Scholarships and Student Jobs in Montenegro for International Students

Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.

Montenegro has a small system of state support for students, and the official descriptions focus on Montenegrin citizens. For an international degree student, the honest summary is that we found no scholarship scheme for foreigners and no confirmed right to work during a degree. This guide sets out what exists, who it seems to be for, and what to ask.

State loans and grants

Eurydice describes the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation's support for students:

Student loans. Awarded each year by a public call, mainly on the previous year's results. Loans run from €150 to €215 a month, paid in ten instalments, with an average of €172. For 2024/25, 3,400 loans were awarded. A student who finishes on time with an average of 9.00 to 10 has the loan written off.
Grants for the best students. Up to €300 a month, paid in ten instalments, for first-cycle students from the second year who have passed every exam and reached a success index of at least 9.00. For 2024/25 the Ministry awarded 450. There are no need-based grants.
Master's and doctoral co-financing. The Ministry co-finances tuition for master's candidates (€750) and doctoral students (€1,500) under an annual call.

The University of Donja Gorica states that, under the Law on Higher Education, students of private and state faculties have equal rights to a dormitory place, a student loan, a scholarship for the best students and health care.

Foreign citizens. The sources we read do not say whether foreigners may apply for these loans and grants. Do not plan your budget around them. Ask the Ministry or your faculty before you apply, and look for the yearly call on the Ministry's website.

Exchange programmes

The country is not associated with Erasmus+ but takes part through international credit mobility, which lets students spend one or two semesters at partner universities. These exchanges are for students already enrolled at a Montenegrin university, and they are handled by its international office. CEEPUS, the Central European exchange programme, awards scholarships for three to ten months to bachelor's and master's students. If you are a student from another country, these are mainly relevant when you arrive through an exchange agreement between your university and a Montenegrin one. See scholarships and financial aid in Europe.

Tuition as a form of support

Tuition at the University of Montenegro is free in most bachelor's programmes, with the English-taught Business and Economics programme and the private institutions as exceptions. In our catalogue the typical public tuition is €0. See how much it costs to study in Montenegro.

Working while studying

The Law on Foreigners sets a clear rule for one group only. Students on international student exchange programmes can work in Montenegro for no more than 15 hours a week, and after their studies they may be issued a temporary permit of nine months to look for work.

For a degree student with a schooling permit, the article on the permit and the conditions we read contain no right to work. Work by foreigners generally needs a permit for temporary stay and work. Whether a student can get one, and under which conditions, is not confirmed in the sources we read. Ask the Ministry of Interior before you take any job. The law also fines employers who assign a foreigner to work for which no permit has been issued. See working while studying in Europe and student visas and residence in Montenegro.

Where to look next

Official sources

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