The University of Ghana

Founded as the University College of the Gold Coast in 1948, the University of Ghana attained full university status in 1961. Its large, park-like campus is located at Legon, nine miles from downtown Accra. After years of economic hardship, the university is now slowly restoring its buildings and grounds. The university enrolls 6,000 students and has a faculty of 400.

 

Accra

Accra is Ghana's government seat and its main commercial and cultural center, with a profusion of outdoor markets and street vendors. A sprawling city of one million, Accra is the most densely populated area in Ghana. The city formed from the merging of many small towns. One of them, Legon, is the site of the University of Ghana. A cultural center, Accra's National Museum has a collection of traditional Ghanaian art, and several private galleries display contemporary local paintings, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, and jewelry.

 

Principal Fields of Study, University of Ghana

Course work is in English through regular university departments

• African Languages/ Literatures
• African Studies
• Agriculture
• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Art History (independent study on African art available)
• Biological Sciences
• Business/Management Studies
• Development Studies
• Dramatic Arts
• Economics
• English/English Literature
• Environmental/Ecological Studies
• Geography
• History
• International Relations
• Linguistics
• Music
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Religious Studies (course work on African traditional religions available)
• Sociology
• Urban Planning/Studies
• Women's Studies

 

Academic Program

The academic program integrates students into regular university courses in a wide range of disciplines. The program begins with an on-site orientation which helps to familiarize students with course registration and university procedures; provides an overview of local customs, culture, politics, religion, and social roles; and covers logistical issues such as housing, banking, and medical care.

The academic year normally runs from late August to May. However, disruptions in the calendar are common. Each semester students enroll in approximately five or six regular university courses. UC students have non-degree status and are allowed to select any course appropriate to their academic study plan with the approval of the Liaison Officer who administers EAP.

Course work is recommended in development studies, natural sciences, and African studies courses in the arts, humanities and social sciences. Some courses in the Faculty of Agriculture are appropriate for UC students. Though there is a shortage of equipment, many departments require field work. Outstanding field research is being conducted by the departments of Sociology and Archaeology and in many of the field sciences. With the exception of biology, students should not plan on taking science courses, as laboratory equipment is not always available. Courses in business administration tend to be very crowded.

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www.ug.edu.gh