Corporate Information
The University of Cape Coast is one of the rare sea front universities in the world. It was established in October, 1962 as the result of a recommendation of an international commission appointed by the Ghana Government in December, 1960 to advise on the future of University education in the country and the possibility of establishing a third University at Cape Coast. The College was formally inaugurated on December 15, 1962 and placed in special relationship with the University of Ghana. Beginning in a few buildings taken over from a Teacher Training College located in what is now called the Southern Section, 6.4 kilometers west of the ancient educational town of Cape Coast, the College expanded so rapidly in size that by 1965 the development of the permanent campus 1.6 kilometers to the north of the original pioneer site had begun. Earlier in 1964, the government had assigned to each of the country’s three Public Universities specific fields of operation, and in line with the emphasis then being placed on science education, the College was renamed ‘The University College of Science Education’ and entrusted with the task of training graduate teachers in Arts and Science but especially the latter for the secondary schools, teacher training colleges, polytechnics and technical institutions in Ghana. In 1966, following the change of government, the College reverted to its original name of the University College of Cape Coast. In 1970, the College Council recommended to the government the upgrading of the College to full university status with power to award its own degrees. As a result of this and in consequence of a recommendation to the same effect made shortly afterwards by the University Visiting Committee appointed by the Government in the preceding year legislation, The University of Cape Coast Act, 1971 [Act 390] was promulgated for granting full university status to the College with effect from October 1, 1971. At its inception, the College had two academic departments, Arts and Science, which were re-designated as Faculties a year later. In 1964/65, Education, which had previously formed part of Arts, was established as a separate Faculty in view of the crucial role which it was to assume within the re-organised degree structure. Thereafter, education became a compulsory component of the three subject course leading to the B. (General) Education degrees offered by the College. From October, 1971, two-subject and single-subject honours degree programmes were instituted in Arts, Social Sciences, Science and Education in order to meet the country’s present and future high-level manpower needs adequately. Presently, the University has restructured its degree programmes by de-coupling the study of professional education courses from the main degree courses. This was done to allow flexibility and choice in its course offerings and thus cater for specific needs of students, while still focusing on its traditional mission of producing highly qualified and skilled manpower in education. In this regard, approximately 40% of students are admitted into the Faculty of Education to pursue Bachelor of Education programmes, qualifying as professional teachers, and the rest admitted into non-education programmes in the other Faculties. The University is organized into ten (10) Faculties/Schools and headed by Deans namely: School of Graduate Studies and Research (SGSR), Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Agriculture, School of Biological Sciences, School of Business, School of Medical Sciences and School of Physical Sciences. Forty-nine years of commitment to its core values of excellence and services as well as vision to have a University that is strongly positioned with worldwide acclaim has turned the University of Cape Coast into the University of Choice in Ghana and indeed, the West African sub-region. It is an equal opportunity University that is uniquely placed to provide quality education through the provision of comprehensive, liberal and professional programmes that challenge learners to be creative, innovative and morally responsible citizens. The University in her effort to respond to the changing needs of the nation has established a Faculty of Law. A Founding Dean for the Faculty has been appointed to commerce preparatory work for the finest in the West Africa right from the onset. It will also meet the highest international standards for a Faculty of Law. By employing modern technologies and through distance learning, the University extends expertise and facilities to train professionals for the educational enterprise, business and other sectors of the economy. The University of Cape Coast is constantly seeking alternative ways to respond to changing needs of society. It also continues to expand the core of its faculty and administrate staff by offering a conducive environment that motivates them to position the University to respond effectively the development needs of a changing world.
