GNAT Institute for Research and Industrial Relations Studies campus

University in Ghana

GNAT Institute for Research and Industrial Relations Studies

Ghana

University profile

About GNAT Institute for Research and Industrial Relations Studies

The GNAT Institute for Research and Industrial Relations Studies (GNAT IRIRS) is a graduate institute owned by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT). It was established by an Act with a mandate to provide higher education, undertake research and nurture industrial relations, and its stated mission is to build bridges between the worlds of research, labour and the teaching profession in order to support the teaching profession and industrial relations. Its vision is to shape the future of research and continuous professional development in Ghana.

The Institute is based at Abankro in the Ejisu Municipal area of the Ashanti Region, on a 33-acre main campus. It is led by a President, Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Adow Obeng, and governed by the Institute Council under a Council Chairman, Prof. Edward Badu, with a Registrar handling administration.

Teaching and research are organised in four divisions: the Division of Educational Studies, the Division of Industrial Relations Studies, the Division of Research and the Division of Continuous Professional Development (DCPD). Postgraduate programmes are offered through the Division of Educational Studies: the MPhil (24 months) and MEd (12 months) in Educational Strategy, Planning and Administration, in Basic Education and in Early Childhood Education. All are regular, full-time programmes. The DCPD runs short certificate courses, including Education Strategy, Planning and Administration (EDUSPA), Education Technology (EDUTEC), Pensions Administration and Management (PEAM), Corporate Governance and Strategy (CORGS) and Dispute Resolution and Management (DIREM).

The Institute's stated objectives include promoting policy research and public discussion on issues affecting the teaching profession and industrial relations in Ghana, training teachers and industrial relations practitioners in critical and independent thought, and providing continuous professional development. Its core values are excellence, creativity and critical thinking, professionalism, social justice and integrity.

Students and visitors can use the Institute's library, located in the basement of the Block B hostel building, and hostel accommodation and conference facilities on the GNAT Village campus. Both Ghanaian and non-Ghanaian applicants can apply through the online admissions portal, and GNAT members receive a 20% discount on fees.

University information

GNAT member discount

GNAT members receive a 20% discount on tuition and programme fees (for example GHS 7,600 per year for the MEd against GHS 9,500 for non-members, and GHS 480 against GHS 800 for a CPD programme). Applicants state their GNAT membership number on the application form.

Payment concessions

A student unable to pay the minimum 60% of semester fees before registration may apply through the Director to the Registrar, giving reasons and a date for full payment acceptable to the Institute.

Find scholarships on our site

Browse the scholarships listed for GNAT Institute for Research and Industrial Relations Studies and check each award’s eligibility.

View scholarships for GNAT Institute for Research and Industrial Relations Studies →

Postgraduate entry (MEd and MPhil)

Applicants need a good first degree, at least a Second Class Lower Division, in education or a related field from an accredited university. Graduates with a Third Class or Pass degree attend a selection interview and are admitted if they pass. The same routes apply to the MEd and MPhil programmes in Basic Education, Early Childhood Education and Educational Strategy, Planning and Administration.

MPhil top-up

Applicants holding a 12-month MA or MEd in Educational Studies, Educational Administration or Educational Planning who wish to enrol on the MPhil may be required to take additional courses and present a thesis as prescribed by the Division. The top-up route runs for 12 months; the standard MPhil runs for 24 months.

How to apply

Applications are made online. Buy an e-voucher by dialling *887*9#, entering GNATIRIRS as the institution name, selecting the form and approving the mobile money payment (MTN users who receive no prompt dial *170# and open My Approvals). A voucher PIN arrives by SMS; if it does not, dial *887*9# and choose History. Then open the graduate application form on the admissions portal, verify the PIN, complete the form in one sitting or in stages using the progress ID from Save and Continue, attach all required academic documents, preview and submit. Referees receive an email after submission. A submitted form cannot be edited, and applications without the required academic documents are not considered. GNAT members enter their membership number on the form. Ghanaian and non-Ghanaian applicants apply the same way.

Fees

Non-GNAT members pay per year (GHS): MPhil first year 9,370; MPhil final year 8,000; MPhil one-year top-up 9,500; MEd 9,500; each CPD programme 800. GNAT members receive a 20% discount: MPhil first year 7,496; final year 6,400; one-year top-up 7,600; MEd 7,600; CPD programme 480. Fees are charged per semester at 50% of the annual fee; at least 60% of the semester fee is paid before course registration and the full amount before end-of-semester examinations. Postgraduate students have a six-month grace period beyond the standard duration; further extensions attract 30% (1 to 3 months), 60% (4 to 6 months) or 100% (beyond 6 months) of the annual fee.

  • Main campus, GNAT Village, Abankro (Ejisu, Ashanti Region): a 33-acre site housing the Institute's postgraduate and continuous professional development activities.
  • Library: Lending and Reference sections in the basement of the Block B hostel building. Semester hours are Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 10:00 pm and Saturday 9:00 am to 8:00 pm; vacation hours are Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. Closed on Sundays and public holidays. Students may borrow up to two books for two weeks. Non-members pay an annual library registration fee of GHS 50.
  • Hostel accommodation: standard rooms charged per bed at GHS 800 for one month, GHS 600 for three weeks, GHS 400 for two weeks and GHS 200 for one week, with a conference room also available for use.
  • Other services: E-learning platform, GNAT Village Guesthouse, online fee payment and admissions status checks.

Explore Study Programmes

Study programmes offered at GNAT Institute for Research and Industrial Relations Studies.

MEd Basic Education
Master'sGhanaIntake : September intake
 
MEd Early Childhood Education
Master'sGhanaIntake : September intake
 
MEd Educational Strategy, Planning and Administration
Master'sGhanaIntake : September intake
 
MPhil Basic Education
Master'sGhanaIntake : September intake
 
MPhil Early Childhood Education
Master'sGhanaIntake : September intake
 
MPhil Educational Strategy, Planning and Administration
Master'sGhanaIntake : September intake
 

Student Reviews

Experiences shared by students of GNAT Institute for Research and Industrial Relations Studies.

No student reviews yet

Studied here? Share your experience to help other applicants.

Sign in to write a review →

Ready to start your study abroad journey?

Book a free consultation with our expert counsellors and take the first step towards your dream university.

Copyrights © 2026 StudyMapped. All rights reserved.