The University of Buckingham
Through the Agreement signed in 2004, between the University of Buckingham and SSST, we have identified the mutual goals of strengthening the international profiles of our institutions, enriching our academic programmes, and providing greater opportunities and benefits to our students. This standing and ever-evolving collaboration makes SSST subject to meeting not only the national but also the University of Buckingham’s and the UK’s academic guidelines and standards of teaching. These standards, among others, include the anonymity of the examination procedure, the high staff-to-student ratio and curriculum streamlining between institutions.
The University of Buckingham validates and monitors the undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes offered by the SSST in International Relations and Diplomacy, Computer Science, Information Systems, Game Design and Development, and Economics, and awards successful SSST graduates with a British degree.
Two SSST departments - the Sarajevo Film Academy and the Sarajevo Medical School, have separate arrangements of cooperation with several other international schools and medical institutions.
May they flourish according to the same high and timeless ideals.
From the Baroness Margaret Thatcher, former Chancellor of the University of Buckingham (1992-1998), to the signing ceremony of the collaboration agreement between the SSST and the University of Buckingham, May 7 2004.
Through collaboration with the University of Buckingham, SSST is the only University in the region following the UK's Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Code of Practice, ensuring both transparency and the highest standards in teaching and examination procedures. External Examiners (academic staff from other leading universities in the UK) visit SSST at least once a year and review student assessment material, in order to monitor their progression in line with UK standards.
Dr. Terence Kealey
"We are proud of our association with SSST and believe the relationship we have built is to our mutual benefit. We share similar goals and visions in offering high-quality education to students from all over the world while promoting research and innovation. The independence of our institutions allows us to be creative and ambitious. SSST students receive a degree from our University – they earn that degree by meeting all of Buckingham’s academic standards and we are proud of their achievements.
We share with SSST the joy of their success, particularly visible through their entry to many top graduate programmes at leading universities in the UK."
Dr. Sabah Jassim
"In a short period of time, SSST has established itself as a leading educational institution in BiH and the wider region, which is constantly evolving and improving. SSST graduates have been able to find their place in the international job market, and their quality – as assured and recognized by external examiners – is a testament to the potential of SSST. I am proud to be involved in the establishment of SSST’s academic programmes, and to be part of its progress. I am confident that long after I am gone, many other generations will find SSST an excellent university and a springboard for a successful future. SSST contributes not only to the knowledge base in Bosnia and Herzegovina but to the international community as well."
About the University of Buckingham
Buckingham University is the only independent university in the UK with a Royal Charter. It was founded in 1976 by a group of Oxford academics who desired to create a place of academic innovation where the student – rather than the state – is the client. Independent of direct government support in the United Kingdom, the University of Buckingham has used its independence to pioneer a distinctive approach to higher education. Founded on the principles of Classical Liberalism, the University has taught the ideals of free-thinking, and liberal political thought, and maintained the independence of academia since it opened over thirty years ago. In 2014, the University of Buckingham opened the UK’s first independent medical school. Its central focus is on teaching medical students to deliver the highest level of care to patients.
The University campus is well known for being one of the most attractive locations in the region. The Great Ouse River, home to much wildlife, winds through the heart of the campus. Much of our teaching takes place in our restored buildings such as the Franciscan Building, formerly a friary, and Chandos Road Building, a converted turn-of-the-century milk factory, while students can also enjoy the Hunter Street Library, once military barracks.
The University of Buckingham consistently does well in rankings because of its optimal staff-student ratios, excellent quality of teaching and the open door policy of lecturers which enables students to seek help whenever they need it.
The University of Buckingham has achieved a SILVER rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for 2023. This means the student experience and outcomes are typically very high quality, with some outstanding features, according to the Office for Students, which organizes the TEF.
“For Buckingham, one of the country’s smallest universities, to come at the top of the rankings in the first-ever TEF exercise is exceptional. We are thrilled to see our exemplary teaching methods receiving official recognition. Our small class sizes and commitment to quality teaching ensure our students do well when they leave. We see many of them blossom on their journey with us, which is why so many say they made the right choice choosing Buckingham. The TEF result shows that students choosing Buckingham can be confident that they will have the very best in teaching quality, frequent contact with their tutors and excellent career prospects.”
Sir Anthony Seldon,
former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buckingham
Geoffrey Alderman
Yet earlier this year this small institution was ranked 20th in the country by the Independent, while the Guardian's University Guide for 2011 ranked its business school at 2nd place (out of 112), its English department as 6th (out of 102), and its law school at 24th (out of 90). Additionally, Buckingham has routinely come at or near the top of the National Student Survey.
Including Harvard, London, Oxford and Cambridge, and secured jobs in senior positions around the world.
University of Buckingham collaboration
A group of SSST students at the University of Buckingham graduation ceremony
The University of Buckingham validates, monitors and examines undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs offered by the SSST in Computer Science, Game Design and Development, Economics, International Relations and Diplomacy. The graduates of these SSST programmes are also awarded the British degree. Both universities have recognized that collaborative partnerships provide unique opportunities for students to benefit from higher education, and learn the knowledge and skills required to equip them for the workplace.
This collaboration makes SSST subject to meeting not only national but also the University of Buckingham’s and UK’s academic guidelines and standards of teaching. Partnership with this UK University, which is subject to the UK Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), ensures that SSST is continuously monitored and evaluated in the quality of our academic programs, teaching standards and processes, students’ progression and achievement, student satisfaction, staff development, and others.
Sir Anthony Seldon
"Trough our collaboration with SSST we are able to mutually benefit from an established educational partnership that has its roots in a shared vision for delivering educational excellence. Since taking those first steps in 2004, SSST has grown both in physical presence and reputation in the region, with increasing links on the international stage as well. New endeavours in research and the expansion of existing provisions means that students stand to benefit from a unique educational experience.
Those who successfully complete their studies on validated programmes also receive a degree from the University of Buckingham, proving that they have met the rigorous academic standards required. We are proud of all graduates, and share SSST’s delight in their success.
Having collaborated with SSST for over a decade, we are confident of their academic integrity, and look forward to strengthening our partnership in the future."
Professor James Tooley
"Professor James Tooley has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor at the University of Buckingham since October 2020. Professor Tooley has been overseeing academic excellence across the University’s schools, research programmes, and collaborative partnerships since January this year in his role as Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic). His ground-breaking research on low-cost private education has won numerous awards; including a gold prize in the first International Finance Corporation/Financial Times Private Sector Development Competition, a Templeton Prize for Free Market Solutions to Poverty, and the National Free Enterprise Award from the Institute of Economic Affairs, London.
"As the recently appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buckingham, I am pleased to continue the excellent partnership that we have with the Sarajevo School of Science and Technology.
SSST is now our longest standing partner, and in the past 16 years, we have seen both Buckingham and SSST grow in terms of what we can offer our students. As we move into the new year, I am confident that we can build on our established foundation and continue to deliver high-quality programmes to all current students, and those who wish to join us."