Binti is a Himba girl, a group of humans from Earth, who is accepted for a place at the intergalactic Oomza University. Though she is nervous about her differences with the other groups, they all are united by their love for education.
Once on the ship, they are attacked by an alien species who kill everyone except for Binti. The enemy are known as the Meduse species, and they are killing anyone who they think is their adversary from the Khoush species.
However, she realises that she is able to communicate with the Meduse due to an artefact known as the edan. She makes friends with a Meduse named Okwu to formalise peace between the Khoush and the Meduse. The Meduse agree and Okwu joins Binti at the Oomza university as a student.