University of Professional Studies, Accra
UPSA is a public Ghanaian university founded in 1965, designated Ghana's only Professional University, offering undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, professional, and distance-learning programmes in accountancy, business, law, data science, and management to domestic students and working professionals.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1965
- HeadquartersLegon, Ghana
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What University of Professional Studies, Accra does
The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) is a public, government-established university in Ghana, originally founded in 1965 as the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS) and evolved into Ghana's only self-designated "Professional University." The institution delivers undergraduate degrees (including Bachelor of Laws, BSc Data Science and Analytics, and business programmes), postgraduate programmes (PhD in Management, LLM specializations, MBAs), diploma programmes, professional courses, and distance/blended online learning (BOL). UPSA also operates specialized centres such as the Otumfuo Centre for Traditional Leadership (OCTL), the Research and Consultancy Centre, the J.K. Horgle Transport and Logistics Centre of Excellence (in development), and a Business Incubator Centre (UEIC). Supporting technology integrations include a DataCamp classroom for data science, the MyLoft digital library platform, the UPSA Journals publishing portal, and a student services chatbot.
UPSA's business model is anchored in tuition and academic fees charged across its undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, professional, and distance learning channels, supplemented by short courses and executive education revenue (e.g., 2026 Executive Short Courses). Its customer base comprises undergraduate students, postgraduate students, working professionals seeking continuing education, and diploma/distance learners in Ghana. Marketing and distribution are largely direct: on-campus delivery in Accra, self-serve online admissions via the UPSA Students Portal, and an active outreach programme that includes annual events such as the Ghana Business Leaders Conclave, the International Conference on Business Management and Entrepreneurial Development (ICBMED), and media partnerships with Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Media General, and Multimedia Group.
UPSA is undertaking significant infrastructure expansion, including a 230-million-cedi twin-tower and student hostel project financed in partnership with Access Bank Ghana, plus a proposed Gyakiti campus. The institution employs 501-1,000 staff and is governed by a Vice-Chancellor (currently Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, per 2026 references) and a Governing Council under the Ministry of Education. UPSA holds ACBSP re-accreditation (2026) and features in Times Higher Education Impact Rankings (top 3 in Ghana, 2021) and U-Multirank 2020.
University of Professional Studies, Accra firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- University of Professional Studies, Accra
- Legal name
- University of Professional Studies, Accra
- Website
- https://upsa.edu.gh
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1965
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- UPSA is a public Ghanaian university founded in 1965, designated Ghana's only Professional University, offering undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, professional, and distance-learning programmes in accountancy, business, law, data science, and management to domestic students and working professionals.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where University of Professional Studies, Accra is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Legon
- HQ country
- Ghana
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices1 record
Markets served
University of Professional Studies, Accra business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tuition and Academic Fees: UPSA generates primary revenue from tuition and academic fees charged across undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, professional programmes, and distance learning offerings.
- Short Courses and Executive Education: The university offers short courses and executive programmes including 2026 Executive Short Courses, generating additional revenue streams.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
University of Professional Studies, Accra product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) is a public university that delivers higher education programs including undergraduate degrees (e.g., LLB, BSc Data Science and Analytics), postgraduate degrees (LLM specializations, MBA, PhD in Management), diploma and professional programs, distance/blended online learning (BOL), and executive short courses. It also runs specialized centres such as the Otumfuo Centre for Traditional Leadership (OCTL), the Research and Consultancy Centre (RCC), and a Business Incubator Centre, while operating digital learning platforms including a DataCamp Classroom integration, MyLoft library, journals platform, and student services chatbot.
Product overview
University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) is Ghana's premier professional university offering a comprehensive range of academic programmes including undergraduate degrees (such as LLB, BSc Data Science and Analytics), postgraduate programmes (including LLM and PhD degrees), diploma programmes, and professional courses. The institution operates various specialized centres including the Otumfuo Centre for Traditional Leadership (OCTL), the Research and Consultancy Centre (RCC), and a Business Incubator Centre. UPSA provides educational technology platforms including a DataCamp Classroom integration for data science learning, MyLoft for library access, and a journals platform. The university also offers a student services chatbot and has announced upcoming technical infrastructure including a computer assembly plant. Student-led innovations include mobile applications for business operations and academic support.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Analytics Undergraduate degree programme focused on data science, analytics, and related technological skills, designed for students seeking professional qualifications in data-driven disciplines.
- Master of Laws (LLM) in Competition and Consumer Protection Law Postgraduate degree programme specializing in competition law and consumer protection regulations, aimed at law graduates seeking advanced specialization.
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Management Doctoral research programme in management studies offered to students pursuing advanced research degrees.
- 2026 Executive Short Courses Executive short courses for working professionals seeking continuing professional development and skill upgrades in business and management disciplines.
- Distance/Blended Online Learning (BOL) Distance learning and blended online learning options for students seeking flexible access to UPSA's academic programmes.
Companies that use University of Professional Studies, Accra
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
University of Professional Studies, Accra technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
University of Professional Studies, Accra partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, minor and core.
- Justice Revived FoundationstrategicUPSA Law School collaborated with Justice Revived Foundation to convene the WomenPowered Global Conference 2026 on Law, Health and Economic Justice.
- Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC)strategicUPSA Research and Consultancy Centre collaborated with NACOC to train enumerators for a baseline study on substance use among youth in La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipality.
- Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC)strategicUPSA engaged GBC for strategic media partnership to strengthen institutional collaboration in media engagement, education, research, innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly ahead of the Ghana Business Leaders Conclave 2026.
