What will a year really cost?

From the country guide: tuition, living costs and the visa fee, plus the money you must show. The part you lose if the visa is refused is marked.

In short: a first year in Bosnia and Herzegovina costs about COP 19,694,300 to 39,043,000: tuition, twelve months of living costs and the visa fee. The visa also asks you to show COP 8,930,200 before it is decided.

Last checked: 26 September 2026, against the official sources linked below.

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A year in Bosnia and Herzegovina

	In BAM as published	In COP
Tuition, one year	BAM 2,000 to 8,800	COP 3,720,900 to 16,371,950 Public university, international student
Living costs, twelve months	BAM 8,400 to 12,000	COP 15,627,770 to 22,325,380
Visa or permit feeNot refunded if the visa is refused	EUR 95	COP 345,680
First year, all in		COP 19,694,340 to 39,043,010
Money you must show for the visa	BAM 4,800	COP 8,930,150 Held in your account before you apply; most of it then pays your living costs

Work while you study

No weekly figure published

Stay after you graduate

Not published

If the exchange rate moves. Today 1 BAM = 1860.45 COP (rate of 8 November 2026). A 10% move either way changes this first year by about COP 2,936,870, and a whole three to four-year degree by roughly COP 8,810,600 to COP 11,747,470. Plan with a margin, and pay large sums when the rate suits you.

Worth knowing. Proof of funds is 400 BAM a month in a bank account (annual figure is our calculation); a notarised guarantee or scholarship is accepted instead. Plus 150 BAM temporary residence fee. Tuition is the University of Banja Luka first-cycle range for foreign citizens, 2026/27; University of Sarajevo fees not verified. D visa fee as listed by BiH embassies in Berlin and Podgorica. Student work is governed by entity laws and was not confirmed. Living costs are the University of Sarajevo’s typical student budget.

The full Bosnia and Herzegovina guide, with every source →

Leaves out flights, deposits and insurance unless the guide includes them. Currency: Rates by Exchange Rate API, 8 November 2026.

Questions

How much does it cost to study in Bosnia and Herzegovina for a year?

a first year in Bosnia and Herzegovina costs about COP 19,694,300 to 39,043,000: tuition, twelve months of living costs and the visa fee. The visa also asks you to show COP 8,930,200 before it is decided.

How much money do I need to show for a student visa in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

BAM 4,800 a year (about COP 8,930,200), from the official source in the Bosnia and Herzegovina guide.