Serbia is a landlocked country in the west-central Balkans with a rich medieval heritage. Across the country, students can find monasteries, castles, fortresses, and old city centers shaped by Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Austro-Hungarian influences.
Its geography ranges from the plains of Vojvodina to hills, mountains, rivers, and lakes. Western Serbia includes sections of the Dinaric Alps, while the eastern borderlands are connected to the Carpathian and Rhodope mountain systems. The climate is mainly moderate continental, with cold winters and warm to hot summers, although southern areas have stronger Mediterranean influences.
Serbia has an upper-middle-income economy, a social security system based on mandatory contributions, and a comprehensive universal health system with free access to primary health care. These factors, together with relatively moderate tuition fees and living costs, make the country a practical option for many international students.
Affordable Schools in Serbia for International Students
1. University of Belgrade
Founded in 1808, the University of Belgrade is Serbia’s oldest university and one of the country’s leading public research universities. It is a large comprehensive institution with 31 faculties across the capital. Its study areas range from engineering and computer science to economics, law, medicine, natural sciences, and the humanities. Because each faculty manages its own admissions, tuition, and language-of-instruction details, international students should check the official page of the faculty that offers their chosen program.
For foreign citizens, fees vary by faculty and program. Budget-friendly examples include Economics and Finance at the Faculty of Economics and Business, which lists tuition for foreign citizens at €1,500 in dinar equivalent, and several master’s tracks at the same faculty that list €1,500 plus a final-stage fee. At the School of Electrical Engineering (ETF), the 2024/2025 table lists €2,000 for the Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering bachelor’s program, €3,000 for the Software Engineering bachelor’s program, and €2,500 for the Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering master’s program for foreign citizens; English-language ETF master’s study programs may be higher.
2. University of Novi Sad
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: Bachelor’s: from €2,000/year | Master’s: from €2,000/year
The University of Novi Sad is one of Serbia’s largest public universities, and the Faculty of Sciences (PMF) is known for study and research activity in mathematics, computer science, biology, chemistry, physics, geography, tourism, and related fields. Novi Sad itself is a student-friendly city with a compact center and an active cultural scene. PMF lists research groups in several departments and participates in Erasmus+ mobility, so it can be a good option for students who want a balance of cost, research opportunities, and livability.
PMF publishes fee tables for foreign citizens. For the 2025/2026 intake, the undergraduate competition lists €2,000 per year for basic academic studies and integrated studies, and €3,500 for basic vocational optometry. The latest PMF fee decision lists master’s tuition at €2,000 for mathematics, computer science, and geography; €2,500 for physics and physics teaching; €3,000 for tourism; and €3,500 for optometry and several science-focused master’s programs.
3. University of Kragujevac
Set in a historic central-Serbian city, the University of Kragujevac is a public institution with 12 faculties across 6 towns in Central Serbia. The Faculty of Economics offers programs in economics, business administration, and management, including English-language options. Kragujevac’s manageable size and lower living costs than Belgrade may appeal to students who want a quieter base while still studying at a public university.
For the 2025/2026 academic year, the Faculty of Economics’ English-taught undergraduate program in Economics and Business Management lists tuition of €3,000 for foreign citizens. The current English-taught master’s program in Public Financial Management lists tuition of €3,300 for foreign citizens. Applicants should also budget for entrance-exam or administrative fees listed by the faculty.
4. Singidunum University
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: Bachelor’s: from €3,000/year | Master’s: from €3,000/year
Singidunum University is a private university in Serbia with English-taught undergraduate programs in Business Economics, Tourism, Hospitality and Food Economics, Information Technology, Software and Information Engineering, English Studies, and Applied Artificial Intelligence. Its admission page describes bachelor’s programs as four-year studies worth 240 ECTS and notes that English-taught programs are accredited in Serbia. The university also lists centers in Novi Sad and Niš, although students should confirm where their chosen English-taught program and exams are delivered before enrolling.
The official 2025/2026 fee decision for studies in English sets tuition at €3,000 per academic year for study programs and all years of study, as well as €3,000 for the master program. Other listed charges include an entrance exam and administrative fee, invitation-letter fee, recognition/nostrification fees, and additional document or accounting fees, so applicants should review the latest decision before applying.
FAQS About Studying in Serbia
What is the Education System Like in Serbia?
Serbia’s higher education system includes academic studies and applied studies. Academic studies are mainly organized at universities, while applied studies are organized at academies and colleges of applied studies or at universities.
The common three-cycle structure includes bachelor’s studies (3–4 years, 180–240 ECTS), master’s studies (1–2 years, 60–120 ECTS), and doctoral studies (usually 3 years, 180 ECTS). Integrated studies are also used in fields such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy, while specialist studies usually last one year.
Do I Have to Learn Serbian to Study There?
Serbian is the most common language of instruction in Serbia. However, teaching can also be organized in a foreign language, bilingually, or in other approved formats, depending on the institution and program.
You do not always have to be fluent in Serbian to study there, because many institutions offer programs in English. Still, learning basic Serbian is useful for daily life, internships, and full cultural integration. Serbian universities do not currently offer a preparatory year specifically for learning Serbian, so students who plan to join a Serbian-taught program should arrange language study before applying.
Is the Admissions Process Difficult at Serbian Universities?
Admissions vary by institution, level, and program. In general, bachelor’s applicants need completed secondary education and recognition of their previous education, while master’s applicants need a relevant bachelor’s degree. Some programs also require an entrance exam, interview, portfolio, or proof of language proficiency.
After acceptance, students who need a visa should follow the official Serbian visa process. For a D visa based on education, required documents commonly include a completed visa application, a valid passport, a photo, proof of paid fee, an invitation letter or enrollment documentation, proof of health insurance, proof of financial means, registration details for the educational institution, and documents showing previous education with certified translation. Diplomatic or consular offices may request additional documents.
What are the Living Costs in Serbia?
Living costs depend strongly on the city, housing type, and lifestyle. Study in Serbia estimates average monthly student living costs at about €700 to €950 including accommodation, utilities, transportation, and other necessities, while costs can be higher in Belgrade.
Student dormitories can be around €200 per month, and shared flats in smaller towns may start from about €150 per person, excluding utilities. For food, student canteens may offer meals for about €1 to €2.60 for students with a student card, while a self-catering grocery budget is often around €100 to €200 per month. Student public transportation passes can cost about €10 or less per month.
We hope this article on affordable universities in Serbia was helpful! If you are interested, check out the Available Europe Courses for International Students.
