How to study in Serbia?

There are five main reasons why studying in Serbia is a good choice. First, here students receive a highly recommended diploma which is recognized all over the world. Second, Serbia has a large number of universities students can choose from. Reasons number three and four for studying in Serbia – the tuition costs are always low and the student life is rated high. Lastly, but not least the cost of living is affordable.

Serbia’s Higher Education System in International Comparison

In this section, we highlight the overall performance of Serbian universities on the institutional level per U-Multirank dimension. The table below shows the national breakdown of Serbian universities and how they stand across the spectrum of above average (receiving a score of ‘A’ (very good) or ‘B’ (good)), versus below average (receiving a score of ‘D’ (below average) or ‘E’ (weak)). In doing so, U-Multirank offers a clear picture on the country’s strengths and areas for improvement.

It becomes apparent that in general Serbia's higher education institutions perform strongest in U-Multirank’s teaching & learning and regional engagement dimensions.

How much does it cost to study in Serbia?

According to the official website of the country, tuition fees range between 500€ and 2.500€ per year. Many students will discover that depending on where they are from and whether the university is a public or private university, they may have to pay different tuition.

What are the entry requirements for Serbian universities?

Bachelor programmes
As a general requirement, to enter a Bachelor or an Integrated study programme one has:
• to have completed four-year secondary education, and
• to pass the entrance exam.
Specific admission prerequisites usually include specific knowledge in certain disciplines and should be checked for each individual programme a student is interested in. Entrance exams are usually held in early July (the first round) and early September (the second round, if there are places left). The ranking of candidates depends on both the entrance exam and their results at the previous level of education.

Master programmes:
For Master programmes lasting one year with 60 ECTS a candidate has to have obtained a Bachelor diploma with at least 240 ECTS points.
For Master programmes lasting two years with 120 ECTS a candidate has to have obtained a Bachelor diploma with at least 180 ECTS points.
Admission requirements vary from programme to programme (usually in regard to the area of previous education) and should be checked on the web pages with information on particular programmes.

Doctoral studies:
A basic requirement to enrol at Doctoral studies is that the candidate has successfully completed a Master programme and obtained at least 300 ECTS. Additional requirements, such as a minimum grade point average, number of papers published in scientific journals, etc. are determined by each institution and presented on the web pages of particular doctoral study programmes.

How to get a Stipend/Scholarship in Serbia?

No matter the reason, paying high tuition fees can be a source of stress for many. However, there are many options for financing your studies, including the use of scholarships. There are various scholarship opportunities available for international students looking to study in Serbia. Depending on your country of origin and the level of studies, there are different options for funding. To explore what scholarship options are available, check this scholarship database.

Do I need a Student Visa for Serbia?

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens are not required to obtain a visa but need to register with the local authorities within 90 days of their arrival. Generally, all non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens must hold a student visa along with a residence permit. The visa has to be obtained before traveling to Serbia. Upon arrival in Serbia, you are able to apply for a residence permit.