The University for Development Studies (UDS) is a public university in northern Ghana with its central administration in Tamale. It was established on 15 May 1992 and started teaching in September 1993 with 40 students in the Faculty of Agriculture.[1] It lists five campuses, in the Tamale area and in Yendi.[1] In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 it is in the 1601–1800 band; a QS 2027 placement could not be confirmed.[2]
UDS publishes international fees in US dollars. Its table has two columns, “Non-AU nationals” and “AU & Caribbean nationals”: for example, a BA or B.Ed costs US$1,750 and US$1,400, and an M.Ed or MA costs US$2,000 and US$1,600. The page does not state the academic year.[3] The English requirement is IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 70 for undergraduates and IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80 for postgraduates.[4]
Key facts
| Official name | University for Development Studies (UDS)[1] |
| Location | Central administration in Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana[5] |
| Type | Public university[5] |
| Founded | Established under PNDC Law 279, gazetted 15 May 1992; teaching began in September 1993 with 40 students[1] |
| Campuses | Tamale, Nyankpala, Tamale City, Tamale North and Eastern Campus (Yendi)[1] |
| Students | No current enrolment total on the university pages we read |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Not confirmed (no placement found in the sources we read) |
| THE World University Rankings 2027 | 1601–1800 band[2] |
| International fees, undergraduate (USD, year not stated) | From US$1,150 (non-science diploma, 2 years) and US$1,750 (BA/B.Ed, 4 years) to US$8,750 (Medicine/Dentistry, 6 years), Non-AU column[3] |
| International fees, postgraduate (USD, year not stated) | From US$1,750 (PGDE) and US$2,000 (M.Ed/MA) to US$5,500 (MBA), Non-AU column[3] |
| English requirement | Undergraduate IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 70; postgraduate IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80[4] |
| Application route, international | Online portal, category “International Applicant”; no e-voucher needed[6] |
| Official website | uds.edu.gh |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About the University for Development Studies
UDS was established under PNDC Law 279, gazetted on 15 May 1992. Academic work began in September 1993 with 40 students in the Faculty of Agriculture.[1] Wikipedia describes it as the fifth public university established by the Government of Ghana and notes that the 1992 law was repealed and replaced by the UDS Act, 2025 (Act 1134).[5]
The university lists five campuses: Tamale (central administration), Nyankpala, Tamale City, Tamale North and the Eastern Campus in Yendi.[1] Its history page names six faculties, among them Agriculture, Food and Consumer Sciences, Natural Resources and Environment, Biosciences, Education, Communication and Cultural Studies, and Sustainable Development Studies; the site’s menus list other faculties and schools too, so the structure is changing.[1][5] See also the Ghana guide.
How is the University for Development Studies ranked?
In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027, released on 30 September 2026, UDS is in the 1601–1800 band.[2] We could not confirm a QS World University Rankings 2027 placement for UDS from a source we read, so we give none.
Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at the University for Development Studies?
The international fee table lists programmes at diploma, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level. They include Medicine and Dentistry (6 years), Doctor of Pharmacy, nursing, midwifery and public health nursing, medical imaging, nutrition, agricultural technology and mechanical engineering, other BSc and BA/B.Ed programmes, the MBA, MPH, MPhil, MSc, MEd/MA, a one-year PGDE and PhD programmes in science and the humanities.[3]
Use the admissions portal to see the current programme list and requirements.[6]
How much does the University for Development Studies cost for international students?
