Welcome
GuideUniversity of Belgrade

Rector’s Foreword

5

Why Choose the University of Belgrade
Academic Excellence

9

University of Belgrade At a Glance

10

University Members

12

Studying at the University of Belgrade
Academic Information15

Become a Student of the University of Belgrade
Full Degree Studies

19

Mobility Opportunities for Incoming Students

22

Academic and Administrative Staff Mobility

25

Circle U. European University Alliance

26

MobiOn - UB Mobility Platform

27

Living and Studying in Belgrade

Contents

About Belgrade

29

Culture and Entertainment

30Entering the Country and Temporary Stay Permit

32

Accommodation

34

Cost of Living

36

Cost of Studying

38

Erasmus Student Network

39

Serbian Language

40

University of Belgrade

3

Rector’s Foreword

Welcome to the University of Belgrade – a diverse
academic community, on a path to highest levels of
academic excellence!
The University of Belgrade represents the most significant
academic institution in our country and in the region andas such provides an especially productive environment
for development, advancement and actualization of along line of professional backgrounds encompassing
the following: social sciences and humanities, medical
sciences, sciences and mathematics and technology
and engineering sciences.

Rector’s
Foreword

With that in mind, further strengthening the reputationof the University of Belgrade will have its basis in
attracting a larger number of students, improving andinnovating study programs and reforming operational
procedures in order to assert the University’s position
among top universities in the region and the world whenit comes to the quality of teaching it provides and theprofessionals it educates. Special attention should be
paid to the affirmation of scientific-research, as wellas professional and artistic capacities of teaching andresearch staff, to the consideration of the principles
of development defined within national strategies
and legislative frameworks and reliance on thedevelopmental goals and directions set within current
agendas on the European level.
In order to further build on the principles of autonomy,
independence and social engagement of the University,

University of Belgrade

5Why Study at the University of Belgrade

as well as affirm the highest standards of scientificresearch and education for the purpose of reachinga high level of academic excellence, the future visionof the University of Belgrade should be grounded in
the principles incorporated in the following system ofvalues: academic freedom, acceptance of diversity,
academic honesty, contemporary competences andtransfer of knowledge, integrity, leadership andcommon well-being.
It is necessary for the University to continuously keep
encouraging and defending academic independence,
intellectual curiosity, freedom of expression, openmindedness to the exchange of ideas and criticalopinion. To this end, it is necessary to provide anambiance in which there would be equal opportunities
and equitable treatment of all those concerned,
irrespective of their title, age, ethnicity or gender.
A special focus should be placed on nurturing anddeveloping academic excellence in discovering,preservation and dissemination of theoretical andpractical knowledge, development of cooperation, withother academic institutions, but also those outside theacademia, but of importance for development of higher
education. Promotion and development of ethical andresponsible behavior and leadership, dedicated to thegreater good, should enable further development ofintegrity, whereas solving ongoing problems among
members of the University through constructive
dialogue should contribute to greater cohesion within
the University. Besides working on strengthening its
own capacities, a special mission of the University
in the coming period will be to intensify its activities
towards economic development and a wider social
community we belong to.
The vision of the University of Belgrade is to remain theleading educational and scientific-research institution
in the region, respected abroad, an incubator of
employment, an advisor to the economy and support toeducational policy stakeholders at home.
Prof. Dr. Vladan Đokić
RectorUniversity of Belgrade

University of Belgrade

7

Why Choose the University of Belgrade

Academic Excellence
Located at the confluence of the Sava and the Danube
rivers and just a very short distance away from Athens,Rome, Vienna, Budapest, Ljubljana, Zagreb andSarajevo, the geographical position of Belgrade is an
excellent spot for young people to gain high-quality
university education while living in a modern anddynamic European metropolis.
Geographical proximity to prestigious university centersof the neighboring countries has additionally motivatedthe University of Belgrade to strive for excellence inscience and education, which has also been reflected inits constantly improving place at global ranking lists of
the world’s best universities.
Since 2012, the University of Belgrade has held highplacement at global academic ranking lists, including thepossibly most prestigious global ranking list publishedby Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), also
known as Shanghai Ranking. Shanghai Ranking places
the University of Belgrade among the three best-ranked
universities from East and South-East Europe.

Why Choose
the Universityof Belgrade

In Serbia, it stands out as the university that educatesthe highest number of professionals in a wide variety
of fields of study, while its international successcontinuously strengthens its position as the leading
higher education institution in the region.
All study programs have been harmonized with theprinciples of the Bologna Declaration, with the aim to
make the University of Belgrade a part of the Common
European Education Area with an emphasis on mobilityof students and staff.
Foreign students can choose between two possibilities:
they can choose from among the 65 study programs in
the English language, or they can enroll in intensive
Serbian language course at the UB - Faculty of Philology– Center for Serbian as a Foreign Language, and after
they successfully complete it, they can choose any
study program (from among 428 of them), offered at 31
different faculties of the University of Belgrade.

University of Belgrade

9Why Choose the University of Belgrade

University of Belgrade
at a Glance
MORE
THAN

31

FACULTIES215
YEARS OFTRADITION

11RESEARCHINSTITUTES
11ENDOWMENTSTO
9 FUNDSSUPPORT THE
BEST STUDENTS

65

STUDY
PROGRAMSTAUGHT IN
ENGLISHMEMBER OF
MORE THAN

European University Alliance

48%

FEMALE ACADEMIC STAFF*14% ABOVE EU AVERAGE

RANKED AMONGWORLD'S BESTUNIVERSITIESSTUDENTS

10UNIVERSITYNETWORKSERASMUS+CEEPUS
ERC
IPA
CIP
COST
HORIZON
EUROPENIH
EUROPE AID
RCNINTERREG

STUDY
PROGRAMS

112 UNDERGRADUATEAND INTEGRATEDMASTER
188
30 SPECIALISTACADEMIC STUDIES
98 DOCTORAL

University of Belgrade

UNICA
CIRCLE U.
EUA
UNIADRION
DRC
AUF
BSUN
LERU
CE7

INTERNATIONALSTUDENT ASSOCIATIONS

200+ Erasmus+ KA1 Projects

428
94 000

INTERNATIONALPROGRAMS

bilateral agreements with
250+ universities
around the globe
on SCI, SSCI
5000 papers
and AHCI lists per year
and7800 academic
research staff
Library’s
3500 000 University
volumes

University of Belgrade

BEST
ESN
AIESECAEGEE
EESTECCMSSESTIEM
SEEYN

11

Why Choose the University of Belgrade

Why Choose the University of Belgrade

Faculties and Institutesof the University of Belgrade
Social Sciences and Humanities

Sciences and Mathematics

Faculty of Economics | www.ekof.bg.ac.rs
Faculty of Law | www.ius.bg.ac.rs
Faculty of Orthodox Theology | www.bfspc.bg.ac.rs
Teacher Education Faculty | www.uf.bg.ac.rs
Faculty of Security Studies | www.fb.bg.ac.rs
Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation | www.fasper.bg.ac.rs
Faculty of Political Science | www.fpn.bg.ac.rs
Faculty of Sport and Physical Education | www.fsfv.bg.ac.rs
Faculty of Philosophy | www.f.bg.ac.rs
Faculty of Philology | www.fil.bg.ac.rs

Faculty of Biology | www.bio.bg.ac.rs
Faculty of Geography | www.gef.bg.ac.rs
Faculty of Mathematics | www.matf.bg.ac.rs
Faculty for Physical Chemistry | www.ffh.bg.ac.rs
Faculty of Physics | www.ff.bg.ac.rs
Faculty of Chemistry | www.chem.bg.ac.rs

Medical Sciences
Faculty of Medicine | www.mfub.bg.ac.rs
Faculty of Dental Medicine | www.stomf.bg.ac.rs
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine | www.vet.bg.ac.rs
Faculty of Pharmacy | www.pharmacy.bg.ac.rs

Engineering and Technology
Faculty of Architecture | www.arh.bg.ac.rs
Faculty of Civil Engineering | www.grf.bg.ac.rs
School of Electrical Engineering | www.etf.bg.ac.rs
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering | www.mas.bg.ac.rs
Faculty of Agriculture | www.agrif.bg.ac.rs
Faculty of Mining and Geology | www.rgf.bg.ac.rs
Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering | www.sf.bg.ac.rs
Technical Faculty in Bor | www.tf.bor.ac.rs
Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy | www.tmf.bg.ac.rs
Faculty of Organizational Sciences | www.fon.bg.ac.rs
Faculty of Forestry | www.sfb.bg.ac.rs

12

University of Belgrade

Institutes
Institute of Electrical Engineering “Nikola Tesla” | www.ieent.org
Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković” |www.ibiss.bg.ac.rs
Institute for Medical Research | www.imi.bg.ac.rs
Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering |www.imgge.bg.ac.rs
Institute of Nuclear Sciences “Vinča” | www.vin.bg.ac.rs
Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy | www.inep.co.rs
Institute of Physics | www.phy.bg.ac.rs
Institute of Philosophy and Social Theory | www.instifdt.bg.ac.rs
Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy |www.ihtm.bg.ac.rs
Institute “Mihajlo Pupin“ | www.imp.bg.ac.rs
Institute for Multidisciplinary Research | www.imsi.rs

Library
Computer Centre www.rcub.bg.ac.rs
University Library “Svetozar Marković” | www.unilib.bg.ac.rs

University of Belgrade13

Studying at the University of Belgrade

Academic Year
The academic year consists of two semesters and exam
terms that take place at the end of each semester.
Exam terms are organized in accordance with the annual
plan of exams of each faculty/school of the Universityof Belgrade. Exam schedule is made at the beginning ofeach academic year.

General Academic Calendar
STUDY TERM		

START MONTH *END MONTH *EXAM PERIOD **Fall Semester		October		

DecemberJanuary - February

Summer Semester		March		May

June - September* Exact start/end dates may vary among specific UB faculties

Grading Scale
Students’ success in the exams is reflected by gradesfrom 5 (fail) to 10 (excellent). Student can achieve
maximum of 100 points.

Studying at the University of Belgrade

Academic
Information

GRADES		CLASSIFICATION										NUMBER OF POINTS
From
To

10			

excellent		

		

91

100

9			

exceptionally good		

81

90

8			

very good			

71

80

7			

good				

61

70

6			

sufficient			

51

60

5			

fail				050General guidelines for the grade conversion fromdifferent foreign higher education systems to the HE
grading system used in Serbia may be found at the“Study in Belgrade” online guide.

