A degree in Real Estate or Property, as is often termed in Australia, can lead to a very lucrative career, whether in industry or academia.
There are comparatively few universities offering real estate related programmes in Ghana. These are the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, UBIDS, University of Professional Studies, Kumasi Technical University and Central University. Indeed, for several decades it was only the KNUST that ran a BSc. Land Economy programme in the country. In total, five universities are covered in this post.
The relatively few existing programmes and diversity could be because Ghana’s real estate market is still underdeveloped. And formal real estate development and investment are relatively recent phenomena. As Grant (2005) observed, from 1983-1988, there were 50 real estate adverts or less per year in the Daily Graphic, Mirror, and the Ghanaian Times combined. The Ghana Real Estate Developers’ Association (GREDA), for example, was also formed in 1988, which tells you that the industry is relatively new.
Before proceeding with the programmes available across universities in the country, let’s look at the career options for persons with the relevant qualifications in real estate.
Career options in real estate
- Property Valuers
- Property Fund Management And Portfolio Managers
- Property Developers
- Property Analysts Or Researchers
- Facility Managers
- Asset And Property Managers
- Investment Analysts
- Land Economists
- Etc.
If you want to be a real estate agent or broker, a bachelor’s degree is unnecessary. It will be overkill.
Ghanaian Universities offering courses in Real Estate
Neither are universities nor programmes offered ordered
1. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Undergraduate programmes
Both courses are 4-year programmes
BSc. Real Estate
Admission prerequisites
- For West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) certificate applicants, at least credit passes in the core subjects and three relevant electives
- Electives can include Geography, Economics, Elective Maths, Government, Business Management and Accounting.
- Mature applicants must be at least 25 years of age. Must possess at least five O’ level credits (including English and Maths) or at least credit passes in core and relevant electives at the WASSCE.
- Mature applicants can possess HND in Estate Management
BSc. Land Economy
This is the arguably oldest real estate related programme at a Ghanaian University. Programme established in 1965. The Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS) has accredited the programme, which means upon successful completion of the programme, one is eligible for membership of the institute and practice professionally as a Valuer.
Admission prerequisites
- Similar to those for BSc. Real Estate
MSc. Land Governance and Policy
Admission prerequisites
- A relevant bachelor’s degree (with a minimum of 2 Class Lower Division)
- Relevant degrees include Land Economy, Real Estate, Planning, Law,
- Geomatic/Geodetic Engineering, Geography, Construction Management
- Must pass an admission interview
- At least two years of industry or research experience recommended
MSc. Facilities Management
The programme runs two years full time or three years part-time.
Admission prerequisites
- Same as for the MSc. Land Governance and Policy
- Preference for candidates with B.Tech qualifications.
PhD. Land Management and Governance
Admission prerequisites
- Candidates must submit a research proposal on a relevant Land management related topic
- A master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field including real estate, planning, urban management, facilities management and Economics.
- Candidates must pass an admission interview
2. Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies
This university was previously the Wa Campus of the University of Development Studies. It is located in Wa, the Upper West Regional Capital. Since 2019, it has become an autonomous university and renamed the Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD UBIDS). Aside the undergraduate degrees, it has a certificate programme.
BSc. Real Estate
Course duration: 4-years
Admission prerequisites
- For applicants with WASSCE or SSCE certificates, minimum grades of C6 or D respectively in both core and relevant elective subjects
- Relevant electives include: Economics, Geography, Government, History, Literature in English, Christian Religious Studies, Cost Accounting, Business Management, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry
BSc. Land Management
Course duration: 4-years
Admission prerequisites
- Similar to the BSc. Real Estate programme
Certificate programme
Diploma in Estate Agency
Admission prerequisites
- A minimum of three credit passes in relevant elective subjects
- At least grade D7 (for WASSCE applicants) or D (for SSCE applicants) in both English Language and Mathematics
3. University of Professional Studies, Accra
BSc in Real Estate Management and Finance
Course duration: 4 years
UPSA offers the most diverse pathways to their programmes
Admission prerequisites
- For applicants with WASSCE minimum grades of C6 in both core and relevant elective subjects
- SSCE certificates, minimum grades of D in both core and relevant elective subjects
- Appropriate electives include: Economics and Geography (compulsory), plus any other subject
- Admission not available to Level 300
- See for further details
4. Kumasi Technical University
Formerly known as Kumasi Polytechnic, the university offers two relevant programmes.
Both programmes are offered at the Department of Estate Management, the Faculty of Built and Natural Environment.
2-year BTech. Estate Management (top-up)
The programme has three options: regular, evening or weekends
Admission prerequisites
- At least Second Class Upper division in HND Estate Management
- Applicants with Second Class Lower division must pass a selection interview
HND Estate Management
Course duration: 3-years
Admission prerequisites
- For applicants with WASSCE certificates, grades A1-D7 in both core subjects (Mathematics and English Language compulsory) and three relevant electives
- For SSCE certificate holders, grades A1-D7 in both core subjects (Mathematics and English Language compulsory) and three appropriate electives
- Holders of Diploma of Business Studies must have four credits in either WASSCE or SSCE, and at least three DBS passes.
- Matured applicants need to be at least 25 years old, with two years of work experience and must pass a written exam
5. Central University
Central is probably the only private university offering an undergraduate programme in Ghana. The university is located in Accra. Notably, the BSc Business Administration degree at Ashesi University has some real estate courses, which introduce students to real estate.
- BSc. Real Estate
Course duration: 4 years
- At least credit passes (A1-C6) in three core subjects (Mathematics and English Language compulsory) and three electives, including either Economics or Geography or both.
- For SSCE certificate holders, at least grades A1-C6 in three core subjects (Mathematics and English Language compulsory) and three electives, including either Economics or Geography or both
- Graduates of HND in real estate related programmes with at least 2nd class lower are admitted to Level 200. In addition, candidates must have the minimum WASSCE/SSCE or GCE O’ Level grades.
Mature applicants must be at least 25 years and pass an entrance examination and selection interview. A letter from your employer is mandatory.
Postgraduate programmes
Only the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology offers specific postgraduate programmes in real estate/property.
Many universities may have real estate submerged into some of the Business School courses, including Marketing, Finance, Psychology, and Business Administration. An example is the BSc degree in Business Administration at Ashesi University, Accra.
Do you know of any relevant course or programme at a Ghanaian University not included in this post? Please send us an email or comment below.