Scholarships in Serbia give international students a real chance to study in Europe at almost no cost. The best known is the Serbian government’s “World in Serbia” scholarship, a full award that covers free tuition at public universities, a room and meals in state student dormitories, a monthly stipend, health insurance and a free Serbian language course. Alongside it there are bilateral scholarships, Erasmus+ grants and fee discounts offered by the universities themselves. This guide explains which scholarships are available, who can apply, what each one covers and how to choose the right option for you in 2026.
Types of scholarships in Serbia
| Scholarship | Provider | Study level | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| World in Serbia | Government of Serbia (Ministry of Education) | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | Full scholarship: tuition, accommodation, meals, monthly stipend, insurance and language course |
| Bilateral scholarships | Agreements between Serbia and other countries | Master’s, PhD, short training | Tuition, accommodation, meals, insurance and a monthly allowance |
| Erasmus+ | European Union, via universities | Student exchange and joint programmes | Monthly mobility grant for one semester or one year |
| University discounts and awards | Public and private universities | All levels | Partial fee reduction based on academic merit |
The World in Serbia scholarship
“World in Serbia” is a national initiative of the Government of Serbia that awards scholarships to students from 127 countries in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America that are members or observer states of the Non-Aligned Movement. The Serbian Ministry of Education announces the call every year and collects applications together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Serbian embassies.
What the scholarship includes:
- Free tuition for one level of study: a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD at a public university.
- A free, intensive preparatory Serbian language course on arrival.
- Free accommodation and meals in state student dormitories.
- A monthly stipend of RSD 18,000, according to the 2026 call.
- Health insurance, which is mandatory for scholarship holders under 26.
- Free recognition of your secondary school and university certificates.
Full eligibility rules and documents are on our World in Serbia scholarship page, and the application steps are in our guide How to apply for the World in Serbia scholarship, step by step.
Bilateral scholarships between Serbia and other countries
Every year Serbia awards scholarships under educational cooperation agreements with other countries, to around 60 foreign students. These scholarships usually target Master’s and PhD students or short training stays of 3 to 12 months, and they cover tuition, accommodation, meals, health insurance and a monthly allowance. Check with your country’s Ministry of Higher Education whether it has an agreement with Serbia. Details are on our Serbia bilateral scholarship agreements page.
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Erasmus+ scholarships in Serbia
Serbia takes part in the EU’s Erasmus+ programme, so Serbian universities offer student exchanges and joint Master’s programmes with European universities, funded by monthly mobility grants. These grants suit students who are already enrolled at a university that has a partnership with a Serbian university. Read Erasmus+ scholarships for studying in Serbia.
Discounts and scholarships from Serbian universities
If you do not win a government scholarship, some public and private universities offer fee discounts to high-achieving students, or reductions for paying upfront or registering early. Tuition in Serbia is already low compared with Western Europe, so even a partial discount makes a clear difference. See Serbian university discounts and scholarships and tuition fees in Serbia for international students.
How to choose the right scholarship in Serbia
- You want a full Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree: start with the World in Serbia scholarship.
- You are a postgraduate student looking for a short stay: look into bilateral scholarships.
- You already study at a university with European partners: ask your international relations office about Erasmus+.
- You did not get a scholarship: compare fees and discounts, and plan your budget with your first-year budget for studying in Serbia.
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Tips to improve your chances of getting a scholarship
- Watch for the scholarship announcement at the Serbian embassy or your Ministry of Higher Education early, because the dates change every year.
- Get certified translations of all your documents into Serbian or English; untranslated applications are rejected.
- Start the recognition of your secondary school certificate and learn which documents are required before the call opens.
- Pick a major that matches your academic level, and read how to choose your major for studying in Serbia.
FAQ: scholarships in Serbia
Who can apply for the World in Serbia scholarship?
Citizens of member and observer states of the Non-Aligned Movement in Africa, Asia and Latin America can apply, which covers most countries in those regions. Candidates are usually nominated by the competent authority in their home country and the Serbian embassy.
Are scholarship programmes in Serbia taught in Serbian?
Usually, yes. That is why the scholarship includes a free, intensive Serbian language course before university studies begin.
How much is the World in Serbia monthly stipend?
According to the 2026 call, the monthly stipend is RSD 18,000, on top of free accommodation and meals in the student dormitories.
Can I get a scholarship for a Master’s or PhD?
Yes. The World in Serbia scholarship covers Master’s and PhD studies, and bilateral scholarships mainly target postgraduate students. Read Master’s degrees in Serbia and PhD studies in Serbia.
Scholarships in Serbia are not out of reach, but they take early planning and a complete set of documents. Start with the World in Serbia scholarship, keep bilateral scholarships and university discounts as a backup plan, and see our Study in Serbia guide for the full picture.
Government scholarships at a glance
- World in Serbia: for nominated candidates from Non-Aligned Movement member and observer states. It covers a Serbian language year, free study at a state university, accommodation and meals in student dormitories, health insurance and a monthly allowance of RSD 18,000 (Ministry of Education project description).
- Bilateral scholarships: awarded once a year after a public call to citizens of partner countries, mainly for master’s, doctoral or short study stays of 3 to 12 months, with a monthly allowance of RSD 15,000; about 60 are awarded each year (Welcome to Serbia).
- Self-funded students: a student with temporary residence for study may work up to 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month without a separate work permit (Law on Employment of Foreigners).