University of Belgrade

15

Studying at the University of Belgrade

Courses Offered
to Visiting Students
Depending on the type of mobility, visiting students mayeither chose courses from a specific study area, if so
stipulated by the agreement, or may be eligible to takeany course at the specific host faculty of the Universityof Belgrade that is open to its students, provided thatthey meet the mandatory enrollment requirements(necessary pre-knowledge, knowledge of the languageof instruction, etc.).
The University of Belgrade does not guarantee that
visiting students will be able to enroll in any specificcourse until the very time of registration, and wetherefore encourage students to have a wide selectionof courses ready at the time of registration, as well as toget in touch with the specific faculty of the University ofBelgrade to seek for more information on the curriculum.
Visiting students may attend courses offered at one of
the faculties of the University of Belgrade exclusively if
previously nominated by their home university, followedwith the official consent of the relevant authority of the
UB faculty in question.

Language of Instruction
The official language of instruction is Serbian. However,there are numerous accredited curricula taught inEnglish. Incoming students can either enroll in one of
the English-taught study programs, or take an intensive
Serbian language course and, after successfullycompleting it, enroll in any Serbian-taught program.
The minimum recommended level of language
proficiency is B1 for incoming students and B2 forincoming staff, as defined by the Common European
Framework of Reference for Languages. This may vary
based on the specific requirements of each individual
faculty/school or Institute of the University of Belgrade,which will be seen in the application form for a specificmobility model. We suggest that you upload a language
certificate as one of the application documents.

16

University of Belgrade

Study in Belgrade
Online Guide
To learn about thenomination and enrollment
procedures, and available
courses and study programs,
please take a look at the“Study in Belgrade” online
guideBecome a Student of the University of Belgrade

Foreign citizens become students at the University ofBelgrade by:· Enrolling in degree studies· Taking part in exchange and mobility opportunities
offered to visiting students

Degree Studies

Degree seeking international candidates who wish to
become students of the University of Belgrade must first
hold a valid certificate on previously completed cycleof education that proves the eligibility of a candidate toapply for undergraduate, master or doctoral studies at
the University of Belgrade. If all other general and specificrequirements are met, and upon successful enrollment(e.g. successfully passed entrance exam), a foreign citizen
becomes student of the entire study cycle at the Universityof Belgrade.
At the first cycle of higher education studies at the
University of Belgrade, prospective students can choose
between academic and vocational studies; that is,
between master and specialist studies at the second
cycle, respectively.

Become aStudent of
the Universityof Belgrade

At the third cycle of higher education studies, prospective
students of the University of Belgrade can enroll in doctoral
academic studies only. The University of Belgrade does nothave vocational doctorates as a part of its academic offer.
Foreign students can also transfer from a higher education
institution abroad to the University of Belgrade within thesame cycle of education.
For each listed option, general enrollment requirements
for foreign citizens are the same as for the citizens of the
Republic of Serbia. The University of Belgrade announces
the call for enrollment on its website (www.bg.ac.rs),
usually in May each year. The call contains information
on eligibility criteria for certain study level and otherenrollment requirements for all candidates.
Foreign citizens pay tuition fees for non-nationals. Since
the University of Belgrade has 31 faculties, please notethat tuition fees, as well as specific criteria for enrollment,vary from one faculty to another, and must be looked up at
the official website of the preferred faculty of the Universityof Belgrade (p.38).
University of Belgrade19Become a Student of the University of Belgrade

Specific enrollment requirements
for foreign degree seeking candidates are as follows:· to submit the proof that their previously completed
education has been recognized by a competent authorityof the Republic of Serbia*· to submit a proof of health insurance for the academic
year in question· to be fluent in the Serbian language, or in the languageof instruction at the chosen study program*The procedure of recognizing high-school degrees isdone by the Agency for Educational Qualifications of the
Republic of Serbia, while higher education degrees arerecognized by the University of Belgrade – Education andResearch Office.

Recognition of Foreign Higher Education
Documents for the Purpose of Further
Education

Become a Student of the University of Belgrade

submit a request for the purpose of further education to
the Agency for Educational Qualifications of the Republicof Serbia: http://azk.gov.rs

Recognition of foreign higher
education documents for the purposeof further education and of enrollment
in the 2nd and 3rd study cycle
The procedure of recognition for the purpose of further
education entails the evaluation of a foreign study
program, or a part of a study program, and establishes
the candidate’s right to further continue the education
at the same level of study or to enroll in an adequate
study program at the next level. In-detail information
on recognition and procedural requirements for the
purpose of further education can be found at the official
website of the University of Belgrade – Education andResearch Office:http://bg.ac.rs/en/education/recognition.php

In order to enroll in the University of Belgrade, evaluationof a foreign study program and recognition of foreign
higher education documents are needed.
Evaluation of a foreign study program is the procedureof assessing the type and level of knowledge acquired
and skills achieved in a study program, or a part of astudy program, organized by a foreign higher education
institution.
Recognition of foreign higher education documents for the
purpose of further education is a procedure which, once
completed, grants the applicant the right to continue theireducation at the University of Belgrade, at an accredited
study program.
For detailed information on recognition procedures at the
University of Belgrade please visit:https://bg.ac.rs/en/education/recognition.php

Recognition of foreign education
documents for the purpose ofenrollment in the 1st study cycle
For the purpose of enrollment in the first year of degree
seeking undergraduate studies, candidates should

