Paying for university in Botswana: state sponsorship and alternatives
In Botswana, most students are funded through government sponsorship from the Ministry of Tertiary Education, awarded on BGCSE results and partly repayable once in work, while dedicated bank student loans remain a marginal option for families.
Government sponsorship of tertiary studies
The state of Botswana pays tuition fees and a living allowance for students admitted to accredited institutions. For the 2026/2027 year, more than 4.2 billion pula has been allocated to it, close to 58% of the ministry's budget.
The 36-point BGCSE threshold
The 2026/2027 sponsorship round covers 12,250 students, including 7,906 who scored at least 36 points in the BGCSE or equivalent. Around 1,200 places go to applicants from marginalised communities or with special needs, admitted from 31 points.
Applicants who improved their grades
The 2026/2027 cycle reserves 3,000 places for pupils who resat subjects to reach the required threshold. This route lets a student from Serowe or Mochudi access funding after a year spent catching up on missing grades.
Top Achievers and the end of master's funding
The Top Achievers programme supports 144 of the best students, sometimes for study abroad. Since 2026/2027 it no longer funds master's degrees or doctorates, and is now restricted to first-degree undergraduate studies only.
Online application timetable
For the 2026/2027 year, applications for government sponsorship were open from 8 July to 7 August 2026. A late application leaves the student having to fund the first semester personally or postpone enrolment until the following intake.
Repayment by graduates in employment
Former beneficiaries who are working are required to repay their loan portion to feed a revolving fund for future cohorts. The government has regularly chased graduates who are behind with repayments, including those employed in the private sector.
Accredited public and private institutions
The University of Botswana, BIUST in Palapye, BUAN and Botswana Open University take sponsored students, as do private institutions such as Botho University or Botswana Accountancy College when programmes are recognised by the Botswana Qualifications Authority.
Mining group and corporate bursaries
Debswana and other large employers award bursaries in technical fields, often tied to a work commitment after graduation. They complement government sponsorship for students in mining engineering, geology, metallurgy or accounting programmes.
Bank loans for unsponsored studies
For a master's degree or a course that is not covered, some families use a bank personal loan or a payroll deduction loan taken by a parent in the civil service. The guide to the personal loan in Botswana describes the conditions.
Retired parents helping with study costs
When a pensioner parent wants to help a student, borrowing capacity depends on the amount, the source and the regular payment of the monthly pension. The guide to the retired person loan in Botswana details these constraints.
The cost of accommodation in Gaborone
Students without a place in university residence rent rooms in the neighbourhoods close to the university in Gaborone. The living allowance does not always cover this rent, which pushes some of them towards small but expensive loans.
Comparison with Lesotho's system
In Lesotho, the National Manpower Development Secretariat grants loan bursaries that graduates later repay through salary deductions. The guide to the student loan in Lesotho lets you compare those rules with sponsorship in Botswana.
Securing study sponsorship in Botswana
- Check your BGCSE points total and that the chosen programme is accredited by the Botswana Qualifications Authority.
- Obtain an admission letter from an accredited institution in Botswana or, for a Top Achiever, abroad.
- Apply online during the official window, which in 2026 ran from 8 July to 7 August.
- Sign the sponsorship contract setting out the repayable portion and post-study obligations.
- Update your contact details after graduating so that repayment to the fund can be arranged.
Study funding for the 2026/2027 academic year
| Scheme | Entry requirement | Repayment |
|---|---|---|
| General government sponsorship | At least 36 BGCSE points | Repayable portion once employed |
| Places for marginalised communities | At least 31 points | Per the sponsorship contract |
| Top Achievers | Top national results, undergraduate only | Per the sponsorship contract |
| Corporate bursary | Selection by the employer | Work commitment |
| Bank personal loan | Salary or salaried guarantor | Monthly instalments in pula |
Papers for a university sponsorship file
- Student's Omang card
- BGCSE certificate or equivalent
- Admission letter from the institution
- Bank details for the living allowance
- Omang cards of parents or guardians
- Proof of special circumstances for reserved places
Mistakes when funding studies in Botswana
- Enrolling in a private programme not recognised by the Botswana Qualifications Authority and hoping for sponsorship that will be refused.
- Missing the July to August application window, then having to pay for the first semester alone.
- Ignoring the duty to repay once employed and seeing the debt pursued years later.
- Paying a fake agent who promises a guaranteed place in the Top Achievers programme in return for fees.
Lenders to contact
- Absa Bank Botswana: Commercial bank in Botswana, part of the Absa group, offering banking services and credit solutions to individuals and businesses.
- First National Bank Botswana: Botswana commercial bank granting loans to individuals and businesses, regularly publishing its deposit and lending interest rates for customers.
- First Capital Bank Botswana: Commercial bank operating in Botswana offering personal loans to individuals to help finance their personal needs and projects.
- Letshego Botswana: Botswana subsidiary of the Letshego group, an inclusive lender offering personal loans and digital financial services through its LetsGo app.
State sponsorship, Top Achievers and repayment
Is government sponsorship in Botswana a loan or a bursary?
It combines both: the state funds the studies, but beneficiaries who are working must repay a portion to feed a revolving fund. The exact conditions are set out in the contract each student signs before the funding starts.
Does sponsorship cover a master's degree in 2026/2027?
Not under the Top Achievers programme, which has stopped funding master's degrees and doctorates since 2026/2027. A postgraduate student needs to look for an employer bursary, a foreign scholarship or personal funding.
What BGCSE score is needed to be sponsored?
For 2026/2027, the general threshold is 36 points in the BGCSE or equivalent. Applicants from marginalised communities or with special needs can be accepted from 31 points under the places reserved for them.
Can a foreign student receive Botswana government sponsorship?
No, government sponsorship is reserved for citizens of Botswana. Foreign students enrolled at the University of Botswana or Botho University pay their fees through scholarships from their own country or family funding.