Study MBBS in Serbia 2024-25

MBBS in Serbia is 100% compliant with the rules of NMC gazette and is recognised by the top medical bodies including FAIMER, WHO, NMC, and more. When it comes to pursuing MBBS abroad, Serbia is slowly but steadily gaining a lot of popularity among Indian students and parents. After completing their MBBS in Serbia, students can choose work in Europe after obtaining a license or move to US or any other country. The MBBS program offered by the medical colleges in Serbia is a 6 years course where 5 years are dedicated to classroom learning and 1 year is for internship in a university affiliated hospital. The tuition fee for MBBS in Serbia is highly affordable. The average tuition fee for the complete 5+1 years MBBS course in Serbia is 24-25 Lacs which is affordable than many countries including India. The course is fully taught in the English language making Serbian universities a top choice for foreign students. If you too are planning to pursue your medical education from a Serbian university, here are some useful insights to help you make an informed decision:

MBBS in Serbia - Important Links

1. Eligibility Criteria
2. Top Universities
3. Documents Required
4. Recognition
5. Medium of Teaching
6. Faq

MBBS in Serbia for Indian Students

India is a country full of challenges when it comes to quality medical education. Getting a seat in a government or a private medical college in India is a stressful task working on which, many students end up losing all hopes. Here are some facts and figures to help you know why many Indian students decide to study MBBS abroad:

1. Very few government and private medical colleges,
2. Limited seats,
3. Reservations and quota,
4. High tuition fee,
5. Paper leaks (NEET 2024),
6. Complicated admission process,
7. Lack of hostel facilities,
8. Student safety,
9. Lack of proper healthcare infrastructure,
10. Lack of career opportunities after completing the course,
11. High student-teacher ratio.

Here is some data (as in year 2024) to explain the scenario in detail:

1. Medical colleges in India: 706
2. Seats available: 106,333
3. Medical aspirants appeared for NEET in 2024: 24,00,000 
4. With 24 students competing for 1 seat, the chances of getting through are very less.
5. Other than high competition, the tuition fee for MBBS in India starts from 50 Lacs and can go up to 1 to 1.5 crores (for the full course).

High fees and high competition are the two key reasons why every year, many Indian students explore the options of studying MBBS abroad. If you too are looking to study MBBS abroad, MBBS in Serbia can be a rewarding option.

Features of MBBS in Serbia

Is Serbia your top destination to pursue MBBS? Allow us to highlight some key features of the course for you:

1. Duration: The MBBS program duration in Serbian universities is 5+1 years. First 5 years are dedicated to classroom learning and last 1 year involves practical training in a university hospital.
2. Medium of Teaching: Indian students will never face a challenge while studying the course in Serbia. MBBS in Serbia is fully taught in the English language.
3. Hostel: Most Serbian universities offer the best-in-class facilities to students. The hostel all equipped with all the basic amenities for a comfortable living including water coolers, Acs, cupboards, study tables, etc.
4. Intake: Admission intake for MBBS in Serbia begins in the months of June and July. Students are required to submit their applications by the 2^nd of July. The academic session starts in October.
5. Fee: MBBS from Serbia is not that expensive for Indians. The total fees for the entire 6-years course is around 20-25 Lacs.
6. Accredited universities: Universities in Serbia are globally recognized. The MBBS course from Serbia is accredited by top medical bodies including WHO, FAIMER, and NMC.
7. Scholarships: The country believes in providing quality medical education to all. Both national and foreign students can apply for different scholarship opportunities offered by the Ministry of Education and Serbian government.
8. Cost of living: Serbia is an affordable country for Indian students. Students can manage a good lifestyle by spending INR 25,000 – 35,000 (excluding accommodation). Most Indian students prefer to live in a shared accommodation to reduce further the financial burden.

Eligibility for MBBS in Serbia

To be eligible to study MBBS in Serbia, students must fulfill the given criteria:

1. Age: The age limit to apply for the MBBS program in Serbia is between 17 and 25.
2. Education 
• The applicant must have scored a minimum of 50% marks in 12^th Physics, chemistry, and biology should be the main subjects.
• The applicant must appear for the NEET exam.

NEET Requirements for MBBS in Serbia

NEET score is mandatory to apply for MBBS in most of the foreign countries and Serbia is no exception. NEET score is a key criterion to be eligible to apply for MBBS in Serbia.

