Quick guide to study in Serbia

QUICK GUIDE TO STUDY IN SERBIA 

We know how overwhelming it can be when you start thinking of studying abroad. You probably have so many questions and want to be prepared in advance. That is why we have created a short manual that will guide you through the application process and provide you with an overview of what to expect when you embark on a journey of studying in Serbia! 

1. FIND A PROGRAMME  

You have already decided that you want to study abroad, and Serbia sounds interesting to you? Excellent choice! The first thing would be to research programmes that meet your interests and qualifications. If it sounds too complicated and confusing to you, do not worry, we have already listed all the programmes on our website, so, check them out and find a suitable course. All study programmes are accredited by the relevant Serbian accreditation institution and taught in English.  

2. WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT? 

Once you find a programme, visit its website and find out more about the eligibility requirements. Although each university sets its own admission requirements, here are the ones you are most likely to need: for the bachelor’s degree courses you would need to have a diploma of secondary education or equivalent and to pass an entrance exam. Students who are seeking admissions for master studies need to have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Sometimes, they will need to take an entrance exam also, however, that will depend on a course. The same applies to doctoral studies: a master’s degree is necessary for enrolment in a Ph.D. programme. Other specific requirements will be listed on the webpages of each programme, and we strongly recommend that you check them out before you start the application process. You can find the contact info for each programme on our website.  

3. HOW TO GET YOUR PREVIOUS DIPLOMA RECOGNIZED 

Most students are not sure if their previous diplomas are acceptable in Serbia. Degrees are usually not automatically recognized, therefore, prospective students wanting to study in Serbia will need to go through the diploma recognition process. But do not be afraid, it is very easy to start this procedure! If you are interested in bachelor studies in Serbia, please contact the Ministry of Education and find out how to start the process of diploma recognition. If you have already obtained a bachelor’s degree or equivalent and want to enrol in a master’s or doctoral studies in Serbia, contact the higher education institution offering the programme and ask how you can get your diploma recognized.  

4. VISA – HOW TO APPLY FOR IT? 

Remember that entrance exam you will probably need to take? It may happen that you need a visa to enter Serbia, even if you are staying just for a couple of days to take the exam. You can check here if you need a visa to enter Serbia. If you do, check with the nearest Serbian consulate what documents you need to submit to get a short-stay visa. Once you pass the exam and enrol in a Serbian university, apply for the type D visa (student visa) at the nearest consulate. You would need to obtain this visa before you come to Serbia and start your studies. After arriving in Serbia, the next step would be to register at the nearest police station and apply for a temporary residence permit. You will receive a temporary residence card that will be valid for a year, and after that period, the card needs to be extended. To be given a residence permit, in most cases, you will need to submit certain documents, such as the certificate of enrolment at your university, and your passport and you would need to pay a small fee.  

5. FIND ACCOMMODATION AND MOVE TO SERBIA  

Congratulations, you made it almost to the end of the application procedure! There are a few more things to do. You would also need to find accommodation in Serbia. We would recommend that you do that before you move to Serbia, it could be easier for you to settle in before your programme starts. Our aim is to help as much as we can, so we have dedicated a whole page on our website to housing for international students. Make sure to check it out because you will find some useful info on student accommodation and other tips and tricks for moving to Serbia!