The university is mainly based at Legon, about 12 kilometers northeast of the center of Accra. Its medical school is in Korle-Bu, with a teaching hospital and secondary campus in the city of Accra.
However, there is a newly built 600-bed capacity University of Ghana Medical College situated on the University of Ghana, Legon campus. So UG medical school students wouldn’t have to go to the Korle-Bu campus to study.
It also has a graduate school of nuclear and Allied Sciences at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, making it one of the few universities on the African continent offering programs in nuclear physics and nuclear engineering.
University of Ghana, Legon campus is one of the biggest (land area) in the world. Its Botanical Gardens alone covers an area of approximately 25 hectares. The campus is a well-planned layout with the Balm Library as its center.
The Balme Library was named after David Mowbray Balme, the first Principal of the UG. He was one of the founding fathers of the University of Ghana.
Professor Alexander Adum Kwapong was the first Ghanaian Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana for the period 1966-1976. The Alexander Kwapong Hall was named after him.
UG courses
There are several courses offered at the University of Ghana Legon. These courses have been grouped into colleges each with several schools and departments.
All the colleges offer programs for both undergraduate and graduate studies.
- College of Education
- College of Humanities
- College of Health Sciences
- College of Basic and Applied Sciences
Find out more on University of Ghana Courses and Cut off Points.
Accommodation on campus
Halls of residence
- Commonwealth Hall (the only male hall of residence)
- Akuafo Hall
- Mensah Sarbah Hall
- Volta Hall (the only female hall of residence)
- Jubilee Hall
- Legon Hall
The university has eight newly created halls of residence that were commissioned in 2011. They are:
- Alexander Kwapong Hall
- Hilla Limann Hall
- Jean Nelson Hall
- Africa Union Hall
- Bani Hall
- Elizabeth Sey Hall
- Evandy Hall
- James Topp Nelson Yankah Hall
There are also the International Students’ Hostels I and II for international students, and the Valco Trust Hostel.
University of Ghana admissions
UG students come from across Ghana, Africa, and throughout the world, representing diverse perspectives, experiences, backgrounds, and cultures.
There is admission available for;
- Undergraduate admission
- Post-First Degree Law
- Postgraduate
- International students
- Distance admission
- Graduate Entry Medical Program
Find out more on the school’s page.
See Also: How to check your admission status
Campus life
Schooling in Ghana is very interesting. Ghana is not a poor country, in fact, Ghana is the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to achieve the Millenium Development Goal 1, which is the target of halving extreme poverty.
Ghana has recently become a middle-income country. Ghanaians are extremely friendly and are open to making new friends or helping you out with whatever you need.
As stated earlier, the UG campus is one of the most beautiful campuses in Africa.
There are many wonderful clubs, organizations and things you can do on campus where you can learn a lot from and in the end will add a lot to your knowledge base and your life.
As a student, you’ll have access to a good wifi connection that you can use to access educational resources online such as the ug mis web, and other useful stuff including Sakai UG.
You can use your free days to visit the Legon Botanical gardens, visit the Theater Arts department (Efua Sutherland drama studio) to watch plays, visit Night Market to have a taste of Ghanaian food…all on campus.
There are so many hall celebrations at UG. During these weeks students living in these halls host different events such as fashion shows, parties, sports, etc.
See also: Freshers’ Guide to What to Take to University
University of Ghana graduate school (SGS)
The University of Ghana graduate school coordinates graduate-level academic programs for the Colleges, Schools, Institutes/Centres, and Departments within the University.
The graduate school is located at Frederick Marfo Memorial Building near the School of Nursing.
As part of its coordinating role, the School’s mandate under the direction of the Board of Graduate Studies includes: Promoting the development, diversification, and effective delivery of post-graduate programs to address emerging national issues; and Accreditation of all faculty teaching and supervising graduate programs to maintain high standards and ensure high-quality graduate program output.
Additionally, the School deals with all matters which have to do with admission, registration, and records, examination of theses and dissertations, official correspondence, and welfare of graduate students.
It also regulates and offers advice on graduate programs being offered in the University’s affiliate institutions.
The programs that are currently being co-ordinated by the School include:
- Master of Arts (MA)
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Master of Public Health (MPH)
- Master of Health Informatics (MHI)
- Master of Laws (LLM)
- Master of Engineering (MEng)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA)
- Master of Public Administration (MPA)
- Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D./DPhil)
- Doctor of Medicine (MD).
Ph.D. programs run for four years for full-time studies and six years for part-time studies. Candidates with a good first degree, as well as those with a Masters’s degree (e.g. MA, MSc, MBA, MPH, M.PHIL), can apply for admission into a Ph.D. program.
University of Ghana notable alumni
The university has produced notable personalities in society, especially in Ghana’s politics. Three of Ghana’s presidents (President John Evans Mills, John Mahama, and Nana Akufo Addo) were University of Ghana graduates.
Aside from these presidents, some of the notable names are;
- Tsatsu Tsikata
- Georgina Theodora Wood
- Komla Dumor
- Kwabena Dufuor
- Kwadwo Afari-Gyan
- Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur
- Anas Aremeyaw Anas
- Mohamed Ibn Chambas
- Kofi Awoonor
- Edward Doe Adjaho
- Aaron Mike Oquaye
- Elizabeth Frances Sey
And many more…
Check out: 10 of the Most Successful University of Ghana Alumni
University of Ghana contact
Address: P.O. Box LG 25
Legon, Accra.
Tel: +233-(0)302-213820
+233-(0)302-213850
Email: pad@ug.edu.gh
Website: ug.edu.gh/
Frequently asked questions
What is the oldest university in Ghana?
The University of Ghana is the oldest university in Ghana. It was founded in 1948 as the University College of the Gold Coast. And was originally an affiliated college of the University of London, which supervised its academic programs and awarded degrees.
What is the largest university in Ghana?
The University of Ghana, the premier university, is the largest university in Ghana. In terms of campus size, student population, and popularity.
Who is the founder of University of Ghana Legon?
David Mowbray Balme is believed to be the founder of the University of Ghana. He was the first Principal of the university. Mr. Balme was far-sighted, courageous, and dedicated to the promotion of scholarship.
What is the motto of University of Ghana?
University of Ghana motto is “Integri Procedamus“, which means “Let us proceed with integrity“.
How do I get into University of Ghana?
To get into university of Ghana, you need to meet the entrance requirement which includes having a good Wassce result.
What is the land size of University of Ghana?
The University of Ghana, Legon campus covers an area of 99.3 hectares of land. Its Botanical Gardens alone covers an area of approximately 25 hectares.
What is the mission of University of Ghana?
University of Ghana’s mission is to create an enabling environment that makes the University of Ghana increasingly relevant to national and global development through cutting-edge research as well as high-quality teaching and learning.
How many campuses does University of Ghana have?
The University’s teaching and research are carried out across four (4) campuses, namely: Legon (Main) Campus.
Which year was University of Ghana established?
University of Ghana was founded on August 11, 1948.
What is the deadline for Legon forms?
30th June, 2022
