International University of Sarajevo

What International University of Sarajevo does

International University of Sarajevo (IUS) is a private, English-medium higher education institution founded in 2004 by the Foundation for Education Development Sarajevo and located on a single campus in the Ilidža district of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The university operates six faculties (Medical Sciences, Engineering and Natural Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Business and Administration, Education, and Law) delivering more than 35 programs across Bachelor (240 ECTS, 4 years), Master (60 ECTS, 1 year), and PhD (180 ECTS, 3 years) cycles under Bologna Standards and the European Credit Transfer System. Its core technology infrastructure comprises a Student Information System, E-Campus platform, Distance Learning Center, online library catalog, and dedicated admission portals segmented by applicant citizenship.

IUS generates revenue primarily through tuition fees, with pricing varying by program level and citizenship status and offset by multi-tier scholarships (100%, 50%, 25%) that are assured for five years for undergraduates. Secondary revenue support comes indirectly through YTB (Türkiye Scholarships) funding for double-diploma programs with partner Turkish universities. The university monetizes a portfolio of differentiated products including double-diploma tracks with İstanbul Technical University, Istanbul University, Marmara University, and the University of Health Sciences; an English Language Foundation Program; distance learning for Master studies; and Erasmus+ mobility through 180+ European partner institutions.

The go-to-market motion combines a centralized admission office, online self-serve application portals (apply.ius.edu.ba), authorized agent networks for international recruitment (especially in Türkiye), and participation in education fairs. Customer segments are organized geographically into BiH citizens, Turkish citizens, and international citizens, with graduate and doctoral cohorts as secondary segments. IUS holds multiple international accreditations (HEA, YÖKAK, EAQUALS, EQAR) and is the only Bosnian university included in THE Impact Rankings, supporting cross-border degree recognition.

Name

International University of Sarajevo

Legal name

International University of Sarajevo

Website

https://ius.edu.ba

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Short description

International University of Sarajevo is a private, English-medium university in Bosnia and Herzegovina offering bachelor, master, and PhD programs across six faculties, with tuition-based revenue, double-diploma partnerships with Turkish universities, and Erasmus+ mobility across 180+ European partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online International & Cross-Border Universities (Global/Transnational Providers) (EDAHALAL), Engineering & Technology Institutes (Comprehensive) (EDAHAEAA)

Keywords

• Higher education
• University education
• Degree programs
• Distance learning
• International university

Headquarters

HQ city

Sarajevo

HQ country

Bosnia & Herzegovina

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: IUS generates primary revenue from tuition fees charged to students across Bachelor, Master, and PhD programs. The university offers multiple scholarship tiers (100%, 50%, 25%) which affect net revenue per student. Tuition fees vary by citizenship status (BiH, Turkish, International).
2. Scholarship Funding: The university receives funding through YTB (Türkiye Scholarships) for double diploma programs and scholarship allocations. This represents indirect revenue through student support that enables enrollment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

International University of Sarajevo is a private higher education institution offering undergraduate (Bachelor), graduate (Master), and doctoral (PhD) degree programs across six faculties covering engineering, natural sciences, arts, social sciences, business, law, education, and medical sciences. Programs are delivered in English under the Bologna Process and ECTS framework, with double diploma pathways partnered with İstanbul Technical University, Istanbul University, Marmara University, and University of Health Sciences, along with distance learning and English language foundation programs.

Product overview

International University of Sarajevo (IUS) operates as a multi-faculty private university offering a comprehensive academic portfolio structured across three study cycles: Bachelor Studies (240 ECTS, 4 years), Master Studies (60 ECTS, 1 year), and PhD Studies (180 ECTS, 3 years). The university comprises six faculties—Faculty of Medical Science, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Business and Administration, Faculty of Education, and Faculty of Law—offering programs in disciplines including engineering (Software, Computer Sciences, Electrical/Electronics, Mechanical, Industrial, Architecture), sciences (Genetics and Bioengineering, Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering), humanities (English Language and Literature, Psychology, Cultural Studies, Media and Communication), business (Economics, Management, International Business and Finance, Hospitality and Tourism Management), and law. IUS distinguishes itself through English-medium instruction, international accreditations (HEA, YÖKAK, EAQUALS, EQAR, THE Impact Ranking), double diploma partnerships with Turkish universities (İTÜ, IU, MU, SBÜ), and support services including English Language Foundation Program, Distance Learning, Student Information System, E-Campus, Library Services, Erasmus+ exchanges, and health insurance for international students. The university also maintains research centers (Research and Development Center, Balkan Studies Center, Lifelong Learning Center) and publishes academic journals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor Studies Four-year, eight-semester undergraduate program worth 240 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits, offering programs across engineering, sciences, arts, business, and law disciplines.
• Master Studies One-year graduate program worth 60 ECTS credits, designed so that combined with Bachelor studies equals 300 ECTS credits total. Programs available in architecture, engineering, humanities, business, and social sciences.
• PhD Studies Three-year doctoral program worth 180 ECTS credits leading to the scientific title of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), offered in engineering, sciences, humanities, and social sciences disciplines.
• English Language Foundation Program 8-month intensive foundation program covering A1 to B2 levels on the Common European Framework for Languages scale, preparing students for English-medium academic studies.
• English Language School (ELS) Integral part of IUS focused on preparing students language-wise to study in an English-medium academic environment.
• Double Diploma Programs Collaborative degree programs with international universities including Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ), Istanbul University (IU), Marmara University (MU), and University of Health Sciences (SBU/UHS), allowing students to earn diplomas from both institutions.
• Distance Learning Online and remote learning options for Master Studies, enabling students to pursue graduate education flexibly. Was among the first universities to completely switch to online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Erasmus+ Exchange Program International student and staff exchange program enabling study and research at partner universities abroad with tuition fee waivers, through 180+ partner universities in Europe and Mevlana exchange frameworks.
• IUS Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (IAE-IUS) Center supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, and business development initiatives for students and faculty.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students receive diplomas recognized across Europe through Bologna Process and ECTS system
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• İstanbul Technical University (İTÜ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDouble diploma partnership allowing students to earn degrees from both IUS and İTÜ. Students study at both institutions and receive diplomas from each university. İTÜ is ranked 1st in Türkiye and 279th globally in QS 2027 rankings, providing high-value credentials to IUS graduates.
• Istanbul University (IU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDouble diploma partnership offering programs in Computer Sciences and Engineering, Economics, Law, Management, and English Language and Literature. Students receive dual credentials enhancing employment opportunities in Turkey and internationally.
• Marmara University (MU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDouble diploma program covering Software Engineering, Psychology, English Language Teaching, Genetics and Bioengineering, and Law. Partnership enables cross-cultural academic experience with established Turkish university.
• University of Health Sciences (SBU/UHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDouble diploma programs in Medicine and Dental Medicine. Medical programs require rigorous clinical training with credentials recognized in both BiH and Turkey.
• European Universities (Erasmus+ Partners)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor180+ European partner universities through Erasmus+ program enabling student and staff exchanges. Partners include universities in Poland, Spain, and other European countries for academic mobility.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sarajevo School of Science and Technology (SSST): Private university in Sarajevo with English-medium instruction and international affiliations. Competes head-to-head with IUS for the same domestic and international student pool in BIH.
• International Burch University: Private English-medium university in Sarajevo offering undergraduate and graduate programs across similar faculties. Closest direct competitor in the BIH private higher education market with overlapping student demographics.

Regional players

• University of Donja Gorica (UDG): Private university in Podgorica, Montenegro offering English-medium and internationally oriented programs. Comparable Western Balkans private university model.
• Epoka University: Private university in Tirana, Albania offering English-medium programs with international partnerships. Comparable regional private model targeting Western Balkans and international student segments.
• South East European University (SEEU): Private university in North Macedonia with English-medium instruction and strong international focus. Comparable cross-border education positioning in the Western Balkans.
• UBT - University for Business and Technology: Private university in Prishtina, Kosovo offering English-medium programs across engineering, business, and sciences. Comparable regional private model and cross-border student recruitment approach.

Broad incumbents

• İstanbul Technical University (İTÜ): Top-ranked Turkish public technical university and IUS double diploma partner. While much larger and more prestigious, it shares IUS's engineering focus and is the destination institution for many IUS double-diploma students.
• University of Sarajevo: Largest public university in Bosnia and Herzegovina with substantially broader program portfolio. While not a direct private competitor, it anchors the BIH higher education market and competes on price for domestic students.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights1 record

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-university-of-sarajevo

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International University of Sarajevo