Study Medicine or Dentistry at International University of Sarajevo
International University of Sarajevo · Bosnia and Herzegovina
Private university with an English-taught medicine programme as a dual-degree pathway.
At a glance
The key facts about this university at a glance.
Programmes
Medicine, Dentistry
Tuition fees
13,750 EUR per year
Duration
6 years
Language of instruction
English
Admission process
Open to applicants with citizenship of the EU, the Commonwealth, Switzerland, Norway, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait or Qatar.
Intake
September (autumn semester)
Recognition
Recognition via equivalence assessment · Bologna/ECTS · state-accredited
Living costs
600 EUR per month
Total students
2000
How Safe Is This Study Location?
Based on assessments from residents and visitors collected by Numbeo over the past five years.
56.2
45
6 years
600
Climate
Average daytime highs by month.
✓ Placement without a grade cut-off — we place you regardless of your school-leaving grades. We go through the specific requirements together.
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Why study medicine abroad at this university?
The International University of Sarajevo was founded in 2004 and is a private university with its campus in the Ilidža district. Its Faculty of Medicine offers an English-taught programme over twelve semesters and 360 ECTS, organised as a double-degree programme with the University of Health Sciences in Turkey; a Dentistry programme follows the same model. Fees are tiered by origin and amount to €13,750 per year for international students. The programme is accredited by ASIIN, an EQAR-listed agency.
Dean and professors
Since October 2025, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jasmin Šutković has led the Faculty of Medical Sciences at IUS as Acting Dean. The bioengineer earned his bachelor's degree in 2009 and his doctorate in Genetics and Bioengineering in 2020 at IUS, headed the university's Research and Development Center from 2020 to 2023 and is also Program Coordinator of the Dental Medicine programme, with more than 40 scientific publications in his field.
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Orkun Aydın – psychiatrist and member of the FMS faculty council; received the Prof. Dr. Zeliha Tunca Research Incentive Award of the Turkish Lithium Society in 2018 for his research on schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pınar Ünal-Aydın – psychiatrist and faculty council member; heads the university's VR lab and has published more than 40 peer-reviewed papers on digital mental health.
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Lejla Mahmutović – geneticist; heads the IUS Research and Development Center and publishes her cancer research in journals such as Frontiers in Pharmacology and Human Genomics.
Accreditations of the International University of Sarajevo
Is the International University of Sarajevo a recognised university? Yes. It is a private, state-accredited higher education institution in Bosnia and Herzegovina, licensed by the Bosnian accreditation authority HEA (Agency for Development of Higher Education and Quality Assurance of Bosnia and Herzegovina). The Medicine programme itself is additionally reviewed and accredited by the German accreditation agency ASIIN, a full member of the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR).
- Programmes: Medicine, Dentistry
- Language of instruction: English
- Standard duration: 6 years
- Start of studies: September (autumn semester)
- Requirement: General higher-education entrance qualification. Check in a free study consultation whether you meet the requirements for placement at this university through Medschool Experts.
Study medicine or dentistry: programmes and language of instruction
Structure, duration, language of instruction and degree — for every programme at this university.
- Medicine: The Medicine programme leads to a medical degree. The pre-clinical phase establishes the scientific foundations; the clinical phase adds patient-facing work.
- Dentistry: Dentistry is practical from the outset: phantom courses in the pre-clinical phase, then supervised patient treatment.
Study conditions and campus life abroad
The programme comprises twelve semesters and 360 ECTS and is organised as a double-degree programme with the University of Health Sciences in Turkey. The first years cover the pre-clinical subjects — anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, histology and embryology. From the third year, the clinical subjects follow with internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, gynaecology, neurology and psychiatry, combined with placements at hospitals in Sarajevo. The final year is predominantly practical.
Admission: how to get a place to study medicine abroad
The basic requirement for placement at this location is a general higher-education entrance qualification. When placed through Medschool Experts, there is no separate entrance test. Get in touch to find out whether we can place you at this university, and book a free study consultation.
