How to Apply to the University of Ghana After SHS: A Step-by-Step Guide for Ghanaian Students

The University of Ghana has confirmed that applications are open for the 2026/2027 academic year, and candidates who already have WASSCE or other recognised high-school leaving results, as well as students who will write WASSCE in 2026, are eligible to apply.

Here is the step-by-step process for a Ghanaian SHS student.

Step 1: Check the admission requirements

Before beginning the application, confirm that you meet UG's minimum requirements and, importantly, the requirements for your intended programme.

For applicants with WASSCE/SSSCE, the general requirement for full-time undergraduate degree programmes includes credit passes in:

English Core Mathematics Integrated Science/Core Science Social Studies Three relevant elective subjects

For regular admission, the total aggregate of the six relevant subjects must not exceed 24. The exact subjects used in calculating the aggregate depend on whether the programme is science-related or non-science-related.

For science-related programmes, the aggregate calculation uses English, Core Mathematics, Integrated Science/Core Science and three relevant science electives. For non-science programmes, it uses English, Core Mathematics, Social Studies/Life Skills and three relevant General Arts or Business electives.

Meeting the general requirement does not automatically qualify you for every programme. Programme-specific requirements must also be satisfied.

Step 2: Research the programme you want to study

Do not select a programme simply because it is popular.

Check:

The programme's specific entry requirements The required elective subjects Your WASSCE grades The programme's competitiveness Whether the programme must be selected as a first choice

UG has specific rules for certain programmes.

For example, several programmes under the College of Health Sciences are first-choice programmes only. The University also identifies programmes such as Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, BSc Information Technology, BSc Computer Engineering and BSc Biomedical Engineering as first-choice programmes.

Step 3: Understand your programme choices

Programme selection at UG requires careful planning.

For the Bachelor of Arts (BA) programme, applicants select subject combinations, known as bouquets. The University states that applicants can select up to four subject bouquets in order of preference.

UG also advises applicants who select BSc Administration or LLB as their first choice to consider selecting BA subject bouquets as their second choice to improve their chances of admission.

Applicants should therefore read the University's programme-specific instructions before completing their choices.

Step 4: Purchase the University of Ghana e-voucher

Ghanaian applicants must obtain a University of Ghana application e-voucher before starting the online application.

For the current application process, the official UG Admissions website lists the e-voucher price for Ghanaian applicants as GH¢220.

The e-voucher can be obtained through designated banks, including:

Access Bank GCB Bank Consolidated Bank Ghana Prudential Bank Ecobank Zenith Bank Fidelity Bank CAL Bank

The University also provides USSD options for purchasing the voucher.

USSD options

The official UG Admissions portal currently lists the following options:

Prudential Bank: Dial 📞*772*100#

Fidelity Bank: Dial 📞*776*108#

Consolidated Bank Ghana: Dial 📞*924*200*25#

Follow the instructions provided after selecting the University of Ghana application voucher option.

The University advises applicants to keep the e-voucher safely after completing the application because the details may be required later when checking admission status.

Step 5: Log into the UG Admissions Portal

After purchasing the voucher, use the Serial Number and PIN provided with the e-voucher to access the application portal.

Applicants should keep the PIN confidential because someone with access to it may be able to modify the application.

Official UG Admissions Portal: University of Ghana Admissions Portal

Step 6: Complete the application form

Once logged in, complete the required sections of the online application.

The University advises applicants to carefully read the admission requirements and application guidelines before completing the form.

Enter your personal and academic information accurately and ensure that the information corresponds with your official records.

Take particular care when entering:

Your name Date of birth Contact information SHS information WASSCE details Examination year Subjects and grades Programme choices

Step 7: Enter your WASSCE information correctly

If you already have your WASSCE results, enter your results as they appear on your official documents.

Students who are writing WASSCE in 2026 are also eligible to apply for the 2026/2027 academic year.

If you are awaiting results, follow the University's instructions for applicants in that category rather than entering estimated grades.

