Cheapest Universities in Botswana with Tuition Fees
Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa with its capital at Gaborone. It’s home to a massive central Kalahari Game reserve where many wild animals including giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas, and wild dogs inhabit. It was one of the world’s poorest countries but gained development success after its independence in 1966 with the economy thriving on its huge diamond deposits and the Kalahari game reserve.
- Imperial School of Business and Science
Year of establishment – 2003
Location – Gaborone
Average Tuition Fees – $80
Website – https://www.isbs.ac.bw
Is a private university with Witt accreditation to offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs in management, Business, Accounting, and Finance courses. It’s affordable and offers quality education.
- Botswana International University of Science and Technology
Year of establishment – 1982
Location – Palapye
Average Tuition Fees – $1300
Website – https://www.biust.ac.bw
Is a government-owned internationally acclaimed university in Palapye, it’s Botswana’s 2nd best university after the popular University of Botswana in Gaborone?
- University of Botswana
Year of establishment – 1982
Location – Gaborone
Average Tuition Fees – $1300
Website – https://www.ub.bw
Is the first university in Botswana, a world-class institution established to meet students’ full potential academically and personally growth. Its Social, Cultural, and recreational opportunities and advanced research environment facilitates students learning and being intellectually upfront.
- New era College University
Year of establishment – 2009
Location – Gaborone
Average Tuition Fees – $310
Website – https://neweracollege.ac.bw
An established public university with an emphasis on creating an environment for academic excellence, in standard education and technical skills. Admit students from different religions and ethnical and Cultural backgrounds.
- Bá Isago University
Year of establishment – 2002
Location – Gaborone
Average Tuition Fees – $320
Website – https://baisago.ac.bw
It offers academic programs designed specifically to meet the labor market needs of this generation, it has achieved international recognition and accredited by the Botswana university council.
What these tuition figures actually cover
The fees listed above are tuition only. They exclude accommodation, feeding, health insurance, textbooks, local transport and visa costs. When budgeting, treat tuition as roughly half of what a year will genuinely cost you.
Botswana uses the pula (BWP). The country is politically stable with a well-regarded higher education sector, and English is an official language used throughout university teaching.
Budgeting realistically as a Nigerian student
Work out the full picture before committing:
- Tuition — confirm the current figure directly with the institution, as published figures date quickly
- Accommodation — on-campus housing is usually cheaper than private rental
- Feeding and daily living
- Health insurance — typically mandatory for international students
- Flights — expect a connection, usually through Johannesburg or Nairobi
- Visa and immigration fees
- Proof of funds — you will usually need to show you can support yourself for the full period of study
Entry requirements to expect
Requirements vary by institution and programme, but international applicants are generally asked for:
- WAEC, NECO or equivalent secondary certificates for undergraduate entry
- A recognised bachelor’s degree and transcripts for postgraduate entry
- A valid international passport
- Proof of financial capacity
- Academic references
On English tests: This is an English-speaking country and Nigerian degrees are taught in English, so IELTS or TOEFL is generally not required. Confirm with the specific institution.
How to apply
- Shortlist two or three institutions from the list above and confirm they are accredited and offer your programme.
- Contact admissions directly and request the current international student fee schedule. Do not rely on figures from any third-party site, including this one, without confirming.
- Ask about English test requirements for Nigerian applicants specifically.
- Prepare documents early — transcript and certificate collection routinely takes weeks in Nigeria.
- Apply, then begin the student visa process once you receive an offer letter.
- Arrange proof of funds in the format the immigration authority requires.
Working while studying
Work rights for international students are restricted and tied to your student permit. Do not build your funding plan around part-time earnings. Confirm what is permitted with the institution’s international office before making assumptions.
Is Botswana the right choice for you?
Botswana suits you if you want a stable, English-speaking African destination with solid academic standards and lower costs than studying overseas.
Be clear-eyed about one thing: a low tuition fee is not the same as an affordable degree. Once flights, living costs and visa expenses are counted, self-funding is rarely cheaper than a fully funded scholarship, where tuition, accommodation and travel are all covered and you pay nothing.
If cost is your priority rather than location, apply to funded programmes in parallel:
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC — fully funded Master’s in Canada, including flights and a laptop
- Chevening Scholarship — fully funded UK Master’s for Nigerians
- DAAD EPOS Scholarship — fully funded Master’s in Germany
- Commonwealth PhD Scholarship — fully funded doctoral study in the UK
Frequently asked questions
Can Nigerians study in Botswana?
Yes. Botswana’s universities admit international students. You will need to meet academic entry requirements and obtain a student permit.
Do I need a permit to study in Botswana?
Yes. International students require the appropriate study permit from Botswana’s immigration authorities. Your institution normally guides this process once you hold an offer.
Is Botswana cheaper than studying elsewhere?
Botswana is far cheaper in total cost than Europe or North America, though flights involve a connection which adds to travel expense.
Are these tuition fees current?
Fees change regularly. Treat the figures above as a comparison guide only and confirm current rates directly with each institution before making any decision.
Always verify tuition, entry requirements and visa rules directly with the institution and the relevant immigration authority before applying or making payment.