20

University of Belgrade

Full Degree Seeking – Short Summary
1. Find a preferred study program at the University of Belgrade (in Serbian
or a foreign language)
2. Get in touch with the competent authority in order to have your previously
acquired education diploma recognized and validated,- for high-school degrees:
http://azk.gov.rs- for higher education degrees:
http://bg.ac.rs/en/education/recognition.php- for a part of a study program at your former home institution:
http://bg.ac.rs/en/education/recognition.php
3. Check the call for enrollment at the website of the University of Belgrade(month of May), and make sure you meet: deadlines and general enrollment
requirements and specific enrollment requirements for foreign citizens
4. Apply for admission at the specific faculty of the University of Belgradethat carries out your chosen study program and pass the entrance exam (ifrequired)

University of Belgrade21Become a Student of the University of Belgrade

Mobility (Exchange) Opportunities
for Visiting Students
Student mobility or exchange implies attending a partof a study program (one or two semesters) at a foreign
university. It can be organized at both undergraduateand (post)graduate levels.
Visiting students remain enrolled and receive a degreefrom their home university, with a supplement toconfirm that they have spent a part of their studies at
the University of Belgrade. All the exams that visiting
students have successfully passed during their mobility
at the University of Belgrade are stated in the transcriptof records, issued by the University of Belgrade at theend of their mobility.
Exchange students can spend one or two semesters at
the University of Belgrade. Certain exchange programs
offer a possibility for short-term stays.
Important: Prospective exchange students should first
get all the key information and requirements from theirhome university. Furthermore, specific requirements
and procedures of different exchange types andprograms must be carefully examined.
The University of Belgrade hosts international students
and staff within the framework of several programs.
For updated information on currently running offers
and available options, please visit our online mobility
platform at https://mobion.bg.ac.rs

Become a Student of the University of Belgrade

Erasmus+ program
Within the current Erasmus+ program cycle (2021-2027),
the University of Belgrade has established successful
cooperation with more than 250 European universities,
and with about 50 universities in the rest of the world.
Prospective incoming candidates should visit theuniversity’s online platform for internationalization andmobility: MobiON - http://mobion.bg.ac.rs for detailed
information on partner universities, scholarships, open
calls and nomination procedures, under the section
Erasmus+: “Incoming Candidates”.
Important: The relevant office of the partner university
nominates and registers their candidates throughthe MobiOn platform. Applications and nominations
received or sent in any other way will not be accepted.

CEEPUS program
Central European Exchange Program for University
Studies is an academic exchange program for students
and professors from Central and Eastern Europe.
The scholarship includes a tuition fee waiver,accommodation, food and financial support. The
amount of the support depends on the host country.
Foreign students apply for the program online,
exclusively. Before applying, they should consult their
National Coordinator for CEEPUS in their home country.
Member universities from the CEE and contact details
can be found at the official website of the program:
http://ceepus.info

22

University of Belgrade

University of Belgrade23Become a Student of the University of Belgrade

Become a Student of the University of BelgradeFree Movers

Bilateral Agreementsof Cooperation
University of Belgrade maintains close and active
cooperation with many European and world-wide
universities through more than 250 bilateral agreements
in force that offer foreign students and scholars an
opportunity to study or do research and teach at the
University of Belgrade. If you are interested in whether
your university has a bilateral agreement with the
University of Belgrade, please check the updated list at
the webpage of the UB – International Relations Officeor send us an email inquiry.
The nominations for this mobility type are sent directlyfrom the IRO of the foreign university to the IRO of the
University of Belgrade via email.
Students, who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate
degree-seeking program at another university, shouldhave completed at least one full year of studies by thetime of application for exchange.

Bilateral Agreements andScholarships of the Governmentof the Republic of Serbia
Each year, the mobility of many incoming international
students and staff at the University of Belgrade issupported by the Government of the Republic of Serbia,
based on international agreements signed between the
Republic of Serbia and foreign countries.
Information on this type of open calls, deadlines andrequirements is usually distributed by Serbian diplomatic
missions and embassies abroad to competent authorities
in their host countries (i.e. ministries of education,etc.). Therefore, we suggest you contact the Ministry of
Education (or other competent institution) in your homecountry or the nearest diplomatic mission of the Republicof Serbia in your home country.
Websites and contact details of diplomatic-consularmissions of the Republic of Serbia across the world canbe found at the official website of the Serbian Ministry ofForeign Affairs: http://www.mfa.gov.rs

24

University of Belgrade

You can study at the University of Belgrade for a maximumof one academic year without participating in a specificexchange/mobility program and even if your home
university does not have an official exchange agreementwith the University of Belgrade.
Free movers must be eligible and fulfill the necessary
prerequisites for the study program they wish to attend
at the University of Belgrade. They must also fulfill the
language requirements of the chosen study program. Theirhome university must officially confirm that their planned
mobility stay at the University of Belgrade will be accepted
as an official part of their degree program.
Free movers must sign a mobility agreement and learning
agreement; this type of mobility does not lead to obtaining
a degree from the University of Belgrade, only thetranscript of records listing all successfully passed exams.
Free movers are strongly recommended to contact theirhome university’s competent office and the specificfaculty of the University of Belgrade they wish to attend, to
get information on tuition fees and specific requirements
for this type of mobility.

