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GENERAL
INFORMATION
10.12 Higher Diplomas
Programme titles appear in Faculty and
Departmental sections below.
10.2 Entrance Qualifications
10.21 The normal entry requirement for Diploma
programmes is at least six subjects not below
grade D in the BGCSE or equivalent. English
language shall be one of the required subjects.
Five subjects may be accepted. A grade of C shall
be required in at least three of the five or six
subjects.
10.22 Other entry qualifications for entry to
Diploma programmes may be accepted on their
own merit as alternatives. In particular, attention
is drawn to the regulations governing mature
age applicants in 00.52 and the regulation in
respect to recognition of prior learning general
academic regulation 00.41.
10.23 Subject to regulation 10.21, any additional
requirements shall be specified in appropriate
special regulations.
10.24 The entry requirements specified in 10.21,
10.22 and 10.23 do not guarantee admission.
10.3 Programme Structure
10.31 Curriculum and Assessment
The curriculum and methods of assessment for
the undergraduate Diploma programmes shall
be specified in special faculty and departmental
regulations.
10.32 Duration of the Programme
10.321 Diploma and Higher Diploma
Programmes
The normal duration for Diploma or Higher
Diploma programmes shall be as follows: 4 to 6
semesters on a full-time basis; 8 to 12 semesters
on a part-time basis.
10.4 Classification of Results
(Applicable to Undergraduates entering from
August 2009)
10.41 Subject to regulations 00.85 and 00.98, the
overall result of the Diploma or Higher Diploma
shall be classified based on the cumulative GPA
(computed to two decimal places) that includes
all attempted credits as follows:
Classification Cumulative GPA
Distinction: 4.70 – 5.00
Merit: 4.00 – 4.69
Credit: 3.00 – 3.99
Pass: 2.00 – 2.99
20. General Regulations for Bachelor’s
Degree Programmes
20.1 Degree Programmes
Programme titles appear in Faculty and
Departmental sections below.
20.2 Entrance Qualifications
20.21 The normal entry requirement for Degree
programmes shall be at least six subjects not
below grade D in the BGCSE or its equivalent.
The grades obtained in five of the subjects shall
be grade C or better from one examination
sitting. Grades obtained from two (not more)
examination sittings are acceptable, provided
the applicant has grade B or better in two
subjects and grade C or better in four subjects.
English language must be grade C or better for
non-Science based programmes and grade D or
better in Science-based programmes.
20.22 Other entry qualifications may be
accepted on their own merit as alternatives. In
particular, attention is drawn to the regulations
governing mature age applicants in 00.52 and
the regulation in respect to recognition of prior
learning general academic regulation 00.41.
20.23 Applicants possessing an acceptable
Certificate qualification with grade C or better
in at least 4 subjects and grade D in English
language in the BGCSE or equivalent may be
considered for entry to Level 100 of a related
bachelors programme.
20.24 Where entry is on the basis of a Diploma
qualification, the Diploma shall normally be two
years or more and one acceptable to UB. Entry on
the basis of a Diploma of less than two years in
duration may be considered if the applicant has
a previous related Certificate qualification.
20.25 Subject to regulation 20.21, any additional
requirements shall be specified in appropriate
special faculty and departmental regulations.
20.26 The entry requirements specified in 20.21,
20.22, 20.23, 20.24 and 20.25 do not guarantee
admission.
20.3 Programme Structure
20.31 Curriculum and Assessment
The curriculum and methods of assessment for
Bachelor’s degree programmes shall be specified
in special faculty and departmental regulations.
20.32 Duration of the Programme
20.321 The normal duration for Bachelor’s
programmes shall be as follows: 8 to 10 semesters
full-time or up to 16 to 20 semesters part-time
respectively.
20.322 A student may register for a combined
degree programme (major/major, major/minor
or multidisciplinary) or single major programme
as shall be specified in special departmental and
faculty regulations.
20.4 Degree Classification
(Applicable to undergraduates entering from
August 2009)
20.41 Subject to regulations 00.85 and 00.98,
the overall result of the Degree shall be classified
based on the cumulative GPA (computed to
two decimal places) that includes all attempted
credits as follows:
Classification
Cumulative GPA
First Class: 4.70 – 5.00
Second Class, Upper Division: 4.00 – 4.69
Second Class, Lower Division: 3.00 – 3.99
Pass: 2.00 – 2.99
General Education Courses
1. Overview
In line with the University of Botswana Vision
and Mission statements, the new semesterisation
system incorporates several features into the
University academic programmes that will assist
UB to become a leading academic centre of
excellence in Africa and the world. One important
feature of the new undergraduate academic
programme structure is the introduction of the
General Education Courses (GECs). The GECs
provide more student determined choice and
flexibility of programmes. They address such
crosscutting issues as employers’ expectations,
competence in communication skills, IT and
information skills literacy, gender, HIV/AIDS,
environment, energy and globalisation. The GECs
fall under seven themes that have been approved
by Senate after extensive consultations. These
areas of study have generally received support
from vital stakeholders such as the Ministry of
Education and various major companies and
organisations in the private sector. The concept of
General Education Courses is not new. For many
years now, UB has recognised the importance
of courses such as Communication and Study
Skills and Computer Skills for all students at the
University. Thus the GECs are an extension of this
concept.
2. Regulations
Regulations pertaining to the GECs are stated
in Regulation 00.2124 of the General Academic
Regulations, stated as follows:
a) Every undergraduate student shall take
General Education Courses. These courses
are taken for the purpose of broadening the
knowledge of a student and count towards the
overall credit requirement for the award, but are
not part of the core courses of the programme.
The purpose of these courses is to enhance
university education so that it is broadly based,
promotes critical thinking, intellectual growth,
broader perspective in analysis of issues, and
general skills for lifelong learning.
b) The total number of credits from elective/
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