How to Study in Serbia for International Students
Serbia is an emerging top study destination for students because of its wide variety of courses and low tuition fees. With a wide variety of courses and budget-friendly tuition fees, it's an excellent option for international students. After class, revel in the vibrant student life filled with fun activities like music festivals and food fairs. You will find yourself in an enriching learning experience with the charming atmosphere and friendly people of Serbia!
When it comes to the choices that are available, Serbia currently has 7 universities, from which 3 universities are a part of the public sector and 4 universities are private institutions.
Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Serbia you should definitely check out are University of Belgrade, University of Novi Sad, and Union University (Serbia).
Being able to study in Serbia as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Serbia, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in Serbia
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Serbia, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 117,300 RSD to 762,700 RSD, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 117,300 RSD and 762,700 RSD.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Serbia
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Serbia, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| University of Arts in Belgrade | 175,900 RSD - 440,000 RSD | 211,100 RSD - 700,000 RSD |
| University of Belgrade | 117,300 RSD - 762,700 RSD | 117,300 RSD - 762,700 RSD |
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Serbia
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Singidunum University | 352,000 RSD | |
| Belgrade Metropolitan University | 352,100 RSD - 586,900 RSD | 352,100 RSD - 586,900 RSD |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Serbia, check out the Cheap Universities in Serbia!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in Serbia for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Serbia, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.
Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.
In Serbia, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Serbia may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Serbia are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.
To give you an idea, here are some universities in Serbia and their required minimum scores for each program level.
Singidunum University
Bachelor’s degree
University of Belgrade
Bachelor’s degree
- CEFR: B1
Master’s degree
Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.
Application Procedure to Study in Serbia
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Serbia have online applications available on their websites, like University of Belgrade and University of Novi Sad. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Serbia.
University of Belgrade
- Official Website
- Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page
University of Novi Sad
Union University (Serbia)
Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.
After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!
The admission process in Serbia differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.
The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Serbia.
The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.
4. Visa Application for International Students in Serbia
Now that you’re accepted into your chosen institution, it’s time to apply for a student visa in Serbia. A student visa is an essential document for studying abroad. It’s an important government document that you need to present before going to Serbia as an international student.
In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Serbia. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Long-stay (D visa).
To start your student visa application in Serbia, you will need to present the following:
- Valid passport
- Two passport-sized photos
- Police certificate
- Medical certificate
- Return ticket
- Application form
- Enrollment certificate from the educational institution
- Proof of sufficient financial funds
- Proof of payment of visa and application fee
Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Serbia is 9384 RSD.
After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:
- Prepare all the documents you need for the application.
- Submit the documents to the nearest Serbian embassy or consulate.
- After a processing time of three weeks, you may collect your visa at the embassy or consulate.
For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.
That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Serbia. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!