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 was 21.44 in 2024. The initial government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was 4.26 in 2011, the most recent year for which UIS data is available. The initial household funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was 69.89 in 2011, the most recent year for which UIS data is available.
Tuition-free status
Article 31 of the 2007 Law on Education guarantees free compulsory education for nine years (basic education), but does not mandate free tuition for higher education. Similarly, Article 68 of the 1993 Constitution, revised in 2008, mandates that the state provide nine years of primary and secondary education to all citizens tuition-free, but does not mandate the provision of free higher education.
Governance
Governance of higher education financing in Cambodia is primarily the responsibility of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), which oversees policy and funding for the majority of both public and private higher education institutions (HEIs). Despite this central role, governance is fragmented, as HEIs are also administered by 16 different ministries, each responsible for institutions related to their respective sectors.
MoEYS manages 84 institutions, 13 public and 71 private, while the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training oversees 25, 12 public and 13 private. The Ministry of National Defence governs five public institutions, the Ministry of Cults and Religions three, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Fisheries three, all public. The Ministry of Health manages two public institutions, and single institutions are administered by the Ministry of Culture and Arts, the Ministry of Interior, the Office of the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, the National Bank of Cambodia, the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunication, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction. Altogether, Cambodia has 132 higher education institutions, 48 public and 84 private, showing a system largely centralised under MoEYS but with specialised institutions governed by other ministries.
The MoEYS is responsible for establishing policy and funding for the majority of public and private HEIs in the country. However, a limited number of specialised higher education institutions are also overseen by other ministries, depending on the field of study.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Resources are transferred from the central government directly to public HEIs, rather than through subnational or local governments.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
There is no government funding for private universities when no public university is available.
Allocation and equity
For public HEIs overseen by MoEYS, government subsidies are allocated primarily through line-item budgeting. Public HEIs are required to prepare an annual operational plan and submit their programme-based budget requests, which are negotiated by MoEYS and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF). A partial Programme-Based Budgeting (PB) system has been implemented since 2008, predominantly covering recurrent budgets, such as civil servant salaries, utilities, and capacity development activities. As part of this process, HEIs do not receive funds targeting equity for specific groups.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
There are no specific provisions regarding admission criteria for vulnerable groups.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
The government operates a scholarship scheme for students attending public HEIs, managed by MoEYS’ Department of Higher Education (DHE). Scholarships covering tuition are provided for roughly 15% of students in public higher education institutions. Eligibility is determined by merit and need-based criteria: outstanding academic achievement (about 60% of awards), low-income students (20%), female students (15%), and applicants from disadvantaged areas (5%). Selection may also favour enrolment in priority majors or fields.
The MoEYS has introduced several policies and strategic plans outlining their vision to increase the provision of scholarships for vulnerable groups, including the 2014 Policy on Higher Education Vision 2030, the Policy on Higher Education Governance and Finance for Cambodia, and the 2019 Cambodian Higher Education Roadmap 2030 and Beyond.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
No information was found on support for student transportation.
Accommodation
No information was found on support for student accommodation.
Textbooks
No information was found on support for student textbook purchases.
