The Republic of North Macedonia has a rich history and a diverse cultural landscape. For international students, tuition and living costs vary by university, program, and city, so applicants should confirm current fees and budget carefully before applying.
International students can apply to universities in North Macedonia, but public universities are not generally tuition-free. Several institutions publish international-student fees, while others require applicants to request program-specific information directly from the university. Students who need a long-stay visa must also follow the official temporary-residence and visa process. Some universities offer programs taught in English.
Below are several affordable public-university options to consider for a degree in North Macedonia. The published tuition fees are included in bullet points where available. Since fees may change, applicants should always check the latest admissions call before submitting an application.
Affordable Universities in North Macedonia for International Students
1. Saints Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje
- Admissions | 2025–2026 First-Cycle Competition
- Tuition Fees for International Students: Fees vary by faculty and program. The 2025–2026 first-cycle competition lists tuition fees for foreign nationals ranging from €400 to €5,000 for 60 ECTS credits.
Named after Saints Cyril and Methodius, this is the first state university in the Republic of North Macedonia. It was established in 1949 and offers programs across natural and mathematical sciences, technical and technological sciences, medical sciences and health, biotechnical sciences, social sciences, humanities, and the arts.
The university is a large academic community with faculties, scientific institutes, and affiliated public scientific institutions. It offers first-, second-, and third-cycle studies across a broad range of fields.
Tuition varies substantially by program. For example, the university’s published fees for foreign nationals include lower-cost humanities programs as well as higher-cost medical and dental programs. Applicants should review the current competition notice carefully before applying.
2. State University of Tetova, Tetovo
- Admissions
- Tuition Fees for International Students: The English-language application page does not list a single tuition figure for international students. Applicants should contact the university directly to confirm the fee for their chosen program.
The University of Tetova was established in 1994 to support Albanian-language higher education. Its official pages state that it was officially named the State University of Tetova in 2004.
The university’s website lists 13 faculties: Agriculture and Biotechnology, Applied Sciences, Arts, Business Administration, Economics, Food Technology and Nutrition, Law, Medical Sciences, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Pedagogy, Philology, Philosophy, and Physical Education.
The university publishes first- and second-cycle program information and provides third-cycle materials for several faculties. Since tuition may depend on the program and study cycle, applicants should use the current application page and request the applicable fee directly from the university.
3. Goce Delčev University of Štip
This public university was founded in 2007. It began with seven faculties and one higher school. Its official website now lists 12 faculties and three academies: the faculties of Medical Sciences, Economics, Mechanical Engineering, Law, Electrical Engineering, Technology, Philology, Educational Sciences, Computer Science, Tourism and Business Logistics, Natural and Technical Sciences, and Agriculture, as well as the Art, Music, and Film academies.
Requirements for international applicants depend on the language of instruction. International students who plan to enroll in programs taught in Macedonian generally need to complete preparatory Macedonian-language courses. The university organizes a two-semester preparatory course and lists exemptions for applicants from several neighboring countries, who must instead prove their knowledge of Macedonian by taking an exam. Applicants must also begin the diploma-validation process and submit the required documents.
The university publishes program-specific tuition fees rather than one standard annual amount. Its admissions page also lists separate application and transfer fees. Applicants should review the current table before applying.
4. Mother Teresa University, Skopje
- Admissions
- Tuition Fees for International Students: The English-language admissions page does not display a single international-student tuition figure. Applicants should confirm the applicable fee directly with the university before applying.
Founded in 2016, Mother Teresa University in Skopje offers first- and second-cycle studies. Its academic units include Civil Engineering and Architecture, Informatics, Economics, Social Sciences, Human Sciences, Technological Sciences, Technical Sciences, and Law.
The university’s academic offer has expanded since its early years. Applicants should review the latest admissions materials and contact the university for current information about available programs, language options, and tuition fees.
5. University of Information Science and Technology “St. Paul the Apostle”, Ohrid
The University of Information Science and Technology “St. Paul the Apostle” is a state higher education institution in Ohrid with a strong focus on computer science, information science, and applied technology. It was established in 2009. In a 2024 anniversary update, the university stated that it had attracted students and professors from more than 40 countries since its founding.
Its bachelor’s-level academic pages list the faculties of Information Systems, Visualization, Multimedia and Animation; Computer Science and Engineering; Communication Networks and Security; Information and Communication Sciences; and Applied IT, Machine Intelligence and Robotics.
Each school has a maximum allocation of students, so international applicants should review the admissions instructions and apply promptly. The university states that tuition is paid in two equal installments at the beginning of each semester.
6. St. Clement of Ohrid University of Bitola
- Admissions and Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees for International Students:
- Most university units: €1,000 per academic year
- Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality in Ohrid: €800 per academic year
- Higher Medical School: €1,300 per academic year
St. Clement of Ohrid University of Bitola is a state university founded in 1979. Its academic units operate in multiple cities, including Bitola, Prilep, Ohrid, Skopje, and Kicevo.
The university offers first-, second-, and third-cycle studies. International applicants should consult the university units page and the official information page for foreign citizens when choosing a program. They should also confirm that the published tuition fee remains applicable for the academic year in which they plan to enroll.
We hope that this article on affordable universities in North Macedonia was helpful. To learn more about studying abroad, make sure to check out the Available Programs in Europe for International Students!
