Overview of the General Education System

The education system in the Republic of Serbia is administered and regulated by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development (MEST), a government body responsible for overseeing all levels of education, from preschool to higher education. Its duties include policy drafting, supervision, implementation of laws, teacher training, inspection, and quality control.

There are two significant subordinate bodies, namely the Institute for Education Quality and Evaluation and the Institute for Education Improvement. These bodies conduct national research and development to enhance educational practices. The National Education Council and the Vocational Education and Adult Education Council shape education policy, define educational profiles, approve curricula, and align qualifications with labor market demands.

The Serbian education structure includes preschool, primary, secondary, and higher education. Compulsory education lasts for 9 years. It starts with a preschool preparatory program at age 5 and a half, followed by eight years of primary education, usually completed by age 14 and a half.

The system follows the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) levels, from Level 0 (preschool) to Level 8 (doctoral studies). The instruction language is predominantly Serbian, but recognized minority groups receive instruction in their mother tongue, including Albanian, Hungarian, Romanian, Ruthenian, Slovak, and Croatian. Literacy among adults aged 15 and above is high at 99% based on the data from 2019 data.

In the 2022/23 academic year, a total of 248,508 students were enrolled in Serbian higher education institutions across all levels. Of these, 41.4% (102,842 students) were male, and 58.6% (145,666 students) were female. A significant majority (84.5% or 177,180 students) attended public universities, while 15.5% or 32,441 students studied in private institutions. Serbia offers both public and private education, as well as specialized grammar schools for gifted students.

Compulsory education in Serbia spans 9 years. It begins with a pre-school preparatory program lasting nine months, intended for children aged 5½ to 6½ years old. Preschool services cater to children from as young as 6 months, progressing through nursery and kindergarten stages.

Following preschool, children must attend eight years of primary education, divided into two cycles such as Cycle I (Grades 1–4) for children aged 6½ to 10½, and Cycle II (Grades 5–8) for students aged 10½ to 14½. During Cycle I, students are primarily taught by a single class teacher; in Cycle II, subject-specific teachers handle instruction.

Primary education is free of charge in public schools, with the only admission requirement being age and possession of a preschool program certificate. Most children enter primary school between the ages six and half and seven and half. Upon completion, students can pursue secondary education that offers general, specialized, or vocational pathways tailored to individual aptitudes and labor market demands.

Serbia’s higher education system underwent significant reform following its entry into the Bologna Process in 2003, with legal backing provided by the 2005 Law on Higher Education. This reform introduced the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), the three-cycle structure, and the diploma supplement, which ensures compatibility with European standards.

The academic pathway in higher education follows a structured progression comprising three primary levels. A bachelor's (undergraduate) studies, which span 3–4 years and require 180–240 ECTS credits. A master's and specialized studies, extending 1–2 years with 60–120 ECTS credits and PhD (doctoral) studies, mandating a minimum of 3 years and 180 ECTS credits.

There are notable exceptions to this standard framework, which include integrated six-year programs totaling 360 ECTS credits specifically designed for medical education, and five-year programs encompassing 300 ECTS credits tailored for pharmacy students.

Serbia has 17 universities, comprising 8 public and 9 private institutions. There are 47 public colleges of applied sciences, 17 private colleges of applied sciences, and 8 colleges of academic studies (3 public, 5 private). Only universities offer full three-cycle programs as colleges can award bachelor’s and specialist degrees but not master's or doctoral degrees. Some international institutions, like the University of New York in Belgrade, provide English-taught programs such as MBAs.