[5] It is now widely regarded as the most prestigious university in Bosnia and Herzegovina,[5] and employs more than one thousand faculty members.

[7][8][9] The university in its modern, secular incarnation was developed during the Austro-Hungarian rule, when many of the institutions of higher education and culture such as the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, still active today, were established.

The uncontrolled enrollment of an enormous number of students resulted in a significantly lower efficiency of studies and a hyper-production of personnel in certain areas of education.

The fifth phase (1992–95) was marked by devastation of the facilities and equipment of the university, caused by the Bosnian War and the siege of Sarajevo.

However, despite the numerous reconstruction projects the University of Sarajevo still hasn't reached the full prewar potential.

[10][11] The main objective of all the university's current activities is to raise the quality of studies, to create a contemporary university of European origins, which will be a respectable representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the international level and a promoter of the traditional, historical, cultural, scientific and artistic values of the country, and Southeastern Europe.

The University comprises 32 faculties, academies and colleges, further subdivided into 6 academic groups, and an additional number of other programs: