Study in Kosovo

Kosovo's higher education system operates under Law No. 04/L-037. The Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA) assesses institutional and programme accreditation, while the State Council of Quality (SCQ) makes quality decisions. The KAA directory changes over time, so check the current status of both the institution and the specific programme before applying. A programme without accreditation does not provide a regular state-recognized higher-education qualification. Public institutions include Universiteti i Prishtinës "Hasan Prishtina", Universiteti i Prizrenit "Ukshin Hoti", Universiteti i Pejës "Haxhi Zeka", Universiteti i Gjakovës "Fehmi Agani", Universiteti i Gjilanit "Kadri Zeka", Universiteti i Mitrovicës "Isa Boletini" and University of Applied Sciences Ferizaj. Other recognized providers include International Business College Mitrovica, the Faculty of Islamic Studies and Kosovo Public Safety Academy. Private colleges include AAB, Biznesi, Heimerer, Pjetër Budi, Rezonanca, UBT, Universum, FAMA, RIT Kosovo/A.U.K, Evolucion and Tempulli. Available fields include business and economics, law, education, medicine and other health sciences, engineering and technology, natural sciences, social sciences, arts, philology, agriculture and veterinary studies. Bachelor programmes usually last three or four years and carry 180 or 240 ECTS. Master programmes usually last one or two years and carry 60 or 120 ECTS; one academic year normally represents about 60 ECTS and one semester about 30 ECTS. Doctoral study is research-based and follows institution-specific academic requirements. A programme normally uses two semesters and combines lectures, seminars, exercises, laboratory or fieldwork, practical placements and independent study. Examinations may be written, oral, practical or performance-based under the programme syllabus, and bachelor or master study can include a thesis and public defence. Bachelor admission normally requires at least twelve years of schooling and a secondary-school certificate or Matura. Public institutions commonly use a competition call, called konkurs, with programme-specific quotas, entrance examinations, ranking and an appeal process. Applicants apply directly to the higher education institution, and admission does not automatically guarantee a study place. Master admission requires a bachelor degree; a 120-ECTS master's programme generally follows 180 prior ECTS, while a 60-ECTS programme generally follows 240. A programme may require a related field or differential examinations. Doctoral admission follows an institutional public call. At the University of Prishtina, a reference pathway includes a relevant field, at least 300 ECTS, an average grade of at least 8, English at B2 level, a research concept and a mentor, but each institution sets its own detailed criteria. Public bachelor and master study is tuition-free under government policy, although registration, administration and examination fees may still apply. Doctoral study is fee-based, and private tuition depends on the institution and programme because Kosovo has no single national private-college tariff. Scholarships may come from the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, a university, a municipality or an international programme. Calls can target merit, STEM fields, vulnerable or social groups, communities, students with disabilities, doctoral study or mobility. A 2025 student mobility scholarship used need and distance criteria, while a one-time 100 euro student payment was time-limited and did not create a permanent entitlement. Albanian and Serbian are local higher-education languages. English and other languages depend on the programme, which may also set language requirements or provide study-integrated support. Erasmus+ and bilateral mobility can allow study elsewhere, with ECTS recognition determined by the institutions involved. Bachelor graduates can enter employment or continue to a master. An academic master can provide a pathway toward a scientific doctorate, while the University of Prishtina does not use a professional master as a pathway to a scientific doctorate. A doctorate can lead toward research and academic work, although regulated professions may require an additional licence or professional examination. The National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC Kosovo) handles recognition of foreign higher-education qualifications and National Qualifications Framework levels 5 to 8. Qualifications from North Mitrovica follow a separate verification process through e-Kosova, a digital public-service platform; the verification is free and the decision can take up to 55 days. These procedures can matter for public employment, licensing and professional examinations. MESTI, also known as MASHTI or MASH, sets education policy, scholarship calls and the recognition framework, while faculties and university senates handle programme rules, quotas, admission, examinations and graduation.