Female students account for 51 percent of KNUST’s fresh intake for the 2026/2027 academic year, outnumbering their male counterparts in a notable shift in the University’s admissions profile.
Of the 18,535 newly registered students, 9,436 are female, and 9,099 are male, representing approximately 51 percent and 49 percent, respectively.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christian Agyare, announced the figures at the University’s 2026/2027 matriculation ceremony. He said KNUST received more than 70,000 applications, with 16,222 undergraduate and 2,313 postgraduate students successfully admitted and registered. Female representation in the fresh intake stood at 39 percent in 2020/2021, rose to 44.27 percent in 2023/2024 and was approximately 43 percent in 2024/2025. The latest intake places women in the majority.
Welcoming the students, Professor Agyare described their admission as an achievement earned through a demanding selection process.
“You have distinguished yourself through a rigorous and highly competitive selection process, and we are delighted to welcome you to our academic community,” he said.
He reminded them that matriculation carried responsibilities beyond the ceremony. The oath they had sworn, he explained, bound them to respect the University’s values, observe its rules and regulations, and conduct themselves responsibly.
“You need to appreciate that this is far more than a ceremonial formality. Your smooth stay in the University depends on your unwavering commitment to the tenets of the oath you have just sworn,” he emphasised.
Professor Agyare urged the students to make KNUST’s core values part of their daily lives. These include Leadership in Innovation and Technology, Excellence, Embracing Diversity, Integrity, Stewardship of Resources, and Agility and Adaptability. Reaffirming the University’s commitment to equitable access, he disclosed that 132 students had gained admission through the Less Endowed Schools Admissions Policy. The policy offers academically promising students from less-endowed schools an opportunity to pursue higher education at KNUST.
The Vice-Chancellor also encouraged students to seek support early when faced with financial, academic or personal difficulties. He highlighted services available through the Directorate of Students’ Affairs (DoSA), including financial assistance, counselling and career guidance, and noted that each College had a dedicated counsellor.
“The willingness to seek help when needed reflects sound judgment and personal strength. Those who seek timely support are often better positioned to overcome challenges and attain their academic and personal goals,” he advised.
On accommodation, Professor Agyare directed students to the KNUST Off-Campus Accommodation Support System (KOSASS), which assists them in identifying suitable accommodation outside the campus. He urged students to remain vigilant, move in groups where possible and report suspicious activities promptly, stressing that everyone had a role in keeping the University community safe.
Professor Agyare also outlined measures to prepare students for an increasingly digital learning environment. All fresh students, he said, were required to complete a mandatory, self-paced course on e-learning tools through the KNUST Virtual Classroom. The course would introduce them to the University’s online learning platforms and computer-based assessment systems.
Undergraduate students must also complete the Responsible AI course, while postgraduate students are required to take AI Essentials for Graduate Studies. Both courses aim to equip students to use artificial intelligence responsibly and ethically in their academic and professional work.
He encouraged the fresh students to approach university life with discipline, curiosity and a clear sense of purpose.
“Do not be content with merely passing examinations; strive to acquire knowledge, develop relevant skills, and apply what you learn to address real-world challenges.”
