The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) runs its postgraduate admissions through a dedicated online portal, separate from the main university website. This article explains how the UPSA postgraduate admission portal works, what programmes are available for the 2026/2027 academic year, the entry requirements attached to them, and what applicants should expect to pay from the point of application through to registration.
What The UPSA Postgraduate Admission Portal Is
The UPSA admission portal is the official online system through which prospective postgraduate students apply, upload supporting documents, and track the progress of their application. It sits at admissions.upsa.edu.gh, with the actual application form hosted on a linked student information portal. Every step of the postgraduate application, from purchasing an application number to submitting certificates and a research proposal, happens through this platform rather than through a physical application process. Applicants outside Ghana can use the same portal, since UPSA accepts international postgraduate applicants alongside Ghanaian ones.
Postgraduate Programmes Offered
UPSA runs a wide postgraduate catalogue built around business, law, finance, and public policy, reflecting its identity as a professional studies institution. The programmes are grouped by degree type, and applicants apply directly into the specific specialization they want rather than a general postgraduate category.
PhD Programmes include Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Management, Marketing, Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, Interdisciplinary Studies, International Security and Intelligence, and Public Policy and Leadership.
MPhil Programmes cover Master of Philosophy degrees in Accounting, Finance, Management, Leadership, Applied Statistics, Information Systems, and Media and Digital Communication Management.
MBA Programmes form the largest group and include specializations such as Accounting and Finance, Human Resources Management, Auditing, Internal Auditing, Corporate Governance, Corporate Communications, Marketing, Petroleum Accounting and Finance, Total Quality Management, Assets and Wealth Management, Business Management, Management Information Systems, Impact Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Leadership and Strategy.
MSc Programmes include Applied Statistics, Risk Management and Insurance, Energy Economics and Finance, Leadership and Organisational Development, Procurement Management, Pensions Management, Information Systems, and Information Security Management.
MA Programmes cover Natural Resources and Climate Change Law, Peace, Security and Intelligence Management, Brands and Communications Management, Media and Digital Communication Management, and Digital and Strategic Marketing Management.
LLM Programmes include Master of Laws specializations in Competition and Consumer Protection Law, International Business and Commercial Law, and Natural Resources and Climate Change Law.
Beyond the standard on-campus format, UPSA also runs several of its postgraduate programmes through Distance Learning, delivered in a blended mode with a strong online component, allowing applicants who cannot attend in person to complete a postgraduate degree while working or living elsewhere.
Entry Requirements For Postgraduate Admission
The general entry requirement for most UPSA postgraduate programmes is a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university, with a second class lower division or better. Applicants with a third class degree can still apply, but they are required to go through an additional screening and selection interview to demonstrate suitability for the programme. Holders of relevant full professional qualifications, such as ICAG, ACCA, CIMA, CIM, CPA, ICSA, or CIB certifications, also qualify to apply even without a university degree in some programme categories.
International applicants apply using a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification recognized by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), and those coming from non-English speaking countries must submit evidence of English language proficiency alongside their application.
Some specific programmes carry additional subject-specific requirements on top of the general rule:
- Master of Philosophy in Finance requires a bachelor’s degree with at least second class lower in a finance-related field such as Banking and Finance, Accounting, or Economics, or an equivalent chartered professional certificate.
- MBA in Accounting and Finance, Auditing, Internal Auditing, and Petroleum Accounting & Finance require a bachelor’s degree in accounting and/or finance, or an equivalent chartered professional certificate in accounting or a related field.
- MSc in Insurance Risk Management accepts a relevant bachelor’s degree in fields such as Risk Management, Insurance, Actuarial Science, Economics, Mathematics, or Engineering, and also considers non-related degree holders with at least two years of working experience in insurance risk management, as well as holders of professional qualifications such as the Chartered Institute of Insurance (CII).
- MSc in Procurement Management accepts a relevant business-related bachelor’s degree, non-related degree holders with at least two years of procurement experience, or holders of a Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) qualification.
- MSc in Pensions Management accepts a relevant bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, or Insurance, non-related degree holders with pension-related work experience, or holders of professional qualifications such as CFA, CIB, CII, ICAG, or ACCA, subject to an interview.
