Studying arts in Serbia is possible at state universities in Serbian at moderate fees, and at some private universities in English. The main options are the University of Arts in Belgrade with its four faculties (music, fine arts, applied arts and drama), where bachelor’s tuition for students from outside Europe at the Faculty of Music is €3,600; the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad; the Faculty of Arts in Niš; and, among private universities, the Faculty of Digital Arts at Metropolitan University (graphic design €3,990 and interactive media design €5,000 in English). Admission to every state arts programme goes through a practical aptitude exam, and most programmes are taught in Serbian. Here is a comparison of the options, official fees and admission requirements.
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Options for studying arts in Serbia
| Institution | Type and city | Fields | Language of instruction | Official fees available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arts in Belgrade | State, Belgrade | Music, fine arts, applied arts, dramatic arts | Serbian (and some postgraduate programmes in English) | €3,300 – €3,600 bachelor’s for foreign students, depending on the faculty |
| Academy of Arts in Novi Sad | State, Novi Sad | Music, fine arts, applied arts and design | Serbian | €1,800 for foreign students (2026/2027) |
| Faculty of Arts in Niš | State, Niš | Music, fine and applied arts | Serbian | Check with the faculty (Serbian self-financing students pay 120,000 RSD) |
| Faculty of Digital Arts, Metropolitan University | Private, Belgrade | Graphic design, interactive media, fashion design | Serbian and English | €3,990 – €5,000 |
| Faculty of Digital Production, Educons University | Private, Sremska Kamenica (Novi Sad) | Graphic design, film, animation, games | Serbian | Check with the university |
University of Arts in Belgrade
The largest state university of the arts, founded in 1957 and made a university in 1973, with more than 2,800 students and 37 accredited programmes. For 2025/2026 the Faculty of Music sets foreign students’ fees by country group, and international students from outside Europe fall under the “non-European countries” category: bachelor’s €3,600, master’s €4,320 and doctoral studies €7,200, with a 10% discount for paying in one instalment or eight monthly instalments. In English there is a master’s in Cultural Policy and Management (60 ECTS, fee €2,100 – €2,300) and a doctorate in Composition and Performing Arts in Serbian and English. Details are on our page about the University of Arts in Belgrade.
Academy of Arts in Novi Sad
It began operating in 1974 as part of the state University of Novi Sad. The fee for a foreign applicant in 2026/2027 is €1,800, paid in two instalments, with an entrance exam fee of 12,000 RSD and a registration fee of 5,500 RSD, and it requires proof of Serbian at level A1 or above. Admission is through exams in Serbian for each department (music, fine arts, applied arts and design), with additional application rounds if places remain; in 2026/2027, for example, applications in a second round ran until late September. The University of Novi Sad itself states that most of its programmes are in Serbian, with exceptions in English mainly in medicine and some doctoral programmes. Novi Sad’s advantage is that its Serbian language year is cheaper than Belgrade’s (about €480). Read Studying in Novi Sad.
Faculty of Arts in Niš
A state faculty of the University of Niš, with music, fine arts and applied arts. The bachelor’s lasts 4 years (240 ECTS) and the master’s one year (60 ECTS). Serbian self-financing students pay about 120,000 RSD per year in four instalments; we could not find a recent official source for foreign students’ fees, so ask the faculty. Niš’s advantage is its low cost of living (€345 – €750 per month). Read Studying in Niš.
Digital arts and design at private universities
If you want to study design in English, private universities are the clearest option:
- Metropolitan University (Belgrade): According to the 2026/2027 international fee schedule: graphic design €3,990, and interactive media design €3,990 in Serbian and €5,000 in English, and fashion design €4,290. At master’s level: visual communication and music production €3,990 in Serbian. Read Metropolitan University.
- Educons University (Novi Sad): The Faculty of Digital Production combines art and information technology (graphic design, film, animation and games), and teaching there is in Serbian. Read Educons University.
Admission requirements for arts programmes
- Aptitude exam: Every state programme has a practical exam (playing or singing, drawing or sculpture, design, acting), and it is the decisive element.