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Preparing properly with Medschool Experts
We handle the complete application, including all formalities, and submit it on time. We guide you through the study visa, enrolment, and administrative requirements on the ground. Because Bosnia and Herzegovina is outside the EU, we plan the route to recognition in your target country from the outset — and tell you openly where the risks lie. We remain your point of contact after your studies begin.
Tuition fees and living costs to study medicine abroad
The tuition fee is 13,750 EUR per year. Before making any decision, ask the International Office to confirm the amount in writing, specifying whether accommodation, insurance, and registration fees are included.
Additional one-off costs include the application fee, visa, health insurance, travel, and usually a deposit for accommodation. Budget 600 EUR per month for living costs.
Alumni now practising internationally
Former students of this university who, according to publicly available sources, now work as doctors or dentists internationally. Anonymised overview — not an indication of any cooperation with Medschool Experts.
The city as a place to study medicine
Sarajevo is nestled among the mountains of the Dinaric Alps. In winter, the ski resorts of Bjelašnica and Jahorina, venues of the 1984 Winter Olympics, are quickly reached from the city centre; in summer, the same slopes are perfect for hiking.
Spring and autumn are mild and balanced: in spring temperatures rise from around 5 °C in March to about 14 °C in May, and in autumn they cool gradually from around 15 °C in September to about 5 °C in November. These transitional seasons make a large part of the academic year pleasantly mild.
Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ) is about 10 kilometres south-west of the city centre, with direct flights to a range of European hubs.
- City: Sarajevo
- Country: Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Living costs: 600 EUR per month
- Entry: Student visa required
About the author
Marcel Kloos
Federally recognised dentist, founder and owner of Medschool Experts
Marcel Kloos founded the company while still studying abroad himself; since then more than 500 study places have been arranged. Originally from Stuttgart, he studied dentistry in Sofia from 2015 to 2021 and is a federally recognised dentist.
He now lives in Bern and runs the company full-time as its owner. He visits the partner universities in person on a regular basis.
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Student story
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FAQ: studying medicine abroad at this university
What are the entry requirements for International University of Sarajevo (IUS) in Sarajevo?
You need a general higher-education entrance qualification (A-levels or equivalent). There is no numerus clausus, so your school-leaving grade does not determine your place. You will also need a sufficient command of English and a student visa.
How do I apply through Medschool Experts?
Medschool Experts handles placement at this location without a grade-based admission cap. Whether we can place you with your profile is something we clarify in a free, no-obligation consultation — where we also discuss which university is the best fit for you.
What does it cost to study at International University of Sarajevo (IUS)?
The tuition fee is 13,750 EUR per year. Additional costs include the application fee, visa, health insurance, travel, and accommodation. Always ask the International Office to confirm every figure in writing — figures quoted by third-party portals can vary significantly.
How much money do I need per month in Sarajevo?
Budget 600 EUR per month for living costs. This is well below Western European levels. The exact amount depends mainly on whether you live in student accommodation or privately.
How is the programme structured and how long does it take?
The programme lasts 6 years. First comes the pre-clinical phase with the theoretical foundations, then the clinical phase with examination courses and placements at affiliated hospitals. The final year is primarily practical in focus.
Is the degree recognised?
Not automatically in the EU. As Bosnia and Herzegovina is outside the EU, the competent authority in your target country will assess your degree on a case-by-case basis. If the assessment is favourable, you receive recognition; otherwise an aptitude or knowledge test may be required first. We plan this route with you from the outset.
Will I receive a transcript of records?
Yes. Your performance is recorded in a transcript showing subjects, examinations, and grades. This is exactly the document the authorities need later for the equivalence assessment. Keep all semester certificates and grade reports safely — they are difficult to obtain retrospectively.
Can I transfer to a university in my home country during my studies?
There is no automatic transfer route. A transfer to a domestic faculty involves an individual credit-recognition process and depends on available places in higher semesters. Plan your studies as a complete path to graduation.
How does Medschool Experts support you on the ground?
We organise the application and all documents, support you through enrolment, accommodation, and administrative requirements, and remain your contact after your studies begin. We also tell you upfront where the weaknesses of this particular location lie.
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