University for Development Studies

WASSCE / SSSCE (degree programmes)

Applicants need at least C6 in all three core subjects (English Language, Core Mathematics, Integrated Science or Social Studies) and three relevant elective subjects. A grade of D7, E8 or F9 in any one of these subjects means the candidate is advised not to apply for a degree. The aggregate of the best six subjects (three core, three electives) must not exceed 36, although admission is competitive and programme cut-off points are much lower. Social Studies is not an elective. For candidates who read Arts or Business subjects, Social Studies may replace Integrated Science in the aggregate if the grade is better and the candidate has at least a pass in Integrated Science; it does not replace Integrated Science for Science students.

Diploma programmes

Diploma entry requires three credit passes in elective subjects in the area of specialisation and at least a pass (D7 or better) in English Language and Mathematics. Candidates who meet degree requirements but whose aggregates are not competitive may be offered diploma places.

HND and diploma holders

HND and other diploma holders with Second Class Lower or better in a related programme are considered for Level 200. Holders with Third Class or Pass are considered for Level 100. A selection interview is required.

Health programmes

MBChB (6 years): WASSCE candidates with an aggregate of 9 or better (three core subjects plus three electives from Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Elective Mathematics) are shortlisted for an entrance examination and interview; the examination and interview fee is GHC 350. GCE A-Level applicants need science A-levels with a maximum aggregate of 9 plus O-Level credits (Grade 6 or better) in five subjects including English Language, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics and General Science. All enter at Level 100.

Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMP): an integrated 4.5-year full-time MBChB for holders of at least a Second Class Lower science-based first degree (for example biological sciences, biochemistry, chemistry, physician assistantship, pharmacy, nursing or midwifery, nutrition, dietetics, food science, biomedical engineering, laboratory sciences, physiotherapy, radiography). Applicants need credit WASSCE/SSSCE grades in three core and three elective science subjects including Biology and Chemistry, and evidence of National Service where applicable. Shortlisted applicants take a four-week access course (fee GH¢ 2,000), a written examination and an oral interview. The 2026 application deadline was 2 April 2026.

BSc Physician Assistant Anaesthesia (2 years, Level 300 entry): open to national and international applicants with a diploma in Registered General Nursing, Psychiatry Nursing or Nurse Anaesthesia, or a BSc in Nursing, Psychiatry Nursing or Midwifery, plus post-registration experience in an accredited facility. Direct entry from WASSCE is not accepted.

Nursing and nurse anaesthesia: the BSc Nurse Practitioner and 2/3-year BSc Nursing programmes require registered nurses with a diploma or State Registered Nurse certificate and at least three years' work experience. BSc Nurse Anaesthesia requires an RGN diploma with three years' post-registration experience, an RGN BSc with two years, or an Advanced Diploma in Nurse Anaesthesia with two years.

The BSc Community Nutrition programme requires credit passes (A1-C6) in the three core subjects and three electives.

Postgraduate

Regular and sandwich graduate programmes are run through the Graduate School. MSc applicants need at least a Second Class Lower first degree in a relevant field; MPhil applicants need at least Second Class Upper and a research proposal; PhD applicants need an MPhil or research MSc, a proposal and an interview. Two or three referee reports are usually required, and interviews are held by the host department. Public Health Nutrition applicants from non-English-speaking countries need TOEFL iBT 79 (no section below 17) or IELTS 6.5 (no component below 6.0).

International applicants

Qualifications must be equivalent to Ghanaian standards, for example WASSCE, SSCE or NECO with passes in six subjects including English and Mathematics, GCE A-Level with three relevant passes, the Kenyan KCSE with at least C+, the International Baccalaureate, the US High School Diploma with SAT or ACT scores, and national baccalaureates with 12-14/20. Undergraduate applicants from non-English-speaking countries need IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 70. Postgraduate applicants need a bachelor's degree of at least Second Class Lower (or equivalent) and IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80. Non-English documents need certified translations. A study visa, a valid passport (six months' validity), a Yellow Fever certificate and health insurance (NHIS or an approved international policy) are required, and students staying longer than a trimester obtain a residence permit from the Ghana Immigration Service. Approved international tuition is quoted in US dollars; for example, non-AU nationals pay $8,750 for MBChB or Dentistry, $2,500 for BSc Nursing, $2,000 for other BSc programmes and $1,750 for BA/BEd programmes per year as quoted for the programme, with lower rates for AU and Caribbean nationals. On-campus rooms cost $1,200 (single) or $650 (double).

How to apply

Ghanaian applicants buy an e-voucher (GH¢ 200 undergraduate, GH¢ 250 postgraduate) at designated banks or through the UDS online payment portal, then complete the online form at the admissions portal, uploading a passport photograph on a white background and certificates. After submission, undergraduate and postgraduate applicants print the application summary and send copies with certificates to the Head (Academic and Students' Affairs) at P.O. Box TL 1350, Tamale, and scan the documents to the admissions email. Forms for the 2026/2027 year opened on 16 January 2026. International applicants register on the portal as International Applicants, do not buy an e-voucher, and are encouraged to apply by 31 July for September entry; applications are reviewed continuously.

Cut-off points (2023/2024 health programmes)

MBChB aggregate 9; Doctor of Pharmacy 12 (18 fee-paying); BSc Nursing and Midwifery 9 (male) and 10 (female) for science students, 7 and 8 for non-science students; BSc Health Information Management 18; Doctor of Medical Laboratory Sciences 12; BSc Medical Imaging Technology 11; BSc Community Nutrition 18; BSc Dietetics 16.

• Tamale Campus (Tamale, Northern Region): Central Administration, School of Medicine, School of Allied Health Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery, School of Public Health, Faculty of Education and the Drylands Research Institute. Halls and hostels include GUSSS Hostel and Sagnarigu Hall (about 200 beds, mainly four-in-one rooms) on the Dungu campus, and a clinical hostel linked to the Tamale Teaching Hospital. The Dungu campus has a University Clinic.
• Nyankpala Campus (Nyankpala, Tolon District, about 15 km west of Tamale on the Tamale-Tolon road): Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Faculty of Bioscience, School of Engineering, and the West African Centre for Water, Irrigation and Sustainable Agriculture and West African Centre for Sustainable Rural Transformation. Halls: Union Hall (male), Jeddah Hall (mixed), Nyankpala Hall (mixed) and Graduate Hall (female). The campus has a University Clinic.
• Tamale City Campus (Tamale): Graduate School, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Institute for Distance and Continuing Learning, Colleges of Education affiliation and the Business Innovation and Incubation Centre.
• Tamale North Campus (Gbanyamni, Tamale): School of Applied Economics and Management Sciences.
• Eastern Campus (Yendi): Faculty of Communication and Cultural Studies, Faculty of Sustainable Development Studies, Centre for Culture, Heritage and African Studies and Centre for Peace and Security Studies.

The University has an e-learning platform and a library portal. Students may also use the Tamale West Hospital, Tamale Central Hospital and Tamale Teaching Hospital for advanced care.