- Portfolio: Some departments ask for one, especially in design, applied arts and at private universities.
- Language: State faculties check your proficiency in the language of instruction, so plan a Serbian language year if you are not fluent.
- Certificate: A certified, translated secondary school certificate, and its recognition by the Serbian qualifications agency (AZK) for a fee of 8,900 RSD.
- Financial status: Foreigners study on a self-financing basis at state universities unless an agreement between the two countries says otherwise.
Total cost of studying arts
Besides fees, budget for tools and materials (paints, canvases, design software, instrument maintenance), which vary widely by subject. Living costs including housing range from about €345 per month in Niš to €1,100 in Belgrade. Read living costs in Serbia and university fees in Serbia.
Application timeline for arts programmes
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| At least one year before | Start learning Serbian if you are targeting a state university, and prepare your portfolio |
| 5 – 6 months before | Legalise and translate your certificates, and apply for recognition at AZK |
| Spring | Admission announcements and fee decisions are published on the faculties’ websites |
| June – July | Aptitude exams at state faculties, with additional rounds in September if places remain |
| After admission | Pay the fees, then apply for a type D visa and temporary residence, and start studying in October |
A rough example for one year at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade: €3,600 in tuition (or €3,240 if paid in full after the 10% discount), plus living costs of €450 – €1,100 per month, which comes to about €9,000 – €16,800 for the year before tools and a language year.
Scholarships for studying arts
The World in Serbia scholarship covers study in Serbian at state universities, including the arts faculties, for citizens of non-aligned countries, with a free language year, but admission to arts programmes still depends on passing the aptitude exam. Read World in Serbia scholarship.
After graduation
Recognition of arts degrees in your home country is decided by the recognition authority there, so ask it before you enrol. Staying to work in Serbia after graduation requires a unified residence and work permit through an employer, because there is no job-seeker residence permit. The arts field in Serbia depends heavily on projects and freelance work, and Serbian is essential in it. Read Working in Serbia after graduation.
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How admission to arts programmes is decided
The official Study in Serbia guide to entrance exams notes that entrance exams are common for many undergraduate programmes and are also used for certain master’s programmes, particularly in fields that require specific knowledge, artistic skills or practical abilities. Each institution designs its own assessment, so there is no single national exam.
- Exam formats can include practical or artistic demonstrations, oral examinations, written tests and multiple-choice questions, depending on the programme.
- For undergraduate programmes, your final ranking is often based on the entrance exam result together with your secondary school grades; the weighting differs between universities and programmes.
- Master’s and doctoral programmes may instead use interviews, portfolio reviews or an assessment of previous academic achievements.
Universities generally publish the exam format and, in many cases, preparation materials or preparatory courses, so check the faculty’s official page and contact its admissions office early (source).
Frequently asked questions
Can I study arts in Serbia without speaking Serbian?
At state universities, usually not at bachelor’s level. English-taught options are more common at private universities (such as Metropolitan) and in some postgraduate programmes at the University of Arts in Belgrade.
How much does it cost to study arts in Serbia?
At the Faculty of Music in Belgrade the bachelor’s costs €3,600 for students from outside Europe, and at Metropolitan University €3,990 – €5,000 depending on the programme and language.
Are there entrance exams?
Yes, a practical aptitude exam in all state programmes, and a portfolio in some departments.
What is the best university for arts in Serbia?
The University of Arts in Belgrade is the largest and oldest, but the choice depends on your subject, language and budget.
Does the World in Serbia scholarship cover arts studies?
It covers study in Serbian at state universities, including the arts faculties, for citizens of non-aligned countries, but you must pass the faculty’s aptitude exam like any other applicant.
Last updated: October 2026. Fees are taken from the official websites and decisions of the universities mentioned.
Sources
- Faculty of Music in Belgrade: fee decisions
- University of Arts in Belgrade
- Academy of Arts in Novi Sad: entrance exams
- Faculty of Arts in Niš: entrance exam
- Metropolitan University: international fees
- Educons University: Faculty of Digital Production