The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has maintained its position as the top university in Ghana, according to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2027. This marks the sixth consecutive year that UCC has held this position. The rankings, released on September 30, 2026, assessed 2,297 universities across 118 countries and territories using 17 performance indicators. UCC and the University of Ghana (UG) are jointly ranked in the 801–1000 band globally.
The University of Ghana (UG) has shown significant improvement, rising 114 places in the rankings. According to a statement from UG, THE confirmed that the university's actual rank had increased, placing it ahead of UCC nationally. UG also ranked second in West Africa, first in the subregion for international outlook, and among Africa's top 20 universities. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo expressed her satisfaction with the recognition.
Five Ghanaian universities made it to the THE 2027 rankings, making Ghana the third best-represented country in sub-Saharan Africa. The University of Cape Town led the region, ranking jointly 147th globally. In addition to UCC and UG, other Ghanaian universities ranked include Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the University for Development Studies (UDS), and the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR).
UCC and UG share the 801–1000 band, with both institutions recording an overall score range of 36.4 to 40.1. While UCC scored higher in teaching and research quality, UG led in research environment, industry, and international outlook. KNUST improved to the 1201–1400 band from 1201–1500 last year, while UDS placed in the 1601–1800 band, and UENR debuted in the 1801–2000 band.
The University of Ghana has also retained its position as the top university in Ghana and West Africa in the QS World University Rankings 2027. Released on June 18, 2026, the QS rankings placed UG among Africa's top 13 universities out of 1,504 institutions assessed worldwide. It is worth noting that the QS and THE rankings use different methods, which can result in varying rankings for universities.
The Vice-Chancellor of UG, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, described the recognition as particularly gratifying. The university's improvement in the rankings reflects its efforts to enhance its research environment, industry partnerships, and international outlook. With its rising rank, UG is poised to attract more international students and partnerships.
The THE 2027 rankings provide a comprehensive evaluation of universities worldwide, considering factors such as teaching, research, industry, and international outlook. Ghanaian universities have demonstrated their competitiveness in the global higher education landscape, with UCC and UG leading the way. The rankings serve as a valuable resource for students, researchers, and institutions seeking to collaborate with top universities worldwide.
Key points
- UCC tops Ghanaian universities in THE 2027 rankings for the sixth consecutive year.
- University of Ghana rises 114 places in THE 2027 rankings.
- Five Ghanaian universities make it to THE 2027 rankings.