Step 8: Select your programme choices carefully

This is one of the most important parts of the application.

Your choices should correspond with your WASSCE subjects and the University's requirements.

Do not select a programme for which you do not have the required subjects simply because you have a good aggregate.

UG's official admissions guidelines specifically identify certain programmes as first-choice programmes and provide separate instructions for BA subject bouquets.

Step 9: Review your application

Before submitting, go through every section of the form.

Check your:

Personal details → WASSCE information → Programme choices → Contact details → Other required information

Correct any errors before submission.

A small mistake in examination information or programme selection can create unnecessary problems during the admissions process.

Step 10: Save and submit the application

After completing all required sections, fully save and submit the application for processing.

The University specifically instructs applicants to ensure that the application has been properly saved and submitted.

Do not assume that simply filling out the form means that your application has been submitted.

Step 11: Keep your application information

After submission, keep your application information and e-voucher details in a secure place.

The University advises applicants to retain the e-voucher because it may be required later when checking admission status.

Applicants should also regularly monitor official University of Ghana admission notices for updates.

Can an SHS student apply before receiving WASSCE results?

Yes.

For the 2026/2027 admission cycle, UG states that applicants who already have WASSCE or other high-school leaving qualification results, as well as applicants who will write WASSCE in 2026, are eligible to apply.

However, applicants must follow the University's specific instructions concerning their results and programme choices.

What is the application deadline?

Deadlines vary according to programme and applicant category.

For the 2026/2027 academic year, the University states that applications for Ghanaian undergraduate applicants, except applicants to specified College of Health Sciences programmes, remain open until WASSCE results are released.

However, several selected College of Health Sciences programmes have a separate deadline of 24 July 2026 and require applicants to take a computer-based entrance examination before WASSCE results are released.

The University lists these programmes among those with the special application process:

Bachelor of Dental Surgery Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery BSc Diagnostic Radiography BSc Dietetics BSc Medical Laboratory Sciences BSc Midwifery BSc Nursing BSc Physiotherapy BSc Occupational Therapy BSc Respiratory Therapy Doctor of Pharmacy

The University says applicants for these programmes do not need WASSCE results to apply for or sit the entrance examination.

Because deadlines can differ by programme, applicants should check the official UG Admissions portal before submitting.

Important mistakes to avoid Don't choose programmes without checking requirements

Your aggregate alone does not determine whether you qualify for a particular programme.

Don't share your e-voucher PIN

UG specifically warns applicants not to share their PIN because it can provide access to their application.

Don't rely on unofficial admission agents

The University states that its admission process is transparent and warns applicants against people who claim they can secure admission for a fee.

Don't wait until the deadline

Leaving your application until the final day can create unnecessary pressure if you encounter payment, connectivity or technical problems.

Don't submit inaccurate information

Ensure that your academic and personal information is correct before submitting.

Final checklist for SHS students

Before submitting your University of Ghana application, make sure you have:

☑ Checked the general entry requirements ☑ Checked your programme-specific requirements ☑ Researched your programme choices ☑ Purchased the GH¢220 e-voucher ☑ Kept your Serial Number and PIN secure ☑ Entered your personal information correctly ☑ Entered your WASSCE information accurately ☑ Selected the appropriate programme choices ☑ Reviewed the entire application ☑ Saved and submitted the application ☑ Kept your application and voucher details safely

Final advice

Applying to the University of Ghana should begin with research, not payment.

Before purchasing an e-voucher, prospective students should first determine what they want to study, check whether their WASSCE subjects meet the programme requirements and understand how UG's programme choices work.

For the 2026/2027 academic year, the University's official admissions information confirms that SHS students who will write WASSCE in 2026 can apply, while applicants with existing qualifying results can also submit applications.

Most importantly, applicants should use only official University of Ghana admission information when making decisions about requirements, deadlines, fees and programme choices.

Official UG Admissions: University of Ghana Admissions

Official application instructions: How to Apply – University of Ghana