Top MBBS Universities in Serbia

Serbia is a great destination to study MBBS. There are worldclass universities offering MBBS curriculum aligned with European standards. The colleges have state-of-the-art facilities and setup to offer students a 360-degree learning experience. Given below are few of the top Serbian universities to study MBBS in Serbia:

University of Belgrade

The University of Belgrade is one of the oldest universities in the country. With 31 faculties and over 90,000 student enrollments, the university stands at #731-740 in the latest QS World University Rankings 2025.

Year Established	1808
Recognition	NMC, WHO, AMEE, EMSA, FAIMER
Course Duration	5+1 Year
Eligibility Criteria	10+2 with Above 50% of marks, NEET
Language of Study	English
Last Date to Apply	1st Sep, 2024

University of Novi Sad

Co-founded by the European Union, the University of Novi Sad is the second largest university in the country. The university currently has 14 faculties, 50,000+ students, 3 institutes, and more than 5,000 employees. The university has been also awarded with the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education 2021-2027.

Year Established	1960
Recognition	NMC, WHO, AMEE, EMSA, FAIMER
Course Duration	5+1 Year
Eligibility Criteria	10+2 with Above 50% of marks, NEET
Language of Study	English
Last Date to Apply	1st Sep, 2024

University of Nis

With over 25,000 students enrolled in 14 faculties, the University of NIS ranks high in terms of college infrastructure and research facilities. Founded in the year 1965, the university today is the top choice for Europeans and other foreigners looking to build a promising career in the healthcare field.

Year Established	1965
Recognition	NMC, WHO, AMEE, EMSA, FAIMER
Course Duration	5+1 Year
Eligibility Criteria	10+2 with Above 50% of marks, NEET
Language of Study	English
Last Date to Apply	1st Sep, 2024

University of Kragujevac

Founded in the year 1976 with 5 faculties, in less than 50 years the University of Kragujevac has grown to having 12 faculties. With more than 18,000 student enrollments, this prestigious institute continues to deliver highest standards of medical education in its ultra-modern research center.

Year Established	1976
Recognition	NMC, WHO, AMEE, EMSA, FAIMER
Course Duration	5+1 Year
Eligibility Criteria	10+2 above 50%, NEET
Language of Study	English
Last Date to Apply	1st Sep, 2024

Documents Required for MBBS in Serbia

Before you apply for the course, make sure you get your documents ready to avoid any last-minute hassles and issues. Here is a quick checklist to help you prepare your file in advance:

1. Educational Documents for MBBS in Serbia: The educational documents required to apply for the MBBS program at a Serbian university include:
• 10th marksheet
• 12th marksheet
• NEET scorecard
• Some universities might require you to sit for an entrance exam.
2. Visa Documents for MBBS in Serbia: Students are expected to reach Serbia by the end of September so they must plan their visa processing accordingly. Here is a visa document checklist to help you get your file ready:
• 10th marksheet
• 12th marksheet
• Passport
• Invitation letter from the university
• Fee payment receipt
• NEET scorecard
• Birth certificate
• Curriculum Vitae
• Bank statements
• 4-6 passport size photographs
• HIV & medical fitness reports

Recognition of MBBS in Serbia

MBBS from Serbia is a globally recognised course. The program is accepted by top hospitals around the world and Serbian medical universities  are accredited by the top medical bodies including:

1. National Medical Council (NMC),
2. World Health Organisation (WHO),
3. Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER),
4. Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), and
5. World Federation for Medical Education (WFME).

Syllabus for MBBS in Serbia

MBBS is a detailed course wherein 10 semesters are dedicated to classroom learning and 2 semesters are assigned for internship. Here are the main subjects taught during the entire course span:

Admission Intake for MBBS in Serbia

The admission intake in most Serbian universities begins in June end and can go on till 3^rd week of July. To stay up-to-date, we advise students to regularly check the dates and deadlines on the websites of universities of their choice. The academic session is expected to begin in the 1^st week of October so students must complete all the formalities and obtain their study visa to land in Serbia by the 3^rd week of September.

Career Opportunities after MBBS in Serbia

Studying MBBS in Serbia is a great decision and guarantees a promising medical career. Once you complete the course from a reputed Serbian university, you open your door to a wide range of career opportunities including:

1. Obtain a license to practice in Serbia.
2. An opportunity to start your own clinic.
3. You can work at a clinic.
4. You can move to other countries within Europe for further studies or work.
5. You can work in US after clearing the USMLE.
6. You can move to UK for further studies and work after clearing the PLAB.
7. You can come back to India and work after clearing the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination and NEXT.

Medium of Teaching MBBS in Serbia

To eliminate the language barrier, most Serbian universities use English as a medium of imparting the lessons for the MBBS program. However, students are required to develop a basic flair for the Serbian language to be able to work with local hospital staff and patients.  

