University of Belgrade: An Inside Look at Education and Student Life in Serbia

The University's Architectural Appearance

In the very heart of Belgrade lies the main building of the University of Belgrade. It is an old and beautiful building with noticeable southern notes in its architecture, harmoniously coexisting with a modern university structure made of glass and concrete.

The university territory is organically woven into the urban environment and has no fences. Numerous cafes are spread around the academic buildings, where students can relax between lectures and discuss academic matters, such as mathematical theorems and their proofs. This openness creates a special atmosphere of unity with the city.

Student Life and Campus Atmosphere

Life on campus is bustling. Students move between lectures, relax on the steps and in the public squares. However, the appearance of some buildings and surrounding areas is marred by extensive graffiti, which is a noticeable problem in the city center.

Inside the Faculty of Philosophy, the atmosphere is reminiscent of the old buildings of Moscow State University. Entry to the buildings is open, with no passes or security, allowing anyone to walk in and even sit in on an interesting lecture. This creates a feeling of openness and accessibility to knowledge.

Interiors and Faculty Features

Lecture halls in the old buildings are very similar to classic university auditoriums, with rows of wooden desks not made of particleboard. The interior architecture has largely retained the style of the 70s-80s, with long corridors and even semi-transparent office walls.

At the Faculty of Philosophy, one can find unusual details, for example, an image resembling an icon hangs on one of the walls. One of the buildings even has its own winter garden with sofas amidst greenery, where students can relax with a coffee. The buildings for the faculties of exact sciences, such as mathematics, chemistry, and biology, look more modern and utilitarian.

Admission Process: Dates and Exams

For those wishing to enroll at the University of Belgrade, it is important to keep track of application deadlines. As a rule, the admission campaign takes place in late June, as confirmed by announcements on faculty bulletin boards.

Each faculty has its own entrance exams. For example, to enter the Faculty of Geography, one must pass a test of 60 questions. These questions are selected from a pre-published collection containing 600 questions. The exam is divided into three sections: geography of Serbia, world geography, and another specialized section.

Education System and Flexibility for Students

The educational process at the University of Belgrade has its peculiarities. Students are not expelled for failing an exam session. They can take exams from any course throughout their entire period of study, even in their fourth year. This leads to some students taking 7 years to complete a bachelor's degree instead of the standard four.

• Lectures (often optional to attend)
• Seminars (practical classes)
• Two colloquiums per semester (similar to mid-term assessments)

Successfully passing the colloquiums is a prerequisite for taking the final exam in a subject. The workload is approximately 22 contact hours per week, but this also implies a significant amount of independent study.

Cost of Education and Life in Belgrade

For international students, tuition at the University of Belgrade is fee-based. The cost is about $2,000-$3,000 per year. However, there are no state-funded places, scholarships, or dormitories for Russian students. In private universities in Serbia, tuition can be even cheaper — around €1,600 per year.

Life in Belgrade is characterized by a calm and relaxed atmosphere, reminiscent of southern European cities. Serbs are very warm and friendly towards Russians, often seeing them as brothers. This creates a comfortable environment for adaptation, despite the language barrier, which can be noticeable at first.