UG to Cut Undergraduate Admissions, Expand Postgraduate Enrolment

The University of Ghana (UG) is planning to reduce undergraduate admissions while expanding postgraduate enrolment as part of measures to improve its student-to-teacher ratio and enhance the quality of teaching and learning.

The announcement was made by the University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs (ASA), Professor Gordon Awandare, during an interview on Campus Exclusive on July 14, 2026.

Professor Awandare said the University intends to stabilise its student population at between 70,000 and 75,000, a target it has been pursuing since 2020.

To achieve this, he explained that admissions into the University’s colleges would be regulated by the respective deans, with each college expected to admit fewer students than the number graduating annually.

“We are working to stabilise student numbers at around 70,000 to 75,000 to bring down the number of students. We are talking to the deans: you cannot enrol more students than have graduated,” he said.

According to him, the move is intended to better align student enrolment with the University’s available academic resources while improving staff-to-student ratios and the overall learning experience.

Professor Awandare also disclosed that the University is pursuing a long-term strategy to increase postgraduate enrolment as part of efforts to strengthen research and graduate education.

He said postgraduate students currently account for 14 to 15 per cent of the University’s total enrolment, but the institution aims to increase that figure to at least 25 per cent.

“Our strategy as a University is to move towards greater graduate student enrolment. Our target is to have at least 25%, moving from the current 14%–15%,” he stated.

If implemented, the new admissions policy will see future undergraduate intake more closely aligned with available teaching capacity and the University’s long-term academic priorities, while creating greater opportunities for postgraduate education and research.