Serbian National Qualifications Framework
for Higher Education
Prepared by the National Council for Higher Education
Republic of Serbia
Contact person: Professor Dr. Antonije Djordjevic ()
2009
Contents
1. Introduction
1.1. Scope
1.2. Education in Serbia
1.3. SNQF status
1.4. Legislation
2. Higher Education in Serbia
2.1. Higher education bodies
2.1.1. Serbian Ministry of Education
2.1.2. National Council for Higher Education
2.1.3. Commission for Accreditation and Quality Assurance
2.1.4. Conference of Universities
2.1.5. Conference of Academies of Professional Career Studies
2.1.5. Student conferences
2.2. Structure of Studies
2.2.1. Types and Levels of Studies
2.2.2. List of Titles
2.2.3. Organization of Studies
2.2.4. Grading System
2.3. Higher Education Institutions
2.3.1. University
2.3.2. Faculty / Art Academy
2.3.3. Academy of Professional Studies
2.3.4. Higher Education School
2.3.4. Higher Education School of Professional Studies
2.4. Admission requirements
2.5. Tuition fees
2.6. Academic year
2.7. Curriculum
2.8. Credit system
2.9. Diploma and Diploma Supplement
2.10. Quality Assurance and Accreditation
2.10.1. Self-Evaluation
2.10.2. External Evaluation
2.10.3. Accreditation
2.11. Recognition of Foreign Higher Education Documents
3. Cycle Descriptors
3.1. First Cycle Descriptors
3.1.1. Professional Career Studies (Bachelor)
3.1.2. Academic Studies (Bachelor)
3.2. Second Cycle Descriptors
3.2.1. Professional Career Studies (Specialist)
3.2.2. Academic Studies (Master)
3.2.3. Academic Studies (Specialist)
3.3. Third Cycle (Doctorate) Descriptors
5. SNQF
1
Serbian National Qualifications Frameworkfor Higher Education
1. Introduction
1.1. Scope
This document describes the Serbian higher education system along with the National Qualifications Framework (SNQF). This document also compares the SNQF with the Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
The basic information, in English, about the higher education system in Serbia can be found at the official site of the Serbian Ministry of Education (
1.2. Education in Serbia
The Republic of Serbia is a West Balkan country.The Serbian education system is divided into three levels:
- elementary education,
- secondary education,
- higher education.
The education system within the country is unique. The official language is Serbian.
1.3. SNQF status
The first draft of the SNQF was issued by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) of the Republic of Serbia in November 2008. The concept of the SNQF is to separately treat the higher education from the lower education levels. The document is based on the legislation in Serbia as well as the EHEA documents.
In November 2008, a commission has been appointed by the Serbian Ministry of Education to bring together all the relevant stakeholders in the higher education area in Serbia and amend this draft. The work of the commission has been amply supported by the Council of Europe. The SNQF is in a mature stage of development now, and its formal adoption is expected to take place in year 2010.
The SNQF encompasses all qualifications in the higher education system of the Republic of Serbia.
1.4. Legislation
The higher education system in Serbia is governed by
- the Law on Higher Education (available in English at published in the Official Herald of RoS, No. 76/05 of August 30, 2005,
- Rules and regulations on accreditation standards and procedures of higher education institutions and study programs (available only in Serbian at published in the Official Herald of RoS, No. 106/06 of November 24, 2006 (further: Standards).
These documents do not define the national qualifications framework, but the forthcomingamendments of the Law on Higher Education are expected to fulfill this gap.
The draft of the SNQF is also based on the EHEA documents, in particular, on the overarching framework for qualifications in the EHEA (available at The Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education relates national frameworks to each other with the objective to enable international transparency, international recognition of qualifications, and international mobility of learners and graduates.The key elements of the overarching framework are the three cycles established in the Bologna Process. These cycles are basically defined by the Dublin descriptors, which have been accepted in Europe.Qualification descriptors are designed to be read as general statements of the typical achievement of learners who have been awarded a qualification on successful completion of a cycle.
The draft of the SNQF also takes into account the Serbian legislation related to employment and to scientific research.
The draft of the SNQF also establishes the relations between the Serbian higher education area and the Recommendation on the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning (EQF). This recommendation creates a reference framework which will relate qualifications systems and frameworks in different countries. The EQF texts are available at
Regarding the higher education area, there are no fundamental differences between the EHEA overarching framework and the EQF. The differences are primarily in the specific terms and formulations.
2. Higher Education in Serbia
2.1. Higher education bodies
2.1.1. Serbian Ministry of Education
The Ministry of Education is responsible for research and development, planning, and improvement of pre-school, elementary, secondary, and higher education, as well as for other items specified by law. More information is available in Serbian at
Professor Dr. Žarko Obradović is the Minister for Education.
Within the Ministry, higher education is under the auspices of the Vice Minister, Professor Dr. Slobodan Jauković.