- Media General GhanastrategicUPSA paid courtesy call on Media General as part of its 60th Anniversary celebrations to strengthen institutional collaboration and invite Media General to the Ghana Business Leaders Conclave.
- Multimedia Group LimitedstrategicUPSA engaged Multimedia Group to strengthen institutional collaboration, discuss leadership development, entrepreneurship, innovation, research dissemination and strategic media engagement.
- KPMG GhanastrategicUPSA and KPMG Ghana explored strategic partnership to deepen industry-driven learning and research collaboration.
- European Union Erasmus+ ProgrammestrategicUPSA advanced staff mobility and global academic collaboration through Erasmus+ Programme with Latvia, enhancing international academic exchange.
- OmniBSIC BankminorOmniBSIC Bank delegation explored strategic partnership opportunities with UPSA Vice-Chancellor.
- E-Wells Realty and ConsultancyminorE-Wells Realty partnered with UPSA Faculty of Management Studies to organize the African Youth in Real Estate Conference and Entrepreneurship Fair.
- Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship ProgramstrategicUPSA collaborated with Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program to support academic exchange and capacity building.
- Ghana Armed ForcescoreUPSA signed MoU with Ghana Armed Forces to improve capacity of military and civilian personnel through educational programmes and training.
- National Security (Ministry of National Security)coreMinistry of National Security partnered with UPSA to train personnel, enhancing capacity building for national security personnel.
- Italian Embassy (Italy)strategicItalian Ambassador Daniela d'Orlandi indicated Italian Embassy support for teaching Italian language at UPSA through an Italian Language Centre.
- Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and British CouncilstrategicUPSA lecturer selected for Commonwealth Futures Climate Research Cohort for COP26, supported by ACU and British Council. UPSA is one of only two Ghanaian universities with faculty selected for this global forum.
- University of JohannesburgcoreUPSA partnered with University of Johannesburg through a Memorandum of Understanding for academic collaboration and exchange.
- University of New Brunswick (Canada)strategicSeven UPSA lecturers received Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships from University of New Brunswick, Canada, to pursue a three-month capacity development programme as part of an exchange between the two universities.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
University of Professional Studies, Accra competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Ashesi University: Leading private Ghanaian university known for liberal arts, leadership, and business education. Comparable in Ghanaian higher education market and emphasis on professional/leadership outcomes, but operates with greater nimbleness as a private institution.
- Central University Ghana: Private Ghanaian university offering business, law, and professional programmes. Comparable in professional education focus and Ghanaian student market, with private-sector agility.
Direct peers
- University of Ghana (Legon): Ghana's flagship public university offering broad undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional programmes including business and law. Comparable in scale, programme breadth, and Ghanaian student target market to UPSA.
- Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA): Ghana's leading public management and public administration university offering MBA, executive, and professional programmes. Directly comparable to UPSA in target market (Ghana), focus on management/business education, and B2B executive education model.
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST): Major Ghanaian public university with strong science, technology, and professional programmes. Comparable in scale, government ownership, and full-spectrum degree offerings including business and management.
Broad incumbents
- University of Cape Coast (UCC): Established Ghanaian public university with broad undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Comparable in public-sector governance model, scale, and domestic Ghanaian student base.
Regional players
- University of Johannesburg: South African public university with business and management programmes and existing UPSA partnership. Comparable in academic collaboration model and African higher education context, but operates primarily in South Africa.
- Strathmore University: Kenyan private university with strong business school and ACBSP-equivalent accreditation. Comparable in professional/business education focus and East African higher education context, though operating in a different national market.
- Makerere University: Uganda's flagship public university with broad undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional programmes. Comparable in public-sector governance, scale, and East African higher education positioning, though serving a different geography.
- Wisconsin International University College Ghana: Private university in Ghana with business, law, and ICT programmes. Comparable in Ghanaian professional education market and competition for undergraduate/postgraduate students, but affiliated with a US system.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
University of Professional Studies, Accra social profiles
Digital presenceUniversity of Professional Studies, Accra financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
University of Professional Studies, Accra leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
University of Professional Studies, Accra funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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University of Professional Studies, Accra M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about University of Professional Studies, Accra
What does University of Professional Studies, Accra do?
The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) is a public university that delivers higher education programs including undergraduate degrees (e.g., LLB, BSc Data Science and Analytics), postgraduate degrees (LLM specializations, MBA, PhD in Management), diploma and professional programs, distance/blended online learning (BOL), and executive short courses. It also runs specialized centres such as the Otumfuo Centre for Traditional Leadership (OCTL), the Research and Consultancy Centre (RCC), and a Business Incubator Centre, while operating digital learning platforms including a DataCamp Classroom integration, MyLoft library, journals platform, and student services chatbot.
Is University of Professional Studies, Accra a public or private company?
University of Professional Studies, Accra is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was University of Professional Studies, Accra founded?
University of Professional Studies, Accra was founded in 1965. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is University of Professional Studies, Accra based?
University of Professional Studies, Accra is headquartered in Legon, Ghana, in the Africa region.
How does University of Professional Studies, Accra make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Academic Fees are the primary driver. The others are short Courses and Executive Education.
Who are University of Professional Studies, Accra's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Ashesi University and Central University Ghana. Direct peers are University of Ghana (Legon), Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). University of Cape Coast (UCC) is listed as a broad incumbent. Regional players are University of Johannesburg, Strathmore University, Makerere University and Wisconsin International University College Ghana.
Does University of Professional Studies, Accra have an API?
No public API is recorded for University of Professional Studies, Accra.