Education in Montenegro is regulated by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport. Education starts in either pre-schools or elementary schools. Considering the pre-school education, there are many public and private institutions to choose from. Children enroll in elementary schools at the age of six and it lasts for nine years.
All students up to Secondary schools are enrolled in public schools, which are financed from the republic's budget
Elementary education in Montenegro is free and compulsory for all the children between the age of 6 and 14, when children attend the nine-year school.
Secondary schools are sorted in three groups, and children attend one depending on their choice and capacities, and their elementary school grades:
- Gymnasium lasts for four years and offer general and broad education. It is considered as a preparatory school for college, and hence the most prestigious.
- Professional schools last for three or four years, where students are specialized in certain fields, while still offering relatively broad education.
- Vocational schools last for three years, without an option of continuing education and specialize in narrow vocations.
There is one public and several private universities in Montenegro. University of Montenegro is the only public university. It was founded in 1974 and is a recognized higher education institution in region and Europe today. Therefore, many students choose to continue their education at this University. Private faculties were founded during the past few years and are still building their capacities, but already attract a certain number of students.