INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS
Types of higher education institutions:
Univerzitet (University)
Fakultet (Faculty)
Umetnicke akademije (Art academies)
Više Škole (Post-Secondary Schools)
School leaving and higher education credentials:
Diploma o polozenom maturskom ispitu
Diploma o polozenom zavrsnom ispitu
Diploma o Završenoj Srednjoj Školi
Diploma Višeg Obrazovanja
Diploma Visokog Obrazovanja
Magistar Nauka
Doktor Nauka
STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM
School education:
In Serbia : Primary (compulsory) education lasts for
eight years, starting at 7 years old, and is divided into two cycles, each one
lasting four years. Prior to these cycles, a preparatory educational period of
one year is mandatory. Secondary
education is provided in high schools. The certificate awarded at the end is
the Diploma o Završenoj Srednjoj Školi. Secondary vocational schools offer both
general and vocational (practical and theoretical) education for direct entry
in the world of work and further education. The vocational qualification is
acquired at the level of first form and second form, then third and fourth form
and specialization after secondary education lasting for one year. In Montenegro: Primary (compulsory)
education is extended to nine years. It is extended downwards, children
starting primary school one year earlier. More exactly, the children who by the
end of the calendar year turn six shall enrol at primary schools. In the future
nine-year primary education will be divided into three cycle, each one lasting
three years. Secondary education: Instead of the existing High School courses
(natural-science; social-language; study of philology and mathematics), a
general High School is proposed, where one part of the curriculum would be
devoted to a general-educational core and another to elective subjects.
Schooling in High Schools lasts for four years, from the age of 15 to 18. The
curricula in Serbia and Montenegro are adopted by the Ministers of Education
with the prior consent of the Education Councils of both Republics.
Higher education:
Higher education in Serbia includes university
education (faculties and art academies) and non-university education
(post-secondary schools) where courses last no less than two years and no more
than three years. Universities in Serbia organize art and educational work, as
well as other activities, in compliance with the law and its statutes. The
faculty is an educational and art institution which includes basic studies,
specialized studies, magisterial studies and doctoral studies. The basic
studies last between four and six academic years. Specialized studies last
between one and two academic years and magisterial studies last for two
academic years. Doctoral studies last for three years. Faculties carry out
independently, or in cooperation with another organization, their basic,
applied and development research in function of educational activity
development. There is one university
in Montenegro, comprising 15 faculties, 48 study programmes and 4 research
institutes. In October 2004, the first private faculty was opened in
Montenegro. In the academic year 2005/2006 three other private faculties
enrolled their first generation of students. The Ministry of Education and
Science is responsible for overall educational and scientific policy in
Montegro. Reforms of higher education began in 2001, supported by Tempus and
UNESCO-CEPES programmes. The new law on Higher Education, which was made in
accordance with the objectives of the Bologna Declaration, was adopted on
October 28, 2003 after signing the Bologna Declaration in Berlin on September
18, 2003 and the University of Montenegro adopted its new statute in April
2004.
Main laws/decrees governing higher
education:
Decree: Law on Higher Education
Year: 2005
Decree: Law on Higher Education -
Montenegro Year: 2003
Academic year:
Classes from: Oct to: Jul
Languages of instruction: Serbian
Stages of studies:
Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type):
Non-university level:
Post-secondary higher schools (Više Škole) in
Serbia offer programmes in technical
subjects, paramedical sciences and other vocations. They usually last from two
to three academic years and lead to a Diploma (Diploma Višeg Obrazovanja) with
a professional title (senior nurse, senior medical technician, economist, senior
designer, transport engineer, senior physiotherapist, etc.).
University level studies:
University level first stage: Diploma
Visokog Obrazovanja:
Universities
and specialized institutes offer programmes that last between four and six
years and lead to a Diploma (Diploma Visokog Obrazovanja). Students who are
awarded this degree are also awarded a professional title in various scientific
and artistic fields (e.g. mechanical engineer, economist, medical doctor). In Montenegro, undergraduate studies at
most faculties of the University of Montenegro last for three years. Candidates
who have completed adequate four-year secondary education can enrol in the fist
year of studies. Tuition fees can either be paid from the budget or the student
pays for them. The Government of Montenegro determines the number of students
to be enrolled in the first year, as well as the tuition fee for self-financed
students. The selection of the candidates is based on two cumulative criteria :
the results obtained in secondary school (school leaving exam) and those
obtained at the entrance exam (for faculties of arts).
University level second stage: Magistar
Nauka:
The
Master's Degree programme lasts for at least two years. Upon successful
completion of the course work and the defence of a thesis, candidates are
awarded a Magistar Nauka. In
Montenegro, Specialist studies last for one academic year (2 semesters) and
posgraduate studies for two academic years (4 semesters) after completion of
adequate undergraduate studies. Students are allowed to take their Master's
thesis after they have passed all the exams of the postgraduate curriculum.
After defending their Master's thesis in public, students are conferred the
academic title of Master of Science or Master of Arts in a particular field.
University level third stage: Doktor
Nauka:
The Doctorate of Science or Doktor Nauka is the
highest academic degree. It is obtained through independent research and does
not require structured course work of any kind. Candidates are evaluated on the
basis of published research papers and their ability to write and defend a
doctoral dissertation. In Montenegro,
Doctoral studies last for three academic years (six semesters). A person who
has the academic title of Master of Science or Master of Arts can enrol in
Doctoral studies. The procedure for obtaining the topic for a doctoral
dissertation and choosing a mentor and the committtee for the assessment and
defence of a doctoral dissertation implies a mandatory consent of the
University Senate. Students can take their doctoral thesis after they have
passed all the exams in the curriculum of doctoral studies. After defending
their doctoral thesis in public, students are conferred the academic title of
Ph.D.
