Universities open the 2026–2027 academic year; UKIM hosts official programme in Skopje

The 2026–2027 academic year opened today at universities across the country with the traditional "first academic hour" events for freshmen and returning students.

At Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje the first academic hour will take place on the university plateau and will feature an official programme with formal addresses, a cultural and artistic programme, an informational session and social activities for students.

Leadership, capacity and student housing

The event at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University will include an address by the Minister of Education and Science, Vesna Janevska. According to the university competition this year, 8,851 places were available for first‑year students across 23 faculties within the university.

More than 26,000 students are currently enrolled at the country’s largest and oldest university; of these, over 23,400 are in undergraduate studies, while the remainder are enrolled in master’s and doctoral programmes. Ss. Cyril and Methodius University offers 242 first‑cycle (undergraduate) study programmes, 313 at the second (master’s) level and 99 at the third (doctoral) level.

Two weeks ago the Rectorate for the 2026–2029 mandate elected a new team of vice‑rectors: Prof. Dr. Sonja Topuzovska (vice‑rector for teaching), Prof. Dr. Ivana Janeska‑Stamenkovska (vice‑rector for science), Prof. Dr. Ivan Chorbev (vice‑rector for international cooperation) and Prof. Lazo Pendovski (vice‑rector for finance, investment and development). The university’s rector, Biljana Angelova, was re‑elected in May for a new three‑year mandate.

At Goce Delchev University in Shtip the first academic hour will also include a speech by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski.

The Ministry of Education and Science (MES) published lists on its website of first‑year students assigned to university dormitories in Skopje, Shtip, Tetovo, Bitola and Ohrid. The posted lists will also be displayed on the noticeboards at each dormitory where applicants applied. Students may file complaints about the results at the dormitory where they applied within 10 days of the lists’ publication. Admitted students may move into the dormitory starting on the date they sign the contract with the dormitory, but no later than 10 days after the final list is announced.

Photo: Arhiva