EDUCATION

I. EDUCATION
  1. What can you study
  2. Where can you study
  3. How do you apply
  4. What is a scholarship
  5. Vocational skills
II. EDUCATION IN GHANA
  1. University system
  2. Application Process
  3. Scholarships
III. EDUCATION IN THE GAMBIA
  1. Universities
  2. Application & scholarships
IV. EDUCATION IN GERMANY
  1. Why Germany
  2. Applying for scholarships
  3. Scholarships available in Germany
I. EDUCATION
Whether or not you plan to migrate, it is always a good idea to have some level of education. The more education you have, the easier it becomes to get a visa and scholarships. So investing in your education now, before you consider leaving, is a smart thing to do.

Some benefits of education:

  • Helps you become qualified for jobs that offer more financial security
  • Creates new opportunities through what you learn and the people you meet
  • Prepares you for the future
  • Exposes you to many socially relevant issues
  • Equips you with knowledge and skill
  • Helps you navigate life more easily
1. What can you study
There are many different paths of study designed to meet everyone’s varying interests. If you know anyone who has been to university, talk to them about what they studied, why, and what other fields they would recommend. You can also always go to an Education Service Office in your district or directly to the University and talk to the Admissions office. They are there to help you find the path that best suits you.

University programmes are usually divided into different groups:

  • The Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics)
  • The Applied Sciences (all types of Engineering, Agriculture, Computer Science)
  • The Social Sciences (Accounting, Economics, Anthropology, Sociology, Geography, Political Science, Urban Planning, Psychology, Communication Studies, etc.)
  • The Humanities (Literature, Philosophy, Languages, Religions, Art History, The Arts, etc.)
  • Business (Finance, Management, Entrepreneurship, Human Resource Management, Tourism, etc.)
  • Healthcare (Medicine, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Public Health, Dentistry, etc.)
  • Education (Teacher training, Adult Education, Counseling, etc)
  • Law
2. Where can you study

There are different places where you can study after secondary school. They include:

  • Universities (offers the most options in terms of courses of study, also the place to go if your interests are in the humanities, law, the sciences, or medicine).
  • Polytechnic or Technical Universities (focuses and excels in the science and science-related fields)
  • Colleges of Education (grants degrees in education)
3. How to apply for studies
  • Secondary school certificates and results slips are necessary to apply to any tertiary institutions.
  • There are different processes and grades required for each institution. Contact them directly for more information.
  • Always go to the institution you are interested in, visit their website, or call them to learn more about the requirements.
  • Good grades are vital to gaining admission to tertiary institutions.
4. What is a Scholarship

If you cannot afford to study at home or abroad, you can apply for scholarships or financial aid.

  • Scholarship money does not have to be paid back as it is not a loan. It is a gift to help those deemed worthy to complete their studies.
  • Scholarships are often awarded based on academic merit (how well you have done academically so far), your financial needs, your region or country of origin (if applying in another country), gender, field of study, etc.
  • Some institutions also offer other financial aid, which can help you pursue your education. But not that most financial aid has to be repaid; it is a loan.

Documents often required to apply for scholarships:

  • An officially certified copy of your higher education entrance qualification
  • An overview of your subjects and grades
  • Copies of your previous higher education certificates, if applicable
  • Motivation Letter and Curriculum Vitae (CV)
5. Vocational skills
  • If you do not have a secondary degree or do not have the ability to study at university, you can pursue vocational skills and learn a trade.
  • Having a learned trade will increase your chances of getting a visa to migrate legally, if that is something you want to do.
  • Studying a trade or vocational course that is in demand (such as IT) can significantly increase your chances of obtaining a work visa.
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II. EDUCATION IN GHANA
1. University system

University:

Universities offer the biggest selection of courses to choose from.
If you are interested in law, medicine, the humanities, or social sciences, the university is your only option.
Universities often also have great science departments.

Technical University:

  • Technical Universities exist in most of the regional capitals in Ghana.
  • Technical Universities were previously called Polytechnics.
  • They offer courses that focus on science and technology, including Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Medical Lab Technology.

College of Education:

  • Colleges of Education train you to become a teacher for primary and secondary schools.
  • There are many Colleges of Education across Ghana.

Professional courses:

There are also professional courses that you can take that will help you get started on career paths in accounting, finance, and insurance.

