Botswana has a mixed legal system incorporating both customary law and common law principles, influenced by its colonial history with the United Kingdom. Studying in such a system can provide a comprehensive understanding of different legal traditions and their practical applications.
Botswana is home to reputable institutions like the University of Botswana, which offers well-structured law programs. The country emphasizes quality higher education and has a growing academic infrastructure to support students.
Botswana is known for its stable democracy and strong commitment to human rights and the rule of law. Legal education here often includes a focus on human rights, governance, and development, making it an excellent choice for those interested in these areas.
Botswana’s legal market is growing, with opportunities in both the public and private sectors. Graduates can pursue careers in law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations.
Botswana’s legal system and practices have a significant influence in the Southern African region. Studying here can provide insights and opportunities for work across the region, including in organizations that operate throughout Southern Africa.
Studying in Botswana offers a chance to immerse oneself in a diverse culture and build a network of professional contacts in the region. This can be beneficial for both personal growth and career development.
Botswana offers various scholarships and financial aid opportunities for both local and international students, making it a financially viable option for many.
The University of Botswana and other institutions offer opportunities for research and specialization in various fields of law, such as environmental law, international law, and customary law, providing a well-rounded legal education.
English is the primary language of instruction in Botswana’s higher education institutions, which is advantageous for international students and ensures broader career opportunities globally.
Botswana is known for its political stability and safety, providing a conducive environment for studying and living. This stability extends to its legal and educational systems, ensuring a reliable and consistent educational experience.
University |
Course Program |
Degree |
Specializations |
|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Botswana |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Bachelor's |
General Law |
|
University of Botswana |
Master of Laws (LLM) |
Master's |
Human Rights Law, Environmental Law, International Law |
|
University of Botswana |
Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD) |
PhD |
Customary Law, Comparative Law, International Law |
|
Botho University |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Bachelor's |
Commercial Law, Criminal Law, Family Law |
|
Botho University |
Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law |
Diploma |
Labour Law |
|
Gaborone University College of Law and Professional Studies |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Bachelor's |
Civil Law, Criminal Law, International Law |
|
Gaborone University College of Law and Professional Studies |
Master of Laws (LLM) |
Master's |
Commercial Law, Human Rights Law |
University |
Course Program |
Degree |
Specializations |
|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Botswana |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Bachelor's |
General Law |
|
University of Botswana |
Master of Laws (LLM) |
Master's |
Human Rights Law, Environmental Law, International Law |
|
University of Botswana |
Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD) |
PhD |
Customary Law, Comparative Law, International Law |
|
Botho University |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Bachelor's |
Commercial Law, Criminal Law, Family Law |
|
Botho University |
Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law |
Diploma |
Labour Law |
|
Gaborone University College of Law and Professional Studies |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Bachelor's |
Civil Law, Criminal Law, International Law |
|
Gaborone University College of Law and Professional Studies |
Master of Laws (LLM) |
Master's |
Commercial Law, Human Rights Law |
University |
Course Program |
Degree |
Specializations |
|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Botswana |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Bachelor's |
General Law |
|
Botho University |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Bachelor's |
Commercial Law, Criminal Law, Family Law |
|
Gaborone University College of Law and Professional Studies |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Bachelor's |
Civil Law, Criminal Law, International Law |
University |
Course Program |
Degree |
Specializations |
|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Botswana |
Master of Laws (LLM) |
Master's |
Human Rights Law, Environmental Law, International Law |
|
Gaborone University College of Law and Professional Studies |
Master of Laws (LLM) |
Master's |
Commercial Law, Human Rights Law |
University |
Course Program |
Degree |
Specializations |
|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Botswana |
Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD) |
PhD |
Customary Law, Comparative Law, International Law |
University |
Course Program |
Degree |
Specializations |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Botho University |
Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law |
Diploma |
Labour Law |
|
Gaborone University College of Law and Professional Studies |
Diploma in Law |
Diploma |
General Law |
University |
Course Program |
Duration |
Specializations |
|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Botswana |
Certificate in Legal Studies |
6 months |
General Law |
|
Botho University |
Short Course in Labour Law |
3-6 months |
Labour Law |
|
Gaborone University College of Law and Professional Studies |
Certificate in Legal Practice |
6 months |
Legal Practice |
University |
Course Program |
Degree |
|---|---|---|
|
University of Botswana |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Bachelor's |
|
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
Master's |
|
|
Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD) |
PhD |
|
|
Certificate in Legal Studies |
Certificate |
|
