The Serbian language certificate required for university is usually level B2 for programmes taught in Serbian. You can prove it in two ways: complete a language year at one of the university centres that teach Serbian to foreigners (Belgrade, Novi Sad or Niš) and obtain its certificate, or pass the national Serbian proficiency exam held at the Faculty of Philology of the University of Belgrade at levels A1 to C2. English-taught programmes do not require Serbian.
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What level is required?
- Programmes in Serbian (bachelor’s and master’s): usually B2, and each faculty sets its own requirement in its admission announcement. Some faculties accept a lower level with an internal test, so read the announcement.
- Programmes in English: Serbian is not required for admission, but it is useful in daily life and practical training.
- World in Serbia scholarship: Serbian is not required when applying (A1 in English or Serbian is enough), because the scholarship includes a free language year that ends with a test.
Route one: a language year at a university centre
| Centre | Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Centre for Serbian as a Foreign Language – Faculty of Philology, University of Belgrade | Full-time programme of two semesters | 1,200 euros |
| Centre for Teaching Serbian to Foreigners – Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad | A1 to B2, two semesters | 480 euros |
| Faculty of Philosophy – University of Niš | Courses for foreigners | Check with the faculty |
The university centres are the most reliable option for university entry, because faculties know their certificates. Details are in the Serbian language year.
Route two: the national certificate exam
- It is held at the Faculty of Philology of the University of Belgrade according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), at levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2.
- It is held several times a year (for example January, June and September), and registration closes about two weeks before the exam.
- Check the current dates and fees directly with the Faculty of Philology before you book.
How to plan your time
- The university academic year starts in October, and entrance exams are held in late June and early July.
- If you are starting from zero, plan a full language year before the year you start at the faculty.
- Make sure your language certificate will be ready before the registration deadline of the faculty you choose.
- The language year requires temporary residence on the basis of language study, so prepare your visa D early.
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We help you with admission, paperwork and the visa, step by step
Why Serbian Matters for Your Visa and Residence
The official Welcome to Serbia portal states that learning the Serbian language is the basis for a long-stay visa (visa D) as well as for a temporary residence permit if you want to study in Serbia. It also points out two features that surprise beginners: Serbian uses two scripts, Cyrillic and Latin, and it has a case system made up of seven cases that is central to sentence structure. The language reformer Vuk Stefanović Karadžić, whom the portal highlights, built Serbian spelling around the motto “Write as you speak, read as it is written”, which is why spelling is far more regular than in many languages. Source: Learning Serbian: A Beginner’s Guide (Welcome to Serbia).
The World in Serbia Scholarship and Free Language Courses
The Serbian government runs the “World in Serbia” project, which allows foreign students to study free of charge at state-founded universities, across all study programmes and levels. Key points from the official portal:
- Who it is for: candidates from countries in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America that are members or observers of the Non-Aligned Movement.
- What it covers: free education, accommodation and food in the student standard system, a monthly financial allowance, and health insurance.
- Language: as a prerequisite for education in Serbian, scholarship holders attend free intensive Serbian courses after arrival and before enrolling in their chosen programmes.
- How to apply: every year the Ministry of Education announces a competition, and applications are collected through consular representative offices in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Scale: the portal reports 536 scholarship holders from 127 countries currently studying in Serbia under the project.
- Support: scholarship holders receive help from the Ministry of Education with translating diplomas from previous studies and with referrals to the Qualifications Agency.
Foreign students who are not part of the project can also study in English-language programmes. Sources: Scholarships (Welcome to Serbia) and World in Serbia (Ministry of Education).
Where Language-Year Students Live
Students at the language centres in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš can look at the student centres in those cities. The official portal says foreign students have the right to accommodation in nine student centres: Student Centre Belgrade houses about 10,500 students in 14 dormitories, Novi Sad accommodates 3,064 students, and Niš has four dormitories with 958 places. All university students in Serbia, including foreign students, have the right to health care in student polyclinics in their place of study. Landlords and accommodation providers must register your stay with the police within 24 hours of your arrival. Sources: Living conditions during studies and Registration upon arrival.
Frequently asked questions
Can I study in Serbia without a Serbian language certificate?
Yes, in English-taught programmes. Programmes in Serbian usually require B2.
How long does it take to reach B2?
The university centres design their full-time programmes for one academic year (two semesters), and the result depends on your starting level and effort.
How much does the Serbian language year cost?
About 1,200 euros in Belgrade and 480 euros in Novi Sad, and it is free for holders of the World in Serbia scholarship.
Do I write in Cyrillic or Latin?
Serbian is written in both scripts, and you will learn both during the language year. Read Cyrillic or Latin.
Last updated: October 2026. Fees come from the official websites of the university centres and may change.
Official sources
- Centre for Serbian as a Foreign Language – Faculty of Philology, Belgrade
- Centre for Teaching Serbian to Foreigners – Novi Sad
- Faculty of Philology – University of Belgrade: international students
Read also: admission requirements at Serbian universities.