Universities in Macedonia

Universities in Macedonia

A landlocked country, the Republic of Macedonia is bordered by Kosovo to the northwest, Serbia to the north, Bulgaria to the east, Greece to the south and Albania to the west. It constitutes approximately the northwestern half of the larger geographical region of Macedonia. Ranked as the fourth 'best reformatory state' out of 178 countries ranked by the World Bank in 2009, Macedonia has undergone considerable economic reform. The country's large abundance of natural and cultural attractions make it an attractive destination for tourists.

Studying in Macedonia can be an exciting opportunity to experience a new culture and way of life than most people are used to enjoying. The country is located on the Balkan peninsula in the southeastern portion of Europe. This landlocked country, once known as Yugoslavia, is near Serbia, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Greece, and Albania. The capital city of Skopje is one of the largest in the area. This beautiful area, with more than 16 mountains over 6500 feet and with dozens of lakes is an outstanding location for those who wish to explore the beauty of Europe.

For those people who wish to study in Macedonia, doing so is possible. The country is not the largest one, but it does have more than two million people. It is important to understand this country's history, lifestyle, and culture before committing to moving here to study, though. What helps to make this country unique is that it has a number of different ethnic groups, including Macedonians, Albanians, Turks, Roma, and Serbs. And, as a result, numerous languages are spoken here. The main language is Macedonian, but others include languages from each of these cultural types.

Climate

With a climate that ranges from continental to Mediterranean, this area has longer, hot, and dry summer months. The winters will get cold, but temperatures range widely. The mountainous regions are where most temperature extremes are located.

Society

The country has a strong arts and cultural background. A focus here is on art, architecture, music, and poetry. It also has an incredible history, which is often celebrated in the historic buildings as well as the churches present here. Festivals take place throughout the year to celebration holidays, the arts, and local traditions. The capital city is modern, though most of the larger cities here are as well.

Higher Education in Macedonia

Students in the country are, of course, mostly from those who were born and raised in the country. However, some international students are present. Many are from transplanted families who have come to live in the region. Children start out with pre-school before the age of five. Then, they move on to primary and secondary school. Most will learn trade skills in secondary school before making a decision to move on to higher education. Though many enter into the workforce or a specialized trade school at this point, others move on to college-level education.

Macedonia has five state universities. Those include the following:

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

In addition to these schools, there are also a number of private universities and institutions of higher learning in the country. The following are the largest:

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

In addition to these opportunities, some students at all levels of education have become a part of the Macedonia Connects project. This project is the first, all-broadband wireless network in the world. This was put in place through the United States Agency for International Development. With this whole-country broadband service, there are now 461 schools, including primary and secondary, connected to the Internet. Additionally, many of the colleges and universities throughout the country now offer this type of educational opportunity to students. For some international students, this could be an opportunity to begin learning in Macedonia even from afar.

In terms of costs associated with this type of education, Macedonia's colleges and universities set the actual terms for these elements. Schools will also play their own role in determining who is able to enroll for education in the university. The largest international-student base in the country's universities is at European University of Macedonia. This is an accredited school offering a range of educational opportunities for foreign students. At this school, students will pay an application fee to apply of about €200. For undergraduate students, the cost is about €5000 per year. Those working towards MSc and MA degrees will pay €8000 per year. At the PhD level, costs range from €10,000 up to 20,000 annually. Students must also furnish their accommodations.

Travel Visa for Students Studying in Macedonia

If you wish to visit the country, you will need to have the proper allowance to do so. If you plan to be in the country for under 15 days, a multi-entry Schengen visa is acceptable and necessary. Students who plan to remain here longer will need to obtain a student visa from the Macedonian government. To obtain this visa, students must first have the acceptance of enrollment into one of the state-recognized universities in the country. Additionally, students must have proof that they have financial funding to not only pay for education but also to cover their entire stay's worth of expenses.

Health Insurance

The schools do not provide students who travel internationally with health insurance and the public health system does not accept foreign health insurance. Therefore, students will need to apply for health insurance through a local provider. They will be required to have this type of coverage before being able to obtain a travel visa to the country.

Why Study in Macedonia?

There are plenty of reasons to travel to Macedonia for educational purposes. One of the best reasons to do so is to be a part of the numerous research studies taking place here. Science is an area of focus for students who attend higher education and this is evident in the vast number of scientific programs present. Additionally, the country has a rich culture, beautiful national parks, and a welcoming atmosphere for those who travel here. Tourism is rich. The country's economic conditions are about the same if not stronger than other parts of Europe. Additionally, the country's educational system is worth exploring.