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Serbian Language Courses in Serbia: University Centres, Fees and Certificates

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StudyU editorial team

If you need Serbian to enter a Serbian university, the most dependable option is one of the university centres for Serbian as a foreign language: at the Faculty of Philology in Belgrade, the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad or the Faculty of Philosophy in Niš. A semester costs from $260 (RSD 26,400) in Novi Sad (2025/26 rate) to $680 (€600) in Belgrade and Niš, and a proficiency exam costs about $170 (€150). The level required for admission is set by each faculty in its admission call. If you are learning Serbian in order to enrol later, Article 47 of the Law on Foreigners allows temporary residence for the duration of the course.

This guide compares the centres and private schools, explains the exam, how many semesters you need and how to fit language study into the admission calendar. For the overall application process, see applying to Serbian universities; the country overview for applicants is on study in Serbia.

At a glance Details
Where to study university centres in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš; private schools
Semester at a university centre $260 (RSD 26,400) to $680 (€600)
Proficiency exam Belgrade and Niš $170 (€150); Novi Sad $100 (RSD 10,800) for non-students of the centre
Level needed for university set by the faculty; look for it in the admission call
Belgrade exam dates, 2026/27 11–12 January and 24–25 May 2027
Temporary residence during the course possible under Article 47 of the Law on Foreigners when the course leads to study in Serbia
Empty classroom with wooden desks and three tall windows
A classroom at the Faculty of Philology, University of Belgrade. Photo: Dungodung / source, CC BY-SA 3.0.

The three university centres compared

All three centres belong to public faculties, teach to CEFR levels A1–C2 and issue a level document after an exam. They differ in intensity, group size and price.

Belgrade Novi Sad Niš
Run by Centre for Serbian as a Foreign Language, Faculty of Philology, University of Belgrade Centre for Serbian as a Foreign Language, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad Centre for Serbian as a Foreign, Heritage and Non-Mother Language, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Niš
Format 90-minute classes four times a week, Monday to Thursday 4 hours a week; 14 weeks in winter, 16 in spring; groups of eight 15-week semester, groups of 2–5; free online placement test
Fee $680 (€600) per semester winter $260 (RSD 26,400), summer $290 (RSD 30,200) for A1–B2; C1 $510–580 (RSD 52,800–60,400); 2025/26 rates $680 (€600) per semester; shorter format $230 (€200) a month
One-to-one on request $20 (€18) per 45 minutes $17 (€15) per class
Exam $170 (€150); January and late May–June sessions, plus an extra late-August session for applicants included for course participants; $100 (RSD 10,800) for others, sessions in September, December, April and June $170 (€150), in person or online
Credits 6 ECTS per course 3 ECTS per course —

Dinar amounts are converted at the National Bank of Serbia middle rate. The Novi Sad centre takes payment in dinars monthly, within the first two weeks of classes, and the "Naučimo srpski" textbook is extra.

Belgrade: the Faculty of Philology centre

This is the best-known option for future University of Belgrade students. The programme has three stages: beginners reach A1 and then A2 over two semesters, intermediate learners move to B1 and then B2, and the advanced course serves those who already speak and write Serbian. The workload is six hours a week, four 90-minute classes, and each course earns 6 ECTS.

The first semester of 2026/27 starts on 5 October; registration opened on 14 September. Semesters are shorter than the academic year: winter runs October to December, spring February to May. In summer the centre runs a three-week school of 45 academic hours for $410 (€360), and a self-study online beginner course for those starting from home costs the same.

The centre states upfront what it does not do: it does not issue invitation letters, arrange housing or handle visas. It provides a certificate of attendance with the current semester dates in the first week, and warns that it cannot promise this will be enough for temporary residence. Fees are not refunded once the certificate has been issued.

Novi Sad: the Faculty of Philosophy centre

The Novi Sad centre is cheaper and less intensive: four hours a week, fees calculated for a group of eight, and semesters that follow the university calendar. In 2025/26 the winter semester ran from 1 October to 23 January and the summer semester from 2 February to 29 May; registration closed on 20 September for winter and 25 January for summer.

For future students the centre runs a preparatory year: two semesters that take learners to A2+/B1. Everyone except absolute beginners takes a placement test, and beginners start with explanations in English. The end-of-course exam is included and earns 3 ECTS. Course participants are not entitled to student dormitory places or canteen meals; that right belongs to exchange students only.

Niš: the Faculty of Philosophy centre

The Niš centre teaches small groups, and the semester fee does not depend on group size. Two features help applicants: the proficiency assessment can be taken online with camera and microphone on, and successful candidates receive a scanned certificate by email. That is useful if you study elsewhere or remotely and need proof of level quickly.

Private schools

Most private Serbian schools are in Belgrade. Study in Serbia lists, for example, AZBUKUM and the Serbian Language and Culture Workshop. The Workshop's standard 10-week course with two hours a week costs $280 (€250) in a group or $670 (€590) one-to-one; its intensive course runs Monday to Friday from 9:00 with starts almost every month. It also prepares candidates for the certificate exam held at the Faculty of Philology in Belgrade.

Private schools offer flexible dates and intensive formats, but check two points. First, what document you receive and whether your faculty accepts it. Second, whether the school is registered as a language-teaching organisation; without that, its course certificate will not support temporary residence under Article 47.

What level do universities require?

