Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) Application Guide
Overview
The Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) is a Government of Botswana supported institution established through the BIUST Act (CAP 57:05) as a research-intensive University that specialises in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) at both undergraduate and post-graduate level.
It aims to increase competitiveness, economic growth and sustainable development; address the shortage of skilled scientists and technologists; increase movement of skilled people across national boundaries; stimulate research, innovation, and technology transfer; improve society’s aspirations to improve health, wealth and well-being; address increased demand for access to tertiary education; and enable a more competitive and innovative tertiary education sector.
Vision
To be: a premier research-based university of science, engineering & technology internationally recognised for the quality and excellence of its teaching and learning by 2023.
Mission
Botswana International University of Science and Technology’s mission is to:
- Produce world class research and innovation in science, engineering and technology contributing to industry growth and development and advancement of a diversified knowledge-based economy.
Applying to BIUST
BIUST is an exciting place to study at and live in. As a home to international students from more than fifteen countries, you will find it hospitable and friendly. Applying to study at BIUST has been simplified for international students. Prospective International students may download application forms from the website, request for them through admissions@biust.ac.bw or through mail at Enrolment and Admissions, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Private Bag 16, Palapye, Botswana.
BIUST Courses Offered
Faculty of Sciences Programmes
The Faculty of Sciences offers a wide variety of science programmes from undergraduate to postgraduate (Phd and MSc).
BSc Biology & Biotechnology
BSc Pure & Applied Chemistry
BSc Forensic Sciences
BSc Computer Science
BSc Information Systems & Data Management
BSc Earth & Environmental Sciences
BSc Geology
BSc Environmental Sciences
BSc Pure & Applied Mathematics
BSc Statistics
BSc Physics
MSc Biological Science
MSc Chemistry
MSc Forensic Science
MSc Computer Science
MSc Information Systems & Data Management
MSc Earth & Environmental Sciences
MSc Geological Sciences
MSc Environmental Sciences
MSc Mathematics
Faculty of Engineering and Technology Programmes
The Faculty of Engineering and Technology offers a wide variety of engineering programmes from undergraduate to postgraduate (Phd and MEng).
PhD Mining Engineering
PhD Mechatronics & Industrial Instrumentation Engineering
PhD Computer & Telecommunications Engineering
PhD Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
PhD Materials & Metallurgical Engineering
PhD Geological Engineering
PhD Electrical & Electronics Engineering
PhD Civil & Environmental Engineering
PhD Chemical Engineering
MEng Mechatronics & Industrial Instrumentation Engineering
MEng Mechanical & Energy Engineering
MEng Mining Engineering
MEng Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
MEng Computer & Telecommunications Engineering
MEng Geological Engineering
MEng Electrical & Electronics Engineering
MEng Materials & Metallurgical Engineering
MEng Chemical Engineering
MEng Civil & Environmental Engineering
BEng Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
BEng Mechatronics & Industrial Instrumentation Engineering
BEng Mechanical & Energy Engineering
BEng Energy Engineering
BEng Mining Engineering
BEng Geological Engineering
BEng Computer & Telecommunications Engineering
BEng Electrical & Electronics Engineering
BEng Materials & Metallurgical Engineering
BEng Chemical Engineering
BEng Civil & Environmental Engineering
Undergraduate Programmes Offered by BIUST
Engineering deals with design, development, implementation, operation and maintenance of industrial/production systems.
BEng in Chemical, Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
BEng in Civil and Environmental Engineering
BEng in Computer and Telecommunications Engineering
BEng in Electrical and Electronics Engineering
BEng in Geological Engineering
BEng in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
BEng in Mechanical and Energy Engineering
BEng in Mechatronics and Industrial Instrumentation
BEng in Mining Engineering
The Faculty of Sciences offer degree programmes that are important fields of study. It emphasises applications to the real world and links with industry, commerce.
The Faculty of Sciences courses are;
BSc in Geological Sciences
BSc in Environmental Sciences
BSc in Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
BSc in Physics and Astronomy
BSc in Chemical and Forensic Sciences
BSc in Biological and Biotechnological Science
BSc in Computer and Information Technology.
Postgraduate Programmes Offered by BIUST
List of Approved Programmes
Master of Engineering/ PHD, Chemical Engineering
Master of Engineering/ PHD, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Master of Engineering/ PHD, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering
Master of Engineering/ PHD, Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Master of Engineering/ PHD, Geological Engineering
Master of Engineering/ PHD, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Master of Engineering/ PHD, Mechanical and Energy Engineering
Master of Engineering/ PHD, Mechatronics and Industrial Instrumentation
Master of Engineering/ PHD, Mining Engineering
Master of Engineering/ PHD, Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
Master of Science/ PHD, Biology and Biotechnology
Master of Science/ PHD, Computer Science
Master of Science/ PHD, Geological Sciences
Master of Science/ PHD, Environmental Sciences
Master of Science/ PHD, Forensic Sciences
Master of Science/ PHD, Geology
Masterof Science/ PHD, Information Systems and Data Management
Master of Science/ PHD, Physics
Master of Science/ PHD, Pure and Applied Chemistry
Master of Science/ PHD, Statistics
Master of Science/ PHD, Pure and Applied Mathematics
BIUST Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Prospective students aspiring to be admitted into a particular programme at BIUST must meet the minimum entry requirements.The Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) grade system is calculated as follows:
Entry Into First Year
The University considers and assesses every application on its own merits, taking into account the relevance of qualifications and experience each student has.
