The Serbian language preparatory year is a school year in which you learn Serbian from scratch up to a level that lets you study at university in it, and you need it if you choose a Serbian-taught programme at a state university. It is offered by official university centres in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš, at a cost of roughly €450 to €1,200 for the year depending on the centre, and ends with an exam and a certificate proving your level. Many faculties ask for about B2, and World in Serbia scholarship students get this course for free. In this guide we explain who needs the preparatory year, where to study it, how long it takes and what it costs, and how to get the certificate in 2026.

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Why do you need a Serbian preparatory language year?

The official language of instruction at Serbian universities is Serbian, and universities require foreign students to prove proficiency in the language of the programme they apply to. Accredited English-taught programmes exist, but they are fewer and cost more. That is why many international students choose Serbian-taught programmes, for three reasons:

• Much lower fees: a Serbian-taught programme at state faculties usually costs a foreign student €1,500 to €3,000 per year, while an English-taught medicine programme can reach €6,000 or €8,000. Compare in university costs in Serbia for international students.
• More options: most fields and faculties are available in Serbian only.
• World in Serbia scholarship: study under it is mostly in Serbian, and the scholarship includes the language year.

If you are torn between the two routes in medicine in particular, read Studying medicine in Serbia in English or in Serbian.

What level is required, and why is B2 mentioned so often?

The required level is set by each faculty in its own admission announcement, and is not a single figure across the country. But the level commonly required for academic study in Serbian is B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, and some institutions state it explicitly as a minimum. At some faculties, the faculty itself or the language centre runs a level-check test before enrolment. So:

1. Choose your faculty and programme first.
2. Read that year’s admission announcement and look for the language requirement.
3. Plan your preparatory year so that you reach the required level before the enrolment date.

General admission requirements at admission requirements at Serbian universities for international students.

Where can you study the Serbian language year?

Serbian as a Foreign Language Centre at the Faculty of Philology, University of Belgrade

The best-known option, offering intensive courses for foreigners since 1986. It runs a regular course over a full academic year and an intensive three-week summer course. Study is divided into beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, and the centre is an accredited exam centre awarding certificates at all six levels from A1 to C2. It suits those planning to join the University of Belgrade. Important note: the centre does not issue visa invitation letters and does not provide accommodation; that is your responsibility.

Serbian as a Foreign Language Centre at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad

Founded in the 2002/2003 academic year, it offers winter and spring semester courses following the university calendar, with four hours a week and small groups. Its fees are lower, and the final exam and certificate are included in the course fee. It suits those heading to the University of Novi Sad.

Serbian Language Centre at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Niš

It offers 15-week semester courses in small groups of 2 to 5 students, with a placement test and the option of one-to-one lessons. It suits those planning to study at the University of Niš.

Private schools

There are private Serbian language schools, mostly in Belgrade, and some offer university preparation programmes. They can be flexible with schedules, but make sure the certificate you receive at the end is issued by an exam centre your faculty accepts.

Comparing the university centres: duration, cost and certificate

Centre	Course format	Approximate cost	Exam and certificate
Faculty of Philology – Belgrade	One academic year, 4 classes a week of 90 minutes each	About €600 per semester	Exam of about €150, held in January, June and late summer
Faculty of Philosophy – Novi Sad	Winter and spring semesters, 4 hours a week	26,400 dinars for the winter semester and 30,200 for the spring (A1 to B2)	Included in the course fee, and 10,800 dinars for those not enrolled in the course
Faculty of Philosophy – Niš	15-week semester, groups of 2 to 5 students	€600 per semester	Exam of €150

Prices are taken from the centres’ websites and the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 academic-year guides, and they change every year, so confirm directly with the centre before paying. And remember that fees do not include accommodation and living costs; see cost of living in Serbia for students.

How long does the language year take?

It is commonly called a “preparatory year” because a beginner usually needs a full academic year of intensive study to reach a level that allows university study. But the actual duration depends on:

• Course intensity: intensive daily courses are faster than courses of a few hours a week, and in regular semester courses a student may need more than two semesters to get from zero to B2.
• Your practice outside class: living with Serbian students and watching Serbian content speeds up progress considerably.
• The alphabet: Serbian is written in both Cyrillic and Latin scripts, and learning both from the first weeks is essential. Read the Serbian Cyrillic and Latin alphabets.

The Novi Sad centre’s calendar, for example, starts the winter semester in October and ends it in January, and the spring semester runs from February to the end of May, which lets you finish before the university enrolment period in the summer. A student’s account of living through the whole year, in a full year learning Serbian before university.

The free language year under the World in Serbia scholarship

Students on the Serbian government’s “World in Serbia” scholarship take an intensive free Serbian course after they arrive, before enrolling in their university programmes, and this is a prerequisite for studying in Serbian. During this year the student lives and eats free in the student dormitories in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš or Kragujevac, and receives a monthly stipend and health insurance. This makes the scholarship the most economical way to get the language year. Details in World in Serbia scholarship.

Residence and visa during the language year

Serbia’s law on foreigners allows temporary residence for the purpose of study, including language courses that prepare you for university study, but the final decision rests with the police. Ask the centre for an official enrolment confirmation, keep your payment receipts, and start the residence procedures early. Read study visa for Serbia and temporary residence for students in Serbia.

The Serbian language certificate at the end of the year

At the end of the course, the student sits an exam based on the Common European Framework and receives a certificate for the level achieved, with ECTS credits at some centres (for example 6 credits for the course in Belgrade and 3 credits in Novi Sad). This certificate is what you submit to the faculty when you enrol. Details of the certificate, who issues it and when exams are held in the Serbian language certificate required for university.

Tips for succeeding in your Serbian language year

• Start with the alphabet and the basics online two or three months before you travel, so you begin the course a step ahead.
• Attend every class, because missing classes in intensive courses is hard to make up.
• Speak Serbian every day in shops, on public transport and where you live, even if you make mistakes.
• Practise with the sample exams published on the centre’s website well before the exam date.
• In the final semester, focus on the terminology of your university subject, such as medicine or engineering, to make your first year easier.

Frequently asked questions about the Serbian language preparatory year

Is the Serbian language year compulsory?

It is compulsory only if you choose a Serbian-taught programme and do not already have the required level. If you study in English, you do not need it.

How much does the Serbian language year cost?

At the university centres, roughly from €450 in Novi Sad to about €1,200 in Belgrade and Niš for the year, excluding accommodation and living costs. It is free for World in Serbia scholarship students.

Is B2 enough for university study?

B2 is the commonly required level, but each faculty sets its own requirement in its admission announcement, so check it before you enrol.

Can I learn Serbian before travelling?

Yes, you can start with the basics online to save time. Start with learning Serbian for international students.
The Serbian language preparatory year is an investment that opens the door to Serbia’s cheaper state programmes. Choose the centre closest to your target university, confirm the required level in the admission announcement, and plan the exam well before the enrolment date.