2.2. HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING

Funding

The national Education Strategy 2018–2025 aimed to improve governance and funding efficiency in higher education through institutional reforms, including strengthening the role of the National Council for Higher Education and increasing investments in the sector. More recent policy priorities continue to focus on improving quality, digitalization and alignment of higher education with labour market needs.

Public expenditure on higher education in North Macedonia has remained relatively stable in recent years, averaging around 0.8–0.9% of GDP. The largest share of public funding is allocated for salaries and allowances of academic and administrative staff, followed by expenditures for goods and services (utilities, maintenance, contractual services), while capital investments represent a relatively small share of total spending. Private investment in higher education remains limited and mainly consists of tuition fees and private institutional funding.

Higher education expenditure as % of GDP

Source: Ministry of Finance; State Statistical Office.

The current funding model still largely follows an input-based budgeting approach, where allocations depend primarily on factors such as the number of enrolled students, number of study programmes, staff structure and institutional capacity. Public funding also depends on available state resources and annual budget negotiations.

Responsible institutions

Several public institutions are involved in the financing of higher education:

• Ministry of Finance – responsible for preparing and executing the state budget based on government priorities and fiscal policy.
  https://finance.gov.mk

• Ministry of Education and Science – responsible for planning and implementing higher education policies and distributing public funds to universities.
  https://mon.gov.mk

• National Council for Higher Education and Research – professional advisory body responsible for proposing national programmes, policies and criteria for higher education funding.
  https://mon.gov.mk/page/?id=1900

At the institutional level, University Senates and Teaching-Scientific Councils adopt annual financial plans, financial statements and investment programmes for universities and their faculties.

Financial autonomy

According to the Law on Higher Education, public higher education institutions have financial autonomy in managing funds received from the state budget, tuition fees and other sources.

HEIs may obtain additional funding from:

• tuition fees and co-financing from students

• provision of education and training services

• research and consultancy services

• donations, legacies and endowments

• national and international research projects.

Public universities may also establish special funds for scientific, research, artistic and publishing activities and independently decide on the use of their own revenues.

Fees within public higher education

Students enrolling in first-cycle studies may be classified as state-funded students or self-funded students, depending on their academic performance in upper secondary education and the national Matura examination.

State-funded students pay only a co-financing fee, which typically ranges between 7,650 and 13,800 MKD (125–225 EUR) annually depending on the study programme and location of the university.

Self-funded students pay tuition fees of approximately 26,100 MKD (around 420–440 EUR) per academic year. Students may change their funding status depending on their academic performance during their studies.

For second-cycle studies, tuition fees at public universities usually range between 320 and 1,600 EUR per year, while doctoral studies may cost between 5,000 and 7,000 EUR, depending on the university and programme.

Students from certain vulnerable categories (students with disabilities, students without parental care, or other categories defined by government decisions) may be exempt from co-financing fees.

Financial support for learners

Higher education students may receive several forms of financial support provided by the Ministry of Education and Science, including:

• merit-based scholarships for high-achieving students

• need-based scholarships for students from low-income families

• scholarships for Roma students

• scholarships for students studying deficit occupations

• scholarships for students studying ICT, mathematics, physics and chemistry.

Need-based scholarships usually amount to around 3,300 MKD per month, while scholarships for students in priority fields such as ICT may reach 6,050 MKD per month.

Students are also entitled to additional forms of support within the student standard system, including:

• subsidized student dormitory accommodation

• subsidized student meals

• subsidized or free transportation.

The subsidized student meal programme, introduced in recent years, provides financial support of approximately 120 MKD per day for eligible students.

Private higher education

Private higher education institutions in North Macedonia operate with financial autonomy and determine their own tuition fees in accordance with the Law on Higher Education.

Tuition fees at private universities typically range:

• 500–3,000 EUR per semester for first-cycle studies

• 2,000–3,000 EUR per semester for second-cycle studies

• up to 4,000 EUR for doctoral programmes.

Some private universities offer scholarships or reduced tuition fees to attract high-performing students. Students enrolled in private universities may also apply for certain state scholarships, although they are generally not eligible for subsidized public transportation.

References

• Ministry of Education and Science
  https://mon.gov.mk
• Ministry of Finance
  https://finance.gov.mk
• State Statistical Office
  https://stat.gov.mk
• Law on Higher Education
  https://mon.gov.mk/en/page/?id=1917
• European Commission / Eurydice – National Student Fee and Support Systems in European Higher Education
  https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-plus/news/national-student-fee-and-support-systems-in-european-higher-education_en