Opportunities for Academic and Administrative Staff
Similar to students, teaching and administrative staff can also take part in mobility
programs. The main difference from student exchange is the duration of mobility, whichmostly lasts from 2 days up to two months, depending on the type of the chosen mobility.
The reasons for mobility can be numerous, but the most common ones are work on
joint projects, improvement of teaching through the exchange of experience and goodpractice, holding lectures, enhancing cooperation, learning from good practice, etc.
Teaching and administrative staff can take part in exchange on the grounds of bilateral
cooperation agreements or projects which foster student and staff mobility, such as
Erasmus+ and CEEPUS, or even come as freemovers.
For specific information on each option, please take a look at the information on thenomination procedure for foreign students and staff (p. 19), or visit the “Study in
Belgrade” online guide.

University of Belgrade25

Become a Student of the University of Belgrade

Circle U. - European
University AllianceIf you are studying or working at one of
the following universities:
Aarhus University, Denmark
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, GermanyKing’s College London, United Kingdom
Université de Paris, France
University of Louvain, Belgium
University of Oslo, Norway
University of Vienna, Austria
University of Pisa, Italy
we invite you to apply for student or staff (teaching,research and administrative) mobility at the Universityof Belgrade within the Circle U. University Alliance,
mostly funded through Erasmus+ program.
Comprised of universities from nine European countries,
the Circle U. is a European University Alliance committed
to building an inclusive, research-intensive andinterdisciplinary European university by 2025, wherestudents and staff feel at home wherever they venture
and partners from academia, civil society, businesses
and the public sector collaborate to jointly develop
competencies and address global challenges.

Become a Student of the University of Belgrade

creating new opportunities for cooperation and laying
the foundation for stronger academic collaboration. In
the coming years, Circle U. will act as a developer andtesting ground for new concepts in higher education
and research cooperation, in line with the continuous
reskilling and lifelong learning agenda.
Please visit the Circle U. website for more information
about the Alliance and to follow all current developments
within the project at: http://www.circle-u.eu

MobiON - Online Mobility Platformof the University of Belgrade
MobiON is the online mobility platform of the Universityof Belgrade.
We created it to facilitate the registration procedurefor incoming candidates (visiting students and staff
from foreign partner universities) and the application
procedure for outgoing candidates (students and staffof the University of Belgrade) interested in mobility:
http://mobion.bg.ac.rs

Born out of the idea that culture and knowledge bind theEuropean Union together and that multilingualism is anadvantage in the Europe of today, the time was ripe tostart creating a network of universities across Europe,
thus formulating the idea of the European Universities
Initiative. The main objectives of the European University
Initiative were to promote common European values,
strengthen European identity and ensure that European
universities remain internationally competitive andattractive to students.
With the above as a guide, Circle U. will give aframework for increased student-centered cooperation,committed to widening participation and inclusion.
We aim to make it easier and more attractive to go
on an academic exchange and experience studying
and working in at least two European languages, thus

26

University of Belgrade

University of Belgrade27

Living and Studying in Belgrade

About Belgrade

Belgrade is an exceptionally vibrant and outspoken city.
Its history dates back to the 6th millennium BC, when
the Vinča Culture, one of the most important prehistoriccultures of Europe, evolved with its epicenter within
Belgrade’s area.
Many cultures and tribes left their mark in its longand turbulent history: Thraco-Dacians, Celts, Romans,
Byzantines, Slavs, Ottomans, Austro-Hungarians, haveall shaped today’s capital of Serbia into one of the mostdiverse and interesting cities of South-East Europe. Even
the first Buddhist temple in Europe was built in Belgrade!
A walk through the city’s center would bring quick
shifts of architectural and emotional settings – froma monumental medieval fortress or a 16th century
Ottoman mosque, through elegant Habsburg buildings
and the Sveti Sava temple – one of the largest Eastern
Orthodox Churches in the world, to the Palace of Serbia- the monumental example of the 20th century Yugoslav
modernism, or shiny contemporary business buildings.
An instant cross-culture and time-travel experience.

Living and Studying
in Belgrade

With its population of 1,23 million in the urban area,
Belgrade is the capital of Serbia and the largest city in
the Western Balkans. It is located at the confluence of
the Sava and the Danube rivers, at the very border of thePannonian Plain and the Balkans – the city’s favorite
spot for watching stunning sunsets.
Recent years have seen a significant increase inBelgrade’s expat community, ranging from students tobusiness and industry professionals, making much of
the city’s content inclusive for English-speaking visitorswith various cultural backgrounds.
In many ways Belgrade appeals mostly to young people
who easily become an integral part of its vibrant paceand atmosphere.
We invite you to make the journey through Belgrade’s
unique magic the time of your life and to gain invaluable
life and academic experience at the University ofBelgrade.

