UG Makes Major Global Strides, Rises 114 Places in 2027 Times Higher Education Rankings

Driven by the robust execution of its 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, the University of Ghana has surged 114 places in the newly released Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2027.

The ranking, released on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, places UG in the 801-1000 global band among 2,297 ranked universities worldwide.

Communicating the 2027 rankings outcome to the University, Times Higher Education confirmed UG’s position as the No. 1 ranked university in Ghana, noting that the University had “made a powerful move in the World University Rankings, rising into the 801-1000 band” among 2,297 ranked institutions worldwide. “Even more compelling, (UG’s) actual rank advanced by 114 places”, THE noted.

Across Africa, UG ranks first in Ghana and second in West Africa, while also ranking among Africa’s top 20 universities. The University is among the 25 African universities represented in the global top 1,000 and one of only four universities from West Africa to feature in this group.

The result marks a major step forward in the University’s global standing, adding to its strong performance across major international university rankings, including the QS World University Rankings and the Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Ranking). These successive recognitions reflect the University’s growing visibility for research, academic excellence, international engagement and institutional impact.

The University’s gains were anchored in strong performances in Research Environment, International Outlook and Industry. UG ranked first in West Africa for Research Environment and International Outlook, while its performance in Industry placed it second in West Africa and among Africa’s top 10.

Times Higher Education’s Research Environment pillar measures research reputation, research income and research productivity. International Outlook considers the proportion of international students, international staff and international research collaboration, while Industry considers research income from industry and patents.

Research Quality carries the highest weighting in the methodology at 30 percent and considers citation impact, research strength, research excellence and research influence. The University was also assessed on teaching, which covered teaching reputation, staff-to-student ratio, doctoral output and institutional income.

The 2027 ranking uses 17 indicators across five pillars, with Research Environment weighted at 29 percent, Research Quality at 30 percent, Teaching at 29.5 percent, International Outlook at 7.5 percent and Industry at 4 percent.

The result reflects areas central to the University’s vision to achieve global impact through innovative research, teaching and learning, using a technology-driven and people-centred approach. It also aligns with the five priorities of the 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, namely Transformative Student Experience, Impactful Research, Commitment to Faculty and Staff, Engagement and Partnerships, and Sustainable Resource Mobilisation and Stewardship.

In particular, the strong performance in research, international outlook and industry engagement reflects the University’s emphasis on Impactful Research and Engagement and Partnerships, supported by efforts to strengthen international collaboration, research impact and external partnerships.

Reacting to the news, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, described the recognition by Times Higher Education as particularly gratifying, noting that UG is already ranked No. 1 in Ghana in the QS World University Rankings and several other major global rankings.

“This top position in the THE rankings is a significant achievement. It affirms our sustained leadership in higher education across Ghana, West Africa and the African continent,” she said.

Prof. Amfo attributed the outcome to the collective contribution of the University’s faculty, staff, students, alumni and partners, as well as the steady progress made in strengthening research, teaching, global engagement and institutional systems.

As she noted, “Global excellence is not achieved through a single breakthrough; it is built through consistent effort, institutional discipline and a shared commitment to doing things better.” She described the result as a welcome affirmation of that collective effort and the University’s continued progress in research, teaching, innovation and global engagement.

The latest result reinforces the University’s upward momentum and its position as a leading destination for research, innovation and global academic partnerships in West Africa. With the continued implementation of the 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, the University remains focused on advancing impactful research, strengthening the student experience, supporting faculty and staff, deepening international and industry partnerships and mobilising the resources required to sustain institutional excellence.

UG at a Glance - THE 2027 Ranking