Botho University |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Bachelor's |
|
|
Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law |
Diploma |
|
|
Short Course in Labour Law |
Short-term |
|
Gaborone University College of Law and Professional Studies |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Bachelor's |
|
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
Master's |
|
|
Diploma in Law |
Diploma |
|
|
Certificate in Legal Practice |
Certificate |
University |
Course Program |
Intake Periods |
|---|---|---|
|
University of Botswana |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
January, August |
|
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
January, August |
|
|
Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD) |
January, August |
|
|
Certificate in Legal Studies |
January, August |
|
Botho University |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
January, July |
|
|
Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law |
January, July |
|
|
Short Course in Labour Law |
Various intakes throughout the year |
|
Gaborone University College of Law and Professional Studies |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
January, July |
|
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
January, July |
|
|
Diploma in Law |
January, July |
|
|
Certificate in Legal Practice |
January, July |
University |
Course Program |
Degree |
Approximate Tuition Fees (USD/year) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Botswana |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Bachelor's |
$4,000 - $6,000 |
|
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
Master's |
$5,000 - $7,000 |
|
|
Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD) |
PhD |
$6,000 - $8,000 |
|
|
Certificate in Legal Studies |
Certificate |
$2,000 - $3,000 |
|
Botho University |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Bachelor's |
$4,500 - $6,500 |
|
|
Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law |
Diploma |
$3,000 - $4,000 |
|
|
Short Course in Labour Law |
Short-term |
$1,000 - $2,000 (per course) |
|
Gaborone University College of Law and Professional Studies |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Bachelor's |
$3,500 - $5,500 |
|
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
Master's |
$4,500 - $6,500 |
|
|
Diploma in Law |
Diploma |
$2,500 - $3,500 |
|
|
Certificate in Legal Practice |
Certificate |
$1,500 - $2,500 |
Course Level |
Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
|
Bachelor's |
Completion of secondary education (equivalent to Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education) |
|
|
Minimum grades in required subjects (e.g., English, Mathematics) |
|
|
Passing entrance exams/interviews (if required) |
|
|
Meeting the minimum age requirement (typically 18 years) |
|
Master's |
A Bachelor's degree in Law or a related field from a recognized institution |
|
|
Minimum GPA or class of degree (e.g., Second Class Upper or equivalent) |
|
|
Relevant work experience (may be required by some institutions) |
|
|
Letters of recommendation |
|
|
Personal statement or statement of purpose |
|
|
Proficiency in English (if the previous degree was not taught in English) |
|
PhD |
A Master’s degree in Law or a related field from a recognized institution |
|
|
Demonstrated research ability through a thesis or previous publications |
|
|
Research proposal outlining the intended area of study |
|
|
Letters of recommendation |
|
|
Personal statement or statement of purpose |
|
|
Proficiency in English (if the previous degrees were not taught in English) |
Scholarship Name |
Provider |
Eligibility Criteria |
Scholarship Amount |
Application Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Government of Botswana Scholarships |
Government of Botswana |
Botswana citizens with excellent academic records |
Full tuition, living allowance, books |
Apply through the Ministry of Education and Skills Development |
|
University of Botswana Scholarships |
University of Botswana |
High academic achievers in Law & Legal Studies programs |
Partial to full tuition |
Apply directly through the University of Botswana |
|
Tertiary Education Council Bursaries |
Tertiary Education Council |
Botswana citizens pursuing undergraduate Law degrees |
Tuition fees, accommodation |
Apply through the Tertiary Education Council |
|
Barclays F.G. Mogae Scholarship Fund |
Barclays Bank |
Outstanding students pursuing Law & Legal Studies |
Tuition fees, books, stipend |
Apply through Barclays Bank scholarship portal |
|
De Beers Group Scholarships |
De Beers Group |
Botswana citizens enrolled in Law programs |
Tuition, accommodation, living expenses |
Application details available on De Beers Group website |
|
The Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis (BIDPA) Scholarship |
BIDPA |
Students pursuing Law & related fields with a focus on development |
Tuition, books, research grants |
Apply through BIDPA |
|
Shell Botswana Scholarships |
Shell Botswana |
Law students with strong academic background |
Tuition fees, book allowance |
Apply through Shell Botswana's official website |
Career Path |
Description |
Average Salary (per year) |
|---|---|---|
|
Legal Practitioner (Attorney) |
Represents clients in legal matters, provides legal advice |
$30,000 - $50,000 |
|
Corporate Lawyer |
Works for corporations handling corporate legal matters and compliance |
$35,000 - $60,000 |
|
Magistrate/Judge |
Presides over court proceedings, makes legal judgments |
$45,000 - $70,000 |
|
Legal Advisor |
Provides legal guidance to organizations or government agencies |
$40,000 - $55,000 |
|
Public Prosecutor |
Represents the state in criminal cases |
$35,000 - $50,000 |
|
Legal Consultant |
Offers specialized legal advice in specific fields |
$30,000 - $55,000 |
|
Lecturer/Academic |
Teaches law at universities or colleges |
$25,000 - $45,000 |
|
Paralegal |
Assists lawyers by conducting legal research and preparing documents |
$15,000 - $25,000 |
|
Legal Researcher |
Conducts research on legal issues, often for academic or policy purposes |
$20,000 - $35,000 |
|
Compliance Officer |
Ensures organizations adhere to laws and regulations |
$30,000 - $45,000 |
|
Human Rights Advocate |
Works with NGOs or government agencies to promote and protect human rights |
$25,000 - $40,000 |