MBBS in India v/s MBBS in Serbia

Studying MBBS in a foreign country or studying MBBS abroad offers a completely different experience than studying in home country. If you are confused about how MBBS in Serbia is different from MBBS in India, here are some key differences to look into:

Impact of NMC Gazette on MBBS in Serbia

There are 4 rules laid out under the NMC Gazette for students pursuing MBBS from a foreign university. For a foreign university to be approved by the National Medical Council, it must comply with these given rules:

1. At least 54 months of course duration,
2. Medium of instruction should be English,
3. Students have to go for an internship program at a university affiliated hospital,
4. Students must have a licence to practice in the country of their study.

Note: Yes. All Serbian universities do follow all the above stated rules and are approved by the NMC.

Scholarships for Indian students in Serbia

To make quality medical education accessible to local and foreign students, Serbian universities offer a wide range of scholarships and grants. Indian students are eligible to apply for scholarships offered by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Department. You can check your eligibility for a specific scholarship program or grant offered for MBBS course at the university of your choice.

Admission Procedure

Getting through the admission process of a Serbian university can be stressful for you. Many students face challenges with choosing the right university for MBBS in Serbia, submitting the documents, applying for the visa, and so on. Do not worry! Eklavya Overseas is there to help you. Given below is the detailed admission process and get to know how we can support you at each and every step:

1. The admission process will start by shortlisting the right Serbian university for you. To make it easier, we have already researched about different universities in Serbia. We will jointly shortlist one based on your preference and budget.
2. We will then go through the university website to download forms, know about entrance exams, and application deadlines.
3. Then comes submitting the important educational and personal documents. We already have a checklist of docs required for applying for MBBS in Serbia.
4. As soon as your application is accepted by the university, we will notify you.
5. Once the confirmation is received, you need to pay your 1^st year’s tuition fee. You will have to do it through the university’s website or as per the university’s fee payment guidelines.
6. Once they receive the amount, they will issue an invitation letter confirming your admission.
7. We will gather your visa documents and submit them along with the admission letter in the embassy for visa processing.  
8. You can expect to receive your student visa in 2-3 weeks.
9. We will then arrange for your travel tickets to ensure that you land in Serbia by the end of September without any hassles and last-minute troubles.

At Eklavya Overseas, we will cover all your MBBS abroad admission needs like a dependable education partner.

Disadvantages of MBBS in Serbia

1. Language Barrier: While the medium for studying MBBS is English, the local language is Serbian. Many foreign students struggle to effectively communicate with locals due to this language barrier.
2. Cultural Differences: Adjusting to a completely new cultural environment is a challenge. Students often find it difficult to adapt to changes which impacts their studies and day-to-day routine.
3. Home sickness: MBBS is a long course and demands a lot patience to adjust in a foreign country. Students have to give up on their comforts to adjust to a new place. Home sickness can be a problem for many students as they miss their family, home comfort, and home cooked food. Sadly, many students end up leaving their studies in between.
4. Difficult course: MBBS is a tough course and one needs to do real hard work to score well. Students struggle to study alone as there is a lack of personal coaching options available. Unlike in India, one-to-one tuitions are either unavailable or very expensive.
5. Food: Food is one of the biggest reasons why Indian students miss their home country. There are local restaurants serving Indian food in Serbia however, the taste and quality are not the same. Students either end up compromising with whatever eating options are available or they have to cook their own meals.
6. Accommodation issues: Serbian universities do provide hostel facilities for students however, there are limited rooms available so not everyone is able to get a spot. In such a scenario, students have to look for a private accommodation near their campus. Room rent, utility bills, food, day-to-day traveling add to their financial burden.
7. Higher cost of living: Even if the tuition fee is quite low for MBBS in Serbia, the cost of living is still high in comparison to India. Every month; a student has to spend a minimum of INR 50,000 to 60,000 (including rent) to manage a decent lifestyle while studying in Serbia.
8. Agent frauds: Studying abroad is an attractive option for students, parents, and unfortunately some fraudulent agents too. Sadly, many innocent students and their families have been duped by frauds wherein they have lost lacs of rupees. Beware of such scams and never make any upfront payments to a third-party or an agent for fee payment or visa processing.

Cost of Living in Serbia

In comparison to other European countries, Serbia is quite affordable and easy on the pocket. Students can afford a decent lifestyle on a tight budget. Other than low MBBS fees, the cost of living is also fairly less. An individual can manage her/his monthly expenses within INR 50,000-60,000 (including accommodation). The cost is same as the cost of living in most Tier-1 Indian cities. Here are some important cost heads to give you can idea: