International Burch University

What International Burch University does

International Burch University (IBU) is a private, British-owned higher education institution founded in 2008 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and operated by Stirling Education, whose corporate head office is in London, United Kingdom. IBU delivers undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs across three faculties — Engineering, Natural and Medical Sciences; Economics and Social Sciences; and Education and Humanities — using a 3+2+3 or 4+1+3 academic structure measured in ECTS credits, with all instruction conducted in English. The university also runs a preparatory English program, distance learning master's tracks in IT and Architecture, an Erasmus+ exchange program with partner institutions in at least eight European countries, a Startup Incubator launched in 2025, and an in-house clinical psychology counseling service.

The core technological platform consists of a Student Information System (SIS), a Learning Management System (LMS), the EPrints open-source digital repository, free Microsoft Office 365 access for all active students and staff, and a campus-wide MATLAB and Simulink license with unlimited on- and off-campus use. The institution is dual-accredited: by the Agency for Development of Higher Education and Quality Assurance of Bosnia and Herzegovina (state accreditation granted January 2020 after meeting all ten criteria) and by the British Accreditation Council (a full ENQA and INQAAHE member).

IBU's revenue model is tuition-based and recurring, with annual subscription-style billing per academic year (or multi-year contracts for PhD programs). Domestic tuition ranges from 6,000 KM per year (BA) to 20,000 KM over three years (PhD); international tuition ranges from 10,000 KM (or 10,000 EUR for select creative and dentistry programs) to 26,000 KM over three years (PhD). An annual scholarship fund of 1,000,000 BAM supports students with an average award of 50%, distributed through scholarship exams (5–100%), success scholarships (5–80%), sports scholarships, and pre-registration discounts. The go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer through a dedicated admission office, supported by social media, podcasts (IBU Podcast and Student Podcast), campus events, and international recruitment.

Name

International Burch University

Legal name

International Burch University

Website

https://ibu.edu.ba

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Short description

International Burch University is a private, British-owned university in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, offering English-taught undergraduate, master's, and PhD programs across three faculties (Engineering, Economics, Education & Humanities) to domestic and international students from 25+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Articulation & Credit Transfer Partnerships (EDAIABAE)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• University degree programs
• International student admissions
• Erasmus exchange programs
• Entrepreneurial university model

Headquarters

HQ city

Sarajevo

HQ country

Bosnia & Herzegovina

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Undergraduate Programs: International Burch University generates revenue primarily through tuition fees charged to domestic and international students across its three faculties. Fees vary by faculty and student nationality, with domestic students paying in Bosnian Mark (KM) and international students paying in KM or EUR depending on the program.
2. Tuition Fees - Graduate Programs (Master's): Master's degree programs generate revenue with higher tuition rates for international students and varying rates across faculties (Engineering, Economics, Education).
3. Tuition Fees - PhD Programs: Doctoral programs charge the highest tuition fees, with domestic students paying 20,000 KM for 3 years and international students paying 26,000 KM for 3 years.
4. Preparatory Classes: English language preparatory school courses for students who need to improve their English proficiency before beginning degree studies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

International Burch University is a private higher education institution that delivers undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degree programs across three faculties (Engineering/Natural/Medical Sciences, Economics and Social Sciences, and Education and Humanities) along with preparatory English courses, Erasmus+ exchange mobility, and student support services including a startup incubator and psychological counseling. Revenue is generated through tuition fees paid by domestic and international students, supported by an annual scholarship fund of 1,000,000 BAM.