  • Accounting and finance courses are offered through the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
  • Professional and technical accounting courses are offered through the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICA)
  • Courses in insurance are offered through the Chartered Insurance Institute of Ghana (CIIG)
  • Courses in procurement are offered through the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS)
2. Application process
Once you have selected the field of study you want to pursue and know which schools you want to apply to, the next step is to go to their websites to learn about the application process. Application processes vary by school, but will always include that you must select the course of study you are hoping to pursue.

IMPORTANT: It is possible to apply even before West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results are available.

IMPORTANT: Application fees are non-refundable, even if the application is not successful.

3. Scholarships

In Ghana, the government offers scholarships to senior high school and university students. Scholarships are often awarded based on hardship and merit.

For more information when online:
SCHOLARSHIPS_GHANA

There are also scholarships offered by foundations, NGOs, philanthropists, and the private sector. For example:

  • MasterCard foundation scholarships (for universities in Ghana and abroad).
    More information when online:
    MASTERCARD_SCHOLARSHIP
  • GNPC Undergraduate Scholarships.
    More information when online: 
    GNPC_SCHOLARSHIP
  • MTN Ghana Bright Scholarships.
    More information when online:
    MTN_SCHOLARSHIP
  • KNUST-Tullow Tertiary Scholarship.
    More information when online:
    KNUST_SCHOLARSHIP

Other helpful scholarship sites for Ghanaians:

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III. EDUCATION IN THE GAMBIA
1. Universities
  • The Gambia has the University of the Gambia (UTG), a small university that offers many courses of study. Their focus is on sciences and education, but you can also receive a degree in some fields of the humanities and law. If you choose to study in The Gambia, UTG offers the biggest selection of courses.
  • There is also the American International University West Africa (AIUWA), which offers courses of study in medicine, dentistry, and nursing.
2. Application & Scholarships
  • You can apply to the universities online through their website.
  • Applications come with a fee. This fee is non-refundable, even if you are not admitted to university.
  • You can apply for scholarships through the Ministry of Higher Education.

Undergraduate application documents required:

  • WASSCE, GCE, or its equivalent
  • ID card, passport, or birth certificate
  • A passport-size photo
  • Bank receipts

Graduate application documents required:

  • BSc diploma
  • University transcript
  • Passport or birth certificate
  • A passport-size photo
  • Bank receipts

More Information when online:
UNIVERSITY_OF_GAMBIA_ADMISSION
INTERNATIONAL_AUNIVERSITY_GAMBIA

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IV. EDUCATION IN GERMANY
1. Why Germany
  • Germany offers internationally recognized programs at a relatively cheap cost.
  • Germany has free tuition for some courses of study.
  • There are many scholarship options.
  • Germany has many top-rated European universities.
  • Germany also has technical universities and also offers vocational training opportunities for health care professions, such as nursing and physical therapy, as well as many IT opportunities.

Studying in Germany can be a great experience, but it is not easy to gain admission to universities. You need to have excellent grades, all the required paperwork, and show a commitment to your studies. But once you have chosen your field of study and which university you would like to attend, you would go through the application process. Information can be found online through the university websites. And if you get accepted, congratulations! You can now apply for scholarships to help support you during your studies.

2. Applying for scholarships
All scholarships will have different requirements, but you can easily find that information online. Most applications need to be entered online. It can often take many months (at least three) to know if you will receive the scholarship.
  • Apply for scholarships early and often
  • Scholarships all have different due dates
  • Many scholarships are aimed at current university students
  • When applying, be honest. Don’t exaggerate your grades, skills, or qualifications.
  • Apply for the scholarships that best match your interests and skills.
  • Don’t delay. Missing a due date means you will have to wait a year before you can apply for that scholarship again.
3. Scholarships available in Germany

Below we list some of the scholarships available in Germany:

  • Germany Scholarship Program (Deutschlandstipendium)
  • DAAD scholarships
  • Erasmus scholarships
  • Heinrich Boll Foundation scholarships
  • Friedrich Naumann Foundation scholarships
  • Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung scholarships
  • KAAD scholarships
  • Friedrich Ebert Stiftung scholarships
  • Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung scholarships

More information when online:

TUITION_FREE_UNIVERSITIES_GERMANY
DAAD_SCHOLARSHIP

Required documents

The documents needed will vary based on scholarship, but in general, you will need:

  • An officially certified copy of your higher education entrance qualification
  • An overview of your subjects and grades (with official translation)
  • Certified copies of your previous higher education certificates, if applicable
  • A passport-sized photo
  • A photocopy of your passport (name and photograph)
  • Certified copies of language certificates
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