Studying medicine in Serbia in English or in Serbian? The biggest difference is the cost. Medicine in English costs 6,000 – 8,000 euros a year, while the Serbian track is much cheaper (1,800 euros in Kragujevac and 2,500 euros in Belgrade). In return, the Serbian track usually needs an extra language year and level B2, and studying in a new language is harder. Over 6 years the difference in fees can exceed 30,000 euros. Here is the full comparison based on official fees.
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Quick comparison
| Item | Medicine in English | Medicine in Serbian |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fees | 6,000 – 8,000 euros | 1,800 euros (Kragujevac), 2,500 euros (Belgrade) |
| Language year before starting | No | Usually yes, if you do not have B2 |
| Total duration | 6 years | 6 years + usually a language year |
| Entrance exam | In English (biology and chemistry) | In Serbian |
| World in Serbia scholarship | Not covered | Possible (in Serbian at a state university) |
| Dealing with patients in the clinical years | You still need basic Serbian | Easier |
Fee difference over 6 years
| University | In English (6 years) | In Serbian (6 years) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgrade | 48,000 euros | 15,000 euros | 33,000 euros |
| Kragujevac | 36,000 euros | 10,800 euros | 25,200 euros |
For the Serbian track, add the language year: about 1,200 euros in Belgrade or 480 euros in Novi Sad, plus a full year of living costs (roughly 4,000 – 13,000 euros depending on the city). Novi Sad (7,000 euros) and Niš (6,000 euros) also offer medicine in English; check the Serbian-track fees there directly.
When does the English track suit you?
- You want to start straight away without a language year.
- Your budget can handle 6,000 – 8,000 euros a year plus living costs.
- You do not plan to work in Serbia after graduating.
Note: you will still need Serbian for clinical training and for talking to patients, so learn the basics during your first years.
When does the Serbian track suit you?
- Budget is the deciding factor.
- You can manage an intensive language year and reach B2.
- You are considering applying for the World in Serbia scholarship (for applicants under 21 for bachelor’s and integrated medicine).
- You are thinking of working or specialising in Serbia later, which requires fluent Serbian.
Does the degree or its recognition differ?
The degree is issued by the same faculty in both cases. Recognition in your own country is decided by the equivalence authority and the health authority, usually with a licensing exam and an internship. Some authorities ask about the language of study, so ask yours before choosing. Details are in Recognition of a medical degree from Serbia.
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Official basics to check before you choose a track
Whichever track you pick, the same national rules apply to you as an international student. The points below come from official Serbian sources, so you can plan beyond the fee table above.
How Serbian degrees are structured
- Bachelor’s programmes last 3–4 years and carry 180–240 ECTS.
- Master’s programmes last 1–2 years and carry 60–120 ECTS.
- Doctoral programmes (PhD) last three years; admission needs a bachelor’s and master’s degree totalling at least 300 ECTS, and the programme includes extensive research and a final thesis or artistic project.
Source: Study in Serbia. Medicine is taught as a single integrated programme, which is why the comparison above counts six years of fees.
Find programmes and current fees
The official catalogue of programmes and the national education database list accredited programmes, including English-taught ones. Fees can be revised each academic year, so always compare the figures in this guide with the latest faculty and university fee pages linked in the sources section, especially for Novi Sad and Niš, where you should check the Serbian-track fees directly.
Arriving in Serbia: registration, funds and insurance
- Your landlord or accommodation provider must report your address to the local police within 24 hours of your arrival, and it should match the address in your application (registration upon arrival).
- Proof of means of subsistence can be a scholarship, a contract, or a bank statement showing funds at the level of the minimum salary for the year in which you apply.
- Proof of health insurance can be your own health insurance policy, proof of a scholarship, proof of funds to cover emergency treatment, a guarantee from a Serbian legal entity or certified guarantee from a person, or a valid Serbian health insurance card.
Both lists come from the official visa documentation page. The page is informative only, so confirm your own case with the Serbian authorities or your faculty’s international office.
Working while you study
Students with temporary residence for study may work up to 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month without a separate work permit (source). Medical studies are demanding, especially in the clinical years, so most students treat any job as a small supplement rather than a way to pay tuition.
Serbian language support
If you choose the Serbian track, plan the language year early. The Faculty of Philology in Belgrade runs a Serbian language learning centre whose admission details are published online. Even English-track students benefit from learning basic Serbian before the clinical years, when contact with patients begins.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper: medicine in English or in Serbian in Serbia?
The Serbian track is much cheaper: 1,800 – 2,500 euros a year against 6,000 – 8,000 euros for English, but add the language year.
Can I switch from the English track to the Serbian track?
It depends on the faculty’s rules, the places available and your level of Serbian; ask the faculty directly.
How long do I need to learn Serbian for medicine?
Usually an intensive language year to reach B2, such as the programme at the Serbian language learning centre of the Faculty of Philology in Belgrade.
Is the entrance exam different?
The content is similar (biology and chemistry), but the language is different. Details of the Belgrade exam are in The medical school entrance exam.
Last updated: October 2026. Fees are from the universities’ official websites for 2025/2026.
Official sources
- Faculty of Medicine – University of Belgrade: fees (English)
- University of Belgrade: fee table 2025/2026
- University of Kragujevac: fees
- Serbian language learning centre – Faculty of Philology, Belgrade
See also: Studying medicine in Serbia.