If you’re researching best nursing schools in Tamale, Ghana’s Northern Region gives you a genuinely wide range of options, from a 60-plus-year-old diploma college to a full university-level School of Nursing and Midwifery. This guide covers every major nursing school in Tamale, including their programmes, durations, fees, cut-off marks, and admission requirements, based on both college listings and each institution’spublished information.
Overview
Tamale, the capital of Ghana’s Northern Region, has grown into one of the country’s key hubs for nursing education outside Accra and Kumasi. The city and its surrounding districts host a mix of Ministry of Health-supervised diploma colleges, a public university with a dedicated School of Nursing and Midwifery, and regional training institutions serving the wider northern belt of Ghana. All accredited nursing schools in Tamale fall under the regulatory oversight of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (N&MC) and, for diploma and degree awards, are accredited by the National Accreditation Board. This means graduates from any properly accredited nursing school in Tamale are eligible to sit N&MC licensing examinations and register to practice as nurses or midwives across Ghana.
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Quick Answer: Nursing Schools in Tamale at a Glance
If you only have a minute, here’s the shortlist of nursing schools in Tamale:
- Nurses’ and Midwives’ Training College, Tamale (NMTC) – Best for an affordable, long-established diploma in general nursing or midwifery
- University for Development Studies (UDS), School of Nursing and Midwifery – Best for a full BSc Nursing, Midwifery, or Public Health Nursing degree
- Tamale Community Health Nurses’ Training School – Best for community health-focused nursing training
- College of Nursing and Midwifery, Nalerigu – Best for students in the North East Region seeking nursing or midwifery training
- Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Kpembe – Best for another regional diploma-level option outside central Tamale
Below is a detailed breakdown of each of these nursing schools in Tamale.
Nursing Schools in Tamale: Comparison Table
| Institution | Location | Key Programmes | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| NMTC Tamale | Teaching Hospital Road, Tamale | Diploma in General Nursing, Diploma in Midwifery | 3 years |
| UDS School of Nursing and Midwifery | Tamale Campus | BSc Nursing, BSc Midwifery, BSc Public Health Nursing | 4 years |
| Tamale Community Health Nurses’ Training School | Tamale Metropolis | Diploma in (Community Health) Nursing | 3 years |
| College of Nursing and Midwifery, Nalerigu | Nalerigu, North East Region | Nursing and Midwifery diplomas | 3 years (typical) |
| Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Kpembe | Kpembe | Nursing and Midwifery training | 3 years (typical) |
Top 4 Best Nursing Schools in Tamale
Discover the best nursing schools in Tamale, Ghana, including NMTC Tamale, UDS School of Nursing, and more.
1. Nurses’ and Midwives’ Training College, Tamale (NMTC)
For over 60 years, NMTC Tamale has trained general nurses and midwives for Ghana’s Northern Region and beyond. It’s regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and accredited by the National Accreditation Board, making it one of the most established nursing schools in Tamale.
Programmes offered & duration:
- Diploma in General Nursing – 3 years
- Diploma in Midwifery – 3 years
- Diploma Upgrade for Nursing Assistants (NAC/NAP) into Midwifery – 2 years
- Post-Basic/Top-up BSc General Nursing – for existing diploma holders
- Post-Basic BSc Ophthalmic Nursing – for existing diploma holders
Certificates awarded: Diploma in General Nursing, Diploma in Midwifery, and top-up BSc qualifications for diploma holders.
Fees: Reported figures vary by year and source, ranging from roughly GHS 2,300 to GHS 3,000 per year, generally covering tuition, feeding, examination, and course registration fees. The college also offers needs-based scholarships covering up to 50% of costs, plus interest-free payment plans split by semester or year.
Admission requirements:
- A senior high school certificate with credits in Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Mathematics
- Age between 18 and 35 years at the time of application
- A medical exam confirming fitness for training, including required immunizations such as Hepatitis B
- Preference for candidates from the Northern Region, though applicants from across Ghana are accepted
- An admissions interview assessing motivation for the nursing profession
Address: Teaching Hospital Road, Tamale (P.O. Box 565, T/L)
Best for: students who want an affordable, well-established diploma pathway into general nursing or midwifery.
