Ghana

Welcome to The University of Buckingham!

Buckingham & Ghana

The first Ghanaian students to graduate from The University of Buckingham did so in 1982, and since then we have seen over 87 Ghanaian students come to study at Buckingham across all of our academic schools. The University of Buckingham is best liked by Ghanaian students for its international campus and sense of community spirit, and above all, the standard of education that they receive here.

What our students say

We currently have a dozen Ghanaian students studying with us in several of the academic schools, and this is what one of our students, Jessie Tagoe, has to say about her time so far at Buckingham:

My name is Jessie Tagoe, I am a first year LLB law student and I am enjoying my time so far at The University of Buckingham which is the whole idea anyway why I chose it. The January intake first of all pulled me towards Buckingham, not to speak of the excellent student teacher ratio, the serene atmosphere of the town and the fact that there are a lot of students from all over the world. I have come across some Ghanaians and to be honest it feels good to see someone from home.

Guideline entry requirements

In order to study at foundation level you will need to have undertaken 12 years of education and attained:

• Grade C5 or better in five subjects in WASSCE Senior School Certificate, including grade C5 or better for English language, all acquired in one sitting.

As proof of English language proficiency you would need:

• For September start an IELTS score of 5.5, with 5.0 or above in each section.
• For January start an IELTS score of 6.0, with 5.5 or above in each section.

In order to study at undergraduate level (Bachelor’s degree), you will normally need to have attained one of the following:

• Grade C4 or better in five subjects in WASSCE Senior School Certificate, acquired in one sitting, and completion of a recognised Foundation programme or Higher National Diploma
• Three A-levels at grade B or higher
• IB score of between 29 and 34 (depending on the degree subject)

The grades quoted above give an indication of a typical offer; at the Admissions Tutor’s discretion alternative qualifications or gradings may be considered. All applications will be considered individually and work experience and other interdisciplinary achievements are taken into consideration when deciding upon all applications. Applicants may also be invited to interview.

Tuition fees

• Undergraduate tuition fees
• Postgraduate tuition fees

In-country representative

We work closely with counsellors and overseas representatives who can advise you on how to apply for your degree as well as in completing your visa application.

You are not obliged to make an application through an agent but we strongly recommend that you consult with them if you require a visa counselling service. The International Office may be able to assist you with your application and let you know what documentation you need to prepare but are unable to offer advice on visas.

After you graduate

Our Alumni have gone on to have very successful careers in various industries, including: banking and financial services; legal services; accountancy; postal and telecommunications services; oil, chemicals and petroleum; healthcare and medicine; leisure and tourism; education, and; consultancy. This is what some of our Alumni have gone on to do with their lives, and also what they have to say about their time at Buckingham:

Georgina Koduah (BA Politics, Economics and Law, 1995)

Georgina completed her BA in Politics, Economics & Law in February 1995, and subsequently took a short course in Banking, Finance and Administration and went on to work for the Bank of Ghana’s Supervision Department.

Today Georgina is Executive Director of GPG Services Ltd, a real estate business which develops town houses and apartments, as well as providing logistics support for the mining, oil and construction industries. Alongside her job Georgina is also currently pursuing an E-Learning Certificate in Instructional Design.

This is what Georgina has to say about her time at Buckingham:

“My experience at Buckingham has helped me to be able to excel in whatever industry I find myself. My course of study was very diverse and was able to help me to utilise various strategies in obtaining desired results”.

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George Koduah (BA Politics and History, 1993)

I studied Politics and History at Buckingham University and graduated in February 1993. I fell in love with Buckingham when I first visited a friend who studied there in 1988. The small town feeling, close proximity to London, and the intimate association of students and lecturers got me sold. It helped me with my decision when the time came for me to pursue higher education.

