Scholarships and Student Jobs in Albania: University Awards and Work Rules

Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.

Albania does not have a large, well-known national scholarship scheme for international students, and we did not find one on an official page. Funding for an international student usually comes from three places: the low state-university fee, scholarships that individual universities award, and limited work rights under the law on foreigners.

State universities: the fee rule

At state universities a student pays 50% of the government's maximum annual fee, and foreign students pay the same fee as Albanians. The reduction applies to all students; if your average is below 6 at the end of the first year you pay the full fee from then on. See how much it costs to study in Albania.

Students from Kosovo and the Albanian regions

The rules have special provisions for ethnic Albanians from the region. Candidates of Albanian origin from Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Preševo, Medveđa and Bujanovac are exempt from the minimum entry average, and the law waives the state fee for the residence permit for citizens of Kosovo and ethnic Albanians from Serbia, Montenegro and North Macedonia who come to study. Separate quotas for these candidates are listed by the universities.

University scholarships

Scholarships are awarded by the universities, so conditions differ.

CIT (Canadian Institute of Technology): merit scholarships by grade-point average, from 100% for a GPA of 10.00, 75% for 9.8 to 9.9, 50% for 9.5 to 9.7, 25% for 9.0 to 9.4 and 15% for 8.5 to 8.9, and discounts of 75%, 50% and 30% for the top places in competitions. A social-based scholarship also exists, but the page gives no terms. Applications go to the admissions office, and recipients may be asked to do voluntary work for the university.
Epoka University: merit scholarships for bachelor's programmes of 100%, 75% or 50% depending on high-school and State Matura points, or on SAT results (1,400 or more for 100%, 1,350 to 1,399 for 75%, 1,290 to 1,349 for 50%). Each programme offers 10 to 15 scholarships, allocated by application date, and the page requires a high-school average of at least 9.0. There are also a few social scholarships. The page does not say whether international applicants are eligible, so ask the admissions office.

For other universities, check the international or admissions page and ask about conditions, how long the award lasts, and whether it covers only tuition.

Erasmus+

The European University of Tirana, for example, names Erasmus+ as the funding for students from partner institutions. Exchange students normally apply through their home university; ask your international office whether it has a partner in Albania. See scholarships and financial aid in Europe.

Working while you study

Under Article 46 of Law No. 79/2021 on aliens:

a student with a residence permit may work after the first year of studies, after school hours, or be self-employed;
the limit is 15 hours a week or the equivalent in days or months per year;
no authorisation from the National Agency for Employment and Skills is needed, but the employer must notify the authorities when the job starts and ends;
the student residence permit cannot be changed into a work permit during studies.

So in the first year you should plan to live without a job. After graduation, a student may stay for at least nine months to look for work or start a business; see student visa for Albania and working while studying in Europe. Some universities also post internships. The European University of Tirana, for example, says its projects office does so.

Where to look next

Official sources

Law No. 79/2021 "On Aliens", English translation: Ministry of Interior
Council of Ministers Decision No. 288 of 21.5.2018 on the maximum tuition fee: copy on the University of Tirana site (in Albanian)
Council of Ministers Decision No. 436 of 3.6.2020 on the entry average: copy on the University of Tirana site (in Albanian)
CIT: scholarships
Epoka University: scholarships for bachelor and integrated programmes
European University of Tirana: international students FAQ

Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.