Cambridge schools in Ghana must hold a licence from the National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA) under the Education Regulatory Bodies Act 2020 (Act 1023). NaSIA said in 2023 that fees for international-curriculum schools start at GH¢3,000 a year. Ghanaian universities admit Cambridge students with five O Level or IGCSE passes, including English and Mathematics, plus three A Levels.
Who regulates Cambridge schools in Ghana?
NaSIA, for every pre-tertiary school. NaSIA says Act 1023 was “passed for all Public and Private Pre-Tertiary Schools in Ghana”, and that “by this law, NaSIA is to register and license” them (NaSIA FAQ). Cambridge, IB and other foreign-curriculum schools have their own licence category, “PRV-ICS (Schools offering the Cambridge, IB or any other foreign Curricula)” (NaSIA).
Licensing is enforced. In October 2023, the Inspector-General of Schools, Dr Haggar Hilda Ampadu, said “from January 2024, NaSIA would start enforcing the law to compel all operators to comply with the licensing requirement” (NaSIA).
| Licensing point | NaSIA’s statement (2023) |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Education Regulatory Bodies Act 2020 (Act 1023) |
| Annual fee, international curriculum | ”For a typical international private school that runs the Cambridge or other international curriculum, the annual fee for licensing starts from GH¢3,000” |
| Annual fee, GES/NaCCA curriculum | GH¢300 per level |
| Penalty | ”10 times the cost of the licensing fee in addition to a flat penalty of GH¢6,900 for non-compliance” (Fees and Charges Act 2022, Act 1080) |
| Enforcement | ”The law empowers us to take a non-compliant operator to court or even close down a school in extreme circumstances” |
Fees are set under Ghana’s fees and charges legislation and can change, so confirm the current amount with NaSIA before budgeting.
Why does licensing matter so much?
Because the sector has a history of unlicensed operators. In 2021, Graphic Online reported that “out of the 74 schools claiming to run the Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) curriculum in Ghana, only 16 have been licensed” (Graphic Online, 14 October 2021). That figure is five years old, but it explains NaSIA’s focus. Families increasingly ask to see the licence, so leaders should be ready to show it.
How do Ghanaian universities treat IGCSE and A Level?
Directly, with named requirements for Cambridge results. The two largest universities publish:
| University | Requirement for Cambridge applicants |
|---|---|
| University of Ghana | ”Three relevant subjects at the Cambridge ‘A’ Levels. In addition, they must have at least five (5) passes including English and Mathematics at the Cambridge ‘O’ Level” |
| KNUST | ”Holders of GCE/IGCSE must have FIVE credits at the ‘O’ Level including English Language and Mathematics (or its approved equivalent), plus passes in at least THREE (3) subjects at the Advanced Level” |
Sources: University of Ghana; KNUST admission requirements, April 2026.
The University of Ghana lists the category as “Cambridge ‘O’ and ‘A’ Levels (IGCSE)”. For other foreign results, KNUST says the university “shall request an evaluation of results/Certificate” from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) “and/or other International Credential Evaluation Agency”. GTEC runs a Credential Evaluation Management System. It does not publish a general ruling on how IGCSE or A Level compare with WASSCE.
What does that mean for subject choices?
Plan three A Levels relevant to the intended programme, on top of five IGCSE passes that include English and Mathematics. Both universities specify “relevant” subjects by programme. Students aiming at medicine or engineering should check programme lists before choosing A Levels in Year 11. A school offering only two A Levels per student, or IGCSE without Mathematics for some students, closes these routes.
How big is the Cambridge community in Ghana?
No official count is published. At the British Council’s Partner Schools Awards in Accra in June 2026, 41 students and 12 schools were honoured for Cambridge results (GNA, 30 June 2026). Country Director Nii Doodo Dodoo said the awards “demonstrate the outstanding potential of young people in Ghana”. Academic City University offers a Presidential Scholarship to the best A Level student of the overall best A Level school.
What should Cambridge school leaders in Ghana plan?
- Confirm the NaSIA licence is current, in the PRV-ICS category, and on display for families.
- Budget the annual licence fee, and avoid the ten-times penalty by renewing on time.
- Guarantee English and Mathematics at IGCSE for every student who may apply locally.
- Offer three A Levels per student, relevant to their programmes.
- Brief families on GTEC evaluation for any results outside the universities’ named categories.
- Watch national language policy. In October 2025, the Minister said mother-tongue instruction is compulsory in Ghanaian schools. Whether it applies to international-curriculum schools has not been stated.
How schools do this with AI Buddy
When university entry depends on five IGCSE passes and three A Levels, every weak subject is a risk. AI Buddy gives students past-paper-style Cambridge practice with instant marking. Teachers see topic-level data by class, so they can support students at risk in English, Mathematics or an A Level subject before exams. Licensing and compliance remain the school’s own work.
Frequently asked questions
Do Cambridge schools in Ghana need a licence?
Yes. NaSIA licenses all pre-tertiary schools under Act 1023, with a separate category for schools offering Cambridge, IB or other foreign curricula.
How much is the NaSIA licence for an international school?
NaSIA said in 2023 that the annual licence for a typical international-curriculum school starts from GH¢3,000. Confirm the current fee with NaSIA.
Does the University of Ghana accept IGCSE and A Level?
Yes. It requires three relevant Cambridge A Levels and at least five O Level passes, including English and Mathematics, and lists IGCSE under that category.
What does KNUST require from IGCSE students?
Five credits at O Level, including English Language and Mathematics, plus passes in at least three A Level subjects.
For more countries, see Cambridge & Edexcel Schools by Country.
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Sources
- NaSIA, Licensing private schools: NaSIA to enforce compliance from January (4 October 2023), International curricular schools and FAQ
- University of Ghana, Undergraduate entry requirements
- KNUST, Admission requirements (April 2026)
- GTEC, Credential Evaluation Management System
- Graphic Online, Know the 16 schools licensed to run Cambridge Assessment in Ghana (14 October 2021)
- Ghana News Agency, British Council honours outstanding Cambridge students and schools (30 June 2026); Africanews, Ghana makes local languages compulsory in schools (27 October 2025)