Study in Montenegro

Montenegro has a formal higher education system supervised by the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, the Council for Higher Education, the Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (AKOKVO) and higher education institutions. AKOKVO maintains the register of institutions and programmes. Check the programme's current accreditation, level, language, delivery mode and accreditation period before applying, because study should take place on an accredited programme. The University of Montenegro (Univerzitet Crne Gore, UCG) is the major public university. Other institutions include the University of Donja Gorica, Mediterranean University, Adriatik University and independent faculties and colleges. The exact offer depends on the institution and should be confirmed in the AKOKVO register and the institution's current information. The main structure is undergraduate study, postgraduate specialist or master study and doctoral study. An undergraduate programme usually carries 180 or 240 ECTS credits. ECTS credits measure the student workload needed to complete study requirements; one academic year normally corresponds to 60 ECTS. Postgraduate specialist study normally carries 60 ECTS, while a master programme carries 60 or 120 ECTS. Integrated academic programmes may carry 300 or 360 ECTS. Doctoral study normally carries 180 ECTS and includes a dissertation. Programmes may be academic or applied, and regulated professions can follow additional European requirements. An undergraduate programme must include at least 30 ECTS of practical training. Elective modules, dual arrangements and distance learning may be available, although examinations are generally held at the institution's premises. An academic year usually has two semesters of about 14 weeks, subject to the institution's calendar. Admission requirements depend on the study level and the institution's act. Undergraduate applicants normally need a completed secondary qualification at Level IV1 of the National Qualifications Framework. Ranking can consider school results, the external Matura or vocational examination, relevant subjects, competitions and the Luča award. An entrance examination may apply. The Matura or vocational examination contributes at least 15 percent of the admission points. Arts programmes may allow an exception for applicants without completed secondary education when they pass the required entrance examination. Affirmative measures apply for applicants with disabilities and for Roma and Egyptian applicants. Admission to specialist study normally requires a relevant undergraduate qualification worth at least 180 ECTS. Master admission normally requires a relevant academic undergraduate qualification of 180 or 240 ECTS and may include an entrance examination. Doctoral admission normally requires a relevant academic master qualification or an integrated academic qualification, together with further criteria set by the institution. A higher education institution publishes the admission call under its licence and statute. A public institution's call requires Government consent. Undergraduate and postgraduate applications can be submitted electronically, with a written fallback where electronic submission is impossible. There is no single universal application calendar. For example, UCG's 2026/27 undergraduate and postgraduate application example used upisi.edu.me on 25 and 26 June 2026 with a 16:00 deadline; dates, quotas and programmes vary. Public institutions normally charge no tuition for undergraduate and postgraduate study, but exceptions can include foreign-language programmes, simultaneous enrolment in two undergraduate or postgraduate programmes and insufficient academic progression. Public doctoral study has tuition. Private institutions may charge tuition at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels. The amount is set by the institution's governing body and can vary by programme. Additional expenses can include applications, foreign-credential recognition, certified translations, study materials, housing, food, transport, residence and insurance. Foreign applicants have a legal right to apply under the same conditions as Montenegrin citizens. The same treatment is expressly provided for citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland and their family members. A foreign-language programme follows the procedure set by the institution. Recognition of a foreign qualification is separate from admission and does not by itself grant admission, professional licensing or residence. The Ministry processes foreign-credential recognition through eservisi.edu.me. The application may require a diploma, transcript or diploma supplement, scanned documents and a certified translation into Montenegrin by a court interpreter where required. The administrative tax is EUR 100 per application and level. The decision is collected in person within 30 days. Recognition of a foreign secondary qualification is relevant before undergraduate enrolment. Students acquire student status through enrolment and sign a study agreement that sets out mutual rights and duties. Academic participation, compliance with the institution's acts, academic ethics, fees, documents and deadlines form part of the student's obligations. Students have rights to quality education, objective assessment, feedback on academic staff, appeals, teaching and library or computer access, student governance, equality and non-discrimination. Study may be suspended during pregnancy, maternity or parental leave, prolonged illness or another justified situation. An exam-grade appeal must normally be filed within 48 hours; the commission's decision is final. A court challenge remains possible for violations of student rights. Progression depends on course registration and examination results. An institution may permit progression with fewer than 45 ECTS only when the sole failed course is worth more than 15 ECTS. A budget-funded student who obtains at least 45 ECTS keeps budget status. A student with fewer than 45 ECTS may move to self-financing. An institution may permit up to 10 ECTS from the previous year with an institutional fee. Transfers depend on the institution's act and the recognition of completed study requirements. Students may have access to dormitory accommodation or meals, student loans, best-student scholarships, subsidised suburban or intercity transport, healthcare and student work. The Student Parliament and student organisations provide institutional participation. For 2026/27, the Ministry announced 450 best-student scholarships across natural, technical and technological, medical, agricultural, social, humanities, disability and deficit-occupation categories. Usual conditions include being in at least the second year, first enrolment in the academic year, no lost year or programme change, completion of all previous examinations and an average grade of at least 9.00. The scholarship is paid in ten equal monthly instalments, and the stated application period was 1 to 31 October 2026 through upisi.edu.me, with an appeal period of eight days. Students enrolled in a semester who live outside the place of study may qualify for a dormitory. First-year ranking can use school grades and the Matura result; later-year ranking can use the previous year's average, while postgraduate entry can use the previous cycle's average. Up to 7 percent of capacity is targeted at applicants with disabilities, Roma and Egyptian applicants, applicants with no or one parent and beneficiaries of material support. Students with disabilities and Roma and Egyptian students receive free accommodation and food under the stated dormitory rules. Doctoral students may receive places only from remaining capacity and at the economic price. A foreign student staying in Montenegro for higher education for more than 90 days needs temporary residence. The application normally requires proof of study, sufficient means, accommodation, health insurance and a valid travel document, together with compliance with legal and security conditions. The student applies personally. A complete application submitted before the 90-day stay expires permits the stay while the decision is pending. The target decision period is 40 days. The permit can last up to one year and should be extended at least 30 days before expiry; a current study certificate is required. Completion produces a diploma, diploma supplement and transcript or other academic records. The institution keeps diploma, student and examination registers. Admission to a master or doctoral programme remains a separate competitive process. Employment in a regulated profession may require additional professional recognition or licensing, and graduation by itself does not create that licence.