The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has introduced a revised national policy governing the admission of mature students into tertiary institutions, aiming to tighten standards, improve transparency and ensure uniform compliance across universities, colleges and technical institutions.
In a notice addressed to heads of tertiary institutions and released to the public, Director-General Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai said the updated framework replaces earlier guidelines on mature admissions and takes immediate effect. The policy, he said, is intended to protect academic quality while keeping open alternative pathways for adults who did not access higher education earlier in life.
According to the commission, the mature-student entry system remains an important avenue for working adults with relevant experience. However, institutions must now observe strict eligibility requirements, an admissions quota and standardized examination procedures.
Under the new rules, mature applicants must be at least 25 years old and provide proof of age through a birth certificate or other valid documentation. They must also show a minimum of five years’ work experience in a field related to the programme they seek to study.
Academically, applicants must present at least six passes, E in SSSCE subjects or E8 in WASSCE subjects, covering English, Mathematics and three relevant electives. Applicants who already hold credit passes in English and Mathematics may use them in place of entrance examinations.
All chartered tertiary institutions must conduct their own mature-student entrance examinations, which will assess English, Mathematics and general aptitude. For institutions operating under mentorship, entrance exams must be moderated and vetted by the mentor institution to ensure consistency and integrity.
GTEC has also introduced a quota system, capping mature admissions at no more than 5% of an institution’s total enrollment in any academic year. The commission says the cap is necessary to prevent abuse of the mature-entry pathway and maintain balanced enrollment profiles.
The policy includes strict sanctions for non-compliance. Institutions that admit applicants who do not meet the criteria risk having such admissions withdrawn. Additionally, GTEC may revoke the accreditation of programmes that fail to comply or impose other penalties outlined under the Tertiary Education Act, 2020 (Act 1023).
The commission emphasized that the new directive is now the sole regulatory framework governing mature admissions nationwide. Copies of the notice have been distributed to university councils, technical university boards and principals of colleges of education.
GTEC said it expects full cooperation from institutions as the reforms take effect.