Law Schools in Ghana: Admission Requirements and Program Overview

Nov 18, 2025 0

The Law Faculty in general is committed to training students in the legal profession. Over the years, teaching and administrative staff of the Law Faculty have met regularly to discuss and debate issues pertaining to the development of the Law Faculty and its departments and to chart a path to promote their growth. The strategic plan responds to the significant needs of teaching the law in a modern competitive market by promoting best practices and innovation in legal education.

The strategic plan demonstrates the Department’s commitment to preparing our students for higher academic achievements, organising the administrative staff into a dynamic managerial force and providing effective teaching through a fully competent teaching staff. At the Department level, the primary focus was to overcome the various constraints that impede the delivery of quality lectures, conduct and quality of examinations, computation of grades and preparation of transcripts and to effectively address all the administrative issues relating to the day-to-day running of the Department and the Faculty in general.

The Department’s strategic plan is a critical step towards accomplishing these goals, as we innovate in our teaching, assessment, course organization and the general professional development and growth of the teaching and administrative staff. We remain dedicated to pursuing administrative inclusivity and implementing various aspects of our strategic plan through dedicated school committees.

It is with great pride that we share the accomplishments of our students who have actively participated in exchange programs with renowned universities in the United States, including the prestigious Harvard Law School. Our dedication to internationalization remains unwavering, as evidenced by our continued collaborative engagements with esteemed institutions such as Fordham Law School and the World Bank. Furthermore, we take immense pride in our active participation in three prestigious international moot court competitions: the All African Moot Court, the ICC Moot Court, and the Philip Jessup Moot Court Competitions.

All Africa Moot Court Competition

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The law school has during the period of my stewardship continued to participate in the major regional and global competitions including the Philip Jessup, All Africa Moot, and the ICC moot court competitions. For the past six years (save this year), the law school participated in all three (3) competitions and projected the image and standing of the law school. The team participated in the All Africa Human Rights in Cairo, Egypt in July 2022.

A strong push was made for the enhancement of the international presence of the law school and accordingly a number of exchanges and collaborative agreements including the establishment of collaborations with the universities of Newcastle, Australia, Sao Paulo, and Milan.

Undergraduate Law Programs (LLB)

Several universities in Ghana offer Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programs. These programs are designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of legal principles and prepare them for professional training at the Ghana School of Law. Here's an overview of the requirements and structures of some of these programs:

Four-Year LLB Programme (Non-First Degree Holders)

This programme targets Senior High School (SHS) graduates, who are interested in studying law as a first degree. The programme is for a duration of four (4) academic years and lectures are from 9am to 4pm whenever school is in session.

Entry Requirements:

WASSCE Candidates: Applicants must have Six (6) credit passes (A1-C6) including English Language, Core Mathematics and Integrated Science or Social Studies and any three (3) relevant elective subjects.
SSCE Candidates: Six (6) credit passes (A-D) including English Core Mathematics and Integrated Science or Social Studies and any three (3) relevant elective subjects.
WASSCE/SSSCE/GBCE: credit passes of at least grade C6 or D respectively in three (3) core subjects and three (3) elective subjects or credit passes in five (5) subjects including English Language, Mathematics and any Science subject at the GCE ‘O’ Level in addition to three ‘A’ Level passes plus a pass in General Paper.
Mature Applicants: Applicants must be 25 years and above.

The admission process is highly competitive and thus only few applicants are granted admission every year.

Three-Year LLB Programme (Post-First Degree)

This programme is designed for students who already possess a first degree in any discipline and are desirous of pursuing law as a post-first degree course.

Entry Requirements:

A Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from an approved University with a minimum of Second Class (Lower Division), or a professional chartered qualification such as ACCA, ICA, ICSA, CIPS and CIMA.
Additional Requirement:Applicants must, in addition, have WASSCE/SSSCE/GBCE credit passes of at least grade C6 or D respectively in three (3) core subjects and three (3) elective subjects or credit passes in five (5) subjects including English Language, Mathematics and any Science subject at the GCE ‘O’ Level in addition to three ‘A’ Level passes plus a pass in General Paper.
First degree in any field with at least a third class.

The process of admission includes writing and passing a highly competitive entrance examination as well as successfully passing a rigorous qualifying interview. Only a limited number of qualified applicants are admitted every year.

Note: The 3-Year Post First Degree LL.B Programme is an undergraduate programme.

Note 2: The Three (3)-Year Post First Degree LLB applicants are to note that lectures are held from Monday to Friday (Evenings) and Saturday (morning).

Additional Information on LLB Programs

University of Ghana School of Law: Admission requires a solid academic background, with high school graduates needing excellent grades.
Graduation Requirements (University of Ghana): Students must carry a minimum workload of 15 credits and a maximum of 18 credits per semester, obtaining a minimum of 120 credits and a maximum of 144 credits to graduate.
Promotion Requirements (University of Ghana): Students must pass a minimum of 30 credits and a maximum of 42 credits of core courses and electives at the end of Level 200 to progress.
Graduation Requirements (University of Ghana): Students must accumulate a minimum of 90 credits, including all core courses, and must not fail any core courses or more than 12 credits of elective courses.

Postgraduate Law Programs (LLM)

The GIMPA Faculty of Law offers specialized Master of Laws (LL.M) programs designed to cater to diverse legal professionals in a globally competitive marketplace. These programs typically last one year and require applicants to have a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree with at least a Second Class (lower division).

General Admission Requirements for LLM Programmes:

Applicants for the LL.M programmes must have obtained at least a Second Class (lower division) in a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL.B) programme.

Duration and Graduation Requirements (General for LLM):

The LL.M. programs are full-time programs.
Progression through the program and successful completion are based on passing all prescribed courses and dissertations.
Students will, in normal circumstances, graduate within one year of admission to the Programme.
In exceptional circumstances, students will be allowed to graduate within two years of admission to the Programme if such extension is justified by extenuating circumstances.

Specific LLM Programs at GIMPA Faculty of Law

1. LLM (General)

This program allows students to customize their studies by drawing from diverse course offerings in three specialized areas:

International Trade and Business Law
Dispute Resolution Law and Practice
International Criminal Law and Justice

2. LLM in International Criminal Law and Justice

This program focuses on accountability for atrocity crimes and the role of Africa within the International Criminal Law and Justice architecture. It provides an in-depth appreciation of disciplines forming the core of International Criminal Law, including International Humanitarian Law. The program also examines the International Criminal Court (ICC), with potential internship opportunities available.

International Criminal Court in The Hague

3. LLM in International Trade and Business Law

This program focuses on transnational trade and the legal regime within which it operates, with specific attention to regional economic integration in Africa and the role of the AfCFTA in transforming the continent.

African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

4. LLM in Dispute Resolution Law and Practice

This program provides an in-depth appreciation of dispute resolution law in both theoretical and practical forms. It is designed to prepare students for a career in cross-border dispute resolution and become effective practitioners in the field.

Additional Opportunities

The law school established two important centres during the period under review namely, the African Center for International Criminal Justice (ACICJ) and the African Center for Legal Ethics (ACLE). The two centers have been fully self-financing and have to date not received any funding/administrative support from GIMPA.

There are Internship and Externship opportunities in respect of the LL. B-Day programme.

In conclusion, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the faculty members, staff, and students who have contributed to the success of the Faculty of Law. Once again, I welcome you to the Faculty of Law. As you, I am pleased for you to discover the multitude of opportunities that await you here.