Teacher education:
Training of pre-primary and
primary/basic school teachers
Pre-school
teachers are trained for two years in specialized post-secondary schools or in
universities for two years or at the Faculty in Niksic (Montenegro). Primary
school teachers of Arts and Music are trained in post-secondary art schools
(for arts and music). Primary school teachers (grades 1-4) are trained at a
teacher training college (Više Škole) for four years. Grades 5-8 teachers must
complete a four-year programme in Faculties of Philology, Philosophy and
Sciences and Mathematics in the relevant study groups.
Training of secondary school teachers
Secondary-school
teachers are trained in arts or science faculties. Courses last for four years.
Starting in the second year, candidates follow classes in education and
teaching methodology in addition to classes in their majors. During the first
semester of the last year they may teach in a classroom.
Training of higher education teachers
Assistants, docents, faculty professors, regular
professors and extraordinary professors are recruited among graduates,
postgraduates and holders of a 'Doktor Nauka' (Doctor of Science) degree in
relevant fields of higher education and research. A 'Doktor Nauka' degree is
the mandatory condition for promotion to the highest positions. Further
specialization for all teachers is required by law.
NATIONAL BODIES
Administration & co-ordination:
Responsible authorities:
Ministarstvo prosvjete i sporta Republike Srbije
(Ministry of Education and Sport of the Republic of Serbia)
Head: Slobodan Vuksanoviĉ, Minister
Nemanjina 24
11000 Beograd
Serbia and Montenegro
Tel: +381(11) 3666357
Fax: +381(11) 3616491
EMail: kabinet.mps@mps.sr.gov.yu
Ministarstvo prosvjete i nauke Republike Crne Gore
(Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Montenegro)
Head: Slobodan Backoviĉ, Minister
Administrative officer: Slobodanka Koprivica, Deputy Minister, Higher
Education and Science
Rimski trg bb
81000 Podgorica
Serbia and Montenegro
Tel: +381(81) 234538
Fax: +381(81) 234539
WWW: http://www.mpin.cg.yu
Conference of the Universities of Serbia (CONUS)
Head: Dejan Popovic, President
Studentski trg , 1
11000 Belgrade
Serbia and Montenegro
Tel: +381(11) 635153
EMail: officebu@rect.bg.ac.yu
ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
Admission to non university higher
education studies
Name of secondary school credential
required: Diploma o Završenoj Srednjoj Školi
For entry to: All
programmes
Admission to university-level studies
Name of secondary school credential
required: Diploma o Završenoj Srednjoj Školi
For entry to: All
programmes
Numerus clausus/restrictions: A numerus
clausus operates in some universities.
Other admission requirements: Entrance
examination.
Foreign students admission
Entry regulations: Foreign
candidates should possess an entry visa, a health certificate and proof of
financial resources.
Recognition of studies &
qualifications:
Studies pursued in foreign countries
(bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials):
Directorate for International Education, Cultural and
Sport Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia and Montenegro
Administrative officer: Danica Bajic
Kneza Milosa 24-26
11000 Beograd
Serbia and Montenegro
Tel: +381(11) 3616333 (ext. 8744)
Fax: +381(11) 3618030
EMail: dmkpss@sv.gov.yu
WWW: http://www.mfa.gov.yu
Services provided & students dealt
with: Information, documentation, advisory services to decision makers,
liaison with international networks, preparation of agreements.
ENIC Centre Serbia
Head: Miomira Medaković, Legal Assistant
Administrative officer: Mirko Ozegović
Nemanjina 22-26
11000 Beograd
Serbia and Montenegro
Tel: +381(11) 3631457/ 3616607
Fax: +381(11) 3616514
EMail: enic@mps.sr.gov.yu
WWW: http://www.mps.sr.gov.yu
Deals with credential recognition for
entry to: Profession
ENIC of Montenegro
Head: Vanja Srdanovc Drljevic, Manager
Ministry of Education and Science
Podgorica
Serbia and Montenegro
Tel: +381(81) 265024
Fax: +381(81) 265014
EMail: vanja_srdanovic@cg.yu
Deals with credential recognition for
entry to: Profession
Multilateral agreements concerning
recognition of foreign studies
Name of agreement: Council of
Europe-UNESCO Joint Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications Concerning
Higher Education in the European Region (Lisbon Convention)
Year of signature: 1997
Name of agreement: International
Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees in
the Arab and European States Bordering on the Mediterranean
Year of signature: 1976
Name of agreement: UNESCO
Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees Concerning
Higher Education in the Europe Region
Year of signature: 1979
STUDENT LIFE
Student expenses and financial aid
Student costs:
Home students tuition fees: Minimum: 30000 (New
Yugoslavian Dinar)
Maximum: 100000 (New Yugoslavian
Dinar)
Foreign students tuition fees: Minimum: 1000 (Euro)
Maximum: 3000 (Euro)
GRADING SYSTEM
Usual grading system in secondary school
Full Description: A 1-5
grading scale is used, with 2 as a passing grade.
Highest on scale: 5
Pass/fail level: 2
Lowest on scale: 1
Main grading system used by higher
education institutions
Full Description: A 5-10
grading scale is used, with 6 as a pass level.
Highest on scale: 10
Pass/fail level: 6/5
Lowest on scale: 5
NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM
Data for academic year: 2005-2006
Source: IAU from Serbian ENIC, Ministry of Education and Sports of the Republic of Serbia, 2006 and Ministry of Education and Science of Montenegro, 2006