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University for Development Studies institutional logo

University for Development Studies

Tamale, Ghana • Founded 1992 • THE 2026 #1501-2191

Updated May 2026 · Source: uds.edu.gh

Overview

English Name: University for Development Studies
Acronyms: UDS
Founded: 1992
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
Rankings:
Times Higher Education 2026 #1501-2191 SCImago 2026 #2725
Motto: Knowledge for Service
University for Development Studies institutional grounds
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Established in 1992, the University for Development Studies is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the small city of Tamale (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Northern Region.

Officially recognized by the National Accreditation Board, Ghana, University for Development Studies (UDS) is a large-sized coeducational Ghanaian higher education institution. University for Development Studies (UDS) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study.

International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. UDS also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

University for Development Studies's campus location, postal address, and admissions contact channels are below.

Address: P.O. Box TL 1350
Phone: +233 (71) 22422
Fax: +233 (71) 23957

Academic Details

University for Development Studies's key academic numbers — student body size, staffing, and accreditation context.

Academic Year: September to July (September-December; January-April; May-July)
Recognition: National Accreditation Board, Ghana
Accrediting Agency: Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC)
Admission Requirements: Senior Secondary School Certificate; State Registered Nurses Certificate; Higher National Diploma/Diploma holders; West Africa Senior Secondary School Certificate; Mature Applicants and Entrance examination
Total Students: 13,132
Academic Staff Range: 600-699
Campus Setting: Suburban
Memberships & Networks
Association of African Universities (AAU)

Academic Structures

The faculties, schools, and constituent units that make up University for Development Studies are listed below.

Unit 5 items
  • Centre of Postgraduate Studies and Research
  • Faculty of Agriculture
  • Faculty of Applied Sciences
  • Faculty of Integrated Development Studies
  • School of Medicine and Health Services

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under National Accreditation Board, Ghana.

Agriculture, Food and Consumer Sciences (Faculty) 15 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Agricultural Business
  • Agricultural Economics
  • Agriculture
  • Agronomy
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Biotechnology
  • Crop Production
  • Environmental Studies
  • Food Science
  • Food Technology
  • Horticulture
  • Irrigation
  • Natural Resources
  • Rural Planning
  • Soil Science
Bioscience (Faculty) 7 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Aquaculture
  • Biochemistry
  • Biological and Life Sciences
  • Biotechnology
  • Fishery
  • Forensic Medicine and Dentistry
  • Microbiology
Communication and Media Studies (Faculty) 13 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Advertising and Publicity
  • Anthropology
  • Communication Studies
  • Government
  • History
  • Journalism
  • Media Studies
  • Modern Languages
  • Performing Arts
  • Political Sciences
  • Public Relations
  • Sociology
  • Theatre
Education (Faculty) 10 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Agricultural Education
  • Arabic
  • Business Education
  • Child Care and Development
  • Health Education
  • Humanities and Social Science Education
  • Mathematics Education
  • Preschool Education
  • Primary Education
  • Special Education
Industrial Arts and Technology (Faculty) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Design
  • Technology
Natural Resources and Environment (Faculty) 6 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Ecology
  • Environmental Management
  • Forestry
  • Hotel Management
  • Natural Resources
  • Tourism
Physical Sciences (Faculty) 5 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Statistics
Social Sciences (Faculty) 9 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Development Studies
  • Geography
  • History
  • Philosophy
  • Political Sciences
  • Psychology
  • Religion
  • Social Sciences
  • Sociology
Sustainable Development Studies (Faculty) 4 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Development Studies
  • Peace and Disarmament
  • Sustainable Development
  • Town Planning
Allied Health Sciences (School) 6 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Community Health
  • Health Sciences
  • Medical Technology
  • Midwifery
  • Nursing
  • Nutrition
Business (School) 9 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Accountancy
  • Business Administration
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Finance
  • Health Administration
  • Human Resources
  • Logistics Management
  • Marketing
  • Public Health
Dentistry (School) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Dentistry
  • Oral Pathology
  • Orthodontics
Economics (School) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Economics
Engineering (School) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Agricultural Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Waste Management
Graduate (School) Faculty details available

Specialisations & Subjects

No specified subjects listed.

Medicine (School) 19 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Anaesthesiology
  • Anatomy
  • Biochemistry
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Community Health
  • Dentistry
  • Internal Medicine
  • Medicine
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Otorhinolaryngology
  • Paediatrics
  • Pathology
  • Pharmacy
  • Psychiatry and Mental Health
  • Radiology
  • Surgery
Nursing and Midwifery (School) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Middle Eastern Studies
  • Nursing
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (School) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
Public Health (School) 4 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Epidemiology
  • Health Administration
  • Occupational Health
  • Public Health
Verterinary Sciences (School) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Veterinary Science

Programs Offered

University for Development Studies's programme catalogue is grouped by level below.

