Scholarships and Student Jobs in Serbia for International Students

Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.

Serbia offers little money to ordinary fee-paying foreign students. Its government scholarships are aimed at specific countries and groups, and the state tuition support in the Law on Higher Education is for Serbian citizens. This guide sets out what exists and what is still unclear.

Government scholarships

The Welcome to Serbia portal of the Government describes three scholarship programmes for foreigners, all announced by the Ministry of Education.

World in Serbia (Svet u Srbiji). For candidates from countries in Africa, Asia and Central and South America, and member or observer states of the Non-Aligned Movement. It covers free study at state universities at all levels, accommodation and meals in the student standard system, a monthly allowance, health insurance and a free intensive Serbian course before enrolment. Dormitories are in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš and Kragujevac.
Serbia for Serbs from the region. For members of the Serbian national community from Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Albania and Hungary. The portal says 80 scholarships are awarded each year, with free study at public universities in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Kragujevac or Niš, accommodation, meals, health insurance, an allowance and free nostrification of diplomas.
Bilateral-agreement scholarships. For candidates from countries that have an agreement with Serbia, for master's, doctoral or professional training of 3 to 12 months. They are not for bachelor's degrees.

Candidates apply through the competition that the Ministry of Education announces every year, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs collecting applications through Serbian consular offices. All scholarships are published on the Ministry's website under international scholarships. We did not find a competition for 2027/28 yet, so check in the spring.

Exchange: CEEPUS

CEEPUS is not a degree scholarship. It funds exchanges for students and professors between member institutions in Central and Eastern Europe. It is run in Serbia by the Tempus Foundation together with the Ministry of Education. Apply through your home university if it takes part.

The 50 percent rule is for Serbian citizens

Under the Law on Higher Education, Serbian citizens at state institutions can recover 50 percent of the tuition they pay from the state budget. Foreign students do not qualify, and the University of Belgrade's rules say foreigners pay tuition throughout their studies unless an international agreement says otherwise. For the full price picture, see how much it costs to study in Serbia. Faculties may have their own awards for foreign students; we found no official list, so ask the faculty.

Working while studying

The rules are not simple, and the official sources do not fully agree.

Study in Serbia says foreign students can work part time, but need a residence permit and a work permit issued by the National Employment Service, valid for 3 to 12 months.
The National Employment Service says foreigners may be employed on a long-stay visa for employment or a temporary or permanent residence permit and a single permit, unless the law provides otherwise. The single permit combines residence and work and is issued by the Ministry of the Interior, with a labour-market check by the employer and a state fee.
The government portal says that a temporary residence card carries a remarks field showing whether you have the right to work.

We found no official weekly hour limit for students. Before you take a job, read the remarks on your card and ask the National Employment Service or the police administration whether your study permit allows it. An employer cannot hire someone who does not meet the conditions. See also student visa for Serbia and working while studying in Europe.

Healthcare

All university students in Serbia, including foreign students and scholarship holders, have the right to healthcare at student polyclinics in their study locations, according to the government portal. See health insurance for students in Europe.

Where to look next

Official sources

Welcome to Serbia: scholarships: Government of Serbia
Welcome to Serbia: living conditions during studies (in Serbian)
Welcome to Serbia: temporary residence
Study in Serbia: work while studying
National Employment Service: employment of foreigners
University of Belgrade: rules on enrolment of students (in Serbian)

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