For students with a Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) or equivalent, the following minimum requirements will apply for undergraduate degree programmes:
- A credit in at least six subjects in BGCSE or equivalent. These subjects must include a minimum of Pass (D) in English and at least a Credit (C) in Mathematics plus two science subjects.
- BGCSE holders or equivalent should possess a minimum of 20 points from any of Mathematics, and Physics and/or Chemistry and/or Biology or Science double award.
- A minimum combined points score for admission from the six subjects (including Mathematics, English, two science subjects or Science Double Award, must be above 38 points based on the points scores in the following table:
Direct Entry Into Second Year
- The University will consider A-level holders and those who have already completed year one (1) BSc General at any recognised University for direct entry into second year.
- Furthermore, applicants in possession of year one (1) BSc General or equivalent, are required to have attained at least 40 BGCSE points or equivalent and must have obtained an average of at least 65% without resits or retakes in their BSc transcript.
- A-level holders are required to possess, in addition to the general minimum entry requirements, 2 A-level grades with a C or better in Maths, and in one of Physics or Chemistry or Biology.
- Diploma holders will also be considered on the relevance of their prior programmes of study to their programmes of interest
The University reserves the right to ask prospective students to sit a pre-admission exam if required. Please note that these are the only minimum entry requirements, and certain programmes may have additional entry requirements. Information on additional requirements is available from the Admissions Office
The BGCSE grade system is calculated as follows:
| Grade | Points |
| A*A | 8 |
| B | 7 |
| C | 6 |
| D | 5 |
| E | 4 |
An example of calculating best 6 subjects:
| Key subjects | Minimum Grade | Best 6 subjects Overall Points | |
| FIRST YEAR ENTRY | Mathematics | C | 38 |
| English | D | ||
| Setswana | B | ||
| Commerce | C | ||
| Double Sciences | BB | ||
For second year entry:
| SECOND YEAR ENTRY | BSc /A Level / Diploma | ||
| Mathematics | C | 40 | |
| Physics | B | ||
| Chemistry | A | ||
| Biology | B | ||
| Commerce | B | ||
| English | D | ||
| NB: Points for Double Award Sciences are doubled Eg. Grade BB=14 Points |
BIUST Postgraduate Entry Requirements
For Masters (MEng & MSc) and Doctorate (PhD) programmes, we require the following:
1. Letter of Motivation
A letter of motivation should indicate the following:
a) Description of your background. (This should briefly highlight your grades, what classes you took and
where you studied)
b) Description of your research interests, experiences and motivation
c) Indicate the degree of creativity and intellectual integrity
NB: For PhD applicants, a Research Proposal is required.
2. Certified Copy of Degree Certificate and Official Transcripts
3. Certified Copy of ID or Passport
4. Completed Application Form
5. Application Fee
a) P200 for SADC Residents
b) P400 for Non SADC Residents
International applicants must submit the following:
- Completed application form
- Application fee receipt
- A certified copy of BGCSE/IGCSE or equivalent, accompanied (if not in English) by a certified official English translation
- Certified copy of a valid Passport and Birth Certificate
5. Certified copies of additional official documents (e.g. post-secondary school certificate, transcript, professional registration certificates, certifying letters from examining bodies, proof of change of name, etc)where appropriate.
Complete application forms and supporting documents can either be scanned and emailed to admissions@biust.ac.bw or submitted through the mail below: Enrolment and Admissions Office, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Private Bag 16, Palapye,
Botswana
VISA and Study Permit Requirements
Once you have been accepted to study at the Botswana International University of Science and Technology, you need to have the following to apply for a study permit with the Botswana immigration office:
- Certified copy of valid passport (valid for at least the period of the programme offered)
- Certified copy of Birth certificate or Passport
- Complete Immigration application form
- Proof of payment (deposit receipt for tuition fees)
- Study permit fee of P1500.00 and P500.00 VISA fee for non SADC residents
- Proof of sufficient financial means to cover tuition fees, subsistence and incidental costs (in the form of a bursary/scholarship, or bank statement and/or supporting letter)
- Medical report (forms are available at Immigration offices).
- Admission Letter, stating the duration of the programme offered
- Four (4) passport size photos (background should be white)
ARRIVAL INFORMATION
Upon arrival in Botswana, you must be in possession of your valid passport and admission letter and other relevant supporting documents which might be requested by the immigration officials at the border. Shuttle services and taxis are available at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport to transport passengers to the Gaborone bus rank where they can board a bus to Palapye.
From Palapye bus rank one can take a taxi to the BIUST campus.
Contact Us
Phone
(+267) 493-1000
info@biust.ac.bw
Physical Address
Plot 10071 Boseja, Palapye, Botswana, BW
Postal Address
Private Bag 16, Palapye, Botswana, BW