Product overview

International Burch University (IBU) is a British-owned entrepreneurial university in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, operated by Stirling Education. The institution offers a comprehensive portfolio of academic programs across three faculties: Engineering/Natural/Medical Sciences, Economics and Social Sciences, and Education and Humanities. Programs range from Bachelor's to PhD levels across disciplines including IT, Engineering, Architecture, Management, Film, Design, and more. Beyond traditional degree programs, IBU provides student support services including a Learning Management System, Student Information System, psychological counseling, and the Startup Incubator launched in 2025. The university participates in Erasmus+ mobility programs and international research projects, while also producing the IBU Podcast and Student Podcast through its Digital Communications department. IBU holds accreditations from Bosnia and Herzegovina's Agency for Development of Higher Education and Quality Assurance, as well as the British Accreditation Council (BAC).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Faculty of Engineering, Natural and Medical Sciences Programs Undergraduate, master's, and PhD programs in Information Technology, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Genetics and Bioengineering, Architecture, Civil Engineering, and Dentistry. Follows 3+2+3 years system with 180+120+180 ECTS. For students seeking STEM and medical sciences higher education.
• Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences Programs Undergraduate, master's, and PhD programs including Management (BA/MA/PhD), International Relations and European Studies (BA/MA/PhD), Economics and Finance (BSc), MBA, and IRES. Follows 3+2+3 years system. For students seeking business, economics, and social sciences higher education.
• Faculty of Education and Humanities Programs Undergraduate and master's programs in English Language and Literature (MA), Graphic Design and Multimedia (BA/MA), Digital Communications and Public Relations (BA), Game and Interaction Design (BA), and Film and Video Production (BA). Follows 4+1+3 years system with 240+60+180 ECTS. For students seeking creative arts, communications, and humanities higher education.
• Preparatory English Classes

Quantifiable outcome

• 356 students graduated in Class of 2026 across all three faculties
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Munich University of Applied Sciences (Germany)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ partner institution for student and staff mobility. Students need minimum 70% attendance, no disciplinary actions, 30+ ECTS in Learning Agreement, GPA of 8 or higher, and language proficiency.
• University of Chieti-Pescara (Italy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ exchange partner for student mobility programs enabling cross-cultural academic experience.
• University of Padova (Italy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ partner for student and staff mobility exchanges.
• CY Cergy Paris University - CY TECH (France)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ partner institution in France for student exchange programs.
• OTH Regensburg (Germany)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ partner for staff mobility including teaching and training opportunities.
• University of Extremadura (Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ partner offering both student mobility and staff mobility (including International Week).
• Municipality of IlidžamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partnership strengthening ties between the university and the local community, as mentioned in the 2025 Rector's Address.
• Faculty of Political Science of the University of SarajevomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted the 2026 CEEISA Conference together with IBU, bringing together scholars from across Europe.
• Stirling EducationcoreOthersParent company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. Owns and operates International Burch University as part of a global education provider network.
• International Erasmus+ Partner UniversitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBU maintains Erasmus+ agreements with multiple European universities across Italy, Germany, Spain, France, Romania, Poland, Czech Republic, Sweden, and Portugal for student and staff mobility exchanges.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Epoka University: Private English-medium university in Tirana, Albania. Similar tuition-driven model and Western Balkans positioning; competes for the same regional pool of fee-paying international students.
• European University of Tirana (UET): Private English-medium university in Albania offering multi-disciplinary programs. Comparable Western Balkans peer benchmarking international student mix and tuition-based model.
• South East European University (SEEU): Private English-medium university in North Macedonia with multi-faculty structure and strong international presence. Comparable regional Western Balkans peer for benchmarking international enrollment and Erasmus+ participation.
• International Balkan University (IBU): Private North Macedonia-based university offering English-medium programs across multiple faculties. Comparable Western Balkans private peer focused on international student recruitment.
• University of Donja Gorica (UDG): Leading private university in Montenegro with multi-faculty structure and English-medium offerings. Directly comparable in scale and positioning within the Western Balkans private higher education market.
• University of New York in Prishtina (UNYPr): Private English-medium university in Kosovo affiliated with Rochester Institute of Technology. Similar private-university model targeting international students in the broader Western Balkans region.

Direct peers

• American University of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Private English-medium university based in Tuzla with similar Western-style curriculum and tuition-based model. Targets overlapping international student segments in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Sarajevo School of Science and Technology (SSST): Private English-medium higher education institution in Sarajevo focused on STEM and management. Competes for the same international and domestic student pool as IBU and was founded under a similar private-university model.
• International University of Sarajevo (IUS): Private English-medium university in Sarajevo offering BA/MA/PhD programs. Closest direct competitor to IBU in the same city, with overlapping international student recruitment and similar tuition-driven business model.

Broad incumbents

• University of Sarajevo: The largest public university in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sets the baseline competitive environment for IBU's domestic students — public, low-cost, broad portfolio — and competes for faculty and research visibility.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/BurchUniversity
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/InternationalBURCHUniversity
• Facebookfacebook.com/ibueduba
• Instagraminstagram.com/burchuniversity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-burch-university

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Burch University