University of Belgrade

29

Living and Studying in Belgrade

Living and Studying in Belgrade

Culture and Entertainment

Belgrade is probably best known for its vibrant nightlife.
From traditional music and cuisine in the bohemianstreet of Skadarlija, to partying until the sun comes up at
one of the many river-boat clubs and bars – the famous
splavovi – or indoor clubs with local and internationalDJs or live performances, the city will offer an
unforgettable experience even to the most demanding
clubbers. Besides that, Belgrade will surprise youwith numerous concerts, festivals and cultural events
throughout the year.
Some of the best-known local festivals and events are
BITEF (Belgrade International Theater Festival), BELEF(Belgrade Summer Festival – takes place at various
locations and includes concerts and theater plays andperformances), October Salon (international festival ofvisual and applied contemporary art), Museum Night(famous international event that takes place in over 120
cities worldwide), Dev9t (contemporary art festival withnumerous exhibitions, performances and concerts, heldin summer in an old brickwork factory), Mikser Festival(regional festival of creativity and innovation), Belgrade
Dance Festival (annual contemporary dance festival),
Belgrade Marathon (that also features half marathonand fun run for the public).
Numerous music and film festivals in Belgrade offer highquality programs throughout the year. Here are sometraditional ones you can start with: BEMUS (the oldest
classical music festival in Serbia), Belgrade Jazz Festival(annual representation of finest local and international
jazz artists), Belgrade Beer Fest (wide range of foreignand domestic beer brands and a lineup of numerous
famous international and local performers).

film festival), Auteur Film Festival (annual festivalof authors’ films, intended for broader audiences),
Underwater Film Festival (international films andphotographs from underwater world), Nitrate Film
Festival (ranked in the top three archival festivals in theworld, and hosted by the world-famous Yugoslav Film
Archive), and many others.
Variety of galleries and museums will introduce you to
Serbian contemporary and traditional art and heritage:
Nikola Tesla Museum, Zepter Museum, National Museum,Museum of Applied Art, Belgrade City Museum, The Auto
Museum, Ethnographic Museum Historical Museumof Serbia, Museum of Yugoslav Film Archive, Gallery of
Frescoes, Museum of Yugoslav History, etc.
Once in Belgrade, you can take some time to travel
around Serbia and explore other cities. To name but
a few must-visit events outside of Belgrade: globally
acclaimed, award-winning music festival EXIT held
within the walls of the Petrovaradin Fortress in the cityof Novi Sad; international jazz festival NIŠVILLE held
within the Ancient Fortress of the city of Niš in southeast
Serbia, or GUČA – the largest trumpet festival in theworld with domestic and international brass bands held
annually in the small town of Guča in western Serbia.

For many Belgradians the end of each winter is prebooked for the city’s favorite film festival – the FEST.
Starting from low budget films from across the world tospectacular blockbusters – visitors enjoy high quality
selection of the best new releases, accompanied byan additional program segment featuring all time films
of previous decades. Other popular film festivals in
Belgrade include BELDOCS (international documentary

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Living and Studying in Belgrade

Living and Studying in Belgrade

Entering the Country
and Temporary Stay Permit

Temporary Stay

Foreign citizens are required to register their address ofresidence in Serbia with the local police station within
24 hours of their arrival.

As an academic exchange visitor, you will need
to obtain your authorization of temporary stay(residence permit) for legal stay in the Republic of
Serbia during your mobility. For all stays of 90 daysor more, the authorization of temporary stay is
mandatory, unless you entered the country on theD-type (student) visa.

A hotel, hostel or student dormitory will automaticallycomplete it on your behalf. If you are staying in private
housing, you should visit the police station with yourlandlord in order to register your residence. Erasmus
Student Network (ESN) can help incoming students withthis procedure.
All information on regulations and procedures
regarding visas and the authorization of temporary
stay of foreigners in Serbia, the general list of required
documents, as well as specific documents requiredfor obtaining the authorization of temporary stay foracademic purposes, are all available online on thewebsite of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia:
http://www.mup.gov.rs/wps/portal/en/information

Entry Visa
There are many holders of foreign passports who do
not need an entry visa to Serbia. However, to makesure whether you require an entry visa to Serbia, it isnecessary to contact the nearest diplomatic consularmission of the Republic of Serbia in your country ofresidence.
Even though nationals of some countries (not everyone)
may enter the Republic of Serbia with their ID cards
only, international students and staff are required tohave with themselves their valid passports to be able toobtain mandatory authorization of temporary stay, andtherefore you are strongly recommended to use it whenentering the country as well.
Visa applications should be submitted to the Embassyor Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia abroad. If
you have any questions or concerns regarding entering
the RS or your temporary stay as student/staff, westrongly recommend you contact the nearest diplomaticconsular mission of the Republic of Serbia for help.

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To make surewhether you
require an
entry visa to
Serbia, contact
the nearest
diplomaticconsularmission of the
Republic of
Serbia in yourcountry ofresidence.

Health and Safety
Even though it has been determined that COVID-19
no longer constitutes a public health emergency
of international concern, with safety in mind, allincoming mobility participants should check thetravel advisory issued by the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the Republic of Serbia and relevant healthand safety entry requirements published at:
http://www.mfa.gov.rs/en/citizens/travel-serbia
before making their trip.

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Living and Studying in Belgrade

Accommodation

Hostels

The two most common types of accommodation usedby foreign students and visitors to the University ofBelgrade are renting a room at the Students’ Centre
Belgrade (student dormitory or one of their two hostels),or renting private accommodation.

Students’ Centre Belgrade
Student dormitories in Belgrade are run and managed
by the Students’ Centre Belgrade (http://www.sc.rs).
Within their offer they also have two hostels available
for individuals or groups.
Important: Students’ Centre Belgrade is anindependent institution. Therefore, accommodationin all of their facilities is independently arranged byvisitors themselves, directly with the management of
the dormitory and the hostels.

