Universities in Lesotho: Admission, Costs and How to Apply
By Muntasir • Published May 29, 2026 • Updated Aug 08, 2026 • African Countries & Cities, Africa Admissions & Exams
Lesotho has 7 public and 7 private higher education institutions, led by the National University of Lesotho (NUL) in Roma, all regulated by the Council on Higher Education (CHE).
🎓 NUL is the oldest and largest university; other public options focus on technical, teaching, agriculture, and public administration training.
📩 Most degree programs require an LGCSE (or IGCSE equivalent) with credit passes in at least 5 subjects, including English and Maths.
💵 The government's NMDS loan-bursary pays tuition, a stipend, and accommodation for students in priority fields like health, engineering, and education.
🏠 NUL's on-campus halls hold only 1,304 students, so most learners find rooms in Roma village or nearby towns.
How higher education is organized in Lesotho
The Council on Higher Education (CHE) regulates and accredits tertiary institutions in Lesotho. The country has 7 public institutions and 7 private ones, covering universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and specialist health and agriculture schools.
The largest and oldest is the National University of Lesotho (NUL) , based in Roma, about 34 kilometers from the capital Maseru. NUL traces back to 1945 and offers the widest range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the country, spanning sciences, agriculture, law, humanities, and education. English is the language of instruction across Lesotho's institutions, and most bachelor's degrees run 3 to 4 years, with diplomas and certificates taking 2 to 3 years.
Public institutions
| Institution | Focus |
|---|---|
| National University of Lesotho | Full range of degree programs |
| Lerotholi Polytechnic | Engineering, built environment, technical trades |
| Lesotho College of Education | Teacher training |
| Centre for Accounting Studies | Accounting and finance diplomas |
| Institute of Development Management | Business, management, IT |
| Lesotho Agricultural College | Agriculture and livestock diplomas |
| Lesotho Institute of Public Administration and Management | Public sector and administration training |
Private institutions
Private options give you more choice for shorter or specialized programs. Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in Maseru runs design, media, and technology programs, while Botho University offers business, computing, and health sciences. Nursing training is available through Paray School of Nursing, Scott School of Nursing, Roma College of Nursing, and the Lesotho Boston Health Alliance. Maluti Adventist College adds business and health diplomas at Berea.
Admission requirements
Most undergraduate programs require the Lesotho General Certificate of Secondary Education (LGCSE), or an equivalent qualification such as IGCSE, with credit passes (grade C or better) in at least 5 subjects, including English and Mathematics. Competitive programs such as health sciences, law, and engineering set higher subject-specific requirements and add an interview or entrance test.
Diploma and certificate programs at polytechnics and colleges often accept lower pass grades, giving you a practical route if you fall short of a university's direct entry requirements.
How to apply
Apply directly to each institution. NUL publishes its undergraduate prospectus with program requirements and the application process each year, and admissions open once LGCSE results come out. Keep certified copies of your results, national ID, and passport photos ready, since most applications ask for these as standard documents.
If you plan to apply for government sponsorship through the National Manpower Development Secretariat (NMDS), line up your admission and funding applications together. NMDS funding decisions depend on confirmed admission into an approved institution and program.
Tuition and costs
Lesotho's currency, the Maloti (LSL), is pegged 1 to 1 with the South African Rand, which keeps prices predictable if you compare costs against South African institutions. Each institution sets and publishes its own fee schedule every year. NUL, for example, issues an updated fee structure for the 2025/26 academic year covering tuition, registration, and residence charges by program.
Students admitted into government priority fields, health sciences, engineering, education, agriculture, STEM, and public administration, can apply for the NMDS loan-bursary, which covers tuition, a monthly stipend, accommodation, and book and travel allowances. Students who go on to work in Lesotho after graduating repay only 50% of the loan principal.
Accommodation
NUL's Department of Student Affairs runs 13 halls of residence with room for 1,304 students, and priority goes to first-year students, final-year students, and international students. Because on-campus space is limited, most returning students rent rooms in Roma village or commute from nearby areas. Private institutions in Maseru generally offer little or no on-campus housing, so budget for rented accommodation in the city from the start.
Studying beyond Lesotho's borders
Because Lesotho's higher education system is small, many Basotho students pursue programs at universities in South Africa, particularly in fields with limited local capacity. NMDS sponsors a share of these placements each year through the same loan-bursary scheme it uses for local institutions.