The Ministry recommends higher education policies to the Government, plans admission policy for institutions founded by the Republic, oversees the development of higher education, issues work licenses to higher education institutions, determines the content of diplomas and of the Diploma Supplement, allocates financial resources provided through the budget of the Republic and controls their use, carries out administrative supervision, ensures integration of higher education institutions into the process of recognition of qualifications of higher education in the European region, and performs other functions in accordance with theLaw on Higher Education.
2.1.2. National Council for Higher Education
The National Council for Higher Education (further: National Council) is an independent body, made up of 16 members, appointed by the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. It ensures development and promotion of the quality of higher education. The National Council oversees the development of higher education and its conformity to European and international standards, makes recommendations to the Government policies concerning higher education, defines scientific, artistic and/or professional fields of activity, sets standards: for accreditation of higher education institutions and study programs, for assessment and quality evaluation of higher education institutions, makes recommendations on more specific conditions related to the election to the teaching positions, serves as the appeal body in the accreditation procedure, and performs other tasks in accordance with the Law on Higher Education. Additional information is available in Serbian at
2.1.3. Commission for Accreditation and Quality Assurance
The Commission for Accreditation and Quality Assurance is a task force set up by the National Council to deal with accreditation, quality assurance of higher education institutions and evaluation of study programs. The Commission proposes to the National Council standards for the accreditation and quality assessment, cooperates with higher education institutions in assuring, improving,and promoting their quality, carries out the accreditation procedure for educational institutions and study programs, issues certificates of accreditation, takes care about the harmonization of standards and procedures with the European Higher Education Area, and performs other tasks in accordance with the Law on Higher Education. Additional information is available in English at
2.1.4. Conference of Universities
The Conference of Universities is formed by representatives of all accredited universities in the country. Each university is represented by its rector and additional delegates, based on the number of teaching staff and students. The Conference of Universities coordinates the work of universities, formulates common policies, and performs other tasks in accordance with the Law on Higher Education. Most tasks are performed by the Presidency of the Conference, which is constituted by the rectors.
2.1.5. Conference of Academies of Professional Career Studies
The Conference of Academies and Colleges of Professional Career Studies is formed by representatives of the accredited academies and colleges of professional career studies. Each academy and college is represented by its president, viz. director. The Conference of Academies of Professional Career Studies coordinates the work of Academies of Professional Career Studies, formulates common policies, and performs other tasks in accordance with the Law on Higher Education.
2.1.5. Student conferences
The Student Conference of Universities consists of representatives of students parliaments of universities. The Student Conference of Academies of Professional Career Studies consists of representatives of students parliaments of academies of professional career studies. The Student Conferences pursue the common interests of students as partners in the process of higher education.
Two representatives designated by the Student Conferences may take part, without the right to vote, in the work of the National Council in respect of matters related to student interests.
2.2. Structure of Studies
2.2.1. Types and Levels of Studies
The activity of higher education is performed through academic and professional studies based on accredited study programs for the achievement of higher education.
At the academic studies, academic study programsare carried out. A program enables students to develop and use in practice scientific, professional, and artistic achievements.
At the professional studies, professional study programs are carried out. Such a program enables students to apply knowledge and skills necessary for participating in the work process.
The studies are organized in three levels, corresponding to the three Bologna cycles.
- The first level studies are:
- basic (bachelor) professional studies.
- basic (bachelor) academic studies;
- The second level studies are:
- specialist professional studies;
- graduate academic studies – master ("diploma" studies);
- specialist academic studies.
- The third level studies aredoctoral academic studies.
2.2.2. List of Titles
A list of professional, academic, and scientific titles is defined on the national level by the National Council. The list covers all fields of education:
- natural sciences and mathematics;
- social studies and the humanities;
- medical science;
- engineering and chemical engineering; and
- arts.
Within each field, qualification titles for various areas are compiled. The list indicates the degree at a given level of study in a given field and area, and abbreviations for these titles. Study programs can be accredited only respecting this list.
2.2.3. Organization of Studies
Basic studies may be organized by all institutions of higher education defined by the Law onHigher Education. The basic academic studies last three to four years. The basic professional studies last for three years.
A person who finishes the basic academic studies acquires the professional title that includes the name of the profession of the first level academic studies in the corresponding area – bachelor. In the list of titles, a distinction is made between academic bachelor studies that encompass 180 ECTS credits (3-year programs) and those that encompass 240 ECTS credits (4-year programs). A person who finishes the basic professional studies acquires the professional title that includes the name of the profession of the first level of professional studies in the corresponding area –bachelor appliqué.
A study program of the basic and specialist studies can include a final written work.
Graduate academic studies (master) can be organized by a university, faculty, or a higher education school. The graduate academic studies last one or two years, depending on the duration of the basic academic studies.
