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)
In 2023, the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education for both sexes was 45.5%. The initial government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita is 31.47% as of 2021. The initial household funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was 7.41%.
Tuition-free status
Public tertiary education is not tuition-free in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, the Minister of the Government proposes the tuition fees for all study programmes in public Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Students are also expected to pay registration fees.
There are two types of students for the first cycle (undergraduate studies), budget-financed and self-financed. Budget-financed students are selected based on their good performance in secondary school. There is a quota set for the number of students who may enrol under this category. The Ministry of Education is responsible for the tuition fees. Students need only to pay for administrative and other fees, which range from BAM 94-500 (USD 56-300). The majority of students are self-financed and must pay tuition fees. Fees range from BAM 440-1500 (USD 265-900). All students pay tuition fees from the second cycle (Master's) onwards, except for the Republika of Srpska, which also covers the tuition of the second study cycle.
Governance
Bosnia and Herzegovina is comprised of two entities (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) and the Republika Srpska, and the Brčko District. The FBiH is further split into ten cantons, each with their own education systems. In total, there are twelve administrative units. Each administrative unit—the ten cantons, Republika Srpska, and Brčko District—maintains its own Ministry of Education, which manages the education system under its own laws, policies, and budgets. The Federal Ministry of Education and Science serves a coordinating role among the ten cantons in the Federation, while the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH oversees education activities at the national level. The national technical bodies responsible for tertiary level education include the Agency for the Development of Higher Education and the Centre for Information and Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education.
Public HEIs are financed by the relevant educational authorities, which are the entity, canton and district units. As such, there are thirteen separate education budgets.
The Republika Srpska manages tertiary level education through the Ministry of Science and Technology Development, Higher Education and Information Society. The other canton and district-level educational authorities manage tertiary education under their respective departments or Ministries of Education.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
The contribution of state-level funding to the education budgets of the thirteen educational authorities (the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), the ten cantons, Republika Srpska, and Brčko District) is very small.
The Entity governments (FBiH and the Republika Srpska) allocate education funds to the Cantons (within the FBiH) or municipalities (within Republika Srpska).
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
Private universities may receive funds on a project basis.
Allocation and equity
The relevant educational authorities, from the separate budgets of the 13 education ministries, finance specific needs from universities, such as equipment and facilities for students with disabilities, materials and services, research and scientific work, international exchange, and student organization projects. The university covers the rest of the costs from student tuition and fees, local self-government funds, donations and research sources.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
No information was found.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
Responsible ministries of education implement and award merit-based public grants to students in public universities. Often these programmes also consider need-based elements such as the parents’ income, employment status, and whether or not they are war veterans. These may have enrolment quotas. Grants range from BAM 100-800 and are available monthly for ten months a year. Local governments also may provide some form of state-funded grants.
There are no national programmes that provide financial support for students.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
No information was found.
Accommodation
All costs for student accommodation in student-standard institutions are borne by the Government of Srpska. KM 2.6 million per year will be provided by the budget of the Republika Srpska to finance accommodation. The Republik will also pay KM 3.5 per student per day to provide them with school meals.
Textbooks
No information was found.
This profile was reviewed with the support of national expert Hatidza Jahic.
