The University of Ghana Health Sciences entrance exam will still go ahead this year despite concerns raised by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), but the University says the process will return to normal from next year’s admissions cycle.
The University explained that while applicants to selected College of Health Sciences programmes are currently required to sit an entrance examination before the release of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results, the arrangement is only temporary and does not replace WASSCE as the primary requirement for admission.
The clarification comes after GTEC directed tertiary institutions on July 20, 2026, to discontinue the practice of making entrance examinations compulsory for admission. The Commission argued that admissions should follow the approved national admissions framework, with WASSCE serving as the main qualification. It also expressed concerns that mandatory entrance examinations could affect fairness, transparency, and equal access to higher education.
The directive followed the University of Ghana’s announcement that applicants to selected College of Health Sciences programmes would write computer-based entrance examinations from August 3 to August 8, 2026, before the release of the 2026 WASSCE results. The University had stated that final admission decisions would be based on both the entrance examination and WASSCE performance.
In a response dated August 3, 2026, and signed by the Registrar, the University assured GTEC that WASSCE remains the foundation of its undergraduate admissions process.
According to the University, the entrance examination is simply an additional assessment tool used because of the intense competition for limited spaces in health-related programmes.
“The WASSCE remains a fundamental requirement for admission into all undergraduate programmes of the University, including programmes in the College of Health Sciences,” the letter stated.
It added that the entrance examination is not intended to replace WASSCE or reduce its importance but rather to complement applicants’ academic performance during the selection process.
The University explained that the entrance examination is only used to shortlist applicants for interviews due to the high number of candidates competing for a limited number of places.
Management also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the admissions process remains fair, transparent, and accessible to all qualified applicants.
According to the University, the temporary arrangement was introduced because disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and changes to the WASSCE calendar delayed the release of examination results, making it difficult to complete admissions before the start of the academic year.
It noted that conducting entrance examinations after WASSCE results were released created significant pressure on the University’s human resources and infrastructure.
With WASSCE now returning to its traditional May and June examination schedule and the University’s academic calendar fully restored, Management says the temporary arrangement will end after this year’s admissions cycle.
The University confirmed that beginning next year, entrance examinations for selected Health Sciences programmes will once again be conducted after the release of WASSCE results.
The University reaffirms its commitment to national policy while maintaining the academic standards expected of the institution.
By : Rachael Djabakie