After receiving his initial education in Cape Town, Brand attended the University of Leiden from 1815, where he obtained a doctorate in law in 1820 with a dissertation on the relationship that colonies have to the mother country – Dissertatio politico-juridica de jure coloniarum.
Brand's early education took place in Cape Town before he enrolled at the University of Leiden from 1815, where he received his doctoral degree in law in 1820. His dissertation focused on the relationship between colonies and their mother country – A study on the political and legal implications of colonial ties.