Higher Education Council Sets Credit Hour Fee Caps for Private Universities
The Higher Education Council has announced the establishment of a maximum cap on credit hour fees for Syrian students and those with equivalent status at private universities. The announcement was made during the council’s first session for the 2026-2027 academic year, which was held in Damascus under the chairmanship of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Marwan Al-Halabi.
This initiative comes in response to proposals from the Higher Education and Scientific Research Committee of the People’s Assembly. The move is intended to reduce the financial burden on students and their families while ensuring the continuity of the educational process amidst current economic conditions. Under the new resolution, the maximum credit hour fees have been set according to specific academic disciplines: 13,000 Syrian pounds for human medicine, 12,000 pounds for dentistry, 11,000 pounds for pharmacy, 9,000 pounds for engineering, 6,000 pounds for other specialties, and 4,000 pounds for institutes.
The Ministry clarified that these rates represent absolute maximums that universities are prohibited from exceeding. However, educational institutions retain the flexibility to set fees lower than these caps to accommodate the specific needs of each university and department. It was noted that this decision does not apply to students admitted under the system for Arab and foreign nationals.
Minister Al-Halabi emphasized that private universities are essential partners in the higher education system. He stated that their continued operation must be balanced with the financial capacity of Syrian families. Al-Halabi noted that the Ministry considers the protection of student rights and the provision of higher education opportunities to be a top national and moral priority. He explained that this policy aims to regulate fees using clear standards that preserve the quality of education and ensure the stability of academic institutions.
In a related context, and in completion of the implementation of Presidential Decree No. 180 for the year 2026, the council decided to apply the 2025-2026 academic year fees exclusively to all students who have exhausted their study duration and are enrolled in public and private universities. No emergency increases or modifications will be permitted for these students, as part of the state’s efforts to facilitate their return to their studies. Decree No. 180 previously granted such students an exceptional academic year for 2026-2027, allowing them to repeat years or sit for exams in a move designed to support students in completing their academic paths.
The council meeting also addressed several critical issues, most notably the unification of the higher education system in Syria, the regulation of student status, and the enhancement of stability for educational institutions in northern Syria. Additionally, the council reviewed university admission procedures to ensure that the educational process proceeds efficiently and transparently.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
