Eligibility

Applications are open to:

International applicants
Local applicants
Transfer applicants (where applicable) – [add hyperlink to Transfer Students]

Second-cycle studies in N. Macedonia correspond to master’s level studies and are organized in accordance with the Bologna Process. They are based on the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) and aligned with Level 7 of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

At the International Balkan University, second-cycle or master’s degree programs are 60 ECTS only (1-year) and include a strong research component, requiring the preparation and defense of a master’s thesis within two years of registration.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

· Completed 240 ECTS first-cycle studies/bachelor’s degree in accordance with Article 108 of the Law on Higher Education of the Republic of North Macedonia or its international equivalent.

· Minimum average grade of 7.00 (out of 10.00)

· Language proficiency (details provided in the Language Requirements section)

Language Requirements

To ensure academic success, all applicants must demonstrate the language skills necessary to participate in lectures, complete assignments, and pass examinations.

Second-cycle programs are taught entirely in English, with the following exceptions:

Turkish Language Teaching: Taught in Turkish
Turkish Language and Literature: Taught in Turkish.

Applicants for English-taught programs must provide proof of proficiency through one of the following methods:

1. Standardized Test: A valid TOEFL or IELTS certificate (issued within the last two years).

2. Medium of Instruction (MOI) Document: An official document from your previous institution confirming English as the language of instruction (issued within the last two years). With an MOI you might still need to take a speaking exam.

3. University English Exam: A proficiency test administered by our Language School.

October Intake: Exam held in September.
Mid-year Intake: Exam held in January/February.

English proficiency is required at a minimum B2 CEFR level overall, while a minimum C1 CEFR level is required for the master’s program in English Language Teaching.

If second-cycle students do not pass the language exam with the minimum required scores above, they can choose to attend the English Language Preparatory Program at our Language School [add hyperlink to ELS - https://www.ibu.edu.mk/pages/academic/language-school ] before beginning their degree studies.

Application Steps

Submit your online application via: https://hello.ibu.edu.mk/apply

After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email with your login details for the application portal.

Log in to the application portal and upload the required documents via: https://hello.ibu.edu.mk/Account/
A list of required documents is available here: [add links to required documents for each cycle after the locations are updated] and a helpful video tutorial is available on the left side of the application portal.

Application Status:

· After submitting your application, you can track its status through the portal. The status will appear as Pending while your application is being processed. Once the review is complete, the status will change to Checked, and you will receive an email with the admission decision and further instructions.

IMPORTANT:

· Incomplete or inaccurate applications are not considered.

· The University reserves the right to request additional documents.

· Admission requirements and procedures vary by program.

· Submission of an application does not guarantee admission.

For further information regarding admission, please consult the FAQs available at the following link: https://ibu.edu.mk/faq