Higher Education in Serbia

Governing higher education in Serbia

Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Serbia is responsible for the education system of Serbia. The Ministry administers the preschool, primary, secondary and higher education system in Serbia. Also, it promotes scientific and technological research.

Contact details:

Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia

Nemanjina 22-26, 11000 Belgrade

Serbia

Higher education landscape

Higher education Institutions in Serbia

The higher education institutions in Serbia are as follows:

Universities

The universities are independent higher education institutions in Serbia that provide many study programmes at all levels of study. Universities in Serbia carry out educational, artistic, technical and scientific work. Many of the study programmes of the universities in Serbia are provided by the faculties that are part of the university.

Faculties: These institutions are part of the universities in Serbia.
Academies of Arts: These are part of the universities in Serbia and offer courses in the artistic discipline.

The faculty and academy of arts act as per the statutes of the university. Both the faculty and academy of the arts provide academic as well professional study programmes. These institutions carry out scientific research, artistic and professional activities in one or more fields.

Colleges

Colleges in Serbia are independent higher education institutions that provide basic studies, specialist study programmes and master’s studies. In Serbia, there are 2 types of colleges:

Colleges of Academic Studies: These colleges provide academic study programmes in the professional, artistic and scientific fields.
Colleges of Applied Studies: These colleges provide applied study programmes and prepare students for the job MARKET

Colleges of academic studies as well as colleges of applied sciences offer first and some sort of a second cycle of higher education.

Higher Education Qualifications

First degree studies

Basic academic studies: This study last for 3 to 4 years. To gain admittance into the basic academic studies, students must have completed 4-year secondary education.

ECTS: 180-240 credits

At the end of bachelor degree programme, students are required to defend their final thesis. The final thesis may or may not be required; it depends on the curriculum of the specific course.

Upon successful completion of the basic academic studies, bachelor degree is awarded. Students who complete the basic academic studies with a minimum of 240 ECTS credits or for at least 4 years are awarded a bachelor with honors degree.

Basic vocational/applied studies: This study last for 3 years and upon completion, a title of Bachelor appl. is awarded.

ECTS: 180 credits

Graduate academic studies – Master

This degree studies is offered by university, faculties and colleges in Serbia. This degree studies lasts for 1 to 2 years.

ECTS: 60-120 credits

To gain admittance into the master’s degree programme of 2 years, pupils need to have finished a bachelor degree with a minimum of 180 ECTS; and if the student wants to take admission in the 1-year master degree programme, he/she need to hold a bachelor degree with a minimum of 240 ECTS.

Students at the end of the Master’s degree programme are required to defend their Master thesis, which marks the completion of the programme. A Master’s degree is awarded after the completion of the programme.

Specialist studies: The specialist study last for 1 year and is for pupils who have obtained a minimum of 300 ECTS credits in earlier studies. The specialist studies are of two types: academic and vocational/applied. To take admission into the specialist study programme, students must hold a bachelor degree.

ECTS: 60 credits

At the end of specialist studies, students are required to submit a final thesis.

Upon successful completion of the specialized academic studies, students are awarded a Specialist degree with the mark: second degree academic studies in the corresponding field.

Upon successful completion of the specialized applied studies, students are awarded a professional title of Specialist with the mark: second degree of professional studies in the corresponding field.

Integrated studies

These are single cycle studies that comprise of academic study programs in medical sciences, including dentistry, veterinary medicine and medicine. The undergraduate and graduate academic studies are integrated into one cycle.

Duration: 6 years

ECTS: 360 credits

Also, pharmacy studies can be integrated in one cycle, lasting 5 years with 300 ECTS credits.

Doctoral studies

Offered by the universities or faculties only. Students must hold a Master’s degree and have received at least 300 ECTS during his/her earlier studies.

Duration: 3 years

ECTS: 180 credits

At the end of the doctoral studies, students must defend their doctoral thesis. In arts field, students are required to submit an artistic project. After successful completion of doctoral academic studies of third degree the title of Doctorate of Philosophy is conferred as per their filed of study namely, PhD, Dr. sci. or Dr. juris.

How to apply

Admission requirements

The admission requirements for higher education institutions in Serbia vary. Each institution determines its own admission requirements. Read on to know about the basic requirements and application procedure for study in higher education institutions of Serbia.

Admission of foreign citizens

A foreign citizen may enter the study programme under the same conditions as a local citizen.
A foreign citizen pays school fees throughout the school, unless an international agreement or a bilateral agreement between the universities determined otherwise.
A foreign citizen may enroll at the faculty if he/she provides an evidence of competence in the Serbian language in accordance to the University Statute or the competence of the language of instruction and if he or she has a health insurance.
A candidate – a foreign applicatant for the studies, together with the application form has to submit a nostrificated diploma of finished high school that lasts for 4 years and a proof of citizenship.

Prepare the following documents

Educational documents: At least two copies; secondary school leaving certificate and higher education diploma and transcripts.
Identification document and passport-size photos
Birth certificate: Must be translated into Serbian
Proof of proficiency in Serbian or English language (depends on the language of the study programme undertaken)
Proof of sufficient means of subsistence
Letter of acceptance issued by the Serbian higher education institution
Details of published paper, journals or research work
Recommendation letter: At least two
Statement of Purpose: Cover the reason(s) of studying in Serbian higher education institution and the chosen programme, what you hope to acquire from this study abroad programme, and what after this programme.