Study in Lesotho
Are you still guessing which country would best suit you for pursuing a college or university degree!? Are you a fan of sunbathing!! Well, you’re just on the right page! Welcome to the Kingdom of Lesotho information page!
Did you know that, Lesotho has one of the highest adult literacy rates in Africa with 70.1% for men and 88.3% for women.
Still wondering why we have chosen Lesotho as your perfect destination for a study abroad semester, then read the quote above for the second time!
Lesotho is a landlocked located in Southern Africa. There are currently forty-five such countries and five partially recognized states; landlocked countries. More specifically, Lesotho is a country within a country, surrounded by South Africa. The country is tiny and one of the least known countries in the world, yet it’s a land full of fascinating facts and a great destination for a semester abroad! Apart from that it is has a strong academic system that makes it attract foreigners intending to study in the southern part of the continent!
Although a small country, Lesotho commands an assortment of fantastic attractions that scholars can visit and discover the history and heritage of both the Basotho people and the Mountain Kingdom. Once here, however the emphasis here is on the outdoors. The spectacular mountains and pristine natural vegetation protected within Ts'ehlanyane and Sehlabathebe National Parks are an outstanding draw for keen hikers, birdwatchers and botanists.
Whether you’re into water sports, skiing, snowboarding or mountain biking, or just intend to study abroad, Lesotho has it all and more. Home to one of only two ski resorts in Southern Africa, the country is the place to go if you want to hone your skiing or snowboarding skills. Afriski Mountain Resort, situated in the Northern Highlands, has something on offer for every snow bunny, and if that is not your thing, visiting to check out the scenery is just as good. On the other end, pursuing your academic career here will certainly be fulfilling!
We allow students to access a perfect method to travel, gain some academic experience and internships more so. No matter which path you choose to pursue, RocApply is your most trusted agent for studying abroad. As RocApply we help students identify best programs in Lesotho and also arrange other aspects of their associated travel plans. Our team together with various stakeholders have set a robust network for your aid; travel channels and accommodations partners in every city at ZERO charge on your end! ALL you have to do is just apply to any university or college of your choice and you’re set for the go!
About Lesotho
RocApply dedicates this guide to widen your scope of understanding about this awesome kingdom! We have interesting and fun facts about Lesotho that you probably didn’t know much about. Be sure to go through this page to learn more about Lesotho!
The Overview
Lesotho is a high-altitude, landlocked mountain state surrounded by South Africa, known for its amazing mountain peaks and breathtaking nature and adventure. It’s also known as the Kingdom in the Sky because of its lofty altitude; the country has the highest lowest point of any country in the world and is the only country to be completely above 1000m! It’s a fantastic adventure holiday destination for many tourists. If you want to see the uninhibited nature and serene mountain views, Lesotho is just the perfect place for you.
The county is a great place to go if your love an adventure; it boasts 1000 metres high ‘lowlands’ where one can participate in a spot of craft shopping and sightseeing or if you prefer, you can explore and walk around the beautiful and historic highlands to the southern, central and northeastern parts of the country where you will see beautiful streams passing through an ancient dinosaur playground; everyone loves the sound of that!
Did you know?
• Lesotho is ruled by a constitutional monarchy and is one of the three remaining kingdoms in Africa (the others are Morocco and Swaziland).
• The lowest point above sea level in Lesotho is about 1500m, making it the country with the highest low point in the whole world.
• The country did not gain the name ‘the mountain kingdom’ for nothing. Nearly two thirds of Lesotho consist of mountains. And when driving through the country, you will see mountains, lot’s of mountains, in every shape and in every form there is. There’s no way to avoid them, but just to enjoy them as you pass through.
• Not so many countries can say that their traditional dress is a blanket. The Basotho blanket is a very common sight in this kingdom, often with colourful patterns. The blanket is not only used to protect the Basotho against the cold, but is also worn as a symbol of cultural identification.
• Lesotho is home to the highest altitude pub in Africa at 287 metres above sea level. It is located right at the border with South Africa, and the end of the iconic Sani Pass.
• A cold beer is very welcome when driving this scenic pass starting in South Africa and to top it all off, you will have an amazing view from the top (while sipping the cold beer).
• You wouldn’t immediately associate Africa with snow, but the country is home to the highest ski resort in Africa. Afriski is located at 3050 m above sea level.
