Secondary Education in Serbia

Secondary education in Serbia follows eight years of primary education and offers several pathways.

Primary education is compulsory, and most students continue into secondary education. Upper secondary education typically lasts 3–4 years for students aged 15–18/19, with several different options available:

• Gymnasiums — academically oriented schools that prepare students for university.
• Secondary vocational and technical schools — offering vocational training in fields such as economics, engineering, healthcare, tourism, and IT.
• Art schools — specialising in music, design, and fine arts.

Students completing a four‑year gymnasium programme take a final examination (matura), which qualifies them for university admission. Vocational school graduates typically take a vocational final examination and often need additional entrance tests for university admission.

At the end of the 2024/2025 academic year, 56,757 students completed full secondary education — 27.7% from gymnasiums and 72.3% from secondary vocational schools (58.6% from four‑year programmes and 13.7% from three‑year programmes). The most popular fields among vocational school graduates were Economics, Law and Administration (12%), Electrical Engineering (11.9%), Healthcare and Social Welfare (10.1%), and Mechanical Engineering and Metal Processing (9.1%).

Key Facts and Figures

• As of the beginning of the 2025/2026 academic year, there are 491 secondary schools in Serbia — 451 public and 40 private. The secondary education system also includes 26 public schools for students with disabilities, bringing the total number of secondary institutions to 517.
• The total number of students in secondary education (including special needs schools) is 227,192.
• In the 2025/2026 academic year, 225,639 students attended regular secondary schools — nearly 97.8% in public schools and about 2.2% in private schools.
• Approximately 62,000 students were enrolled in the first year of secondary school in 2025.
• Secondary education enrolment in Serbia in 2025 was 89.05%.
• At the start of the 2025/2026 academic year, 507,315 students were enrolled in primary education.

The Serbian system offers both academic and vocational pathways, with growing modernisation in line with European standards. Vocational education remains the backbone of the system — 72.3% of graduates complete secondary vocational schools.

Higher Education in Serbia

Serbia has a well‑developed higher education system that follows the Bologna Process, ensuring compatibility with European academic standards. There are 9 public universities in the country, and in the 2024/25 academic year, the total number of public higher education institutions (including faculties and institutes) was 103.

The largest institutions are the University of Belgrade, the University of Novi Sad, and the University of Niš. There are also 11 accredited private universities in Serbia.

The University of Belgrade ranks in the top 500 of the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2025 — in the 401–500 bracket. According to the CWUR 2025 ranking, the University of Belgrade ranks in the top 1.9% of universities worldwide — 387th out of 21,462. The University of Novi Sad ranks in the top 5.3% of universities worldwide.

Key Features

• Bachelor's programmes typically last 3–4 years, master's programmes 1–2 years, and doctoral programmes 3 years.
• The number of English‑taught programmes is growing, especially in medicine, engineering, and business.
• The University of Belgrade currently offers 67 accredited programmes in English across all levels, and the total number of accredited programmes in foreign languages in Serbia exceeds 150.
• Tuition and living costs are affordable compared to Western Europe. For international students, undergraduate tuition ranges from €2,000 to €3,300 per year, depending on the programme and institution. For example, tuition for the "Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering" programme is €2,000 per year, while some master's programmes cost up to €3,300.

Enrolment Figures

In the 2025/2026 academic year, 248,509 students were enrolled in Serbia's higher education system — 210,050 in public and private universities, of whom 94,465 (38.0%) are state‑funded.

The number of international students in Serbia is steadily growing, especially in medical and technical programmes, though precise growth rate data for recent years is not available in open sources.

Degrees are recognised across Europe under the Bologna Process. Serbian universities are particularly strong in medicine, engineering, IT, agriculture, and economics.

Summer Programmes and Language Courses

Serbia offers a wide range of summer schools, cultural programmes, and language courses for international students.

Programme Format

• Serbian language classes — 15–20 hours per week.
• Cultural workshops and programmes on Balkan history.
• Summer schools in IT, engineering, and medicine.
• Excursions to Belgrade, Novi Sad, national parks, and historical sites.
• Accommodation in university dormitories or host families.

Facts and Context

Serbia is considered one of the most affordable study destinations in Europe. English is widely spoken among young people, especially in academic settings. Summer programmes in Serbia combine academic study with cultural immersion in Southeastern Europe and often serve as an introduction to full‑time study in the country.

If you're considering Serbia for your child — we'll help you navigate every stage, from choosing a school and programme type to document preparation and visa application. Get in touch — we'll tell you where to start.