Land-locked within the heart of the Balkans, North Macedonia is a country known for its extensive history dating as far back as the first millennium BCE. North Macedonia can be described as interesting, to say the least. From the Romans and the Slavs to the Ottomans than the Serbs, North Macedonia has seen many major political tide changes on its soil through time.
Today, North Macedonia stands as a candidate for joining the esteemed European Union in consideration of its achievements in reforming its economy and providing its people with a good social support system since its breakaway from Yugoslavia.
For this article, we will be listing down the best scholarships you can find to study in North Macedonia.
Related Scholarships
Living Costs in North Macedonia for International students
North Macedonia is one of Europe’s cheaper countries to live in. In fact, the overall cost of living in big North Macedonian cities averages around only €350 to €530 per month as opposed to other fellow European countries such as Greece or Germany, where monthly living costs can easily add up from the higher hundreds to a thousand euros.
To summarize, essentials such as food and transport cost less than €100/month combined. On the other hand, heavier living expenses like rent or utilities generally bill around €80 to €300 and €65 to €150 respectively. This is all assuming you live alone in a standard one-bedroom apartment by the city center.
Can international students work in North Macedonia?
International students can work in North Macedonia during their stay. International students may work for up to 20 hours per week during the term, and full time over holidays or breaks after obtaining a work permit from the Employment Agency of the Republic of North Macedonia (ESARNM); however, work permits are not required if the total period of employment does not exceed 10 hours per week.
Work permits for foreign students are issued upon verification of a full-time enrollment at a North Macedonian university and the possession of a valid residence permit.
Top Universities in North Macedonia:
North Macedonia is well-regarded for having a historically rich and ethnically diverse educational setting. Education in North Macedonia also enjoys resolute support from the government, with the great many programs it enacts in hopes for progress and improvement. Among its favored and publicly revered universities are:
- Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, North Macedonia’s oldest academic institution and alma mater to many of the country’s most important public figures
- South East European University (SEEU), an internationally recognized North Macedonian university that provides a unique learning experience courtesy of combining the best of European and U.S. instruction systems and;
- Goce Delčev University of Štip, a large and well-connected public university that fervently promotes academic progress through its countless partnerships with both domestic and international scientific and educational organizations
Best Scholarships in North Macedonia
1. International University of Struga Scholarships
The International University of Struga (IUST) is a private university in North Macedonia known for its liberal arts study programs and faculties. Determined to excel and develop diverse international perspectives, the IUST offers an exhaustive list of North Macedonian scholarship opportunities that its students and prospective freshmen may choose from each year to enable their studies and academic pursuits in this university. IUST scholarships’ amounts vary per year but are often ample enough to cover some of the heaviest expenses one can expect to shell out during their study periods.
2. International Balkan University Scholarship
Each year, the International Balkan University (IBU) offers scholarships to students from North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia interested in studying in pursuing their higher education in the institution. This scholarship program is sponsored by the Foundation for Education and Culture (USKUP) and was established with the advancement of education and scientific research in the Balkan Region in mind. Boasting a globally recognized learning environment and a curriculum completely in the English language, it is no wonder the IBU Scholarship Programme is one of the scholarships Southeast Europeans compete for the most.
Under this awesome scholarship in North Macedonia, scholars will enjoy tuition waivers starting 50% up to 100%. Scholarship amounts depend on each eligible student’s high school GPA with the minimum starting at the 3.0 – 3.99 bracket, which enables scholars to attend the university at a reduced rate of €500 per semester.
3. South East European University Scholarship
The SEEU is another internationally esteemed North Macedonian university beloved for its unique instruction techniques and pluralist educational system, as well as being among the favorite universities in the country. The SEEU offers its students four different types of financial aid: Merit-based Scholarship, Merit+Need Scholarship, Work & Study, and Financial Discount.
At least 150 students benefit from SEEU’s financial aid program each year, not counting beneficiaries of the Merit-based Scholarship (which has no set limit for the amount of students that will be awarded) and Financial Discounts. Scholarship amounts for the Merit-based Scholarship start at 40% tuition fee waivers, while Merit+Need Scholars and Work & Study recipients may receive tuition discounts of 80% and 100% respectively.
4. Title VIII Research Scholar Program
The US Government sponsors and partners with a lot of non-profit organizations that promote academic exchange programs to encourage its citizens to study abroad and widen their perspectives about the world. One of these programs is the Title VIII Combined Research and Language Training Program offered by the American Councils for International Education. Through this scholarship available in North Macedonia, students, teachers, researchers, and post-doctoral candidates from all over Asia and Europe are welcomed to conduct research for up to nine months in Eurasia and Eastern Europe; one of the preferred countries of this program is North Macedonia.
Benefits of this scholarship include round-trip airfare to and from North Macedonia, a monthly stipend, a tuition fee bursary, accommodation, and insurance. Successful candidates of this scholarship are also set to receive visa and logistics support, archive access, and language lessons (if need be).
5. Fulbright Scholarship
The Fulbright Program has a scholarship for every one, making it perhaps no surprise it has become one of the better-known scholarships on the worldwide stage. These are awarded based on merit and financial need, often covering most (if not full) educational expenses its scholars are set to incur.
This prestigious program may help students aiming to study in North Macedonia in three different ways. These are through…:
- the English Teaching Assistantship program, available to American students in their senior year in an American university,
- the program’s Open Study/Research Awards, intended for students, teachers, and researchers aiming to teach and/or conduct research in specific countries abroad relative to their respective subjects and fields,
- and direct application under the Fulbright program as a student enrolled in a North Macedonian university.
These North Macedonia scholarships are only available to international students of US-citizenry.
