New regulations under the recently enacted Law on Higher Education allow students who have completed the first year of a two-year master’s program to apply for their diplomas. However, institutions are currently unable to issue these diplomas until certain compliance measures are met.
Officials at the University of Montenegro (UCG) indicated that students can officially submit requests for diploma issuance. While they are guaranteed to receive their diplomas, the exact timeline remains uncertain. The university stated that students became eligible for diplomas following the law’s implementation. They are actively working with faculties and the relevant ministry to align procedures, aiming to finalize compliance by the end of the year. UCG plans to provide faculties with guidelines for processing these requests once the regulations are in place.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the situation. Similarly, the Student Parliament of Montenegro has not provided updates on student concerns. Some students have expressed interest in obtaining diplomas from various faculties but have refrained from submitting official requests after learning that immediate issuance is not possible.
In recent discussions, the Student Parliament emphasized the urgency of adopting the Law on Higher Education to facilitate employment opportunities for graduates. Many students completing the three plus two model (undergraduate and master’s degrees) have struggled to find suitable employment after finishing their undergraduate studies. They argued that having access to diplomas after the first year of master’s studies would classify them as qualified for numerous job positions.
Amid these developments, applications for a professional training program with employers are open from October 18 to November 18, 2023. This program is scheduled to commence on January 15, 2026. Sources suggest that an additional call for applications could be considered for students awaiting their diplomas from the first year of their master’s studies.
The Student Parliament of UCG previously threatened to halt classes in early October if the law enabling diploma issuance was not passed. However, they suspended this plan after the law was successfully enacted. Under the new law, students who enrolled in a master’s program with a total of 120 ECTS credits before its implementation can request a diploma in postgraduate specialist studies, provided they have accrued at least 60 ECTS credits.
One significant change introduced by the new law is the flexibility for faculties to choose their academic structure, such as 3+2+3, 3+1+1+3, or 4+1+3 models. Additionally, practical training has been redefined, now requiring a minimum of 30 ECTS for undergraduate programs, with training conducted in real working environments or institutional settings.
Furthermore, students enrolling for the next academic year can request to take up to ten additional ECTS credits beyond the standard 60 ECTS limit for courses from previous years, though they will be responsible for any associated fees. Students from marginalized groups and those with disabilities are exempt from these fees.
Officials from the Ministry of Education recently emphasized that the new law lays the groundwork for a modern, equitable, and internationally recognized higher education system that aligns with the strategic goals of the state and European standards.
The process for developing this new law began during the tenure of former Education Minister Vesna Bratic, but the reasons for delays in its advancement were not clarified to the public. The issue continued under the stewardship of Minister Miomir Vojinovic, but progress remained stagnant until it was eventually addressed by current Minister Anđela Jakšić-Stojanović.
