Serbia is an attractive destination for international students looking for a high-quality education at a reasonable cost, a safe environment and a diverse community. If you are searching for the best cities to study in Serbia, choosing the right city is a decisive step in your academic journey. In this guide we compare the main student cities in Serbia: Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš, Kragujevac and Novi Pazar, focusing on universities, living costs, the availability of English-taught programmes and the Muslim community. Everything you need to make an informed decision in 2026.

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Comparing the best cities to study in Serbia, 2026

Serbian cities appeal to international students in different ways depending on your priorities: leading universities, low living costs, a supportive Muslim community, or English-taught programmes? The table above is a comparison covering the main criteria for 2026.

City	Main universities	Average monthly living cost (EUR)	Muslim community	English-taught programmes
Belgrade	University of Belgrade, University of Arts, and private universities (Singidunum, Metropolitan, Union Nikola Tesla)	450 – 1,100	Available (restaurants, mosques, associations)	The most in Serbia (medicine, engineering, IT, business)
Novi Sad	University of Novi Sad and Edukons University (private)	415 – 905	Small	Moderate (notably medicine in English)
Niš	University of Niš	345 – 750	Small	Limited (medicine, dentistry and electrical engineering)
Kragujevac	University of Kragujevac	345 – 750	Small	Limited (medicine, pharmacy, engineering and economics)
Novi Pazar	State University of Novi Pazar	345 – 750	Strong (most residents are Muslim)	Very few (most programmes are in Serbian)

Belgrade: the academic and cultural capital

Belgrade is the best city in Serbia for study in terms of academic variety, English-taught programmes, infrastructure and nightlife. If you are looking for the best cities to study in Serbia and want a real big-city experience, Belgrade is the best choice.

• Belgrade is home to the University of Belgrade, the largest and oldest university in Serbia, along with the University of Arts and a number of private universities.
• It has the largest number of English-taught programmes in Serbia, especially in medicine, dentistry, engineering, IT and business.
• Monthly living costs are roughly €450 to €1,100 including housing, and drop considerably if you live in student accommodation.
• Halal restaurants are available, along with the historic Bajrakli Mosque, which makes settling in easier for Muslim students.
• Nightlife is lively and public transport is extensive, with easy travel by bus and tram; public transport has been free since January 2025.

To learn more about academic opportunities in Belgrade, see Belgrade — Serbia’s academic city.

Novi Sad: an ideal city for studying on a low budget

Novi Sad is an ideal choice for international students who want a balance between academic quality and low cost. It is among the best cities in Serbia for quality of life and ease of settling in.

• Novi Sad is home to the University of Novi Sad, the second-largest state university in Serbia, which offers high-quality programmes in engineering, medicine and science.
• Living costs are roughly €415–905 per month including housing, lower than in Belgrade.
• The Muslim community is small, and cooking in your accommodation is the easiest way to eat halal.
• There are fewer English-taught programmes than in Belgrade, mainly medicine and dentistry at the Faculty of Medicine.
• The atmosphere is calm compared with the capital, and the safe environment is ideal for focusing on your studies.

If you are looking for a calm study environment and low living costs, Novi Sad may be the ideal city for you.

Niš: the industrial and educational city

Niš is one of Serbia’s major industrial cities, with a strong study environment, low living costs and a small Muslim community.

• The University of Niš is one of the oldest universities in the country and is regarded as one of the best institutions for engineering and technical subjects.
• Living costs are roughly €345–750 per month including housing, making it one of the cheapest cities for students.
• The Muslim community is small, so cooking in your accommodation is the easiest way to eat halal.
• English-taught programmes are offered in human medicine, dentistry and electrical engineering.
• The weather is hot in summer and cold in winter, but the climate suits most international students.

To learn more about the study experience in Niš, read Studying in Niš.

Kragujevac: a small, low-cost city

Kragujevac suits students who want a calm study experience with very low living costs, but it offers less academic variety and fewer English-taught programmes than the big cities.

• The University of Kragujevac is a state university offering programmes in agriculture, engineering and science.
• Living costs are roughly €345–750 per month including housing, among the cheapest in Serbia.
• The Muslim community is small.
• English-taught programmes are limited, mainly medicine, pharmacy, engineering and economics.
• Daily life is easy and the environment is safe, but there are few entertainment facilities and little nightlife.