2. University for Development Studies (UDS) – School of Nursing and Midwifery
UDS runs a full School of Nursing and Midwifery based at its Tamale Campus, working closely with Tamale Teaching Hospital for clinical placements. Among nursing schools in Tamale, it’s the clearest route to a full bachelor’s degree rather than a diploma.
Programmes offered & duration:
- BSc Nursing – 4 years (for WASSCE holders with pure science, agricultural science, arts, or home economics backgrounds)
- BSc Midwifery – 4 years (same entry track as BSc Nursing)
- BSc Public Health Nursing – 4 years
- BSc Nurse Practitioner – 2 to 3 years (post-registration route for existing Registered Nurses with a diploma and relevant work experience)
Certificates awarded: Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees in Nursing, Midwifery, or Public Health Nursing.
Admission requirements: WASSCE holders need relevant elective science, agricultural science, arts, or home economics subjects (candidates with business-only subjects are advised not to apply for the direct-entry BSc Nursing track). Post-registration BSc Nursing and Nurse Practitioner applicants must already be Registered Nurses with a diploma or State Registered Nurses Certificate, generally with at least three years of working experience.
Address: Tamale Campus, University for Development Studies, Tamale
Best for: students who want a full nursing degree with strong clinical ties to a major teaching hospital.
3. Tamale Community Health Nurses’ Training School
This public tertiary institution, supervised by the Ministry of Health, focuses specifically on community health nursing. Like other nursing schools in Tamale under NMC oversight, its diploma is awarded after a three-year training programme and is accredited by the National Accreditation Board.
Programme offered & duration:
- Diploma in Nursing (Community Health Nursing focus) – 3 years
Cut-off marks: Admission depends on an aggregate score across six subjects (three core, three elective). Depending on the grading system in use, this generally means an aggregate of around 36 or better under the older grading scale, or around 24 or better under the newer WASSCE grading scale, with required credits in English, Mathematics, and Integrated Science as core subjects.
Age requirement: 18 to 35 years.
Best for: students specifically interested in community-based, preventive, and public health nursing roles.
4. College of Nursing and Midwifery, Nalerigu
Located in Nalerigu in the North East Region, close to Tamale, this Ministry of Health institution trains nurses and midwives for the wider northern Ghana area. It appears in regional listings under its older name, Nalerigu Nurses and Health Assistant Training School, and now operates under its updated institutional name.
Programmes offered & duration:
- Nursing and midwifery diploma programmes – typically 3 years, in line with standard Ghanaian nursing diploma structures
Best for: students based in or near the North East Region who want training close to home.
5. Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Kpembe
This college, located in Kpembe, offers another regional option among nursing schools in Tamale’s wider catchment area, with nursing and midwifery training programmes. Detailed programme and fee information should be confirmed directly with the college.
Best for: students seeking a smaller, regionally based nursing and midwifery training college.
How to Apply to Nursing Schools in Tamale
While each institution has its own process, most follow a similar pattern:
- Confirm you meet the educational requirements — typically WASSCE credits in English, Mathematics, Integrated Science, and relevant science electives.
- Complete the entry form/application form, providing personal details, date of birth, and contact information.
- Submit certified copies of your final exam results or school transcripts, along with a national ID or passport.
- Provide any required references (some schools ask for two references from teachers).
- Submit your application before the deadline — typically April or May for diploma-level intakes — since incomplete or late applications are not reviewed.
- Attend an entrance exam and/or interview if shortlisted, which forms part of the final admission decision.
History of Nursing Education in Ghana
Formal nursing education in Ghana traces back to the colonial era, with the first midwifery school opening at the maternity block in Korle Bu, Accra, in 1928. Early nursing training followed an apprenticeship model, with students learning through practical ward instruction and basic theory in anatomy, physiology, and first aid, rather than a standardized curriculum.
By 1944, plans were underway to formalize and standardize nursing education nationwide, and the first dedicated tutors were appointed in 1945 to run a proper school of nursing, initially based in Kumasi before relocating to Korle-Bu, Accra, in 1948. For much of this early period, nursing was actually dominated by male recruits, since the physical demands of hospital work were seen as unsuitable for women at the time, but this shifted decisively by the early 1950s, after which nursing became a female-dominated profession in Ghana, a pattern that persisted for decades.
