Study in Botswana
Botswana is a stable and progressive Southern African nation offering quality education primarily in **English**. The main institution is the University of Botswana. International students must apply for a **Study Permit** and a **Visa** (if required by nationality).
Application timeline
6-10 weeks (Study Permit).
Living cost
BWP 3,500 - 6,000/month (USD 260 - 440, moderate cost of living).
Hourly wage
$0 (Minimum wage is BWP 6.70/hr, but casual work is prohibited for students).
Study visa confidence
Our AI compares your grades, finances, and previous visas with real student approvals to predict how admissions officers will view your application for Botswana.
Takes < 2 minutes
Student visa pathways
Processing times, work rights, required documents, and dependent rules for each permit route.
Study Permit + Visa (if applicable)
Long-stay, Academic
Validity
1 year (renewable)
Processing time
6-10 weeks (Study Permit).
Fee
BWP 1,000 (Study Permit) + BWP 300 (Visa, if required).
Work rights
No. Strict restriction on part-time work for international students. A separate Work Permit is required and is rarely granted.
Documents required
Acceptance Letter, Financial Proof (Bank Guarantee), Police Clearance Certificate, Medical Exam, Passport, Application Form, Proof of Accommodation.
Dependents
Yes, but dependent permits are highly scrutinized and require high levels of proof of financial support. · No (Dependents are generally not permitted to work).
Top universities & flagship programs
Shortlist globally-ranked institutions with tuition benchmarks.
University of Botswana (UB)
Gaborone · #1 in Botswana (varies regionally)
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
4 years · BWP 30,000 - 60,000/yr (Intl, USD 2,200 - 4,400)
Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST)
Palapye · Top Science & Tech Institution
BEng in Mining Engineering
4 years · BWP 40,000 - 70,000/yr (Intl, USD 3,000 - 5,100)
Scholarships & exchange routes
Reduce tuition costs and build international exposure.
Scholarships
Merit + needs-based opportunities
Botswana Government Scholarships (National)
Varies (often partial tuition and stipend).
Primarily for Batswana citizens; very limited for international students based on specific bilateral agreements.
UB Merit-Based Scholarships
Partial tuition waiver.
High academic merit for undergraduate studies; highly competitive for international applicants.
Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
Full tuition, travel, and stipend.
Citizens of Commonwealth countries for Master's or PhD study.
Exchange partners
1-2 semester mobility
SADC Exchange Programs
1 semester or 1 year
Students from Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states.
UB Bilateral Agreements
Varies
Specific to partner institutions, often from the UK, USA, or South Africa.
Announcements & policy watch
Stay ahead of IRCC and embassy updates.
Study Permit and Bank Guarantee
A Bank Guarantee covering tuition and maintenance is often required for the Study Permit application, which can be complex to arrange.
Visa success playbook
Action items that consistently strengthen study permit approvals.
Apply for the Study Permit well in advance; secure the necessary Bank Guarantee for financial proof; focus on fields in demand like engineering or IT if seeking post-study employment.
Country fast facts
Key embassy + lifestyle data
Official language
English, Setswana
Currency
Botswana Pula (BWP)
Time zone
UTC+02:00
Visa portal
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Part-time work ideas
Average hourly wages
None (General casual work is prohibited)
N/A
International students are strictly prohibited from engaging in any casual, part-time work off-campus.
Research Assistantship (Limited)
BWP 20 - 40/hr (Minimal stipend)
Extremely limited opportunities, usually for graduate students within the university system, and must be explicitly approved.
Nearest embassies
Plan biometrics & interviews
Job market insights
Low. No direct post-study work visa. The labor market is protected, making it difficult for foreign graduates to secure a Work Permit without highly demanded specialization.