If you want a simple, economical study experience, Kragujevac may be a good fit, but make sure your programme is available in English.

Novi Pazar: a city with Islamic roots

Novi Pazar is one of the cities in Serbia with a distinctive Islamic heritage, which makes it a good option for Muslim students who want a supportive religious environment.

• The State University of Novi Pazar is a small university with fees of about €1,068 per year for most programmes, offering programmes in Serbian in economics, engineering, software and languages.
• Living costs are roughly €345–750 per month including housing, among the cheapest cities for study.
• The Muslim community is strong, with many mosques, active religious associations and a number of halal restaurants.
• English-taught programmes are few, and mostly in core subjects.
• The atmosphere is calm and suits studying, but modern facilities and cultural activities are limited.

If you are looking for a supportive religious environment and low costs, Novi Pazar may be a great option for you.

Studying in Serbia: costs, requirements and visas

Study costs in Serbia vary by city, university and major. In general, Serbia is one of the cheapest European countries to study in, especially compared with Western Europe.

• Tuition fees: between €1,500 and €6,000 per year depending on the university and major.
• Student visas: issued by the Serbian embassy, with documents such as a university admission letter, health insurance and proof of funds.
• Working while studying: students may work up to 20 hours per week, with the possibility of working more during holidays.
• Language: you do not need fluent Serbian to apply, especially at universities that teach in English.
• Stability: Serbia is very safe with a low crime rate, which makes it suitable for international students.

To learn more about living costs in Serbia, see Cost of living in Serbia.

Student housing and work rules across Serbia’s university cities

Serbia’s state-run student centres operate dormitories in all four main university cities: Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš and Kragujevac. Students on the government’s “World in Serbia” scholarship are placed in these dormitories, where they receive meals and additional facilities according to each institution’s standards (source: Welcome to Serbia portal). Self-funded students should ask the university or the student centre in their city about dormitory availability and prices before arrival.

Whatever city you choose, the work rules are the same. Under the Law on Employment of Foreigners, a student with a temporary residence permit for studying who is enrolled in an accredited programme may work without a single (residence and work) permit. While teaching is in progress, work may last no longer than 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month (source: Law on Employment of Foreigners, Art. 3 and 17). Job opportunities for English speakers are naturally more plentiful in larger cities such as Belgrade and Novi Sad.

How to check which programmes are taught in English

Because the number of English-taught programmes differs a lot from city to city, check the official catalogue of study programmes on the Study in Serbia platform and the national database of programmes it links to before you choose a city (source: Study in Serbia). The government portal also notes that foreign students who are not part of the scholarship project can study in English, so confirm the language of instruction directly with the faculty (source).

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in Serbia without speaking Serbian?

Yes, you can study in Serbia without fluent Serbian, especially if you choose a university that teaches in English. It still helps to learn some basic vocabulary for daily life.

What is the best city in Serbia for Muslim students?

Novi Pazar and Belgrade are the best options for Muslim students because of their active Muslim communities, mosques and religious associations. Belgrade offers more variety, while Novi Pazar offers a distinctly religious environment.

Are there English-taught programmes in Niš?

Yes, there are English-taught programmes in Niš, especially in engineering, computer science and economics, but there are fewer than in Belgrade and Novi Sad.

How much does housing cost in Novi Sad?

The average cost of housing in Novi Sad ranges between €150 and €250 per month, depending on the type and location of accommodation.

Can I work while studying in Serbia?

Yes, students may work up to 20 hours per week, with the possibility of working more during holidays. A student with a temporary residence permit for study does not need a separate work permit.

If you are looking for the best cities to study in Serbia, the right choice depends on your priorities: high academic quality? Low costs? A supportive Muslim community? English-taught programmes? Each city offers different options, so review the programmes and fees of each university before applying. Remember that living costs and visa rules can change from year to year, so check the latest updates on the official websites. Start your journey in Serbia with a well-considered plan and begin an outstanding study experience in 2026.

Belgrade — Wikipedia
Novi Sad — Wikipedia
Niš — Wikipedia
Kragujevac — Wikipedia
Novi Pazar — Wikipedia

Official sources

• Belgrade — Wikipedia
• Novi Sad — Wikipedia
• Niš — Wikipedia
• Kragujevac — Wikipedia
• Novi Pazar — Wikipedia