Unpaid Scholarships Leave Ghanaian Doctoral Students in the UK Facing Eviction and Deportation

On a pressing note, more than 100 Ghanaian doctoral students in the UK are currently facing critical circumstances due to the funding crisis. This situation arises as the Ghanaian government failed to provide promised scholarships, which included payments for tuition fees and living allowances, leaving them at risk of eviction and removal from the country. Universities remain uncompensated and students unsupported due to chronic, unresolved debts owed by the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat. In Accra, officials said tens of millions of pounds in arrears were inherited by the new administration this year. While partial payments are reported to have been forthcoming along with audits, numerous students continue to be denied their graduation, are excluded from using facilities, and rely on food banks.

This is a crisis that has been used to reveal why Ghanaian students in the UK face deportation due to unpaid fees and stipends. It also shows the extent to which non-payment of government scholarships affects Ghanaian doctoral students in the UK, since arrears directly impede academic progress and put legal status in jeopardy.

A petition to the UK authorities

The delegation for the affected scholars reported that they had petitioned Downing Street and Labour leader Keir Starmer. Their appeal was to help in persuading the Ghanaian government to clear millions of pounds in arrears. The students noted that the unpaid fees and stipends leave many in debt, unable to pay rent, and at risk of deportation.

Daily Agonies of Scholars

Prince Komla Bansah, its president, said some students had already been deported after universities withdrew their registrations for non-payment. Others had been evicted from accommodation or forced to borrow money to survive. He noted that while some tried to work part-time, it was extremely difficult to balance employment with PhD studies.

The petition pointed out that the Ghanaian PhD students' unpaid scholarships UK problem had reached such a level that some of them were facing court cases over rent arrears, while others had turned to food banks because they had no money for food.

Universities Across Britain

The students are registered at institutions across the country, including University College London, Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, and the universities of Nottingham, Bradford, Warwick, Lincoln, and Liverpool. That speaks volumes about how far-reaching the crisis at the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat has been, from campuses in London to those in Scotland.

Government Response in Ghana

Officials in Accra said that when President John Mahama's new administration came into office in January, it found inherited debts to about 110 UK institutions, estimated at £32m. The registrar of the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat, Alex Kwaku Asafo-Agyei, explained that an audit of past scholarships was still underway and that new awards to the UK had been paused.

He said he had been to Britain earlier in the year to discuss instalment plans with some of the universities, but conceded that some of those institutions had since pulled out of such arrangements. He added that Ghana had made "significant payments", but would not confirm how much of the debt had been settled.

Student Impact

Around 30 doctoral students reported that tuition fees for them had not been paid since 2024. Some were barred from graduating, submitting work, or even accessing university facilities. Others said they had missed support payments for more than three years. He said the problem was all too well known, even to the new government that had been in office only a few weeks and had equally failed to act. He said scholarships were still being awarded to other countries while the Ghana government scholarship debt to the UK remained unresolved.

This is not the first time that such problems have occurred. Earlier in 2025, more than 180 Ghanaian students in the United States complained about missing payments. In previous years, Nigerian and South African students faced similar challenges when their governments delayed the funding of their scholarships abroad.

Analysis

The international students' funding crisis in the UK highlights how unpaid scholarships will further lead to student visa deportation for having unpaid fees. This is where one clearly sees the effects of Ghana Scholarship Secretariat debt on Ghanaian students' enrolment in the UK: genuine scholars are being evicted, unable to graduate, and thrown into hardship.

This situation shows why Ghanaian students in the UK face deportation due to unpaid fees and stipends. It also demonstrates how the unpaid government scholarship is affecting Ghanaian doctoral students in the UK, with arrears directly blocking academic progress.

Support Options

Students who might have been affected may seek UK student support services for international students, apply for emergency financial aid for Ghanaian students in the UK, or find UK university visa support for international students. They may also need to contact the UK Home Office student visa advice while waiting for the Ghanaian authorities to resolve the crisis.

Editor’s Note:

The funding crisis in the deportation of Ghanaian students in the UK has highlighted serious challenges faced by over 100 PhD students in Britain. Their government has not provided scholarships, fees, and allowances, resulting in students being on the verge of being evicted and deported from the country. Students have spoken of their struggles in light of this crisis daily. Some students have already been deported because universities ended their registrations due to a lack of payment, with some being evicted from residences, with others being forced to take loans in order to survive in light of this crisis. In this situation, policymakers need to take some immediate action and collective effort. The Ghanaian government must address their arrears promptly and communicate transparent information about payments. UK universities can establish hardship schemes or deferral arrangements so students are not penalised for situations beyond their control. Meanwhile, affected students can be advised to access UK support schemes for students internationally, financial assistance for emergencies, and visa information from the Home Office to maintain their immigration status in the country. Otherwise, with this state of financial support for international students in the UK, qualified students will continue to suffer and be deported due to the effects of 'international education' in the UK.

Skoobuzz firmly believes that urgent cooperation between Ghana and UK institutions is essential to protect genuine scholars from eviction and deportation. Without swift action, the promise of international education risks turning into hardship and lost opportunity for many.

FAQs

1.Where do most Ghanaians live in the UK?

Most Ghanaians in the UK live in Greater London, especially in areas such as Brixton, Lewisham, Croydon and Dalston. There are also growing Ghanaian communities in Manchester, Birmingham, Milton Keynes and Swansea, making these cities important hubs for Ghanaian families and students.

2.Which country sends the most students to the UK?

In recent years, India has overtaken China as the country sending the most students to the UK. In 2023/24, India sent about 107,500 students, while China sent around 98,400. Nigeria also sends a large number of students, making these three countries together account for more than half of all international students in UK universities.

3.Can Ghanaians go to the UK without a visa?

No, Ghanaian citizens must apply for a visa before travelling to the UK. This applies whether they are visiting, studying or working. The UK government clearly states that a visa is required, and applications must be made through UK Visas and Immigration.

4.Can Ghanaian students still graduate if tuition remains unpaid?

No, universities in the UK do not allow students to graduate if tuition fees remain unpaid. Reports show that Ghanaian PhD students' unpaid scholarships UK have led to students being barred from submitting work, using facilities, or attending graduation ceremonies. Some have even faced deportation because unpaid fees affect visa status.

5.Which UK country is best for international students?

The UK as a whole is popular with international students, but certain cities stand out. London is the top choice for its world-class universities and diverse student life. Edinburgh offers a historic and welcoming environment, while Manchester and Glasgow are praised for affordability and strong job markets. Together, these cities make England and Scotland especially attractive for international students.