Management of the University of Ghana (UG) has clarified the over 25% increase in academic fees following the outcry from parents, students, and other stakeholders.

This follows the release of a document by the university detailing an upward adjustment in fees for both freshmen and continuing students.

The earlier document did not explicitly state the reason for the sharp increase; however, in response to public concerns, management has explained that the hike is largely due to increased third-party fees.

Speaking on Citi News, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Gordon Awandare, said management has limited control over third-party charges included in the overall academic fees.

He explained that these fees are imposed by student leadership bodies, namely the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) and the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG), to support their programmes and activities.

According to him, the charges were approved through the students’ own governance structures and communicated to students more than two weeks ago.

“What is being reported as fee increases relates to third-party fees imposed by student leadership. University management did not impose these charges. If students have concerns, they should direct them to their SRC or GRASAG leadership,” he stated.

Professor Awandare further stressed that the university’s core academic fees remain modest and affordable, with no marginal increase, especially when viewed against current economic conditions.

“When you consider fees of about GH¢2,000 for an entire academic year at Ghana’s premier university, it is difficult to describe them as excessive. Utilities and operational costs have risen significantly, yet university fees have largely remained unchanged since 2022. Even students acknowledge that the previous fee levels were no longer sustainable, which is why they adjusted their own components to reflect the cost of running their activities,” he added.

Management maintains that the current adjustments reflect economic realities rather than unilateral decisions by the university.

The increase

According to the document shared by the school management, freshmen of the Humanities College will pay GH¢3,110 for the 2025/26 academic year, representing a 34% hike from the GH¢2,319 charged in the 2024/25 academic year, while continuing students at the college will pay GH¢2,253, marking a 27 percent increase from the previous GH¢1,777.

Similarly, at the University of Ghana School of Law, undergraduate freshers under the College of Humanities will pay GH¢3,226, a 33 percent increase from GH¢2,435 last academic year. Continuing law students will also see their fees rise from GH¢1,890 to GH¢2,396.

Other colleges, including Health Sciences, Basic and Applied Sciences, and Education, have also recorded fee hikes ranging between 25 and 35%.

According to management, one of the major drivers of the hike is a result of an increase in third-party fees. While third-party fees stood at GH¢255 during the 2024/25 academic year, they have increased to GH¢767 for freshmen and GH¢455 for continuing students for the 2025/26 academic year.

A breakdown of these charges includes an SRC Hostel Development Levy of GH¢300, a GH¢100 contribution towards the university’s 75th Anniversary Legacy Project, SRC welfare dues of GH¢50, and reprographic fees of GH¢5. Fresh Level 100 and diploma students are also required to pay GH¢312 for a Telecel data package, while continuing students may opt into a Telecel data and airtime package at GH¢10.22 per month.

Students are calling on university authorities to provide clearer justification for the sudden fee hikes, warning that the increases could place additional financial strain on students and their families.

Meanwhile, the university recently announced a week extension for course registration.

This was after the school initially announced December 8 as the registration date.

In a notice signed by the Academic Affairs Directorate, course registration for undergraduate students entering the First Semester of the 2025/2026 academic year will officially begin on Monday, 15th December 2025.

The revised date, according to the school, is to allow more time for administrative preparations and ensure smooth registration for both fresh and continuing students. The Director of Academic Affairs, Mrs Lydia Anowa Nyako-Danquah, “… encourages students to take advantage of this earlier start to secure their courses and complete registration promptly,” the statement read.

Although the start date has been revised, the registration deadlines for all student categories remain unchanged. Students are advised to consult the university’s academic calendar, available online at

for further details.

Provision was also made for students who may need assistance during the registration process; they are to contact respective offices, including the finance office, among others.

“Academic issues: Contact your respective College Academic Office. Financial issues: Contact the Students' Accounts Office.

Also, UG announced Monday, 29 December and Monday, 12 January as dates for bed allocation for continuing and freshers, respectively, urging students interested to take note.

“Continuing students: Monday, 29th December 2025, Level 100 students: Monday, 12th January 202. “Fresh students interested in participating in the random bed assignment must opt in after completing their academic registration, the statement added.

The Academic Affairs Directorate thanked students for their cooperation and expressed optimism for a smooth and successful registration period.

Meanwhile, following the release of the provisional 2025 WASSCE results, the University of Ghana (UG) has informed prospective applicants to check and update their records on its admission portal.

After the WASSCE, some students buy admission forms before their WASSCE results are released. They apply using “awaiting results,” meaning they submit their details but leave the grades section blank.

Consequently, following the release of the results, the University, in a statement dated November 29, which was signed by the institution’s Director of Academic Affairs, Lydia Anowa Nyako-Danquah, has advised that they revisit the portal and upload and do a final check for accuracy, particularly of their full names and date of birth, before the formal admission process begins.

The statement read, “Following the release of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results, applicants for undergraduate admission to the University of Ghana (UG) are advised to log in again to the UG applications portal to: 1. Review the accuracy of entries, particularly: Full Name and Date of Birth; Examination records (Index Number, Exam Month, Exam Year)”.

UG advised students to be guided in their selection of programmes so they do not choose options they don’t qualify for. It also added that admissions are still open for applicants who wish to apply.

“Refer to the UG 2024/2025 entry cut-off aggregates for various programmes at

and make realistic choices. Please note that applications for 2025/2026 admissions are still open, and interested persons may purchase e-vouchers at designated banks or through the USSD code 8879# on all mobile telecommunication networks”, UG noted.