Are there English-language schools for children?

Yes, Sarajevo has 3–4 international schools offering English-language education with IB or American/British curricula. Tuition is €4,000–€12,000/year. Mostar has very limited English-language options for children.

Can my children attend local public schools?

Yes, with residency status and translated documents. Instruction is in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian. This works well for language immersion but may be challenging initially without language preparation. Some schools offer additional language support for foreign students.

How is the quality of universities?

Public universities are competent for undergraduate education, particularly in engineering, medicine, and humanities. However, they don't rank highly internationally, and facilities can be dated. For postgraduate studies, most ambitious students look to universities in the EU.

Are degrees from BiH recognized internationally?

BiH is part of the Bologna Process, so degrees follow the European credit system (ECTS) and are generally recognized across Europe. However, specific professional qualifications (medicine, law, engineering) may require additional certification in other countries.

What about learning Bosnian as a foreign language?

Several institutions offer Bosnian language courses for foreigners, including the University of Sarajevo's language center and private schools. Costs range from €100–€200/month for group classes. Online options via italki and Preply are also available with native tutors at €10–€20/hour.

Expat Topics

D7, digital nomad, golden visa & more

💰

Cost of Living

Monthly budgets from €1,200 to €4,000+

🏥

Healthcare

Public, private & expat health insurance

🏠

Housing

Rent prices, best areas & lease tips

💼

Work & Business

Permits, remote work & freelancing rules

✈️

Moving Guide

Step-by-step relocation checklist

📚

Education

International schools & universities

🌆

Daily Life

Transport, food & expat communities

🌅

Lifestyle

Climate, culture & quality of living

📈

Investing

Property, stocks, tax & wealth building

View all resources →

Rankings Compare Blog

📚

🇧🇦 Bosnia & Herzegovina

Education

Bosnia & Herzegovina's education system reflects the country's complex political structure, with separate curricula in the Federation and Republika Srpska. For expat families, international schools in Sarajevo offer recognized international curricula, while university students benefit from extremely low tuition fees at public institutions..

3–4 options

International Schools

Sarajevo only

€4,000–€12,000/yr

Int'l School Tuition

Depending on school

€500–€3,000/yr

University Tuition

International students

Bosnian

Language of Instruction

English at int'l schools

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏙️Sarajevo 🌉Mostar

🛂Visa 🏥Healthcare 💰Finance 🏠Housing 💼Working 🌆Daily Life ✈️Moving 📚Education 🌅Lifestyle 📈Investing

Overview

Key Takeaways

Sarajevo International School (SIS): IB curriculum, pre-K through Grade 12, well-established with diplomatic community ties
Primary school: ages 6–15 (nine-year mandatory education)
University of Sarajevo: largest institution, wide range of faculties, strong humanities and engineering programs

International Schools

Sarajevo has a small but adequate selection of international schools offering IB, British, or American curricula. These schools serve the diplomatic and international organization community and provide English-language education from elementary through high school. Mostar has very limited international schooling options.

Sarajevo International School (SIS): IB curriculum, pre-K through Grade 12, well-established with diplomatic community ties
French International School of Sarajevo: French curriculum with some bilingual options
QSI International School of Sarajevo: American-style curriculum, smaller class sizes
Tuition ranges: €4,000–€12,000 per year depending on grade level and school
Class sizes are small (10–20 students) — personalized attention is a key advantage
Application timelines: apply 3–6 months before desired start date for best placement

Local School System

The public school system in BiH is free for all residents but instruction is in Bosnian, Croatian, or Serbian depending on the region. Quality varies significantly between schools. Some expat children attend local schools for language immersion, particularly if planning a long-term stay.

Primary school: ages 6–15 (nine-year mandatory education)
Secondary school: ages 15–19 (gymnasium or vocational tracks)
Instruction language: Bosnian in the Federation, Serbian in Republika Srpska
Foreign children can enroll with translated documents and residency status
Class sizes in city schools: 25–30 students — larger than international schools
School year: September to June with winter and spring breaks

Higher Education

BiH has 8 public universities and several private institutions. The University of Sarajevo is the largest and most prestigious, founded in 1949. Tuition for international students is remarkably low by global standards, making BiH an interesting option for budget-conscious students, though most programs are taught in Bosnian.

University of Sarajevo: largest institution, wide range of faculties, strong humanities and engineering programs
International Burch University (Sarajevo): private, some English-language programs, Turkish-founded
University of Mostar: regional institution with several faculties
International student tuition: €500–€3,000 per year at public universities
Private university tuition: €3,000–€6,000 per year
Bologna Process compatible — degrees recognized across Europe
Limited English-language programs — most instruction in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian

FAQs