Bosnia and Herzegovina

Higher Education System

Higher education (Visoko obrazovanje) in BiH is organized in three cycles.The first cycle leads to the academic title of completed undergraduate studies [the degree of Bachelor] or equivalent, obtained after a minimum of three and a maximum of four years of full time study. Precondition sor enter is certificate of completion of secondary education, and it is evaluated with at least 180 or 240 ECTS credits. Exceptions are integrated studies of medical science group in the first cycle, which are valued up to 360 ECTS credits.The second cycle leads to the academic title of Master or equivalent, obtained after completing undergraduate studies, lasting one or two years, and it is evaluated with 60 or 120 credits, and the sum with the first cycle is 300 ECTS credits, andThe third cycle leading to a doctoral degree or equivalent, last three years and it is valued at 180 credits.

One semester is evaluated with 30 credits in each cycle.

Higher education in BiH may be acquired by full-time, part-time, distance learning, or a combination of these modes of study, as provided in the Statute of the higher education institutions, as the basic act governing issues important for the performance of activities of the institution, which must be harmonized with legal provisions. Higher education in BiH has been identified as a priority area of special public interest.

Public universities in BiH have begun reforms and the introduction of policies and practices of quality assurance prior to inclusion of BiH in the Bologna process in 2003. During the academic 2003/2004 year all existing public universities in BiH were included in the institutional assessment of the European University Association (EUA).

Higher education in BiH has been identified as a priority area of special public interest. Care about the quality of education and its development is becoming a priority in BiH in education policies at all levels.

Higher Education Institutions

Framework Law on Higher Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina "Official Gazette of BiH", Nos. 59/07 and 59/09, stipulates that higher education institutions in BiH may have the status of a university or higher schools. Universities are higher education institutions involved in the education and research, offering academic degrees in all three cycles, with objectives that include the advancement of knowledge, thought and education in BiH, educational, cultural, social and economic development of BiH, the promotion of democratic civil society and achievement of highest standards in teaching and research.

Universities implement at least five different study programs from at least three scientific fields - natural sciences, technical sciences, biomedicine and health, biotechnical sciences, social sciences and humanities.

Higher school is an institution that has been accredited to offer diplomas and degrees of the first cycle, with objectives including the preparation and training of individuals for the scientific, economic and cultural development of BiH and the promotion of democratic civil society, and achieving high standards in teaching and learning. High schools implement at least one study program from one scientific field and meet other conditions in accordance with the law.

(Source: Eurydice, page updated 9 October, 2017)