Financing for equity in higher education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students
4. Support for students' living costs
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
The gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education for both sexes in North Macedonia was 55.01% as of 2023.
Tuition-free status
Public tertiary education is not tuition-free in North Macedonia. However, the National Council does determine the maximum amount of co-financing costs and sets the tuition for the first cycle of studies at public higher education institutions.
Governance
The Ministry of Education is responsible for the education system. Within the ministry, there is the Department of Higher Education. The National Council determines the financing standards and criteria for higher education. The Ministry of Finance is responsible for budget preparation and execution based on the government’s strategic priorities and guidelines.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
According to North Macedonia’s 2018 Law on Higher Education, funds for public universities are provided from the Budget of the Republic of Macedonia. As such, there are no subnational funding mechanisms at the tertiary level.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
Private universities do not receive government funds according to the 2018 Law on Higher Education.
Allocation and equity
The financial plans of higher education institutions consider the number of students enrolled and their participation and tuition fees, investment and development costs, the costs of implementing each study programme, and the current operating costs of the institution. The last two are fully reimbursed by the state. This includes utility costs, maintenance, equipment and consumables for the implementation of study programs and for the operation of the higher education institution.
Higher education institutions may also acquire funds from student participation and tuition fees; -sale of professional services and products; interest; income based on intellectual property rights; income from performing artistic activities; legacies, gifts, contributions, bequests; and other sources.
Public higher education institutions prepare an annual financial plan which is submitted to the Ministry of Education and Science. The Ministry of Science then submits annual financial plans to the treasury for approval.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
The enrolment process for students must guarantee equality of all candidates. The government makes decisions on the number of state-funded students and on additional quotas for the admission of minority students.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
Public higher education institutions, in accordance with the 2018 Law on Higher Education, may not charge participation fees for students under 26 who don’t have parents and are unemployed; students raised in homes for abandoned children and are unemployed; students with disabilities; and war invalids. The Ministry also co-finances the tuition of better performing students.
The Ministry of Education awards competitive scholarships to full-time students.
Social Scholarships
Scholarships for students of social categories are provided to highly performing students from low-income families. Students without parents, students with special needs, students who are beneficiaries of social assistance, and students who have only a single parent receive an additional 10 points in. This scholarship can only be used for public higher education institutions. Recipients receive MKD 6,050 per month for 9 months during the study year.
High Academic Achievement Scholarships
There are multiple competitive scholarships that require high educational achievement and studies in particular fields such as computer science, translation, medicine, art history, veterinary and forestry sciences, and more. The last group of scholarships are reserved for the education of future teaching staff. Recipients receive from MKD 6,050 per month to MKD 18,000 per month for 9 months during the study year.
Scholarships to Roma Students
The Ministry of Education and Science awarded a total of 150 scholarships to Roma students for the 2025/26 academic year. Recipients receive MKD 6,000 per month for 9 months during the study year.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
Students who are attending public university receive free city and suburban transport with funds provided by the state budget. The government also subsidizes rail transport for students every second weekend of the month.
Accommodation
The government subsidizes student accommodation, food, and healthcare. The first group (40% of spaces) to be eligible are students from low income families, children without parents, children with special needs, children of single parents or unemployed parents. The second group (25% of spaces) is reserved for students with a high GPA. The last group is for all other students, with priority to be given to students who enroll the first time in North Macedonia, government scholarship recipients, or international students.
All full-time students studying in public and private universities in Macedonia are entitled to subsidized meals of MKD 120 per day or MKD 2,400 per month.
Textbooks
No information was found.
