The education system in Serbia includes early childhood education and care, basic and secondary education, higher education and adult education.  

Its basic structure, characteristics and mechanisms of transition from level to level are regulated by the: 

• Law on the Education System Foundations 

• Law on Preschool Education 

• Law on Primary Education 

• Law on Secondary Education 

• Law on Higher Education and 

• Law on Adult Education. 

Students and adults with disabilities and those from vulnerable groups have access to all levels of education. 

The Serbian language is the most common language of instruction. Teaching can also be organised in a foreign language, sign language or it can be bilingual. National minorities have the right to education in their mother tongue, to bilingual education or education in Serbian. 

Early childhood education and care is a part of the education system and the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and local government units. This level of education encompasses children aged from six months to 6.5 years. 

In the school year 2006/07 Serbia introduced a compulsory preparatory preschool programme for all children aged from 5.5 to 6.5 years. In 2009, its duration was extended from 6 to 9 months. The preparatory preschool programme is free of charge, if carried out by the state (public) kindergarten or school. 

Children with disabilities as well as socially deprived children have the right to additional educational, health and social support. It can be organised in both regular and special (development) groups. 

Basic education is compulsory, lasts foreight years and is carried out in two educational cycles. 

The first cycle covers the first four grades. Class teachers teach all subjects at this stage, but the teaching of some subjects, for example arts and foreign languages, may be performed by subject teachers who teach these subjects in the second cycle. The second cycle covers a period from the 5th to the 8th grade and subject teachers perform the teaching of each subject.  

The education system also includes private basic schools. A horizontal and vertical mobility between private and state schools is ensured. 

Basic education is free of charge in state (public) schools, while in private schools the parents bear the costs of education. 

In addition to compulsory basic school, there are primary music and primary ballet schools and schools for music and ballet talents. These schools are not compulsory and their attendance is free of charge and funded by central and local levels. The founder of the music and ballet school may be, in addition to the Republic of Serbia, an autonomous province, local government units, citizens and other institutions. 

Basic music education lasts between two and six years, while ballet education lasts for four years and they are usually carried out in two educational stages. 

Education in schools for musical talents lasts for ten years while education in schools for ballet talents lasts for eight years. 

Pupils with disabilities have the right to education in mainstream primary schools and in special schools for pupils with disabilities.  

Secondary education is not compulsory, lasts for three or four years and covers a population of students aged from 15 to 19 years. 

These are the following types of secondary education: 

• general secondary education which lasts for four years (grammar school); 

• vocational secondary education which lasts for three or four years (vocational and art schools); 

• artistic secondary education which lasts for four years (art schools). 

Secondary education includes programmes for talented students and students with disabilities.  

Secondary education also encompasses a dual education programme. This model outlines the implementation of teaching in the secondary vocational education and training. It emphasies that competences are acquired, improved or developed through school instruction and practical learning experiences with employers. This approach aligns with the established qualification standard and the curriculum for teaching and learning. One of the most relevant aspects in dual education is learning through work.  

Learning through work is an organised process where students, under the direct supervision of an instructor and with the guidance of a work-based learning coordinator, acquire competences defined by the qualification standard in a real working environment with an employer. In exceptional cases, this may also take place in a school or training centre. 

Curricula are defined according to the qualification standard, which is determined by the sectoral council for a specific work sector in accordance with the law regulating the national qualifications framework. Curricula include the qualification standard, compulsory general education subjects, compulsory vocational subjects and elective subjects.  

Adult education is also a part of the education system of the Republic of Serbia, which provides qualifications and competences necessary for personal and professional development, work and employment of adults.  

Adult education is carried out through formal education, non-formal education and informal learning.   

Formal adult education encompasses basic and secondary education.   

Basic adult education lasts from three to five years and it is organised by grades, from the first to the eighth grade (as a rule, two grades are usually completed within one year). Secondary adult education lasts for two or three years and covers vocational training programmes, specialist and training programmes, craftsman education programmes and other adult education programmes. 

Formal adult education covers activities based on curricula and programmes of basic and secondary education, as well as other forms of vocational education adapted to the needs and capabilities of adults and the demands of the labour market. According to this, formal adult education includes: 

1. programmes for acquiring primary and secondary education for adults;   

2. programmes for acquiring qualifications;   

3. programmes for specialist and craftsman education;   

4. programmes for professional development and performing on the labour market. 

Higher education in Serbia is not compulsory. Based on the accredited study programmes, higher education is carried out through academic and applied studies. There are three levels of studies: 

The first level (Bachelor’s Studies): 

• Basic academic studies 

• Basic applied studies 

• Specialist applied studies 

The second level (Master’s Studies, Specialised Studies): 

• Master’s academic studies; 

• Master’s applied studies; 

• Specialist academic studies. 

The third level of studies are doctoral academic studies (PhD studies).   

Integrated academic studies are organised in some fields in the field of medical science (studies of medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine), studies last for 6 years and carry a minimum of 360 ECTS. Pharmacy studies also offer integrated courses that carry 300 ECTS and last for 5 years.  

The higher education system in Serbia offers two types of studies: academic studies at universities and applied studies organised either at academies and colleges of applied studies or at universities. Namely, there are five types of higher education institutions in Serbia: 

• Universities, 

• Faculties, 

• Academies of Applied Studies, 

• Colleges of Academic Studies, 

• Colleges of Applied Studies. 

Serbia joined the Bologna process in 2003. In 2005, the Law on Higher Education, that aligned with the Bologna principles, was adopted. This law formally introduced the European Credit Transfer System, a three-cycle system of study and diploma supplement. 

Since 2007/08 all study programmes at all higher education institutions have been reformed. 

Home education 

According to the Law on Education System Foundations and the Law on Primary Education, compulsory education can be provided at home at parents’ request. Parents are required to notify the school about that decision by the end of the school year before the school year in which they wish to provide home education for their child. The school is required to organise final exams in all subjects according to the official curricula. Home education must align with all official education goals, learning outcomes and achievement standards. For pupils with developmental difficulties or disabilities that need to follow an individual learning plan (IOP-2), home education is tailored with specific learning outcomes and objectives.  The school is required to maintain records of home education of the pupils. The conditions for the implementation, quality assurance and evaluation of home education are regulated by the Minister of Education.