In line with University of Botswana entrance qualifications (General Regulation 10.21 (a), admission into the diploma shall be at least six subjects not below the grade of E in the BGCSE or equivalent. English 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 subjects.
This programme is specifically meant for applicants nominated by the Botswana Defence Force (BDF).
The programme shall be offered over a period of four semesters including the winter break and shall comprise of 64 credit hours.
The Diploma in Defence and Strategic Studies shall comprise of 100 and 200 core and optional courses, electives in other areas offered at comparable levels and general education courses (GECs). The diploma programme will also benefit from degree level courses that do not have pre-requisites.
3.1 Students wishing to graduate with a Diploma in Defence and Strategic Studies shall take and pass 8 core courses of 3 credits (24), 8 optional courses of 3 credits (24), 2 elective courses of 3 credits (6), and 5 general education courses (10). The courses are listed below:
Core Courses:
POL100 Botswana Society, Politics, Economy and Government (3)
POL103 Research Methodology (3)
POL105 Introduction to Strategic Studies (3)
POL205 Botswana in the Region Context (3)
POL206 Introduction to International Peace Keeping (3)
POL401 International Relations (3)
POL406 Africa in World Politics (3)
LAW111 Introduction to Law of Armed Conflict (3)
Optional Courses:
POL112 Botswana’ National Security Policy (3)
POL113 Foreign Policy and Diplomacy (3)
POL207 Media and Public Relations in the Military (3)
POL208 Ethics and Accountability in the Military (3)
POL209 Gender Issues within the Military (3)
POL213 Security Sector Governance (3)
POL402 Democratic Theory and Practice (3)
POL407 Civil Military Relations (3)
POL409 Security Studies (3)
PAD200 Human Resource Management in the Military (3)
PAD203 Financial Resources Management in the Military (3)
PAD413 Leadership and Governance (3)
ENS403 Environmental Hazards and Disaster Management (3)
General Education Courses:
ICT121 Computer Skills Fundamentals 1 (2)
COM151 Communication and Academic Literacy Skills (Social Sciences) (3)
ICT122 Computer Skills Fundamentals 2 (2)
COM152 Communication and Academic Literacy Skills (Social Sciences) (3)
GEC232 Critical Thinking (3)
Core Course
POL100 Botswana Society, Politics, Economy and Government (3)
POL105 Introduction to Strategic Studies (3)
POL205 Botswana in the Region Context (3)
Optional Courses
Choose any two from
POL112 Botswana’ National Security Policy (3 credits)
POL113 Foreign Policy and Diplomacy (3 credits)
POL208 Ethics and Accountability in the Military (3 credits)
PAD200 Human Resource Management in the Military (3)
General Education Course
Take two compulsory GEC’s
COM151 Communication and Academic Literacy Skills (Social Sciences) (3)
ICT121 Computer Skills Fundamentals 1 (2)
Core Course
POL103 Research Methodology (3 credits)
POL206 Introduction to International Peace Keeping (3 credits)
LAW111 Introduction to Law of Armed Conflict (3)
Optional Course
Choose any three from
POL207 Media and Public Relations in the Military (3 credits)
POL213 Security Sector Governance (3 credits)
POL209 Gender Issues within the Military (3 credits)
PAD203 Financial Resources Management in the Military (3)
General Education Course
Take two compulsory GEC’s
COM152 Communication and Academic and Professional Communication (Social Sciences) (3)
ICT122 Computer Skills Fundamentals 2 (2)
Core Course
POL406 Africa in World Politics (3)
POL401 International Relations (3)
Optional Courses
Choose any three from
PAD200 Human Resource Management in the Military (3)
POL407 Civil Military Relations (3)
PAD203 Financial Resources Management in the Military (3)
POL409 Security Studies (3)
ENS403 Environmental Hazards and Disaster Management (3)
PAD413 Leadership and Governance (3)
POL402 Democratic Theory and Practice (3)
Electives
Take 1 (one) elective course
General Education Course
TRS232 Critical Thinking (2)
Subject to the Academic General Regulation 10, the following Departmental regulations shall apply:
4.1 The mark for the continuous assessment of the diploma is 40% while the final examination carries 60%. The continuous assessment may be in the form of written examinations or essay assignments as directed by a Lecturer of any particular course.
4.2 All students shall be required to pass in all the prescribed courses.
4.3 Each course shall be examined by a two hour written examinations at the end of each semester during which the course is offered.
4.4 The written examinations shall constitute 60% (final examination) and 40% (continuous assessment ) of the final grade.
4.5 The pass mark for each course shall be 50%
4.6 A student who fails a course shall repeat it in the following year as there is no provision for a re-sit in line with the regulations governing the conduct of examinations at the University of Botswana.
A student shall be eligible for the award of Diploma in Defence and Strategic Studies after satisfying all the requirements of the programme. The award shall be classified as distinction, merit, credit or pass accordingly to the GPA as per UB general regulation 10.41.