University of Belgrade is the oldest and the largest university in Serbia. Its predecessor was the College founded in 1808 that in 1838 became Lyceum, and in 1863 Higher School. In 1905, by a special decree of the former Serbian Government, the lyceum became the University of Belgrade. It started its institutional life with 3 schools (philosophy, law and engineering). Today University of Belgrade consists of 31 schools, 8 research institutes.

As the largest learning community in this part of Europe, with over 80,000 students, approximately 4.5% of whom are doctoral candidates and 5,000 teachers and associates and great number of projects that are being implemented, University of Belgrade has unique responsibilities and opportunities with regard to the society. The University of Belgrade has also great experience in cooperation with international organizations dealing with higher education. This is clearly shown by the 124 bilateral agreements of cooperation concluded with 69 universities on all continents, membership in the European University Association (EUA), the International Association of Universities (AIU), the Danube Rectors Conference (DRC), the Balkan University Network, the University Network of the Adriatic and Ionian Basin (UNIADRION), Association des Universites Francophones (AUF), World University Service (WUS) and others. The University also maintains contacts with rector conferences in individual countries, with academic associations and teacher and student exchange associations.