The University of Cape Coast (UCC) is a public university in Cape Coast, Ghana. It was set up in October 1962 as a university college with a special relationship to the University of Ghana and became a full, independent university on 1 October 1971.[1] Its about page gives a total of 74,720 students, most of them in distance education.[1] In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 it is in the 801–1000 band.[2] A QS 2027 placement could not be confirmed.
UCC does not publish a general table of international tuition on the pages we read. The international office says fees vary by programme and are reviewed each academic year, and asks applicants to write to it for current figures.[3] For 2026/27 regular first-degree programmes, fees for 102 of 107 programmes were still unpublished when we checked.[4]
Key facts
| Official name | University of Cape Coast (UCC)[1] |
| Location | Cape Coast, Central Region, Ghana[5] |
| Type | Public university[5] |
| Founded | October 1962 as a university college; full independent university on 1 October 1971 under the University of Cape Coast Act, 1971 (Act 390)[1] |
| Students | 74,720 in total on the university’s about page (undated): 48,989 distance undergraduates, 18,949 regular undergraduates, 2,773 sandwich postgraduates, 1,445 sandwich undergraduates, 1,540 distance postgraduates, 1,014 regular postgraduates[1] |
| Regular first-degree programmes 2026/27 | 107 listed in the admission announcement[4] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Not confirmed (no placement found in the sources we read) |
| THE World University Rankings 2027 | 801–1000 band[2] |
| Tuition for international students | Not published as a general table; vary by programme, ask international@ucc.edu.gh[3] |
| Estimated living costs (international office, USD, year not stated) | Housing $1,200 per year; books about $300, food about $1,000 and transport about $100 per semester[3] |
| Language of teaching | English[6] |
| International office | No. 9 Odamten Road, near Yanney-Ewusi Roundabout, UCC[7] |
| Official website | ucc.edu.gh |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About the University of Cape Coast
UCC was established in October 1962 as a university college with a special relationship to the University of Ghana, Legon. It became a full, independent university on 1 October 1971 under the University of Cape Coast Act, 1971 (Act 390).[1] The university describes its growth through faculties and schools: Arts and Science from 1963, Education and Economics and Social Studies from 1964, the School of Agriculture from 1975 and the Schools of Physical and Biological Sciences and of Business in the early 2000s.[1]
The about page gives a total of 74,720 students, with a breakdown that sums to 74,710.[1] Distance undergraduates are the largest group (48,989), followed by regular undergraduates (18,949).[1] Wikipedia reports 78,485 students for 2022/23.[5] See also the Ghana guide.
How is the University of Cape Coast ranked?
In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027, released on 30 September 2026, UCC is in the 801–1000 band, in the same band as the University of Ghana. The press report we read adds that UCC appears first among Ghanaian institutions on THE’s public table.[2]
We could not confirm a QS World University Rankings 2027 placement for UCC 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 of Cape Coast?
The 2026/27 admission announcement for regular first-degree students lists 107 programmes.[4] The admissions catalogue shows each programme with its entry requirements and cut-off points.[8] UCC also runs distance, sandwich and postgraduate programmes, as the enrolment figures on its about page show.[1]
The university’s about page names faculties and schools, while Wikipedia lists a collegiate structure (for example Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Distance Education, Education Studies, Humanities and Legal Studies, and Health and Allied Sciences). We could not reconcile the two from the pages we read, so check the programme catalogue for the unit that offers your subject.[1][5]
How much does the University of Cape Coast cost for international students?
We found no published table of international tuition. The international office says: tuition varies by programme and is reviewed each academic year; contact international@ucc.edu.gh for current fees.[3] For regular first-degree programmes in 2026/27, the announcement says fees for 102 of 107 programmes were not yet published and advises applicants to confirm the fee with the Admissions Office before buying a voucher.[4]
Living costs
The international office gives these estimates in US dollars (it does not state the year): housing about $1,200 per year, books about $300 per semester, food about $1,000 per semester and transport about $100 per semester. First-year undergraduates pay housing as part of their fees.[3]
How do you apply to the University of Cape Coast?
International applicants use a separate online application form run by the international office.[9] The how-to-apply page says international applicants do not need to buy an application voucher; Ghanaian applicants buy one from an authorised bank or Ghana Post.[8] The 2026/27 regular first-degree voucher price is GH₵220.[4]
For undergraduate applications the international office lists: passport photo, scanned passport bio-data page, senior high school results, certified translations of non-English results, previous institutions with dates and sponsor contact details. Postgraduate applicants add transcripts, certificates, a CV, a motivation letter and references (two for a master’s, three for a PhD) and a research proposal for M.Phil. and PhD.[9]
We give no deadlines because they change every year. The international page we read does not state an application fee.[9] Contact the international office for help with visas, residence permits and housing.[7]
Which English level do you need?
Teaching is in English. For Ghanaian school-leavers, a good pass in English Language is a core requirement.[6] The 2026/27 announcement says international applicants without evidence of English proficiency must take an English proficiency course before enrolling, and names no test or score.[4] UCC offers a one-year Certificate in English Proficiency for non-English speakers.[9]
The general entry rule for WASSCE holders is six passes with an aggregate of 36 or better, including English Language, Core Mathematics and Integrated Science or Social Studies. International qualifications such as the IB, GCE A-Level, IGCSE and American High School Grade 12 are listed in the announcement.[6][4]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are University of Cape Coast fees for international students?
UCC does not publish a general table on the pages we read. Fees vary by programme; the international office asks applicants to write to international@ucc.edu.gh for current figures.[3]
How is the University of Cape Coast ranked?
It is in the 801–1000 band of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027.[2] We could not confirm a QS 2027 placement.
Do international applicants need to buy a voucher?
Do I need an English test for UCC?
The announcement names no test or score. Applicants without evidence of English proficiency must take an English proficiency course before enrolling.[4]
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 for Development Studies
- University of Ghana
Sources
[1] University of Cape Coast: About UCC (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 of Cape Coast: International degree-seeking students (page without a date)
[4] University of Cape Coast Admissions: Admission of regular first degree students 2026/2027 (page last updated 8 Nov 2026)
[5] Wikipedia: University of Cape Coast (type, location, college structure and 2022/23 student figure)
[6] University of Cape Coast Admissions: General entry requirements (page without a date)
[7] University of Cape Coast: International office (page without a date; newest news item 2 Aug 2026)
[8] University of Cape Coast Admissions: How to apply (page without a date)
[9] University of Cape Coast: International applicants, getting started (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.