The cost of studying in Serbia varies by university, major, language of instruction and city of residence. If you are thinking about studying in Serbia, understanding the real costs for the 2026 academic year is an essential step towards a realistic budget. Costs include tuition, housing, food, transport and health insurance. In this guide we explain the differences between Serbian-taught and English-taught programmes, give a comparison by main city, and offer a first-year budget calculator to help you plan accurately.
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Tuition fees in Serbia: Serbian-taught vs English-taught programmes
Tuition fees in Serbia vary widely depending on the language of instruction: English-taught programmes cost more than Serbian-taught ones, especially in subjects such as medicine and engineering.
- Serbian-taught programmes: fees are usually between €1,000 and €3,600 per year for international students at state universities.
- English-taught programmes: from about €1,500 (Belgrade Economics) up to €3,000–5,000 in engineering and at private universities, and more for international master’s programmes.
- Medicine (in English): fees are between €6,000 and €8,000 per year.
These figures vary by university, level of study and major. Fees differ by faculty and university: they may be lower in Belgrade for some faculties and higher for others. Check the official website of your chosen university before applying.
If you are looking for lower-cost options, see Tuition fees in Serbia by major and university to compare the available options.
Living costs in Serbia by city: from Novi Sad to Belgrade
Living costs in Serbia vary by city: Belgrade is the most expensive, while Novi Sad, Niš and Kragujevac are cheaper.
| City | Average monthly living cost (EUR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Belgrade | €450 – €1,100 | The highest cost in the country, especially in upscale residential areas. Costs include housing, food, transport and entertainment. |
| Novi Sad | €415 – €905 | An active university city and one of the best options for balancing cost and quality. |
| Niš | €345 – €750 | A historic city, one of the cheapest places to study, with a high quality of life. |
| Kragujevac | €345 – €750 | A small university city, suitable for students who want a calm environment and low costs. |
Monthly expenses include housing (€95–140 in student accommodation, €270–495 for a flat in Belgrade, and €120–270 in smaller cities), living costs excluding housing (€350–600 in Belgrade), public transport (free in Belgrade since 2025), and private health insurance of roughly €100–250 per year. Serbia is one of the cheapest European countries in terms of living costs, which makes it an attractive option for international students.
To learn more about reducing living costs, see Living costs in Serbia by city.
First-year budget calculator for studying in Serbia 2026
To help you plan your finances accurately, we offer a first-year budget calculator for studying in Serbia. Calculate your costs based on your choice of city and language of instruction.
First-year budget calculator
Choose a city and language of instruction to calculate an approximate cost
- City: Belgrade / Novi Sad / Niš / Kragujevac
- Language: Serbian / English
- Tuition fees: €1,500 – €8,000 (depending on the major)
- Living costs: about €4,000 – €13,000 per year depending on the city and type of housing
This calculator is a guide only. Costs may vary with your lifestyle, type of housing and food choices. We recommend adding an extra 10–15% to your budget as a reserve.
If you want to cut costs, learn about Free study in Serbia, where the main fully funded option is the government’s “World in Serbia” scholarship for citizens of Non-Aligned Movement countries.
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Tips for lowering your study costs in Serbia
Although Serbia is one of the cheapest European countries to study in, there are effective ways to reduce costs further:
- Choose your city wisely: pick a city such as Novi Sad or Kragujevac instead of Belgrade to cut housing and transport costs.
- Shared housing: avoid living alone; choose a shared flat with fellow students to reduce the cost.
- Cook at home: avoid takeaway meals and cook for yourself to save up to 40% of your food costs.
- Use student discounts: use your student card for discounts on transport, restaurants and libraries.
- Part-time work: international students may work up to 20 hours per week, which helps cover part of their living costs.
To learn how to open a bank account and transfer money to Serbia, see Guide to opening a bank account and transferring money to Serbia.
Scholarships available to international students in Serbia
Serbia offers scholarships to international students, especially in science and engineering subjects, but they are rare and competitive.
- World in Serbia scholarship: offered by the Serbian government to citizens of Non-Aligned Movement countries; it covers the Serbian language year, tuition at a state university, accommodation, meals, health insurance and a monthly allowance of about 18,000 dinars.
- University scholarships: some universities offer internal scholarships based on academic performance or financial need.
- Erasmus+: enables mobility for students of participating universities under exchange agreements; it is not a general scholarship for international students.
Apply for scholarships early and gather the required documents, such as academic transcripts, a recommendation letter and a motivation letter.
To learn more about scholarships, see World in Serbia scholarship.
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The World in Serbia scholarship: what the official sources confirm
The Serbian government’s “World in Serbia” project awards scholarships to candidates from member and observer states of the Non-Aligned Movement in Africa, Asia and Central and South America. According to the official project description, scholarship holders receive accommodation and meals within the Serbian student support system, health insurance and a financial scholarship of RSD 18,000 per month (source: Ministry of Education project description). The project is implemented in two phases: an intensive Serbian-language course from September to June after arrival, followed by enrolment at a state-founded higher education institution. Each year the Ministry of Education announces a call, and applications are collected through Serbian diplomatic-consular missions (source: Welcome to Serbia). Students are housed in dormitories of the student centres in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš and Kragujevac.
The same portal lists bilateral scholarships awarded once a year after a public call, for master’s and doctoral studies or professional training, with a stay of 3 to 12 months and a monthly allowance of 15,000 dinars, awarded to about 60 foreign citizens a year (source).
Working to offset costs: the legal limits
The Law on Employment of Foreigners allows a foreigner with a temporary residence permit for studying, enrolled in an accredited programme, to 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). Treat part-time income as a supplement, not as a way to pay tuition.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study in Serbia as an international student?
The cost of studying in Serbia varies by city, language of instruction and major. Tuition for most state-university programmes ranges between €1,000 and €3,600 per year (medicine in English €6,000–8,000), while living costs are about €4,000 to €13,000 per year depending on the city and housing.
Can I study in Serbia without a scholarship?
Yes, you can study in Serbia without a scholarship, especially if you choose a low-cost city such as Novi Sad or Kragujevac and study in a Serbian-taught programme. Even so, plan a budget large enough to cover the full costs.
Is Serbia suitable if I am budgeting in US dollars?
The official currency of Serbia is the Serbian dinar (RSD), but many universities announce their fees in euros. You can convert dollars to euros or Serbian dinars through banks or money-transfer services. It is advisable to transfer money before you travel to avoid exchange-rate swings.
What does housing cost in Serbia?
Housing costs range from about €95 to €495 per month depending on the city and type of housing (student accommodation is cheaper). Shared or student housing in Novi Sad or Kragujevac is much cheaper than living alone in Belgrade.
Can I work while studying in Serbia?
Yes, international students may work part-time up to 20 hours per week. This helps cover part of your living costs. A student with a temporary residence permit for study does not need a separate work permit, but the work must follow the legal limits.
Studying in Serbia is an excellent choice for international students looking for high educational quality at low cost. With study costs starting from €1,500 per year and living costs among the lowest in Europe, Serbia is an attractive destination for many students. Whether you choose Belgrade or Novi Sad, and whether you study in a Serbian-taught or English-taught programme, good financial planning is the key to success. Use the first-year budget calculator and start preparing now for 2026.
For more information, see Studying medicine in Serbia, or start with the Study in Serbia home page to explore everything you need to begin your academic journey.
Official sources