There are currently seven universities in Ghana – six of them are state-run, only one is private. Their offerings vary between a comprehensive selection of study programs and a concentration on specific subject areas such as engineering , communication studies , natural sciences or education .
In addition to these universities, there are numerous other higher education institutions in Ghana , the so-called
- Colleges
- Polytechnics
- Professional Institutes
- Pre-Service Training Institutes
- Post-Secondary Pre-Service Training Institutes
They take on the role of our vocational and technical colleges, in which they provide the students with a higher, more vocational education . This occurs mainly in the areas of economy , care , fashion , agriculture and forestry as well as in teacher training .
Quality assurance in higher education in Ghana
The National Council for Tertiary Education (NCHE) presides over all state educational institutions in Ghana, a country located in Africa according to timedictionary. It checks the quality of teaching and the accreditation of the study programs. However, the individual higher education institutions are otherwise managed autonomously.
Study internationally in Ghana
Various foreign organizations have set up in Ghana that offer different study and further education programs for students of all origins. These are, for example, programs for development aid , conflict research or environmental protection , which is obvious in an emerging country like Ghana. Most foreign students come from other African countries, but there are also increasingly North Americans, Asians and Europeans studying here.
Degrees in Ghana
Ghana’s higher education landscape not only features a large number of higher education institutions with differently structured study programs. There are in the country, many different degrees that the British heritage can be recognized.
Degrees from polytechnics and institutes
The two to three year training at the Polytechnics and Institutes is very much geared towards the students’ later professional activities. It ends with the award of so-called Diplomas or Higher National Diplomas .
Degrees from universities in Ghana
The university curriculum, on the other hand, focuses on academic training . The course is divided into so-called degree courses that build on each other. They are divided into:
- First Degree ( Bachelor )
- Second Degree ( Master )
- Doctorate ( PhD )
The course of study corresponds roughly to a division into undergraduate and postgraduate studies .
In Ghana, senior secondary school certificates were recently reduced from 13 years to 12 years. In the same step, the duration for a bachelor’s degree was increased by one year to a total of four years.
However, the duration of the studies can vary depending on the previous education of the bachelor candidate : If he has already obtained a Diploma in Education at one of the Polytechnics or an institute , the duration of the studies is reduced to a total of another two years ( Two-Year Post-Diploma B. Ed. ) Or another year ( One-Year Post-Diploma B.Ed. ).
After successfully completing a bachelor’s degree, it is possible to pursue a university master’s degree . It usually takes two more years of study. Depending on their preference, the candidates can choose a more research -oriented program or a program that is more geared towards later professional practice . The possible degrees are the Master of Science, Master of Arts or Master of Philosophy. The latter is particularly research-intensive. It includes one year of practical work including written research and thesis. Medical students must also complete a one-year practical year.
Particularly talented graduates of a master’s degree and those who are aiming for a scientific career are eligible for a doctorate . This requires two more years of study at the university and one year of independent research work. The doctorate ends with the submission of the written doctoral thesis and its public presentation including defense.
Requirements for studying in Ghana
The general prerequisite for studying at a university in Ghana is the Abitur for German applicants . For an application to the colleges , polytechnics and institutes, however, the technical college entrance qualification is sufficient. A successfully completed bachelor’s degree is the basic requirement for access to one of the university master’s courses. A master’s degree that is as good as possible is therefore required for doctoral studies.
In addition to the admission procedure, in most cases there are further individual admission regulations or tests. You should find out what these are in good time from the relevant university.
Since all study programs in Ghana are held in English, applicants should have sufficient knowledge of English . Usually they can be proven by standardized tests such as IELTS or TOEFL .