Student Dormitory“Rifat Burdzevic”
Student Dormitory was built in 1948. One part of thecapacity is designated for accommodating foreign
students. Owing to international exchange of students
which functions on the principles of reciprocity, eachyear this hall is occupied by students mostly from
Western Europe, Asia and North America. All rooms
for foreign students are of the 1st category, with thecharacteristics of a small apartment. This hall ofresidence can accommodate 367 students in single,
double and triple bedrooms of the 2nd category.

Hostel “Kod Vuka”
Available for foreign professors and lecturers,
participants of international science and research
projects, seminars, conferences etc.

Hostel „Studentski grad“ – For
Student Mobility
Situated at Student town in New Belgrade, this hostel
offers accommodation in completely renovated andmodern-equipped rooms with 39 beds. It is opened
during the whole year and it is suitable for both individualand group visits. The Hostel offers accommodation insingle, double and three bedded rooms with a private
bathroom and tea kitchen.

Rented Accommodation
Visitors can rent their own accommodation. The
University of Belgrade does not mediate in renting
private accommodation, but there are numerous online
resources for finding accommodation. Also, you may
wish to contact the Erasmus Students Network Belgrade(http://belupgrade.esn.rs) and ask for their help infinding suitable accommodation. They can also help you
get in touch with peers from all over the world, so you
can consider sharing accommodation.

Important: Under few specific types of cooperation, theUniversity of Belgrade is able to offer complimentary
accommodation in the Student Dormitory “RifatBurdžević”, with the support of the Ministry of Educationof the Republic of Serbia and of the Students’ Centre
Belgrade. The free-of-charge accommodation can beprovided for incoming exchange students on the basisof an Agreement of Cooperation between the student’s
home institution and the University of Belgrade
following the principle of reciprocity.

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Living and Studying in Belgrade

Cost of Living

Public Transportation in Belgrade

Please note that all costs listed in here are only estimatesand are intended to help international visitors plan theirfinancial resources.

For information about public transpiration in
Belgrade, please visit:
http://belgradecard.rs/public-transportation/

We estimate that students and visitors need anaverage of €600-800 per month per person to cover
their accommodation costs, health insurance, costsof utilities, meals, city transportation, some necessary
personal expenses and incidentals. Actual expenditures
can significantly vary depending on individual spending
habits, and, of course, whether one plans to live alone
or with flat mates. Instruction materials and textbooks
are not included, as each faculty of the University ofBelgrade has its own required literature, and the prices
therefore vary. Please see more under the “Cost of
studying” section of this booklet.

Personal Incidentals

Accommodation And Utilities
Prices of housing in a student dormitory for foreign
citizens vary depending on the number of persons
sharing the room. Approximately, a single-bed room perperson per day costs €27; a double-bed room per person
per day costs €18, while a triple-bed room per person
per day costs €14. Each room has a bathroom and abasic kitchenette. All utilities included. Additionally,a local tax per day costs around €1.5. Check theaccommodation availability at info@sc.rs

Personal care products, laundry and house cleaningproducts, and other: €50

Health Insurance
Monthly health insurance for foreign students: €66
National Health Insurance Fund:
http://www.eng.rfzo.rs

We estimate thatstudents andvisitors need
¤600-800 to covermonthly costs,
depending on
spending habits.

Important: Health insurance for foreign students andscholars is mandatory. However, candidates should
check whether the health insurance has been provided
according to the specific type of cooperation underwhich the mobility is arranged.
UB accepts insurance provided to incoming mobility
candidates by their home institutions.

Rented accommodation: Again, prices depend on thesize, location and condition of the rented flat. However,an approximate price of a shared flat (e.g. 2 people)
in the larger urban zone would be €350-400 + utilities(€120-180).
There are many hostels in Belgrade offering
accommodation to foreign visitors at budget prices.
This type of accommodation is usually preferred
for short-term stays. Visitors who chose this type ofaccommodation for long-term stays should discuss theavailability and possible discounts directly with thechosen hostel.

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Living and Studying in Belgrade

Living and Studying in Belgrade

Cost of Studying

The cost of studying depends on the specific status aforeign student has at the University of Belgrade.
Holders of the scholarship of the Government of the
Republic of Serbia do not pay tuition fees, they are
granted free accommodation, free health insurance, as
well as discount prices in the student cafeteria.
In cases of most bilateral agreements, as well assome international mobility programs (e.g., Erasmus+,CEEPUS), there is also a tuition fee waiver for incoming
exchange students. Students, who independently
enroll at the University of Belgrade, have to pay for thefollowing (unless otherwise agreed and/or provided by
the foreign visitor’s status):

Tuition Fees
The University of Belgrade has 31 Member Faculty,organized into 4 groups: social sciences and humanities,
medical sciences, sciences and mathematics andtechnology and engineering sciences. Criteria forenrollment, as well as tuition fees, vary from one faculty
to another. In-detail information on the recognition offoreign higher education documents preceding theactual enrollment procedure can be found at
http://www.bg.ac.rs/en/education/recognition.php
Tuition fees for foreign students can be found at
http://bg.ac.rs/en/students/tuition-fees.php and on
the websites of the respective faculties - members of
the University of Belgrade at http://www.bg.ac.rs/en/
members/faculties/faculties.php

Textbooks And Instruction Materials
The type and the volume of required literature varies
significantly, and therefore it would be best to contact
the faculty of interest and check the prices of literature
per each year. However, our approximate estimate is
between €100-300 per student per year (depending on
the Faculty and the study level).