I was fortunate to be in a department with knowledgeable Professors who made my learning experience unique and seamless. My sincere gratitude goes to the late Prof. Norman Barry, Prof. Bruce Collins, Dr. Mary Skinner, Dr. Jane Ridely and Prof. John Clarke. Buckingham provided me with a platform which helped me to develop my analytical and critical thinking skills. These values have been priceless over the years. When I moved to the United States I pursued graduate degrees at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia where I achieved an MA in International Commerce and Policy and an MEd in Instructional Technology.

I currently work for BAE Systems INC in Virginia, USA as an Instructional Systems Design (ISD) Consultant. The bulk of what I do involves training of employees within an organization. People in my profession are also referred to as Learning and Development Consultants. I utilize adult learning theories and principles to develop courses and training which is engaging for adult learners. Prior to my current field I worked in the financial services industry for over ten years.

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Sam Tawiah (BSc Computer Science, 1992)

I studied Computer Science with Applicable Mathematics and graduated in 1992. I moved to the US shortly after graduation with my wife Cindy. We have 3 children Aaron 16, Andrew 14 and Abigail 12.
I am currently the Director of Development and Infrastructure for World Fuel Services a Global Fuel Logistics company headquarted in Miami FL. I am responsible for all software development activities for the Credit Card Processing segment focused primarily in Business Aviation.

Buckingham prepared me in many ways for what I am doing today. I can firmly attribute my ability to speak confidently in front of any audience to my training at Buckingham. Buckingham taught me to “think outside the box” and to listen to opposing points of view when solving problems of any magnitude. This has served me well in the variety of roles I have had to play in my career so far. I will forever be thankful for my experience at Buckingham. The very diverse student body really enriched my life and to date I have many, many friends from all over the world.

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Professor Steve Amisah (right) receiving a Certificate of Honour for Excellent Academic Performance and Best Researcher in Science from Kwame Nkrumah University
of Science Technology.

Professor Steve Amisah (MSc Fisheries Biology, 1989)I left Ghana and I arrived in Buckingham in the bleak mid-winter of January 1988 to study for the MSc degree in Fisheries Biology for a period of one calendar year. It was a year packed with so much exciting academic activity. The professors were great and were really dedicated to their work. We spent a week at the Porta Ferry Marine station of the Queens University of Belfast located in Northern Ireland and spent some time taking ocean bed samples. I salute Professor Alan Brook, Dr David King and Dr Roy Wiles. Buckingham was, and I believe is still, very international in character and I learned a lot about the various cultures around the globe.

I returned to Ghana in 1989 and took up an appointment as a Lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Kumasi in 1990. In 1994, I returned to England to study for my PhD at the University of Hull and eventually graduated in 1998. I again returned to Ghana in 1999 and resumed duty at KNUST. In 2001, I was promoted to Senior Lecturer and in 2009 I was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor following a blazing trail of high quality scientific publications in peer-reviewed international journals. In 2011 I received an award for Excellent Academic Work and the Best Researcher in Science. Buckingham represents a global centre of academic and professional excellence where all networks connect. I wish current students of the university well and they should know they have made the right choice by stepping into the confines of Buckingham University.

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Freda Owusu (BA Politics, Economics and Law, 1983)

I studied at Buckingham for a BA in Politics, Economics and Law, and graduated in 1983. I went on to complete an MSc in Information Science at The City University, a Post-Graduate Certificate in Banking and Financial Services, and a Masters in Social Enterprise at Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.

I am currently in my final year of a PhD in Social Policy at the Open University investigating the livelihoods of senders of remittances to Ghana and Nigeria. I am also undertaking a Post-Grad Cert in Higher Education with the Institute of Financial Services School of Finance, of which I am a Fellow.

I have worked for 8 years as Head of Treasury Services for Ghana International Bank, in the City of London, and for 10 years managing a public sector Loan Fund. I am a mother of four.

I found the Buckingham experience short, intense and exciting. I lived in the Franciscan building, which I remember had a fairy-tale front door, and was historic but warm. There was a great community of students and faculty, always lots of fun being had.