University Tuition and Cost of Study in Botswana
By Muntasir • Published May 08, 2026 • Updated Aug 08, 2026 • African Countries & Cities
Public university tuition in Botswana is set out in each institution's annual Schedule of Fees, and the government's tertiary loan scheme through the Department of Tertiary Education Financing (DTEF) covers many citizens studying at approved public and private institutions.
💵 University of Botswana publishes its tuition and other charges each year in its Schedule of Fees, which you should check before registering.
🏠 On-campus housing is limited and managed through UB's residence portal, so budget for off-campus rent as a backup.
📩 DTEF's loan and sponsorship scheme covers local universities and accredited external institutions for eligible citizens.
Confirm exact fee amounts directly with your university's finance office each year, since schedules get revised.
How public university fees work
At the University of Botswana, tuition and related charges are set out in an annual Schedule of Fees, which applicants are told to consult for the specific amounts payable before registering. The university publishes an annual Schedule of Fees and tells applicants to consult it for specific payment amounts before registering, according to UB's application requirements page . The schedule changes most academic years and differs by program level and residency status, so check the current version on the university website or with the finance office rather than relying on a number another student told you.
What you pay beyond tuition
| Cost category | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Tuition and registration | Set per programme and level in each institution's published fee schedule. |
| Functional or service fees | Library, IT, student services, and similar charges billed alongside tuition at registration. |
| Accommodation | Campus hostel fees if you get a room, managed through the university's residence system. |
| Meals | Campus catering or self-catering if you live off campus. |
| Books and materials | Set texts, lab coats, and course-specific equipment for practical programs. |
| Transport | Local transport to and from campus if you live off campus or commute between towns. |
Programs cost more than others
Professional and lab-based programs, such as medicine, engineering, and some science degrees, typically carry higher functional fees than humanities or social science degrees because of practical and clinical training costs. Factor this into your budget if you're applying to a professional program, and ask the faculty office directly what extra charges apply.
Private university fees run separately
Private universities such as Botho University, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Botswana Open University, and Ba Isago University set their own fee schedules per program. They each publish their own fee schedule, so request the current one directly from the admissions office of the institution and program you're considering before you commit.
Government sponsorship lowers your net cost
Most Botswana citizens who study full time rely on the government's tertiary loan and sponsorship scheme, run by the Department of Tertiary Education Financing (DTEF). It covers students at local and accredited external institutions, according to the government's official sponsorship page , meaning both public universities and approved private or foreign institutions qualify too, if approved. For the 2025/26 cycle, the government allocated over P3 billion and planned to sponsor 12,034 new students, up from 10,180 the year before, according to Botswana Daily News . If you qualify, this cuts your direct tuition and living cost burden substantially.
Building your budget
Work out your total cost by adding tuition and functional fees, accommodation or rent, meals, books, and transport, then check which parts your sponsorship or family support will cover. Ask your university's finance office for the current Schedule of Fees before you enroll, and confirm with DTEF what your loan covers if you're sponsored. Fees and allowances get revised most academic years, so treat any number you don't see in an official document as an estimate, not a fact.