A study program of graduate academic studies always includes a final work. The person who finishes graduate academic studies acquires the academic title-graduated, with the name of profession of the second level of graduate academic studies in a corresponding area-master.
Integrated studies (one cycle program) can be organized to combine the basic level and the master level. Academic study programs of medical sciences can be organized and integrated studies with a total of maximum 360 ECTS points.
PhD studies can be organized by universities and faculties. PhD studies last for at least three years with previous basic and graduate academic studies that lasted for at least five years.
PhD dissertation is the final part of the study program of PhD studies, with the exception of the PhD in Art which is an artistic project explained through an academic written work.
Exceptionally, a person can achieve the PhD title by graduating from medical studies and finished specialization, on the grounds of the dissertation defense based on his/her works published in leading world magazines.
2.2.4. Grading System
A student’s achievement in a specific subject is continuously assessed during lectures and it is expressed in points.
By fulfilling the pre-exam requirements and by passing an exam, a student can achieve the maximum of 100 points. Each study program establishes the proportion of points achieved during the exam-preceding duties and in the exam. The pre-exam requirements duties bring minimum 30 and maximum 70 points. The final marks are in the range from 5 (failed) to 10(excellent). An institution of higher education can establish a different, non-numeric method of marking, by establishing the relation between these marks and those of 5 to 10.
2.3. Higher Education Institutions
The activity of higher education in the Republic of Serbia is performed by several kinds of higher education institutions, as described below.All these institutions have the status of legal subjects. All institutions are independent institutions of higher education, except for faculties and art academies. The institutions can be founded by the Republic or by a legal entity or a natural person, in accordance with the law. All institutions must have a work permit, issued by the government, to operate legally. All institutions and their study programs must be accredited for their diplomas to be recognized.
2.3.1.University
A university is an independent institution of higher education the performance of which unites educational, scientific, research, and professional/artistic work, as components of the unique higher education process. The university can perform all types and levels of studies. An institution of higher education has the status of university if it performs academic study programs at all levels of studies, within at least three fields (natural sciences and mathematics, social and humanistic studies, medical science, technical and technological science, and arts) and three areas (which are defined, within the three fields, by the National Council). As an exception, a university can be established in the area of art, if it contains all three levels of studies from at least three fields of art.
2.3.2. Faculty / ArtAcademy
A faculty or an art academy is a unit of the system of higher education which is a part of a university. It performs academic study programs and develops scientific, research, and professional/artistic activities within one or more areas. The faculty/art academy can also perform specialized study programs. In the legal traffic, the faculty/art academy is presented by the name of the university to which it belongs, under its own name and in accordance with the university statute.
2.3.3. Academy of Professional Studies
An academy of professional studies is an independent institution of higher education the performance of which unites educational, research, professional, and artistic work, as components of the unique process of higher education. The academy of professional studies can perform basic professional studies and specialist professional studies. An institution of higher education has the status of the academy of professional studies if it accomplishes at least five accredited study programs from at least three fields.
2.3.4. Higher Education School
Ahigher education schoolis an independent institution of higher education which performs basic, specialist, and graduate academic studies in one or more areas.
2.3.4. Colleges of Professional Studies
A college of professional studies is an independent institution of higher education which performs basic professional and specialist professional studies in one or more areas.
2.4. Admission requirements
Each institution has a quota for the students who can enroll a study program.
To enroll the first level studies, a candidate takes the entrance exam or ability-check exam, in accordance with the rules of the independent institution of higher education. The list (order) of candidates to enroll the first level of studies is established on the basis of the general success achieved during high-school education and results achieved at the entrance/ ability-check exam. A candidate, who passed the final, general knowledge high school exam, does not take the entrance exam. In this case, the candidate’s results of the final high school exam are being assessed, instead of the entrance exam, in accordance with the rules of the independent institution of higher education. An independent institution of higher education can direct the candidate, who passed the professional/artistic final high school exam instead of the entrance exam, to take tests in certain subjects of the general, final high school exam.
On the basis of the competition criteria, an independent institution of higher education makes the rank order list of applied candidates.
The right to enroll the first level of studies has the student who is ranked on the list, within the number of students determined in accordance with the Law onHigher Education. A student of the first level studies of another independent institution of higher education, a person who acquired the higher education at the first level studies, and a person who no longer has the status of a student, in accordance with the law, can enroll the first level studies, under conditions and within forms established by the rules of the independent institution of higher education, at her/his personal demand.
A candidate enrolls the second and third level of studies under certain conditions, according to the criteria and procedures established by the rules of the institution and open competition of the candidates who seek admission.
Generally, to enter a master program, the candidate must have obtained a bachelor diploma in the corresponding field. To enter a specialist academic program, the candidate must have obtained the bachelor academic title and, possibly, the master diploma. To enter a specialist professional program, the completed bachelor program is required.