Following independence in 1957, Ghana became a regional pioneer in nursing education, establishing the first university-based diploma programme to train nurses in tropical Africa. Regulation of the profession was later consolidated under the Nursing and Midwifery Council (N&MC), a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament; the Council marked its 50th anniversary in 2020 and today operates under the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act, 2013 (Act 857). This regulatory foundation is what allows nursing schools in Tamale and across Ghana to award nationally recognized qualifications today, with programmes typically affiliated to major universities such as the University of Ghana or Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology for diploma-awarding purposes.
Role and Responsibilities of Nurses
Nurses trained at nursing schools in Tamale and elsewhere in Ghana take on a wide range of clinical and community responsibilities, including:
- Direct patient care: administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with medical procedures and examinations
- Health assessment and documentation: evaluating patient conditions, maintaining accurate health records, and communicating findings to the wider care team
- Maternal and child health: for midwifery-trained graduates, providing care throughout pregnancy, labour, delivery, and the postnatal period
- Community and public health work: particularly for community health nursing graduates, delivering preventive care, health education, and outreach services in homes, clinics, and rural communities
- Infection prevention and control: sterilizing equipment, following safety protocols, and helping contain the spread of disease within healthcare facilities
- Patient advocacy and education: helping patients and families understand diagnoses, treatment plans, and self-care practices
These responsibilities scale with qualification level: certificate and diploma nurses generally focus on direct clinical and community care, while BSc-trained nurses from institutions like UDS often move into supervisory, teaching, research, or specialized clinical roles over the course of their careers.
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Nurses Salary in Ghana
Nurse pay in Ghana’s public sector is structured around the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS), which places nurses on different grades based on qualification, experience, and role, though actual figures vary by source and are periodically revised:
- Certificate-level nurses typically start around GHS 1,300 to GHS 2,000 per month as new recruits.
- Diploma-level Registered General Nurses (RGNs) — the qualification awarded by most nursing schools in Tamale — generally earn between GHS 1,500 and GHS 2,000 per month at entry level, rising to roughly GHS 2,500 to GHS 3,500 per month with several years of experience.
- Degree (BSc) holders, such as graduates of UDS’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, typically start on a higher band than certificate or diploma nurses, though exact figures depend on grade placement and posting.
- Senior, specialized, or private-sector nurses can earn significantly more, particularly with added allowances for risk, extraneous duty, or specialization.
Because Ghana’s nursing salary structure is periodically reviewed and pay also depends on the specific health institution, graduates should confirm current pay scales directly with the Ghana Health Service or their prospective employer rather than relying on salary figures alone when choosing a career path.
FAQs About Nursing Schools in Tamale
Which is the best nursing school in Tamale? NMTC Tamale is the most established diploma-level option, while the University for Development Studies offers the only full BSc Nursing degree among nursing schools in Tamale.
How much does it cost to study at NMTC Tamale? Reported fees range from roughly GHS 2,300 to GHS 3,000 per year, depending on the source and year, generally covering tuition, feeding, and examination fees, with needs-based scholarships available.
What is the cut-off mark for nursing schools in Tamale? Cut-off marks vary by institution and grading system. The Tamale Community Health Nurses’ Training School, for example, requires an aggregate of around 36 (older grading scale) or 24 (newer WASSCE scale) across six subjects, including core credits in English, Mathematics, and Integrated Science.
Can I study a full nursing degree in Tamale? Yes. The University for Development Studies’ School of Nursing and Midwifery offers 4-year BSc programmes in Nursing, Midwifery, and Public Health Nursing, plus a post-registration BSc Nursing route for existing diploma-holding nurses.
What are the general admission requirements for nursing schools in Tamale? Most require WASSCE credits in English, Mathematics, Integrated Science, and relevant science subjects, an age range of roughly 18 to 35, a medical fitness exam, and an admissions interview.
Are there scholarships available at nursing schools in Tamale? Yes. NMTC Tamale, for example, offers needs-based scholarships covering up to 50% of costs, along with interest-free payment plans.
Conclusion
Tamale offers a genuinely varied set of nursing training options, from NMTC’s long-standing diploma programmes to UDS’s full bachelor’s degrees in nursing, midwifery, and public health nursing. Whichever of these nursing schools in Tamale you choose, confirm current fees, cut-off marks, and admission deadlines directly with the institution, since these details are updated with each academic year.
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