UDS says all international fees are quoted in US dollars; they may be paid in cedi equivalent or in dollars, via SWIFT or the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS). The page does not state the academic year.[3] The table has two columns, “Non-AU nationals” and “AU & Caribbean nationals”; the page does not spell out who falls where, so check with the international office. The table below shows examples.[3]
| Programme | Duration | Non-AU nationals | AU & Caribbean nationals |
|---|---|---|---|
| MB/ChB (Medicine), Dentistry | 6 years | US$8,750 | US$7,000 |
| Doctor of Pharmacy | 6 years | US$4,000 | US$3,200 |
| BSc Nursing / Midwifery | 4 years | US$2,500 | US$2,000 |
| Other BSc programmes | 4 years | US$2,000 | US$1,600 |
| BA / B.Ed programmes | 4 years | US$1,750 | US$1,400 |
| Diploma (non-science) | 2 years | US$1,150 | US$920 |
| MBA | 2 years | US$5,500 | US$4,400 |
| MPhil (science-based) | 2 years | US$3,000 | US$2,400 |
| MSc (sciences) | 2 years | US$2,500 | US$2,000 |
| M.Ed / MA | 1 year | US$2,000 | US$1,600 |
| PhD (science-based) | 3 to 4 years | US$4,500 | US$3,600 |
Living costs
The fees page estimates monthly costs in cedis: accommodation GH₵800 to 1,500, meals 600 to 1,000, transport 200 to 400 and miscellaneous 300 to 600, which adds up to the GH₵1,900 to 3,500 per month given on the FAQ page. UDS does not offer routine scholarships to international students.[3][7]
How do you apply to the University for Development Studies?
International applicants apply on the UDS admissions portal. They create an account, choose “International Applicant” as the student category, complete the form, pick a programme, upload documents, review and submit. A submitted form can be viewed but not edited. International applicants do not buy an e-voucher.[6]
You need the bio-data page of a valid passport or a recognised national ID, certified copies of academic certificates, a recent passport photo on a white background and, where relevant, proof of English proficiency. Postgraduate applicants add official transcripts, two academic references and, for research programmes, a CV and research proposal. Documents not in English need certified translations.[6] Postgraduate applicants need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution equivalent to at least a Second Class (Lower Division) in Ghana.[4]
The how-to-apply page states no application fee. Most international students, especially from outside the AU and the Commonwealth, need a study visa before travel; those staying beyond one trimester need a residence permit from the Ghana Immigration Service.[7] We give no deadlines because they change every year.
Which English level do you need?
Applicants from non-English-speaking countries must show English proficiency: IELTS overall 6.0 or TOEFL 70 for undergraduate programmes, and IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80 for postgraduate programmes.[4] Applicants educated in English may submit official confirmation.[7]
Applicants who do not meet the test levels can take the English Proficiency Course run by the Department of Languages in the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies before their regular programme.[4]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are University for Development Studies fees for international students?
UDS quotes US dollars. Examples from its table: BA/B.Ed US$1,750 (Non-AU column) or US$1,400 (AU & Caribbean column) for four years; MBA US$5,500 or US$4,400 for two years; Medicine US$8,750 or US$7,000 for six years. The page states no academic year.[3]
How is the University for Development Studies ranked?
It is in the 1601–1800 band of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027.[2] We could not confirm a QS 2027 placement.
What English test score does UDS require?
IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 70 for undergraduates, IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80 for postgraduates, with an English Proficiency Course as an alternative.[4]
Do international applicants need an e-voucher?
No. International applicants apply in the “International Applicant” category on the admissions portal and do not buy an e-voucher.[6]
Where is the University for Development Studies?
Its central administration is in Tamale in northern Ghana. It also has campuses at Nyankpala, Tamale City, Tamale North and Yendi.[1]
More about studying in Ghana
- Ghana: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Ghana
- Ashesi University
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
- University of Cape Coast
- University of Ghana
Sources
[1] University for Development Studies: History (page without a date)
[2] YEN.com.gh: Times Higher Education 2027: UCC lands sixth straight top spot in Ghana as UG rises 114 places (article of 1 Oct 2026; THE edition released 30 Sep 2026)
[3] University for Development Studies: International fees and cost of living (page without a date; academic year not stated)
[4] University for Development Studies: International entry requirements (page without a date)
[5] Wikipedia: University for Development Studies (type, headquarters, legal basis)
[6] University for Development Studies: International how to apply (page without a date)
[7] University for Development Studies: International students FAQs (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.