Ghana's public universities teach in English. The University of Ghana, founded in 1948, publishes separate fees for international students, split between African and non-African nationals for undergraduates and between West African, other African and other foreign nationals for graduate study. In its 2025/2026 schedule, a first-year Bachelor of Arts costs USD 4,354 for African nationals and USD 5,158 for non-African nationals, science and agriculture USD 4,908 and USD 5,820, and Medicine USD 7,721 and USD 13,972. A one-year taught master's in the humanities costs foreign students USD 7,967, and the MBA USD 9,155. International undergraduate applications for 2026/2027 opened on 16 April 2026 with the closing date to be determined, postgraduate applications closed on 14 August 2026, and every international applicant pays a USD 55 application fee. Undergraduates need credit passes in English and mathematics in WASSCE or an equivalent such as Cambridge O Level, and the university runs a one-year English proficiency certificate for students from non-English-speaking countries. For graduate programmes the university sets three fee levels: a one-year MA costs USD 4,874 for West African nationals, USD 6,111 for other African nationals and USD 7,967 for other foreign students, and a one-year MSc in basic and applied sciences costs USD 5,494, USD 6,979 and USD 9,205.
The Ghana Immigration Service requires every foreign student to obtain a student permit to reside legally in the country throughout the length of their study. Applicants submit an application letter from the school addressed to the Comptroller-General, two recent passport photographs, copies of the admission letter and school fees receipts, a bond where applicable, copies of a birth certificate, sworn affidavit or guarantor's letter where applicable, their passport and a copy of their Non-Citizen Identification card. Under the fee schedule effective 15 May 2025, the student residence permit costs GH¢129 for Ghanaians holding a foreign passport, GH¢194 for ECOWAS nationals and GH¢259 for other nationals. The Immigration Service's pages do not publish a funds requirement, processing time, rules on working while studying or a post-study stay option.