- MPhil in Accounting accepts a bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Accounting & Finance with at least second class lower, a Finance degree combined with a stage-two professional accounting qualification, an existing MBA in Accounting and Finance, or a professional accounting qualification supported by evidence of prior independent research.
Because entry requirements differ by specific programme, applicants should confirm the exact requirement for their chosen course before applying, since some programmes are open to non-degree holders with sufficient professional or work experience, while others strictly require a university degree in a related discipline.
How To Register On The Portal
Registering for UPSA postgraduate admission follows a fixed sequence of steps, and skipping any step delays the application.
- Purchase an Online Serial Number (OSN). This is the access code needed to open the application form and currently costs GH¢350.00 for Ghanaian applicants and US$120.00 for international applicants. It can be bought at any Ecobank, Access Bank, or Zenith Bank branch, at any Ghana Post office branch nationwide, through the USSD short code 789877#, or via mobile money using the short code 8879#.
- Access the online application portal. Using the OSN and the receipt number generated at purchase, the applicant logs on to the application portal to unlock the actual application form.
- Complete the application form. All personal, academic, and programme-choice details are filled in directly online, and the form is submitted electronically once complete.
- Upload supporting documents. All required documents must be scanned and attached in PDF format, since UPSA does not accept postgraduate applications through physical submission.
- Track the application. Once submitted, applicants can log back into the portal to check the status of their application and respond to any additional requests from the admissions office.
Documents Required For Postgraduate Application
Applicants must scan and upload the following documents as part of a complete postgraduate application:
- Certified copies of academic certificates and transcripts.
- Two recommendation letters speaking to the applicant’s ability to undertake postgraduate or doctoral studies.
- A personal statement explaining the applicant’s motivation for pursuing the programme.
- A copy of the applicant’s birth certificate.
- A research proposal of three to five pages, particularly for research-based and doctoral programmes.
- A current Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Applications with missing or improperly scanned documents typically face delays, so applicants should confirm that every file is legible and in the correct PDF format before submission.
Application Fees And Cost Summary
The table below summarizes the direct cost of starting a UPSA postgraduate application, separate from tuition once admitted.
| Item | Ghanaian Applicants | International Applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Online Serial Number (OSN) / Application Fee | GH¢350.00 | US$120.00 |
| Payment channels | Ecobank, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, Ghana Post, USSD, Mobile Money | Same channels, where accessible from abroad |
This application fee covers access to the form only. Tuition, which varies by programme (PhD, MPhil, MBA, MSc, MA, or LLM) and by mode of study (regular or distance learning), is billed separately once an offer of admission has been made. Since tuition differs by specialization and is reviewed periodically, applicants should confirm the exact fee for their specific programme through the official Fees Schedule published by the university before making any payment.
Application Process After Submission
After an application is submitted with all required documents, the relevant academic department reviews it against the entry requirements for that specific programme. Shortlisted applicants are typically invited for a screening or selection interview, particularly those applying with a third class degree, a non-related professional qualification, or relevant work experience in place of a directly related degree. Successful applicants then receive an admission offer through the portal or by email, after which they proceed to pay the required acceptance and tuition fees to confirm their place before the academic year begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I apply for UPSA postgraduate admission? Applications are submitted through the official UPSA admissions portal, using an Online Serial Number purchased through an approved bank, Ghana Post office, USSD code, or mobile money channel.
How much does it cost to start a UPSA postgraduate application? The Online Serial Number required to access the application form costs GH¢350.00 for Ghanaian applicants and US$120.00 for international applicants.
Can I apply for a UPSA postgraduate programme without a bachelor’s degree? In some programmes, yes. Certain MSc and MBA specializations accept non-related degree holders with relevant work experience, or holders of recognized professional qualifications, though most programmes still require a bachelor’s degree with at least second class lower.
Does UPSA offer postgraduate programmes by distance learning? Yes. A number of postgraduate programmes are available in a blended distance learning mode with more than 70% online interaction, in addition to the standard on-campus format.
What documents do I need to upload for a postgraduate application? Certified academic certificates and transcripts, two recommendation letters, a personal statement, a birth certificate, a research proposal of three to five pages, and a current CV.