Accra Technical University (ATU), Ghana’s first technical university located in Accra, offers 10 Bachelor of Technology (BTech) and 15 Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes across five faculties for the 2025/2026 academic year, catering to fresh school leavers and working professionals alike.
Founded in 1949 as a Technical School and commissioned in 1957 as Accra Technical Institute, the institution was renamed Accra Polytechnic in 1963 under then-President Kwame Nkrumah. A 1992 polytechnic law elevated it to tertiary status, granting authority to award HND certificates. It became a fully fledged university in 2016 under the Technical University Act 2016, Act 745. ATU is ranked 4th among all universities in Ghana and 28th among 88 institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa by the Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings 2023.
Five Faculties, Broad Programme Range
ATU organises its 16 departments under five faculties: Engineering, Applied Sciences and Technology, Built and Natural Environment, Business and Management Studies, and Art and Design.
BTech programmes include Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology, Cyber Security, Medical Laboratory Science, Water and Sanitation Engineering, Interior Design and Technology, Applied Statistics, and Accounting and Finance Analytics.
HND programmes cover Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Accountancy, Marketing, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Hospitality Management, Medical Laboratory Technology, Fashion Design and Technology, Graphic Design, Printing Technology and others.
ATU also runs part-time Language Proficiency Programmes in English, French, Spanish, German and Chinese, designed for professionals looking to strengthen communication skills. Several programmes are offered in morning, evening and weekend sessions to accommodate working students.
Admission Requirements
BTech applicants must hold six passes, graded A1 to D7 in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or A to D in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE), covering English Language, Core Mathematics and Integrated Science or Social Studies. At least three of those passes must be at C6 or better, with elective subjects relevant to the chosen programme.
HND applicants face similar requirements. Holders of a Technician Certificate with passes in Part I and Part II technical subjects, or a pass in the Ordinary Technician Diploma (OTD), are also eligible.
Students seeking a two-year BTech top-up must hold an HND certificate in a relevant field at Second Class Lower Division or above.
Fees
As a public institution, ATU fees are comparatively affordable. Specific amounts vary by programme and enrolment track. A fee-paying option exists for applicants who meet minimum entry requirements but fall outside competitive cut-off points. Students are advised to visit atu.edu.gh for current fee schedules.