191 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Ghana

Bachelor's Degree 51 programmes

BA Development Education
Education & Teaching

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

BEd Agricultural Science
Agriculture

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

BEd Arabic
Education & Teaching

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

BEd Basic Education
Education & Teaching

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

BEd Business Studies
Education & Teaching

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

BEd Early Childhood Care and Education
Early Childhood Education

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

BEd Family and Consumer Science
Education & Teaching

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

BEd Social Science
Education & Teaching

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

BSc Actuarial Science
Natural Sciences

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 51.

Master of Business Administration 7 programmes

MBA Accounting
Business & Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MBA Educational Management and Leadership
Business & Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MBA Finance
Finance, Banking & Insurance

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MBA Health Services Administration
Business & Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MBA Management Information Systems
Business & Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MBA Procurement and Supply Chain Management
Supply Chain & Logistics

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master of Philosophy 41 programmes

MPhil Accounting
Accounting

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MPhil Agribusiness
Agribusiness

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MPhil Agricultural Economics
Agriculture

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MPhil Agricultural Project Management and Policy
Agriculture

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MPhil Agricultural Science
Agriculture

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MPhil Agriculture Education
Agriculture

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MPhil Animal Science
Animal Science

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MPhil Applied Computational Physics
Physics & Astronomy

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MPhil Biotechnology
Biotechnology

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MPhil Chemical Pathology
Biological Sciences

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 41.

Master's Degree 44 programmes

MA Development Education Studies
Education & Teaching

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MA Environment and Resource Management
Business & Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MA In Social Change Communication
Communication Studies

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master of Public Administration
Public Administration

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master of Public Health
Public Health

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master's Degree in MBChB Medicine
Medicine

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master's Degree in MCom Accounting
Accounting

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master's Degree in MCom Finance
Finance, Banking & Insurance

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master's Degree in MCom Human Resource Management
Human Resource Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master's Degree in MCom Procurement and Supply Chain Management
Supply Chain & Logistics

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 44.

Doctorate 32 programmes

Doctor of Medical Laboratory Science
Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

PhD Agribusiness
Agribusiness

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

PhD Agricultural Economics
Agriculture

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

PhD Agroforestry and Dryland Conservation
Forestry & Natural Resources

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

PhD Animal Science
Animal Science

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

PhD Applied Computational Physics
Physics & Astronomy

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

PhD Basic Education
Education & Teaching

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

PhD Biotechnology
Biotechnology

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

PhD Business Administration (Accounting)
Accounting

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

PhD Business Administration (Entrepreneurship and Innovation)
Entrepreneurship

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 32.

Professional Doctorate 1 programme

Doctor of Pharmacy
Pharmacy

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Diploma 11 programmes

Diploma in Agribusiness
Agribusiness

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Diploma in Agriculture Science Education
Agriculture

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Diploma in Agriculture Technology
Agriculture

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Diploma in Aquaculture and Fisheries Science
Marine Science

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Diploma in Basic Education
Education & Teaching

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Diploma in Biotechnology and Molecular Biology
Biotechnology

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Diploma in Business Administration
Business Administration

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Diploma in Development Education Studies
Education & Teaching

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education
Early Childhood Education

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Diploma in Family and Consumer Science
Family & Consumer Science

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 11.

Postgraduate Diploma 4 programmes

Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science
Computer Sciences

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Postgraduate Diploma in Education
Education & Teaching

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Postgraduate Diploma in Mathematics
Mathematics

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Postgraduate Diploma in Statistics
Applied Mathematics & Statistics

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

How to apply to University for Development Studies

How to apply to University for Development Studies — a five-step structure.

  1. 1
    Research programmes at University for Development Studies

    Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. University for Development Studies runs 191 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.

  2. 2
    Review admissions criteria

    Before applying to University for Development Studies, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for Ghana.

  3. 3
    Gather supporting documents

    Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with University for Development Studies's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.

  4. 4
    Lodge your application

    Lodge your application through the official website (www.uds.edu.gh). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.

  5. 5
    Confirm receipt and track progress

    Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. Reach the institution by phone at +233 (71) 22422. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about University for Development Studies

Common questions about University for Development Studies, answered from data on record.

When did University for Development Studies open?

University for Development Studies traces its founding to 1992 (approximately 34 years ago).

Where can I find University for Development Studies?

The institution is located in Tamale, Ghana.

Is University for Development Studies public or private?

It is a public higher-education institution.

How many students does University for Development Studies have?

The institution has a student body of 13,132.

Where does University for Development Studies stand in university rankings?

University for Development Studies holds rank THE 2026 #1501-2191.

What degrees does University for Development Studies offer?

Programmes at University for Development Studies cover bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.

How many faculties does University for Development Studies have?

University for Development Studies has 5 academic units.

Who recognises University for Development Studies?

Yes, University for Development Studies is recognised by Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).

Where can I learn more about University for Development Studies?

University for Development Studies's official website is www.uds.edu.gh.

Members of Association of African Universities (AAU)

Other members of Association of African Universities (AAU) are listed below.

Faculties at nearby universities

Also in Tamale: universities located close to University for Development Studies.

Where Else to Study Agriculture

These universities in Ghana also offer Agriculture programmes, alongside University for Development Studies.

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