“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” - Nelson Mandela

Education changes lives through opening up possibilities and creating opportunities. And it’s not all about reading lots of books and writing exams. There are many different forms for tertiary education, from practical hands-on trade diplomas in plumbing, fitting and turning, mechanics and hairdressing to university studies in medicine and law.

Technikons, career colleges, trade schools and universities offer courses, certificates, diplomas and degrees that can help you realize your career goals. But, first, you need to know what those goals are!

Tertiary education has to do with: • Acquiring technical skills • Academic education • Career orientated skills

What are your passions? What are your unique skills? How would you like to develop and change over the next few years? Where do you want to be in 5 or 10 years or even 20 years time? Answering these questions will help you figure out what you would like to study. The advice of guidance counselors at schools and career counselors at tertiary institutions can also help in guiding you in your choice of study area.

Once you’ve decided what you’d like to study, make it happen! It’s time to do some research and make some choices.

Questions you should be asking are:

• What course will help me realize my career goals?
• Which institution offers this course and is convenient and accessible for me?
• What academic results do I need to be accepted into the course?
• Will I study fulltime, part time, or by correspondence?
• How will I finance my studies?

Here are some helpful pointers to get you started:

Sources of information

Where to find information on tertiary institutions and what they offer:
• Prospectuses – you can phone or email a tertiary institution and they will post you these information books about their courses.
• Websites on the internet – most tertiary institutions have their own websites.
• Past and present students.
• Open days – phone the tertiary institution to find out when these are held.
• Visitors centers on campuses.
• Career guidance counselors at schools, colleges and universities.

There are different ways to structure your studies to suit your life. Depending on the demands on your time and financial commitments, you may choose to study part time or via correspondence. You can structure your studies in any of the following ways, with different institutions offering different options: • Full time • Part time • Block release from work • Long distance learning via correspondence

Financial Aid

There are different types of financial aid available to students:
• Bank loans
• Non Profit Organisation loans
• Government Grants
• Company work and study programs/sponsorships
• Trust Bursaries
• Trust scholarships

Approach a tertiary institution’s Student Financial Aid office to get forms and information on all the scholarships, bursaries and preferential loans for which you can apply.

Is this institution reputable?

The Botswana Training Authority (BOTA) is in charge of assessing courses and qualifications to make sure they are of a high standard and match global standards. Make sure the institution and course you choose is BOTA accredited.

Registration tips

Once you’ve decided where you want to study, you need to apply by completing a registration form. You might want to apply to more than one institution if you are concerned about not being accepted at your institution of choice. You will need to pay a non-refundable application fee each time you apply. This fee covers the cost of processing your registration.

Things to note when completing registration forms:
• Electronic Registration - At many institutions you can register online or down load the forms, fill them in and then email or post them.
• Fees - Pay the non refundable fees to have your application processed.
• Fill in forms using codes given.
• Attach any supporting documents as certified copies. Always keep your orignal certificates.
• References - these are names of people that can be called to check your character and academic history.
• Handwriting – be neat! If the answer to a question requires writing a paragraph, write it out on another piece of paper until you’re happy with it and then copy it onto the application form.
• Always be truthful.
• Sound positive and enthusiastic when answering questions. Always be polite and professional, but not overly friendly.
• When you receive a letter of acceptance, reply to it, whether you accept or decline the place offered.

Note:
Contact 267 3655900 or email dspw.registry@gov.bw or you can visit any
Education Centre near you for more information.