Erasmus Student Network

ESN BelUPgrade is our devoted and reliable partner insupporting and helping foreign and exchange students
in Belgrade. The ESN can help you in organizing yourstay in Belgrade, finding accommodation, internationalroommates and getting around.
Official Website: http://esn.rs
Address: Masarikova 5, Beogradjanka, 6th Floor
E-mail: office.belupgrade@esn.rs
Twitter: ESN BelUPgrade @ESN_BelUPgrade
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ESNBelUPgrade
Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is the biggest student
association in Europe. It was born on the 16th October
1989 and legally registered in 1990 for supporting anddeveloping student exchange. ESN is present in morethan 800 Higher Education Institutions from 39 countries.
The network is constantly developing and expandingon three levels: local, national, and international. It has
around 15,000 active members that are in many sections
supported by so called buddies mainly taking care ofinternational students. Thus, ESN involves around 34,000
young people offering its services to around 200,000
international students every year. ESN works for the creationof a more mobile and flexible education environment by
supporting and developing the student exchange fromdifferent levels, and providing an intercultural experience
also to those students who cannot access a period abroad(“internationalisation at home”).
The story of ESN Serbia began in 2006 with the foundingof the first section, ESN Belgrade. Although the city ofBelgrade created an ESN section in 2006, the section
was revived and officially registered in 2013 under an
empowering name symbolizing growth and development– ESN BelUPgrade. A few brave individuals who sharedcommon goals were united in their willingness to makethis section strong and recognizable.
Today, ESN BelUPgrade has 50 members who do their best
to help exchange students as well as to promote mobility
and to show traditional Serbian hospitality. Besides its
section in Belgrade, ESN Serbia includes sections in Novi
Sad and Niš.

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Living and Studying in Belgrade

Serbian Language

Basic Phrases in Serbian Language

If you wonder what Serbian is like, you should knowthat it belongs to South Slavic group of Indo-European
languages, having many fascinating grammaticalcategories. It is one of the very few standardized
languages in the world that uses complete synchronic
digraphia, equally using two alphabets – Cyrillic andLatin. The Serbian Cyrillic alphabet was created in 1814
by Serbian linguist Vuk Stefanović Karadžić, on purely
phonemic principles.

EnglishSerbian

Yes.

Da.

No.

Ne.

Please.		

Molim.

I am sorry!

Izvinite!

Thank you!

Hvala!

Thank you very much!

Hvala lepo!

Here you are (polite).

Izvolite.

Here you are.

Izvoli.

Good morning.

Dobro jutro.

Good afternoon.

Dobar dan.

Good evening.

Dobro veče.

Good night.

Laku noć.

Hello!

Zdravo!

The Center for Serbian as a Foreign Language at theFaculty of Philology, University of Belgrade, has beenoffering intensive courses in the Serbian language forinternational learners since 1986.

Goodbye.

Doviđenja.

Bye.

Zbogom.

What is your name?

Kako se zovete?

My name is...

Zovem se...

Apart from a regular academic-year-long intensive
course, the Center also offers an intensive three-weeksummer course. In these courses groups of learners are
divided into three levels – beginner, intermediate, andadvanced. Lecturers are our acknowledged teachers,
native speakers of the Serbian language, who graduatedfrom the Faculty of Philology. The Center for Serbian as a
Foreign Language is also an examination Center – threetimes a year (January, June, and August/September) you
can take an exam and get a certificate in Serbian as aforeign language, on one of all six CEFR levels.

How are you? (polite)

Kako ste?

How are you?

Kako si?

Fine thanks, and you?

Dobro hvala,a vi/ti?

I understand (Serbian).

Razumem (srpski).

I don’t understand (Serbian).

Ne razumem (srpski).

Do you speak English?

Govorite li engleski?

http://www.learnserbian.fil.bg.ac.rs
http://www.facebook.com/srpskikaostrani

On the Internet, you can find various websites andonline resources for learning Serbian, or just for picking
up its main phrases. However, if you are interested in it
and wish to ensure you learn it well, we recommend the
UB Center for Serbian as a Foreign Language located at
the Faculty of Philology.

The Center for Serbian
as a Foreign Language

Belgrade University, Faculty of Philology
Center for Serbian as a Foreign Language
Studentski trg 3, 11000 Beograd
E: learnserbian@fil.bg.ac.rs

I speak (a little bit) of Serbian. Govorim (pomalo) srpski.
How much does it cost?

Koliko košta?

Where is ...?

Gde se nalazi...?

I need a doctor.

Potreban mi je doktor.

Cheers!

Živeli!

Here is my phone number.

Ovo je moj broj.

I love you

Volim teWelcome!

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Publisher: University of Belgrade
Editorial Board:
Vladan Đokić, Rector
Branka Janda-Marković, Head of the International Relations Office
Ljubica Dimitrijević, Deputy Head of the International Relations Office
Jovana Ilić, International Relations Advisor
Nikola Savić, Marketing & International Relations
Executive Editor:
Jovana Ilić, International Relations Advisor
Proofreading:Ljubica Dimitrijević, Deputy Head of the International Relations Office
Design and Layout:
Nevena Stanimirović
Photo Credits:
Stanoje Radulović, except:
Alexander Mils (p. 31)
ConvertKit (p. 33)
Belgrade Card (p.37)
Aleksandra Đorđević (p.42-43)
Year: 2023

This publication can be found online at www.bg.ac.rs/welcomeguide.pdf