Higher education in Serbia refers to the academic development at higher education institutions: universities, colleges of applied sciences or colleges of academic studies. The higher education system in Serbia is regulated by the Law on Higher Education (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, no. 76/2005). This law is in line with the Bologna Declaration, which was signed in 1999 by ministers of education of 29 European countries. The main objective of the declaration is to lead to the creation of a unified European system of university teaching and research through the Bologna Process.

Some of the goals of the higher education in Serbia, as defined by the Law on Higher Education, include making contributions to increasing the number of academic citizens in Serbia, transferring skills and knowledge, and enabling individuals to educate themselves on equal terms and throughout their life course.

In accordance with the principles of the Bologna Declaration, which recognizes the expression of diversity and aims to create an open and efficient academic scene in Europe. Article 8 of the Law on Higher Education states that the right to higher education in Serbia belongs to "all who have completed their secondary education, regardless of their race, color, sex, sexual orientation, ethnic, national or social origin, language, religion, political or another opinion".

Higher education in Serbia is divided into three stages. First degree studies include Undergraduate Academic Studies (Bachelor) and Bachelor Applied Studies. Second level studies refer to Master Academic Studies and Master Applied Studies, as well as Specialized Academic Studies and Specialized Applied Studies academic studies, whereas the Doctoral Academic Studies are of the third degree.