• With a drop of 192 m, the Maletsunyane falls is the highest single-drop waterfall in the whole of Southern Africa. According to the Guinness book of records, the longest commercially operated single-drop abseil is one of 204m (670ft) down the Maletsunyane waterfall in Semonkong.
• The Katse Dam is the highest dam in Africa (the surface reaches 2050 metres when at 100% full) and with 185 m is the second largest dam wall in the continent.
About Lesotho's Economy
The key drivers of the country’s growth are mining and agriculture. Each of these sectors is in turn highly dependent on one-factor ore prices in the first case and climatic hazards in the second creating significant volatility in economic activity. Economic growth remains moderate, mainly because the contribution from mining will continue to be affected by low prices for certain ores (copper, zinc). Nevertheless, the sector has bright medium-term prospects.
The economy of the country has boomed on the back of increases in oil production, high oil prices, and large inflows of foreign direct investment until the second half of 2002. GDP growth registered more than 10 percent per year in 2006 and 2007. From 1997 to date, Sudan has been working with the IMF to implement macroeconomic reforms, including a managed float of the exchange rate. The county began exporting crude oil in the last quarter of 1999.
Agricultural production remains important because it employs 80% of the workforce and contributes a third of GDP here. The Darfur conflict, the aftermath of two decades of civil war in the south, the lack of basic infrastructure in large areas, and a reliance by much of the population on subsistence agriculture ensure much of the population will remain at or below the poverty line for years despite the rapid increase in average per capita income. In January 2007, the government introduced a new currency, the Sudanese Pound, at an initial exchange rate of $1.00 for 2 Sudanese Pounds.
Initially, due to a border clash, the conflict with Ethiopia, coupled with accusations over the funding of al-Shabab armed groups in Somalia, had excluded the country from the international community and led to UN sanctions (arms embargo, travel bans, asset freeze). The sanctions were lifted in November 2018 to embrace the peace efforts enforced, which also extended to relations with Somalia, Sudan, and Djibouti. The peace accord has raised high hopes in the region, as illustrated by the numerous infrastructure investments announced since then.
However, the unilateral decision to close borders with Ethiopia in April 2019, along with the regime's slowness to comply with the peace agreement and to undertake reforms, are fuelling reservations among potential investors. In particular, a reform of the nation’s indefinite military service, one of the main reasons prompting Sudanese to emigrate, would be a major sign of openness. It is against this background that the business environment remains very poor, with Sudan coming second to last in the World Bank's Doing Business ranking.
DISCLAIMER: This report was last updated 2019 April. Due to the sensitivity of economic information and data privacy, RocApply publishes only authentic indices as gathered from relevant and trusted sources.
Why Study in Lesotho
Opportunities
Geography
Thriving Education System
Accessibilityt
Scholarships in Lesotho
Students prospecting to study in Lesotho looking for Ph.D scholarship, Masters Scholarships, or Undergraduate scholarships to fund their education abroad can now check with RocApply Scholarship page for updates form the universities and the Lesotho aids. The list of scholarships range from fully funded to limited support or tuition fee waiver and we are committed to helping students acquire them!!
Sotho scholarships and grants are available for Sothos and foreign students from developing countries to study abroad alike. International and national colleges and universities offer financial aids in the form of scholarships to the students here. This page keeps you aware of much about what’s available. Lesotho scholarships and awards are offered for both the natives and foreigners at different course levels i.e. Undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate and postdoctoral or research program.
Tuition fees and living costs are generally significantly low in Lesotho than in the rest of the neighborhood, thus a little extra funding is still likely to come in handy for many international students. In fact tuition is free in Public Universities here. While some are government scholarships, others are offered by individual universities or external organizations, for students at all levels of study. With its competitive institutions, Lesotho offers excellent opportunities for students.
Lesotho Student Visa
A Student Visa in Lesotho allows a foreign national the opportunity to immigrate to Lesotho on a temporary basis in order to undertake a course of study in the kingdom. Studying in Lesotho is an increasingly popular option for undergraduates across the globe; Lesotho offers a long history of excellence in learning with a host of educational institutions. Immigration to the country has grown significantly in recent years due in part to a comparatively liberal immigration policy coupled with the high quality of life which can be obtained in the Lesotho.