Study in Macedonia

The admission of international students at Macedonian universities is slowly rising from the past few years. The government and universities in Macedonia keep updating its services as much as possible to benefit international students. If you are planning to study in Macedonia, here is the complete guide.

Why Study in Macedonia?

There are many reasons to migrate to Macedonia for educational purposes. One of the best reasons is to be a part of the numerous research studies taking place here. Most of the higher education courses are taught in the Macedonian language, but you can also find many courses taught in Albanian, Turkish or English language. So you can study in Macedonia in English if you don’t know other languages.

Macedonia has a rich culture, attractive national parks, and a welcoming nature for foreigners. Tourism is rich. The economic conditions of the country are almost the same if not stronger than other regions of Europe. Additionally, the country's educational system is worth exploring.

Degrees offered in Universities of Macedonia

International students can take any course at any level of higher education. All the 3 levels of degrees are offered by the universities in Macedonia. Here are the details of it:

1. University level first stage: Undergraduate(Bachelor’s degree)

The first-level degree of university study is obtained on completion of a four- to the six-year course. The exact duration of bachelors studies leading to higher-level diplomas depends on the type of field you choose. For example: In Medicine field, it can take 6 years of study, In Technological/Metallurgical field it may take - 5 years of study, in the field of Law - 4 years of study.

2. University level second stage: Graduate(Master’s degree)

The Master’s degree in Macedonia is awarded after 2 years of the full-time study. Each graduate student can choose their relevant professional fields - e.g. Surgery, Obstetrics, Engineering. After obtaining a masters degree in Macedonia, you can get a good job or continue studying PhD.

3. University level third stage: Doctorate(PhD)

Those who have completed a masters degree can pursue a PhD.  After an approved period of research and the defence of a doctoral dissertation, you will be rewarded with a doctorate. This takes 3 years to complete.

How to study in Macedonia?

You can study abroad in Macedonia by following a few simple steps. Here is the step-by-step process, to help you reach your destination:

1. Research all the available educational options and select the university and course in Macedonia.
2. Check the eligibility criteria and requirements of the university for that particular course
3. Apply for the admission in the university with the documents as specified by the institution.
4. Once the university accepts your application you will be issued an offer letter.
5. After receiving the offer letter apply for the student visa.
6. Get the study visa and fly to Macedonia for your semesters.

Top courses to study in  Macedonia

Macedonia has a lot to offer when it comes to academic courses of higher education. International students will have plenty of options to choose from. Some of the popular courses are:

1. Study economics in Macedonia
2. Study information technology in Macedonia
3. Study international Law in Macedonia
4. Study Marketing and financial management in Macedonia
5. Study engineering in Macedonia
6. Study medicine in Macedonia
7. Study social science in Macedonia
8. Study Computer Science in Macedonia
9. Study communications in Macedonia
10. Study nursing in Macedonia

Universities in Macedonia

Macedonia consists of public as well as private universities. International students can take admission in any of these universities as per their requirements. Macedonia has five state universities. They are:

• University for Information Science and Technology (also known as St. Paul the Apostle), which is located in Ohrid.
• Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, located in Skopje
• St Clement of the Ohrid University of Bitola, located in the city of Bitola
• The State University of Tetovo, located in Tetovo
• The Goce Delcev University of Stip, located in the city of Stip

There are several private universities and institutions of higher learning in the country. The following are more popular:

• Slavic University, located in Sveti Nikole
• European University
• South East European University

Requirements to Study in Macedonia

To apply in Macedonian university, you should have proper paperwork Application forms of the interested university should be properly filled and signed. The requirements of the documents differ from the university and the course you choose. However, some of the common Documents required to apply in Macedonia are:

• All the copies of your past diplomas or certificates, including your degree certificate.
• Birth proof/certificate
• Latest photographs
• Passport or national identity card
• Letter of recommendations from past professors or employers
• Proof of English language proficiency. For example: IELTS, TOEFL or C1 Advanced language certificates.  The scores should be qualified with the minimum requirement specified by the universities in Macedonia.
• Statement of purpose
• academic transcripts
• Curriculum Vitae
• Additional documents such as scoresheet of GRE, GMAT or LSAT etc (required for the specific courses only).

Cost of studying in Macedonia

Generally, international students can expect a tuition fee from 200 to 400 euro at public universities. At the private Higher Education Institutes students have to pay around 500 euro to 2000 euro per academic year. The average cost of living in Macedonia can be around 350 to 530 EUR per month in big cities.

Scholarships in Macedonia for international students

The government and the universities of Macedonia provide numerous scholarships to International students. These scholarships are provided to encourage international students to study in Macedonia. However, there are some eligibility criteria and requirements you need to fulfil to gain the rewards. Some of the scholarships are listed here:

• Macedonia Government Scholarship
• UIST 'St. Paul The Apostle' Scholarship 
• St Clement of the Ohrid University of Bitola scholarship
• The Goce Delcev University of Stip scholarship
• International University of Struga scholarship
• International Balkan university Scholarship

Student visa for Macedonia

Students who want to live in Macedonia will need to obtain a student visa from the Macedonian government. You can apply for the visa at your nearest embassy. You will require to submit some of the supporting documents along with your visa application form. To obtain this visa, students must first have 

• Evidence of admission into one of the state-recognized universities in Macedonia. 
• The proof that they have financial funding to not only pay for education but also to cover their entire stay's worth of expenses.
• A valid passport
• Evidence of Health insurance
• Proof that there are no pending criminal proceedings
• Passport-size photographs
• Your transcripts(if required)
• Language proficiency proof(if required)

It takes 45 - 60 Days for the visa process. So, apply with all the documents required for the visa as early as possible. Once your visa application is approved you can enter Macedonia to attend your academic classes. 

Study and work in Macedonia

Yes, an international student can work during their studies in Macedonia. They only need to obtain a work permit to combine studying with working in Macedonia. The work permit will be valid as long as a valid study permit. An applicant can apply for the work permit if they have:

• a valid residence permit
• are enrolled full time at a Macedonia university.

Please note that the international student can work maximum up to 20 hours per week. However, they can work full-time during holidays and school breaks.