WASSCE Admission Requirements for University of Ghana and KNUST (2026 Guide)
UG and KNUST admission requirements for 2026, from each university's own guide: WASSCE core subjects, electives, credit passes and how aggregates work.
Quick answer
Both universities ask for credit passes (A1 to C6) in the core subjects plus three relevant electives, with a total aggregate of 24 or better for regular admission. UG also requires a credit in Social Studies, and the subjects used in your aggregate depend on whether your programme is science or non-science.
- Credits (A1 to C6) in the core subjects and three electives are the minimum at both universities.
- The aggregate limit is 24 or better for regular admission at both; UG accepts 30 or better for distance education.
- Popular programmes admit far lower aggregates, so check the latest cut-off points before you buy a form.
If you are writing WASSCE or holding your results and thinking about university, the first question is simple: do you qualify? This guide sets out the general WASSCE entry requirements for the University of Ghana (UG) and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), taken from each university’s own admissions guide.
What “credit pass” and “aggregate” mean
In WASSCE, grades A1 to C6 are credit passes. D7, E8 and F9 are not credits, so they do not meet the minimum for a degree programme at either university.
Your aggregate is the total of the number on each grade (A1 = 1, B2 = 2, B3 = 3 and so on) across six subjects. A lower aggregate is better. An aggregate of 24 or better means 24 or lower.
How to calculate your WASSCE aggregate: two examples
Here are two made-up results, worked out the way UG describes for its two groups of programmes.
A General Science student applying for a science programme at UG counts English, Core Mathematics, Integrated Science and three science electives:
| Subject | Grade | Points |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | B3 | 3 |
| Core Mathematics | C4 | 4 |
| Integrated Science | B2 | 2 |
| Physics | B3 | 3 |
| Chemistry | C4 | 4 |
| Biology | B2 | 2 |
| Aggregate | 18 |
An aggregate of 18 meets the general limit of 24. Social Studies is not counted here, but this student still needs a credit in it.
A General Arts student applying for a non-science programme at UG counts English, Core Mathematics, Social Studies and three electives. With C5, C6 and B3 in those cores and B2, C4 and C6 in Economics, Government and Literature, the aggregate is 5 + 6 + 3 + 2 + 4 + 6 = 26. That is above 24, so it does not meet UG’s general requirement for regular admission, but it is within the limit of 30 for distance education.
University of Ghana: general WASSCE requirements
According to the UG Admissions entry requirements page, you need at least credits (A1 to C6) in:
- The four core subjects: English, Core Mathematics, Integrated Science (or Core Science) and Social Studies
- Three elective subjects
Your aggregate across six subjects should not exceed 24 for regular admission or 30 for distance education.
Which six subjects count at UG
Which six subjects count depends on the programme:
- Science-related programmes: English, Core Mathematics, Integrated Science and three science electives. Social Studies is not counted, but you still need a credit in it.
- Non-science programmes: English, Core Mathematics, Social Studies and three General Arts or Business electives. Integrated Science is not counted, but you still need a credit in it.
Some programmes ask for more. For example, UG lists Elective Mathematics at B3 or better for BSc Actuarial Science. Check your programme in the search tool on the UG entry requirements page.
KNUST: general WASSCE requirements
KNUST’s official guide, Entry Requirements and Guidelines for Selecting an Undergraduate Programme (published by the Academic Affairs Division, April 2026), says WASSCE applicants need:
- Credit passes (A1 to C6) in the three core subjects: English Language, Mathematics and Integrated Science
- Credit passes in three elective subjects relevant to the programme
- An aggregate of 24 or better
The guide stresses that the three core subjects are a prerequisite for every programme.
Two examples from the KNUST guide
BSc Computer Science: credits in English Language, Mathematics and Integrated Science, plus Elective Mathematics, Physics and either Chemistry, Applied Electricity or Electronics.
Health programmes such as BSc General Nursing, BSc Medical Laboratory Science and Medicine (MBChB): credits in the three core subjects, plus Biology, Chemistry and either Physics or Mathematics. Nursing and Midwifery applicants must also pass an interview, and Medicine and Dental Surgery applicants who are short-listed must pass an entrance exam and interview. The guide notes that students with a Home Economics background cannot read BSc Nursing at KNUST.
UG and KNUST side by side
| Requirement | University of Ghana | KNUST |
|---|---|---|
| Core subjects needing a credit | English, Core Mathematics, Integrated Science, Social Studies | English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science |
| Electives | Three | Three, relevant to the programme |
| Aggregate (regular) | 24 or better | 24 or better |
| Aggregate (distance) | 30 or better | Not covered in this guide |
Meeting the minimum is not the same as getting in
These are minimum requirements. Popular programmes usually admit students with aggregates well below 24, and each university publishes cut-off points that change from year to year. UG explains that its cut-off points are based on the previous year’s quotas and serve only as a guide. You can see UG’s current list on its cut-off points page.
Before you apply
- Find your exact programme on the official page or guide and check its elective subjects.
- Work out your aggregate using the right six subjects for that programme.
- Compare it with the latest official cut-off point, if one is published.
- Buy your application voucher only through the official channels listed by the university. KNUST lists its admission portal at apps.knust.edu.gh/admissions.
Still waiting on your grades? Our step-by-step guide shows how to check your WASSCE results online on WAECDirect.
This guide summarises official information as of October 2026. Requirements can change, so always confirm on the university’s own website before you apply.
Questions people ask
What aggregate do I need for the University of Ghana?
UG's general requirement is an aggregate of 24 or better across six subjects for regular admission, or 30 or better for distance education. Popular programmes usually need a much lower aggregate, so check UG's latest cut-off points.
What aggregate do I need for KNUST?
KNUST's April 2026 guide asks WASSCE applicants for an aggregate of 24 or better, with credit passes in English Language, Mathematics and Integrated Science and in three electives relevant to the programme.
Is D7 a credit pass in WASSCE?
No. Only A1 to C6 are credit passes. D7, E8 and F9 do not meet the minimum for a degree programme at UG or KNUST.
Can I get into UG or KNUST with an aggregate of 25 or more?
Not for regular admission under the general requirements, which ask for 24 or better at both universities. The University of Ghana accepts an aggregate of 30 or better for distance education.
How do I calculate my WASSCE aggregate for university?
Add the grade numbers (A1 = 1 up to C6 = 6) for the six subjects your programme counts, usually three core subjects and three electives. For example, B3, C4, B2 in the cores and B3, C4, B2 in the electives give an aggregate of 18.
Are UG cut-off points the same every year?
No. The University of Ghana says its cut-off points are based on the previous year's quotas and serve only as a guide, so they can change each year.
Do I need Social Studies for the University of Ghana?
Yes. UG requires a credit in Social Studies. For science-related programmes it is not counted in your aggregate, but you still need the credit.
Official sources
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