How to Study in Bosnia and Herzegovina for International Students
If you are looking for a cheerful and welcoming atmosphere, then you should consider studying in Bosnia and Herzegovina! The country is known for its culture of selflessness as well as the lively social scene of the locals. The country offers affordable education and a high quality of living that you will thrive in. Aside from the quality of life and education, you will find spectacular cities and landscapes.
When it comes to the choices that are available, Bosnia and Herzegovina currently has 41 universities, from which 8 universities are a part of the public sector and 33 universities are private institutions.
Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina you should definitely check out are University of Sarajevo, University of Banja Luka, and University of Mostar.
Being able to study in Bosnia and Herzegovina as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in Bosnia and Herzegovina
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 440 BAM to 25,900 BAM, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 440 BAM and 18,400 BAM.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Bosnia and Herzegovina, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| University of Banja Luka | 440 BAM - 1,500 BAM | 440 BAM - 1,500 BAM |
| University of Tuzla | 1,200 BAM - 1,800 BAM |
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| International University of Gorazde | 3,900 BAM - 7,800 BAM | |
| College of Computer Science and Business Communications eMPIRICA | 2,500 BAM | |
| Slobomir P University | 3,000 BAM | 3,000 BAM |
| Logos Center College Mostar | 4,490 BAM | |
| CEPS – Center for Business Studies | 2,290 BAM - 2,990 BAM | |
| Banja Luka College | 4,600 BAM | |
| Sinergija University | 2,000 BAM | 2,000 BAM |
| College for Applied and Legal Sciences Prometej | 2,250 BAM | |
| Sarajevo School of Science and Technology | 15,300 BAM - 25,900 BAM | 10,200 BAM - 18,400 BAM |
| International BURCH University | 7,000 BAM | 6,000 BAM |
| International University of Sarajevo | 7,800 BAM - 9,800 BAM | 5,900 BAM - 9,800 BAM |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, check out the Cheap Universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in Bosnia and Herzegovina for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.
Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Bosnia and Herzegovina may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.
To give you an idea, here are some universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and their required minimum scores for each program level.
International University of Sarajevo
Bachelor’s degree
- TOEFL: 70
- IELTS: 6
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Master’s degree
- TOEFL: 70
- IELTS: 6
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.
Application Procedure to Study in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina have online applications available on their websites, like University of Sarajevo and University of Banja Luka. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
University of Sarajevo
- Official Website
- Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page
University of Banja Luka
University of Mostar
Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.
After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!
The admission process in Bosnia and Herzegovina differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.
The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.
4. Visa Application for International Students in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Now that you’re accepted into your chosen institution, it’s time to apply for a student visa in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A student visa is an essential document for studying abroad. It’s an important government document that you need to present before going to Bosnia and Herzegovina as an international student.
In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Bosnia and Herzegovina. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Long-stay (D) Visa.
To start your student visa application in Bosnia and Herzegovina, you will need to present the following:
- Valid passport
- Copies of previous visas (if available)
- Valid identification cards
- Signed application form
- Proof of fee payment to the embassy
- One passport-sized photo taken during the last six months
- Travel health insurance
- Proof of accommodation
- Acceptance letter from the educational institution
- Bank statement showing financial capacity to stay in the country
- Flight itinerary
Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Bosnia and Herzegovina is 81 EUR.
After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:
- Check the list of countries that require a visa on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bosnia and Herzegovina website.
- Prepare your documents for visa application.
- Pay the visa fee at the embassy or consulate.
For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.
That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!