Article 97 of the Law on Higher Education lets foreign nationals enrol if they know the language of instruction, and each institution sets its own conditions and method for checking it. So there is no single national threshold. Rely on three sources:

  • The faculty's admission call for your year: it states which language document is accepted and when to present it. In its 2026/27 call, the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad, for instance, requires foreign applicants to prove knowledge of Serbian under the University Statute and to have health insurance, with the check run by the Centre for Serbian as a Foreign Language for $87 (RSD 9,000). The university's Faculty of Sciences asks for proof of Serbian already at the application stage.
  • The university's admission rules: at the University of Belgrade (Article 5 of its enrolment rules), a foreign applicant is enrolled with a recognised school certificate, proof of the language of instruction and health insurance.
  • The language centre itself, which can tell you what level is usually expected in your field.

Requirements differ even within one university, so choose where to learn once you know which faculties you will apply to.

How the Belgrade exam works

The exam tests every skill: reading, listening, writing, grammar and vocabulary, and speaking. Under the centre's rules you need at least 60% in each written skill and 60% in the oral part.

Level Written part Oral part
A1, A2 120 minutes about 15 minutes per candidate, in groups of three
B1, B2 180 minutes about 15 minutes per candidate
C1 200 minutes about 15 minutes per candidate
C2 210 minutes about 15 minutes per candidate

Papers are printed in Cyrillic. A1–B1 may be answered in Latin script, B2 only in printed or cursive Cyrillic, and C1 and C2 in cursive Cyrillic. C1 and C2 can be taken no more than once a year. Registration is through the centre's website, and the exam takes one or two days depending on the number of candidates. Under the regulations the main sessions are in January and June; the 2026/27 calendar sets them for 11–12 January and 24–25 May 2027. For candidates who need a certificate to enrol there is an extra late-August session, but the centre gives its top level differently in different documents (B1 or B2), so confirm it when you register.

Practise Cyrillic early for B2: it is familiar to Russian speakers, but the Serbian letters ђ, ј, љ, њ, ћ, џ and phonetic spelling need separate practice.

How long it takes to reach B2

In the Belgrade programme, the beginner stage takes two semesters (A1, then A2) and the intermediate stage another two (B1, then B2). At the standard six hours a week, going from zero to B2 takes four semesters. Russian speakers often move through the beginner stage faster, and many start at the second level after the placement test.

Starting point Realistic level by the June session When to apply
Zero in October, semester courses only A2–B1 usually after 1.5–2 years if the faculty asks for B2
Zero in October, semester course plus a private intensive B1–B2 with daily practice the same year, if the result arrives before the admission round
A2 in October B2 the summer admission round of the same year

These are estimates only: results depend on practice outside class. If your faculty accepts only one centre's certificate, check its exam dates: a June result must reach the first admission round, and the late-August session suits the September round.

Language courses and residence

Article 47 of the Law on Foreigners allows temporary residence for learning Serbian in order to continue education in Serbia. Your application to the Ministry of Interior needs proof of enrolment in an organisation registered to teach languages, plus the general conditions of Article 43: means of support, health insurance and an address. Because the legal ground is learning the language for further study, it makes sense to back that purpose with a document such as proof that your school certificate is under recognition; the Ministry may also ask for other evidence supporting the application. The step-by-step process and fees are in student residence permit in Serbia.

A Serbian certificate is not required for temporary residence or, under the current wording of Article 70 of the Law on Foreigners, for permanent residence: language is not on the list of documents. Russian and Kazakh citizens can enter Serbia visa-free for up to 30 days, so gather your residence documents before you travel.

Fitting language study into your admission plan

  1. A year before admission: pick your faculties and note which language document they require and by when.
  2. September: register with a centre (Belgrade opens registration in mid-September) and take the placement test.
  3. October: the semester starts; submit your school certificate for recognition straight away, which supports both residence and enrolment. See diploma recognition in Serbia.
  4. January: try an intermediate-level exam to learn the format.
  5. May–June: sit the exam at the level your faculty requires.
  6. June–July: apply in the first admission round, with September as a fallback.

If you would rather not spend a year on Serbian, English-taught programmes exist but cost more; see English-taught degrees in Serbia.

Common mistakes

  • Studying at a school whose certificate your faculty does not accept. Read the admission call first, then choose the course.
  • Neglecting Cyrillic. At B2 in Belgrade, the written part cannot be done in Latin script.
  • Assuming a course certificate alone is enough for residence. You also need a registered school, the general legal conditions and evidence that you intend to study.
  • Timing the exam too close to admission. A late-May or June result may miss early application deadlines.
  • Counting on a dormitory during the language course. Course participants are not eligible; budget for rent.

FAQ

At university centres a semester costs $680 (€600) in Belgrade and Niš and $260–290 (RSD 26,400–30,200) in Novi Sad at 2025/26 rates for levels A1–B2. At private schools a 10-week group course starts at about $280 (€250).

The one your faculty accepts, as stated in its admission call. Most often it is a document from a university centre for Serbian as a foreign language showing your level. Confirm both the level and the issuing centre before you sign up for a course.

Yes, in Niš: the Faculty of Philosophy centre runs online assessments with camera and microphone on and emails a scanned certificate. The Belgrade centre holds its exams in person at the Faculty of Philology.

In the Belgrade programme, four semesters at six hours of classes a week. Russian speakers often complete the beginner stage faster, and an intensive course with daily practice shortens the timeline.

Article 47 of the Law on Foreigners allows temporary residence for learning Serbian with a view to further study in Serbia. You need enrolment with a registered organisation, funds, insurance, an address and evidence that you plan to apply. The Serbian Ministry of Interior decides.

Under the current Law on Foreigners, language knowledge is not among the required documents for temporary or permanent residence (Article 70). A certificate matters mainly for admission to a Serbian-taught programme.

Sources

Choosing a course that matches your faculties' requirements, an exam preparation plan and documents for certificate recognition and temporary residence are provided under an agreement with StudyU. The exam centre certifies your level, the faculty decides on admission, and the Serbian Ministry of Interior decides on residence.

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.

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