Provided are methods and apparatuses for encoding and decoding an image. The method of encoding an image includes: splitting a current picture into at least one maximum coding unit; determining a split structure of the at least one maximum coding unit and a prediction mode and partitions of each coding unit by encoding image data of the at least one maximum coding unit based on depths of deeper coding units; setting skip information and split information about a split of a coding unit of an upper depth including each coding unit, according to the each coding unit; and encoding the split information and skip information, which are set according to each coding unit.