Gaborone University College of Law and Professional Studies was established in 2006, beginning its journey in a rented facility in Gaborone Delta with only a small number of self-sponsored students. Despite a modest start and initially slow growth, the institution steadily built its academic foundation and reputation.
In 2008, the College celebrated its first milestone, graduating a cohort of just 19 students at certificate level, marking the beginning of its contribution to human capital development in Botswana.
A significant turning point came in 2011, when the Government of Botswana recognised the value of the institution and began sponsoring students. A remarkable milestone in the history of GUC was the official opening of its Headquarters at Plot 6398 Lajara Road Broadhurst Industrial -Gaborone in 2016. In the same year GUC established a campus in Francistown at the Botswana Life building. Due to increasing demand for the GUC market driven learning programmes in Francistown, another campus was opened at the Village Mall in 2018. The two campuses in Francistown were later combined into one at Tati River Mall which was officially opened in 2021.
The Mmopane campus which was officially opened in 2018,the Mmopane campus represents the institution’s strategic investment in Engineering, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) aimed at equipping young people with practical, industry-relevant skills. In July 2021, GUC established a campus in Maun in Boseja ward, the campus was later moved to Plot 17122 Sanyedi Ward where the institution has developed a more spacious facility for effective delivery of its services in 2023.
An additional library and laboratories block at the GUC headquarters was completed and officially opened in 2023, the block has the physical and E- library on the first floor, physics, chemistry, biology, inclusive education, and occupational health and safety laboratories on the second floor. The third floor houses the nursing skills laboratory, classrooms and staff offices.
Another remarkable milestone was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Leeds Beckett University in 2018. The MOU provided for the delivery Leeds Beckett University Bachelor of Laws Honours (LLB) Degree through GUC on Franchise basis. This innovative initiative opened doors for the diploma in law graduates to progress with studies to achieve a professional law degree qualification. The Leeds Beckett University Bachelor of Laws Honours (LLB) Degree offered through GUC was accredited by BQA in 2020 and the first cohort graduated in 2023, and the graduate were admitted by the High Courts of Botswana practicing law in 2024.
Today, GUC has expanded its footprint across Botswana, operating seven campuses in Gaborone, Francistown, Maun, and Mmopane. This support accelerated GUC’s growth, enabling the expansion of programmes from certificate level to Diploma, Undergraduate, and Postgraduate qualifications. From having only one certificate programme formally accredited at inception in 2006, GUC has since evolved into a fully accredited institution offering a wide academic portfolio, including Master’s, Degree, Diploma, Certificate, and Short Courses, all aligned with national standards.
The College’s growth is clearly reflected in its graduation statistics over the years, demonstrating a steady and, at times, exponential increase in student output:
This consistent growth highlights GUC’s expanding capacity and its increasing role in producing skilled graduates for the labour market. Notably, recent years have seen record-breaking graduation numbers, reflecting both increased enrolment and programme diversification.Over the years, GUC has built a strong reputation for producing highly employable graduates, many of whom secure employment even before completing their studies and go on to occupy key positions across both public and private sectors.
Looking ahead, the institution remains committed to its strategic vision of becoming a fully-fledged university, expanding its academic offerings up to doctoral level and strengthening its contribution to national and global human resource development.