Students in Botswana give their fingerprints in Gaborone but receive their visa decision from Johannesburg: the French Embassy in Gaborone does not issue visas, and the Capago centre on Robinson Road works for the French Consulate General in South Africa. Here we cover that route, how BGCSE and BSSE results relate to AI2’s entry levels, and the main costs in pula.
AI2 – Applied Institute of Artificial Intelligence is an applied AI school on the Écouen campus, 22 minutes from Paris Gare du Nord. Its programmes are taught in English and prepare French State qualifications registered with France Compétences (RNCP) at level 6 (bachelor’s level) and level 7 (master’s level).
Applying from Botswana: what is specific to you
BGCSE or BSSE: what to send
The Botswana Examinations Council notes that 2025 was the first year its senior secondary examinations ran under two syllabus approaches, the BGCSE and the newer Botswana Senior Secondary Education (BSSE). Each syllabus is a stand-alone qualification with its own grade, with no overall aggregate, so send your full subject-by-subject results. AI2 looks for mathematics among them for Bachelor Year 1. BEC sits these examinations once a year, in October and November, and publishes results at the end of February or early in March, which is worth bearing in mind if you are aiming for a May or September start.
- Two years of higher education, or an HND, in a related field: BSc final year, earning a level-6 qualification in one year.
- A completed bachelor’s degree in computing, engineering, mathematics or statistics: MSc Applied AI.
- An engineering degree, a master’s or four years of related higher education: 11-month Fast-Track.
If you plan to return, it helps to know that the Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA) evaluates qualifications: it checks the authenticity of local and external awards and compares external ones with Botswana’s qualifications.
The Capago centre in Gaborone
When you complete France-Visas, select South Africa as the country of submission. Botswana is not an Études en France country, and Campus France South Africa confirms that Johannesburg handles students resident in Botswana directly. Then:
- Book through fr-bw.capago.eu for the centre at 761 Robinson Road, Gaborone.
- Pay Capago’s €120 base service fee and €30 passport transfer fee in pula, plus the French visa fee.
- Collect your passport from Aramex/Sprint Couriers, Plot 69368, Western Industrial Estate, Broadhurst, Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm.
Budget in pula
| Item | EUR | BWP (approx., at the October 2026 rate) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Applied AI, per year | from 9,000 | about P140,000 |
| BSc final year (top-up) | from 9,900 | about P154,000 |
| MSc Applied AI, per year | from 10,500 | about P164,000 |
| Fast-Track | 11,000 | about P172,000 |
| Capago fees (service and passport transfer) | 150 | about P2,300 |
Accommodation is the largest cost after tuition: see finding student housing near Paris. Applicants from Namibia follow a similar Capago route, described in the Namibia guide.
IELTS and flights
The British Council IELTS centre is at the Botswana National Productivity Centre in Gaborone. To reach Paris, Airlink connects Gaborone with Johannesburg for Air France’s direct flights, and Ethiopian Airlines includes Gaborone in its network with connections through Addis Ababa.
Sources checked in October 2026: France-Visas: Botswana · Botswana Examinations Council: 2025 BGCSE summary of results · Botswana Qualifications Authority: services · Campus France South Africa: students outside South Africa · IELTS: British Council, Botswana National Productivity Centre
AI and data science programmes for students from Botswana
Bachelor in Applied AI
Three years after secondary school. RNCP level 6, from €9,000 a year after the AI2 scholarship.
BSc final year
AI-Powered Application Development or Data Analytics & Applied AI. Entry with an HND, a BTS or two years of higher education. RNCP level 6, from €9,900.
MSc Applied AI
Data Science, Cybersecurity or IoT. RNCP level 7 (master’s level), from €10,500 a year after the AI2 scholarship.
11-month Fast-Track
The level-7 qualification in under a year, €11,000. Starts in January.
All programmes and current fees: all programmes, scholarships and our guide to the cost of studying AI in France.
Entry requirements for students from Botswana
- Bachelor Year 1: the BGCSE, with mathematics. English at B2 level: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 72 or equivalent, or schooling in English.
- BSc final year: an HND or two years of higher education in computing or engineering lets you enter the third year directly and earn a level-6 qualification in one year.
- MSc: a bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, statistics or a related field. English at B2 level: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 72 or equivalent, or schooling in English.
Why study AI in France rather than the UK or Australia?
- Tuition from €10,500 a year for an MSc, far below typical UK fees.
- Programmes taught in English, in the Paris region, at the heart of Europe.
- The right to work up to 964 hours a year during your studies, and a post-study permit for master’s-level graduates.
- Applied projects with companies, from the first semester.
Careers after an AI degree
Graduates can target data and AI roles in mining, banking, telecoms and the public sector in Botswana and Southern Africa. Typical roles include data scientist, machine learning engineer, AI developer, data analyst and AI security specialist.
How to come to France from Botswana: step by step
Apply to AI2 online and attend an online interview with the academic team.
Receive your admission letter.
Botswana is not part of the Études en France procedure: once you hold your admission letter, you apply for the visa directly on France-Visas (see above for where to lodge your file).
Apply for the long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) on France-Visas, with proof of at least €877.50 a month of resources.
Arrive on the Écouen campus near Paris and validate your visa online on the ANEF portal within three months.
Start 6 to 8 months before your intake (January, May or September). The full timeline is in our visa guidance, and daily life is covered in life in France.
Time difference for your online interview
Central Africa Time (UTC+2): one hour ahead of Paris in winter, the same time in summer.
Frequently asked questions
Does the French Embassy in Gaborone issue student visas?
No. France-Visas states that the embassy in Gaborone does not issue visas. You lodge your file at the Capago centre in Gaborone and the Consulate General in Johannesburg decides.
I sat the BSSE rather than the BGCSE. Can I apply for the Bachelor?
Yes, apply with your BSSE results, including mathematics. The academic team reviews each file and discusses it with you at the online interview.
Where do I collect my passport after the decision?
France-Visas lists Aramex/Sprint Couriers, Plot 69368, Western Industrial Estate, Broadhurst, open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm.
Is there an IELTS test centre in Gaborone?
Yes. The British Council runs IELTS at the Botswana National Productivity Centre in Gaborone.
Apply online: the academic team reviews your file and invites you to an online interview.
